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  1. rosemarythyme

    Another newbie winterizing question. In Wisconsin.

    Hmm, that could be problematic in winter. I've had doors freeze shut in wet conditions. :( Tough it out, mostly, and adjust adjust adjust. See how it holds up with the 3/4 wrap and make adjustments as needed - you may need to lower some of the plastic "walls" to let more moist air out higher...
  2. rosemarythyme

    Help! Beginner seeking advice on breeds for first mixed flock!

    Another vote for staggering the flock. I built for 12 and have only hit 12 once. I get a few chicks every 2 to 3 years and it keeps the eggs coming and keeps the flock an interesting mix of all sorts of colors and appearances. I currently have 3 Marans in my flock and they are more dominant...
  3. rosemarythyme

    Another newbie winterizing question. In Wisconsin.

    The problem is you really need more ventilation but I don't know where it can possibly be placed so it's above the birds without having roosts so low that the birds are just squatting in poop. Same with the run, it's going to be difficult to "winterize" it without covering up all the walls as...
  4. rosemarythyme

    Too much ventilation?

    With moderate climates it's nearly impossible to have too much ventilation. Main concern is making sure that their roosting area doesn't have drafts directly blowing on it, and you'd need to test that. Best way is to take a light ribbon and hold/attach it to the roost bar on a typically windy...
  5. rosemarythyme

    First brooder setup—what temp and bedding for day 1?

    Are these newly hatched, or are you getting them mailed or delivered from a hatchery? As a general rule you want a warm area roughly 90-95F (whether that's a heat lamp or a plate of some sort) and a cooler zone that's 10F or more cooler. One big contributor to pasty butt is overheating so...
  6. rosemarythyme

    Help please - Soft Shelled Eggs everyday and not sure what to do

    Not sure what's causing the problem egg but it wouldn't hurt to try supplementing calcium and seeing if that helps at least strengthen the shell. As far as the reduction in eggs it's much shorter daylight hours and you have older birds which should be molting soon, if they aren't already. 1-2...
  7. rosemarythyme

    Almost laying behaviors?

    Sounds like they're low on the pecking order (as they're young/about to lay) and that you might need more nests. How many birds total and how many nests? They shouldn't be allowed to sleep in there unless brooding, and they may already be laying out in the woods instead as it's "safer" than...
  8. rosemarythyme

    First Winter with Chickens - Vent Too Big?

    You'd need to stand in the coop and actually test the airflow to see if it's an issue. But considering the chickens would most likely be outside most of the day, and assuming you close the pop door at night (and if you don't that's an easy solution) any draft issue during daylight hours...
  9. rosemarythyme

    2 Soft Shell Eggs in a Row?!

    That information tells me Agnes doesn't have the sense to intake enough calcium on her own, but that layer feed at roughly 4% does provides enough calcium to meet her needs. If you don't mind feeding layer feed then that's your solution. You can always switch to an all flock during winter...
  10. rosemarythyme

    First Winter With Chickens, What To Do?

    How cold exactly does it get, and how stormy/windy? I think a lot of folks overwinterize (which then leads to ventilation issues) when they're not faced with conditions that need it. Except for the very rare, once-every-few-years sideways sleet type storm, I don't close any vents or wrap the...
  11. rosemarythyme

    First Winter with Chickens - Vent Too Big?

    I'd think about hinging a piece of wood over it and propping it open, so ventilation stays open but drafts get buffered. Sort of like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-coop-is-done-now-for-the-run.1381538/ Or tack on furnace/HVAC filter baffles...
  12. rosemarythyme

    Any idea what breed this dog is? (Image included)

    Maybe Dane and Lab? That's gonna be one big dog when it grows up!
  13. rosemarythyme

    No Eggs!

    OP how old are the birds?
  14. rosemarythyme

    Hens not returning to coop

    x2. How small is small? That could very well be the reason, especially if it was in need of cleaning + it's also poorly ventilated (which is often an issue with smaller coops) which makes it even less appealing.
  15. rosemarythyme

    What am I doing wrong? No eggs

    What parasites or worms do they have? You cannot treat preemptively for something that isn't there, plus depending on what you're treating with, there may be an egg withdrawal period as well. My guess is possibly between heat of summer and various stressors (multiple changes in feed, change...
  16. rosemarythyme

    Build Coop or Ask Town Permission First?

    Worst case scenario if you build first and then try to get the permit after you might be ordered to tear down what you've built (as an unpermitted addition) so personally I'd get the permit first.
  17. rosemarythyme

    What’s up with this egg?

    Sounds about right. Eggs from new layers can have all sorts of weird glitches, and even with regular layers I've gotten some bloody eggs like this (which is why it's best to open eggs into a cup one at a time, instead of directly into a mixing bowl). I'd chalk this up to a one off unless it...
  18. rosemarythyme

    HENS NOT LAYING AT 24-26 WEEKS OLD

    Worrying won't make them lay sooner. You may get a couple birds laying sooner rather than later, but the others may no lay until after solstice when day length starts increasing again.
  19. rosemarythyme

    Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

    I wouldn't vet wrap as that potentially could become a hiding spot for mites. Better to take sandpaper to it (if needed) and roughen up the surface to create more grip that way.
  20. rosemarythyme

    Topic of the Week - Chickens and Fall Leaves

    I don't have geese so can't answer on geese, but in general chickens won't eat tree leaves (I say in general because mine do eat tender young willow leaves, and there's a willow tree over their run). Dried oak leaves should be safe for chickens, I know they're poisonous if consumed but again...
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