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  1. Melissa F

    Spotted these at livestock auction...

    Thanks so much! I thought I was familiar with most breeds, but never heard of Campines before. Might seek these out next spring when I'm ready to add to my flock!
  2. Melissa F

    Spotted these at livestock auction...

    anyone know the breed? We thought they were so pretty!
  3. Melissa F

    The Olive-Egger thread!

    Last spring I hatched out eggs from our varied flock. I had one rooster, a Rhode Island Red, and I was hoping the chicks we got from our Easter Eggers would be Olive Eggers. This week they started laying...and got an olive colored egg! I think this must be the hen that layed it- what do you...
  4. Melissa F

    Question about supplemental lighting

    I've never had to add lighting in my coop before...other years my birds layed fine year round. But I have only been getting 1-2 eggs for over 2 months now. (Original flock went through a long molt and younger hens haven't started laying yet). Now that I've gone two days without my egg sandwich...
  5. Melissa F

    5 month old chickens not roosting

    Mine slept on the floor for the longest time, too. I had older birds who were roosting, so I figured maybe they weren't letting the young ones on the roost. But now my younger chickens are 7 months and I just noticed them finally sleeping on the roost at night. I didn't do anything different, so...
  6. Melissa F

    What does a rotten egg indicate?

    After every 10 years of on-and-off chicken keeping, we finally encountered our first truly rotten egg. My son was making breakfast and was using eggs that were collected within the past 4 days, and one exploded as he cracked it, spewing a disgusting greenish black mess. My question is, do I...
  7. Melissa F

    eating your pet open discussion

    I agree with sarahal88 completely. I try to only eat meat that comes from a source I know, and that includes eating our own chickens.
  8. Melissa F

    Do you separate a new momma hen and her chicks from the rest of the flock?

    I'm expecting our first hatch using a broody hen, and am not sure how common it is for the rest of the flock to take to the new arrivals. I have 12 other hens and a rooster, and they were all raised together and are friendly with each other. How likely is it for the other chickens to attack...
  9. Melissa F

    Recommendations for an economical candler, please!

    Can anyone recommend a candler that works well, especially on blue and dark eggs, for under $25? I mostly want one because my 11 year old son is really into incubating eggs, and just loves when we candle them. We use our own eggs, and they are mostly just a farmyard variety, so it's not like I...
  10. Melissa F

    Does humidity rise when you first put eggs in?

    I can't remember from last year! I had the temps and humidity perfect for about 2-3 days before putting my eggs in. I put them in about an hour ago and the temp naturally went down (the eggs were a little on the cool side) but my humidity went way up! How much time to give it until I start...
  11. Melissa F

    I've never seen an egg do this!

    This morning I collected an egg that had a crack lengthwise along the egg...just the shell was cracked, but the membrane was still in place. I put it on the counter with the other eggs, and my son noticed it and asked about it. I told him that I figured it froze, and we'll decide if we will eat...
  12. Melissa F

    need some ideas for watering in winter

    I am very hesitant about using any type of heating source in my coop. It is a section of a 150 year old bank barn, and as much as enjoy the chickens I just can't risk starting a fire. I'm trying to come up with ideas on keeping the water from freezing this winter- I know I can't prevent it...
  13. Melissa F

    Faverolles Thread

    I'm curious when Favorelles generally start laying. Mine will be 4 months this week and we are anxiously awaiting our first egg! I know next to nothing about this breed. My kids picked out a chick from a bantam bin at the local feed store last spring. I thought it was rather ugly at the time...
  14. Melissa F

    Need advice on transporting chickens

    I am planning to take about 17 roosters to auction on Tuesday. I plan to put them in cardboard boxes with holes and putting them in the bed of my truck. My question is, is it better for them if I put the cover on the bed, or leave it open air? It's not a truck cap, just a flat tonneau cover...
  15. Melissa F

    Help with gender, please!

    My freezer is already stuffed from the meat chickens we raised this summer. These birds will go to the livestock auction next week.
  16. Melissa F

    Help with gender, please!

    I have hatched So. Many. Roos. this summer! I'm starting to question if my hatching practices favor Roos. My Rhode Island reds are the only breed I hatched out 50/50. :(
  17. Melissa F

    Help with gender, please!

    They were all hatched July 4, so 9 weeks yesterday. I got the eggs from a friend, and those all white chickens were hatched from white eggs, so I assumed leghorns. This is the possible parentage of ALL the birds in the pics: a blue standard Cochin roo a buff brahma roo Hens are EE, leghorn...
  18. Melissa F

    Help with gender, please!

    Anyone?
  19. Melissa F

    Help with gender, please!

    Oh, and if anyone has any advice about the white leghorn mixes in the third photo I would appreciate it! I have 4 leghorns and one is clearly a rooster, but the other three have much lighter and someone smaller combs.
  20. Melissa F

    Help with gender, please!

    I need help with my barnyard mixes, please! They are 2 months old and primarily a Cochin and brahma mix. Buff #1 Buff #2 and #3 Buff #4 White #1 White #2 Thanks!
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