There are bumpa-bits (which I don't like) and pinless peepers, and chick bits (I believe they are called). I have the chick bits. There are plastic ones and metal ones as well. If you get the metal ones you have to get pliers to attach them. Also, you need to file the ends so they are...
Does your organic feed have any animal protein in it?
Maybe give them some raw hamburger a few times a week and see if that helps.
I haven't used the forco so I have no answers for you there but whatever the problem is, I wouldn't wait. It doesn't take long for them to become firmly...
I don't like the bumpa bits and I'll tell you why.
First off, they don't take the sun very well. They're not UV resistant at all. They will break during their first summer.
Second, they will change the shape of your bird's beak and that's gotta hurt. The lip that goes around the front...
azygous, if you wanted to take a more natural route with the aspirin and Flo, blueberries have natural aspirin in them. I keep a bag in the freezer and if one of my birds seems to be in pain from something, I will give them about a tablespoon. I cut them in half so they can see the lighter...
I would put some kind of peeper or bit on all those girls. I'm sure he is much happier living with them than in the basement though I certainly understand your reason for moving him there. I would probably do the same. Do something so the girls cannot clamp down on a feather, though they...
I'm sorry but I do know what I would do about her. Bloodthirsty beasts drive me crazy. If they want to catch, kill and eat mice, we have plenty but each other? That's just not on the menu and there IS a lot to be said for flock harmony.
Tell them that you took their drawers to wash and they're out on the clothesline drying in the sun. They should be just about dry now. Then watch to see if they look for them!
It's always a sad state of affairs to watch the decline of once prominent members of the flock!
I have a male (off topic as no feather eating involved) who was top of his little group. Inside of one week, this was his reality: top of the flock, challenged and beaten by an underling, moved...
Well... that is certainly heart-breaking news azygous!
I hope your day gets better. I also hope that Flo isn't so stressed by not having a buddy that she begins to falter. I'll be praying for you.
Wow. Maybe the stress of all that is causing it. You might give her some raw meat cut into very small pieces (bits of hamburger, organ meats or whatever you can find). She will find it very yummy she'll need it for molting and growing in her new feathers.
I would continue with the...
This is the time of year that chickens molt. If she's anywhere around 18 months of age, she will have a full molt where her feathers just fall out and she'll grow new ones.
It's a learning experience but you're doing fine. Don't give up. Those birds will bring you unlimited amounts of...
Oh good grief! I feel for ya!
Give her some yogurt. Plain and unsweetened. Also, alfalfa is an appetite stimulant. When my birds seem to need it, I will make a tea with some plain old regular alfalfa from a bale. If you or someone you know has horses, you could probably get a little...
Their butts are likely bright red because of the sun being able to touch the skin. Notice on their faces where there are no feathers... red. The leghorn may well be at the top of the pecking order and no one would dare pull her feathers so she is not necessarily the one doing the picking. You...
Bored chickens?
I understand. You could hang up a head of cabbage or put grain in a water bottle with a couple small holes drilled in it. They'll peck at it and grain will fall out the holes. Make the holes a little bit small, otherwise, they will eat up all the grain in a few minutes and...
I have too many chickens to try the hollering method. Plus, I cannot be out there all day watching them. When I'm out there, I'm usually doing something else and it was a complete fluke that I caught this young little missy misbehaving.
She's still behaving now.
I haven't witnessed my little girl trying to pluck any feathers either. I'm really hoping the habit is broken. I haven't replaced that plastic bit yet as I've been trying to get my barn re-roofed before the winter storms actually hit. I need to get a bit filed smooth and trim her beak and...