I used to use a plastic snow shovel as a shield when my roo attached to protect myself. Eventually our "nice" roo turned evil as they will and even the shovel wasn't enough anymore. Don't turn your back on him, he will get you when you least expect. Oh and he'll end up ripping up your hens...
So glad I came upon this thread. A rooster does help but he too will generally run and hide if he can... at least that's what mine does. I've had problems with Coopers hawks and Turkey vultures this year. My chicks are usually kept in a hoop house style pen that offers aerial cover but I do...
Lots and lots of blankets. Seriously, you need to keep them in an incubator (indoors) if don't have feathers. If you aren't prepared to do this then maybe it's not such a good idea.
Any chance you could move the coop with the wire pen to keep them close? With just two, it should be fairly small, no? My wire pen is attached to the coop I have (4X4 coop, 6X12 pen) and I move them both seasonally (and for in-climate weather). If you don't you're going to have a twice daily...
I'm on the southern coast of RI and it's already getting really windy. Later this morning I'm going to roll the coop into the garage so it will be safe. One of the advantages of having a small coop/flock. In the past I've used my pet carriers to house them in the basement when a short term safe...
I guess I'm disgusting too. I just use cold water if they are dirty, I was always afraid the hot water would start to cook them and that soap would filter into the egg. Some people just can't handle eating something that comes out of another animals butt.
You are correct, your chickens are already acclimated to your local bacteria. I really don't think drinking the river water should be a problem, especially since you have little options. You may consider getting water from the river and letting it sit overnight to see if the sediment sinks to...
Maybe you could make something to brace her upright? You kind of have to be create and use what you have sometimes. She'll have to stay put for a while you may have to segregate her from the others (but not completely she still needs company) to avoid being trampled. Good luck, you'll know very...
I am almost positive this mentality came from the past and the fact that chicken breeds used to be more regionalized meaning that cold hearty breeds (predominantly brown egg layers) and lighter breeds that did better in the heat usually lived in different areas of the country. Where I am (New...
Tough situation but you're right, he's trying to take advantage of you because you're young and because you're not confrontational. If I were you I would lodge a formal complaint with your local police station citing the threats that he made in case something happens in the future. I would also...
Mine love it too. In the fall I give them suet cakes with the seeds, the kind you put out for the wild birds and they LOVE that. It helps to fatten them up for the cold winter too.
DE is a non-toxic method to accomplish the same thing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/678020/diatomaceous-earth
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/619887/diatomaceous-earth
This you don't have to worry about them ingesting. As with any dust, it's just not something you want to breath.