Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
I'll definitely do the vaseline on their combs, and luckily dh built a great coop that will keep them out of the elements, and still have good ventilation.
Have a great day!
Well, after researching the characteristics, temperments, etc of RIRs I bought 4 from a man reducing his flock. He assured me they were RIRs, and I think he really believed it, too. They were only 6 weeks when I got them, so I didn't notice a problem. Now they are about 6 months, and I'm sure...
Two of mine started off with huge, jumbo, double-yolked eggs. Then after that they went down to a small size, and now, after a couple of weeks, the eggs are getting to a more 'normal' size with regular frequency. I've heard this is pretty common.
Good luck with your chicks!
I caught my 7 year old son doing the 'chicken-toss' before. They were used to playing with them since they helped raise them from day old chicks, and he wasn't being malicious, just thought it was funny. Regardless, we have put a firm rule in place that tossing is not allowed. We want our...
It does sound like maybe a roo- but pics would definitely be helpful.
I have all hens now, and the only time they every 'attacked' me was when I had red sandals on. They went crazy going after the red straps- no blood drawn, but I must've looked ridiculous hopping around fending off the girls...
I have 4 rir's and 2 black australorps. I have one rir that started laying last week at 20 weeks-just little pullet eggs every other day, and yesterday I think my one BA laid her first-she would be almost 20 weeks. And those 2 have the reddest faces and combs/wattles. I haven't noticed much...
I have a smaller yard than OPs, and while I have a large enclosed coop and run, I don't have full fenced in yard. Our neighbor has a PERFECT garden, and I'm absolutely paranoid about my chickens finding it. I do want them to have access to fresh grass and bugs, though. We have a small budget...
Great thread!
I have to say I agree with Beekissed. I am in my first year of having chickens, and just have a small backyard flock of 6 that are closer to pets than livestock. I reread Beekissed's original post, and I don't think she's saying that you shouldn't breed or rehome at all. She's...
These are all fun to read.
My chickens have an enclosed run & coop, so I don't have to let them out or put them in at night, but I do like them to have fresh grass and bugs, so I usually move them outside for a while,so I visit them then. Lately, with the heat they stay out for all of 5...
That's a fun idea! I just got my first egg yesterday.
Whoever laid it decided to take the hay out of the nest box and lay it directly on plywood. So unfortunately, it had some small cracks and I didn't feel comfortable eating it. Too bad, because it was a double yolk
Maybe I'll have to...
Yep- I agree my kids are much better at rounding up any wayward hens. We call my 5 year old DD the "chicken whisperer" . She can get them to do anything!
And I just saw the scene the other night where Rocky was training by chasing a chicken. Maybe I should let mine out on purpose so I can...
HI I'm interested in your BO, and possibly the RIR.(especially if they do well together) I currently have 4 rir's and 2 black autralorp that are point of lay, and would like to add a few more to my flock. Have they had any vaccinations/any health issues I should know about? And how are...
I'm pretty new, too, but I'll give your questions a shot
For id purposes, I use colored velcro strips that you can find at a craft/fabric store. Each one has their own color- avoiding red. You just have to make sure they aren't too tight, and check frequently, especially while they are still...
I'm with you on not touching them. When they were chicks, we handled them a lot to get them used to us, but now they're 3 months old, and don't seem to care for being picked up. So I chat with them when I'm out there, but don't really pet them or pick them up. They like it that way, and so do I!
Mine are enjoying some cool watermelon right this moment.
They practically climb over each other to get at it. Besides strawberries, I think watermelon is their favorite!
I guess it all depends on the person- if you search the threads for "chicken names" it will probably give you a zillion to choose from. It's a big topic around here. I've seen people that have 30 chickens that all have names (I have no idea how they tell them apart), and people with 3 that...
I've had my 3 month old RIRs since they were six weeks. I tried to name them, but couldn't tell them apart, so I gave up. I finally found colored velcro strips that I can use for ID tags so now they have names.
I made it super easy for me to remember whose who by giving them a floral name...