I think several of my hens have favus-- their symptoms are dry looking skin on the face/comb/wattles and peeling earlobes. I bought some atheletes foot cream (Tinactin) and applied a treatment today but I've read so many different opinions on what to use! I don't want to waist my time with a...
I have a 6 month old RIR hen who has been up until now very healthy and laying well. Several days ago we noticed she seemed uncoordinated-- she would fall off the roost, accidentally dip her entire head in the water when trying to drink, and stumbling to her right side when trying to walk. She...
None of the feed stores here sell Flock Raiser, and I can't seem to find an alternative. I have 13 week olds I want to mix in with 3 year old layers. Can I feel everybody a grower pellet and leave out oyster shell for my layers?
This spring's order of chicks from McMurray included a free "rare breed"/mystery chick. She started out all white with blue/gray feet. This is how she looks at 13 weeks (a lot more golden color now!):
Any ideas?
I'm starting my fourth year with chickens and have had problems with aggressive hens since day one. Mostly just feather picking, but two days ago one hen was more seriously injured. She's a Black Australorp and small for her breed. She's always been a little hen-pecked-- feathers plucked from...
Hi all. I am picking up a couple of Araucana hens today. I went last week to check them out (they belong to a neighbor-- she has 17 hens and is looking to downsize her flock) and they appear healthy; the environment was clean. I am still planning on doing the 4-6 week quarantine though. I...
Yesterday afternoon in broad daylight a coyote grabbed one of my RIR hens while they were free ranging. DH was using the trimmer not 100 yards away! He paused to do something and heard the hens making noise. When he turned around there was a coyote by the coop staring at him, and a pile of...
On of my 2 year old hens was not acting herself the other night-- lethargic and poofy, and her rear/vent was covered in diarrhea (the vent was not pasted though). Her crop was swollen and gurgly and I figured it was sour crop. I cleared out her crop, kept her isolated for 2 days with only ACV...
I noticed this morning that one of my RIR hen's feet were a little reddish, down the outside legs and inbetween the "toes" on both feet. She is about 18 months old and appears healthy, not in any discomfort. She is, however, the one I posted a few weeks back about who has been pecking out her...
I've been reading the forum to try and get a handle on my RIR's strange behavior. After reading what I've found I think she might be broody, but she is not a textbook case so I'm a little unsure.
Here is the story: In late June/early July I noticed one of my 15 month old RIR's had a bare spot...
Hi all I have four RIR hens that are a year old. We had such a smooth first year but recently things seem to be going downhill! About a month ago we had to euthanize one of our girls for a recurring impacted crop problem. Now we have a feather picker.
They have plenty of room (7x12 coop...
All of my 4 RIR hens are currently experiencing some feather loss around the neck/breast area. Since I've checked thoroughly for mites, I'm assuming they are doing a little spring moulting (they are just a year old). Anyway, the odd thing is, one of the hens in one of her bare-ish spots, has...
I hope someone here can help, I've been searching this forum and the net and haven't been able to find any definite answers. My almost 1 year old RIR started what I thought was molting a couple of weeks ago. I have checked and checked her for mites, but can't find any evidence of any.
She...
One of my RIRs has started laying and I've noticed sometimes the tops of the eggs are whitish. They aren't soft at all, so I don't think it's a calcium issue. I know the egg color can be a little off when they start laying-- but always in the same spot? Is that normal too?
Thanks
Kelli
Are there any reputable breeders in the area? I am looking to add a couple of point-of-lay pullets or laying hens to my flock. I've spent the last few days researching on the 'net and haven't had any luck.
Thanks!
Kelli
Yep, she's a big ol' wimp. My Aussie Tess loves to play with the chickens (I have 5 19-week old RIR pullets)... problem is, I don't think THEY are playing. If Tess is out with me when I'm letting the girls range, they will circle around her and peck at her-- literally pulling out tufts of fur...
What's the difference between the two? Also, I've read here that you shouldn't feed scratch/corn in the summer, but I'm wondering when I do give them some this winter, is a handful or two each day for 5 hens too much?
Thanks
In one of the books I have (Chickens in your Back Yard), the author says it's important to switch to the grower feed before they are twelve weeks in order for the chicks to develop their natural immunity. I've also read (on this board) that if you've been giving your chicks medicated feed, you...
I purchased one of these:
http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/CATALOG/3_gallon_double_wall_fount_4987158.htm
Does anybody else use one? Seems simple enough... slip the top off, fill it with water, slip the top back on and lock it into place. I have it hanging next to my hanging feeder inside the...
My 6 (almost 7) week old pullets have been spending their days in their new coop and run, but I'm still bringing them in at night to have them sleep in a brooder box in the greenhouse. The problem is, the box is getting small for them. It's fine for sleeping, and I keep the chick waterer in...