My hens are just over a year and I expect we'll be doing our first big molt this fall. I had a few questions I'm hoping the more experienced folks can answer
1. I know an increase of protein can help. Is it useful to start that before I notice the feathers coming off?
2. What is the best...
One of my new layers (started laying 3-4 weeks ago) has laid an absolutely monster egg two days in a row. It's easily 3 oz. Yesterday I didn't worry about it. I know she's still working the kinks out of her system. But today I'm a little concerned. Should I be worried about two huge eggs in...
Just got a first egg from one of my pullets (not sure which one). It's a very small egg but there was a streak of blood on the egg. All the pullets seem fine. Is it normal for there to be a little blood?
Ok. I've been awaiting my first eggs for a bit. I actually have had one layer (a SLW that we got as an already laying pullet) since October. But my August Chicks are just coming into lay. My Gold Sex Link who is very friendly was easy to identify her egg. She had been crouching anytime I...
Yesterday was so exciting!!!! On of my babies that we got from Meyer Hatchery at the beginning of August laid her first egg! She is 24 weeks! I have one other layer but we didn't get her as a chick and she was already laying when we got her. Somehow this is more exciting since we raised...
Is there an expected time line that you see between when a pullet starts with the "submissive crouch" and first Egg? I have a flock of 22 (almost 23) week olds (Gold Sex Lin, Barred Rock, Black Australorp, and English Orp). My Barred Rock and Gold Sex link have had very red combs for 3-4...
I have one pullet with some frostbite on her comb. I have been coating her comb with Vaseline but it doesn't seem to be protecting it enough. Does anyone know if I can use Bag Balm? It says "for use on pets apply liberally".
I am looking for SexLink Hatching Eggs for the late winter or early spring. Having great difficulty locating anyone that sells these. If you do or know some one that does please PM me
Just wondering. My one layer ( a 9 month old SLW) has started covering her egg with shavings in the nesting box. This is new - I always used to just find the egg laying there right on top but now have to really look for it. Is she covering them to keep them warm now that it is really cold?
Not sure what forum was best for the question but thought I try here.
My young flock of 5 pullets have me a little puzzled. This is their first winter. They are managing very well. I'm not particularly worried as they seem to know what they are doing better than I do. LOL. 3 of my 20 week...
I keep my water out in the run so I am not adding additional moisture to the coop. Now that winter has hit in western Massachusetts, I am using a heated dog bowl and refilling during the day as needed. It's been working well. Last night we got our first big snow. The Ladies still came out...
Someone else on BYC started a thread of 8 Week chicks. (Sorry - Can't remember the name). I thought it was a brilliant idea. As a newbie myself I am always wondering what my chicks will look like in the coming weeks. And I had a hard time finding pictures in a central location.
So thought I...
Ok I know we're not super close but...
I'm thinking my Golden Sex Link will be the first. She is 15 weeks old. Her comb and wattles are getting bigger and are definitely turning red. Not as red as my one pullet who is laying but this week they are definitely different. From when the comb...
What is the name of the style of coop that has a broken peaked roof. Meaning a slanted roof on one side and then a short vertical wall down from the center peak and then a lower slanted roof coming off the bottom of the short vertical. Usually has a lot of ventilation in the short vertical????
We have had our Silver Laced Wyandotte for about 1.5 months. She is 7.5 months. In practicing for 4H with her, my daughter noticed that her wing feathers have been cut. It certainly eaplains why she lands so heavily on her feet when jumping down from the perch! Always new her feathers looked...
I've recently had a bit of a problem with one of my young birds trying to sleep in the nesting boxes. I can't just shut them off because I have one 7 month old that is laying. My younger ones are 14 weeks. Interestingly it's not always the same bird but it seems to usually be one of two of...
I just put a new perch up in our run and am wondering if it is too high. They all seem to like it but I don't want to cause any injuries when they hop down. One of my pullets seems to land pretty heavily. Right now it is about 3' off the ground. It's not a big deal to lower it.
Does anyone have any info on alfalfa hay? I was ghink of using some sort of hay to scatter on the snow to prktect my ladies' feet. But sould also love it if it had some nutritional value as they pic through it. Is it ok for them to eat? Does hay cause crop problems?
Can anyone who has bought hatching eggs from Meyer or MPC let me know what you ordered and how things went? For a first attempt at hatching I don't want to spend tons of money and have previously used Meyer for chicks.