I have a 24x24 ft dog run 6.5 ft tall with a somewhat battered (but still serviceable) 8x12 ft shed enclosed within and attached to the back of my garage. I'm getting ready to cover the top with 2x4 welded wire to keep the birds in and the critters out. The shed will be open to the pen with...
Late last summer/early fall it seems that all my idiot chickens decided eggs were edible, despite my best efforts at deterence (including extra protein over and above their already extra protein, blown-out eggs stuffed with various surprises, hanging around the coop whenever possible like a...
Hi- My Narragansett tom Arthur is at least 3 years old (possibly older-I've only had him for a year and a half and can only go by what original owner (not a regular poultry associate of mine) told me). Last year I observed him breeding my hen Clara (then 1 yr old) repeatedly and she brooded...
I have a 1 year old Khaki Campbell/Mallard X (she was supposed to be all Khaki but came from a private farm and I'm certain she's mixed b/c she has the mallard hen eye-stripes). "Seven" has decided to sequester herself in her house for the past 3 days to sit on a clutch of eggs. So far she is...
Just when I thought that my Narrie tom was clueless! My hen has been laying down in front of him for the past week and all he's done is strut around and trip over her. She'll lay down for barn cats, chickens, and when she's out will run across the yard to lay down in front of me. The only...
Will one of those roof vent (bubble shaped twirly things) work for a chicken coop or does it vent too much? I notice a lot around my area on houses, barns, etc.. A friend has an extra one (not a HUGE one) laying around his barn and said he will give it to me if it will work. My main coop is...
I went by the vet's today and they have an abandoned JRT puppy about 6 months old they are looking for someone to adopt. Naturally they trotted him out to show me. He's in wonderful health and has a great disposition but the think he is probably deaf. He got along beautifully with my JRT and...
Just wanted to brag a little (ok, a lot) about my JRT Patrick who followed me into the duck/juvie chicken pen today (thought I had closed the gate all the way but was busy trying not to step on the greedy, "slightly" spoiled birds while I was entering). He sat down in the middle of them and...
Hoping to find Narragansett poults or 1-2 young hens in Southwest VA, Eastern TN, SW W VA, or Central/Western NC. Hopefully less than 150 miles from Hillsville, VA. Thanks in advance- Leigh
This evening I checked my juveniles (about 12 wks old) and found that one of my Speckled Sussex pullets (ok, maybe I'm deluding myself b/c I think he may be a cockerel but I'm hoping for precocious pullet.....regardless, he can stay) had found a lightweight string (possibly from a feed sack) and...
I just acquired my first turkey yesterday afternoon (a 1 yoa Narragansett jake). He was hand-raised and generally kept as a yard pet. Naturally I have him quarantined from my other birds for now... he's eating and drinking well, sunbathing, dustbathing, and generally seems rather relaxed and...
So- I'm picking up a 1 YOA Narragansett tom tomorrow (his owners are moving- he's been a pet). He's been kept with chickens and reportedly does fine with them. I've gotten fowl before from the folks who have him so I don't doubt that he's been treated well in the meantime. I know he needs to...
When can I expect to be able to tell my khakis apart re: male/female? What is the accepted ratio of hens/drakes? Are they like chickens? I want to be sure I have the right amount and don't overstress them.
Thanks! Leigh
So, I went there to buy dog food and chicken chow and the chicks came in and I wasn't planning to get any until I ordered some sexed pullets after Easter so my holiday houseguest wouldn't have to sleep with the chickens but.........
Allegedly the chipmunk babies are EE and the other two are...
Thought it was absurd enough to mention......
This afternoon I went out to see the kids and add another bale of shavings to their coop (mind you- this is not a new or unusual activity) when they all decided to act as if they'd never seen me (or the shavings) before and went into a blue panic as...
Any suggestions on plantings (particularly perennial) I can use to provide some natural cover/diversity in my run? It's basically 16 x 28 x 6 ft tall and I would like to provide the kids with some plantings for additional shade and interest. There are deciduous trees on the north and south...