http://www.greatbigstory.com/stories/sailing-alone-around-the-world-with-a-pet-chicken?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool
This article is on CNN's website, thought you might enjoy it.
I think that is a great idea to get your chickens outside quickly. I would address the worm situation after a few months of them getting their bodies regulated. I have an automatic door for my coop which I LOVE. The greatest thing since ice cream. It is electric & we have had no issues with...
I think free range deserves all the credit it gets. It is the natural way to keep chickens. My yard is probably an acre & a half. They mostly stay in the backyard. I have all kinds of shrubs & bushes that they like to lay under, dirt holes they like to wallow in......the freedom to go where...
Also I was going to add that being outside, in the dirt, also plays other important roles. Coccidiosis is parasite that chickens can get that can be prevented with medicated feed when they are chicks & raised in the house or brooder because they are not exposed to native cocci & won't naturally...
You do have a fantastic barn & a great place for your chickens at night but I think they really need outside during the day. You said your problems started about 3 months after you got them & they had been free ranged. Chickens do not produce eggs year round. They focus on seasons likely to...
I think they need to be outside. The sun & light have a lot to do with their laying & the vitamins they get from the sun. I personally am outside all the time. I have to have the outside & I think all animals do too. I would go nuts if inside all the time. It is mother nature.
Oldhen I almost always agree with you, we seem to see things a lot the same way. I am very much all natural as much as possible. I personally would never do DE or apple cider in their water. I wouldn't want to drink water with that in it!!!! We have wonderful well water & that is what they...
I agree with you on the worming. I have never wormed mine & they are 2 1/2 years old. I have had fecal checks ran on them from my vet & all were negative. I just had one ran about a month ago & it is not expensive. I know from all my years in horses that worming just to be worming is bad. In...
Oldhen & Microchick I love your posts & I think this is a good thread. I thought a lot about your posts. I do consider mine pets. To me a pet is something you interact with constantly, it is mutually rewarding, & with complete & total trust. There is no dominance from me to them or vise...
One thing I do know is if any animal senses any insecurity, anger, or intimidation from a person they will take up on it. I think sometimes from reading on here that is what is happening & if the animal feels it is getting the upper hand or if it feels it is under any kind of threat it will keep...
I think everyone has to make that choice for themselves. Obviously from reading a lot of the posts on here roos aren't for everyone & a lot of the times I think they get a really bad rap. But if you are a patient person & let the young, sometimes goofy adolescent, grow into roosterhood it can...
I see the same thing you do. When I go outside during the day its like Harry is saying "now I can rest from watching for a little while". The hens get everything first even the mealworms & he stands back & lets them. Then he will come around right next to my side while I feed him his worms...
I personally wouldn't be without one & I know the hens would be lost without him. The 2 pullets have been lost since their brothers left. They stayed with them. They are starting to join up with their parents now. In observing mine it is Harry that is subservient to the girls. They go about...