Search results for query: *

  1. mikecnorthwest

    Updated my coop by adding an attached run

    I finally had enough of cleaning chicken poop off my backyard patio and constantly sweeping the bark dust back into our landscaping. Our second cycle of laying hens just started to lay so I thought it would be a good time to stop the free ranging but give the new hens room to roam in an...
  2. mikecnorthwest

    BYC Member Pages

    I'm finding it impossible to locate people's member pages and the only reason I can find mine is because I bookmarked it. I would have thought that clicking on a member's profile name in a forum posting would lead to a link to that member's BYC page but that doesn't appear to be the case. I'm...
  3. mikecnorthwest

    Advice needed on swapping out my small flock

    I've decided that my 5 hens have peaked in production and need to be swapped out for 5 fresh hens. I'll probably get the new chicks in Feb/March. You can look at my coop page to see my setup but basically it's a 4x8 coop and we let the hens free range all day in the backyard. I'll start the...
  4. mikecnorthwest

    Do large poultry farmers feed Purina Layena?

    Does anyone know if large poultry farmers feed Layena or is it really a feed that is produced and marketed to hobby farms or backyard flocks?
  5. mikecnorthwest

    Have I passed peak egg production?

    My five hens are about 2 1/2 years old and I've gone from about 3-5 eggs a day to about 2 a day. I've read that hens peak in egg production at about 2 years. I'm wondering if they've hit their peak or if it's just a matter of the heat we've been having. If they have peaked then I guess I'll...
  6. mikecnorthwest

    BYC member approved coop plans and books

    I'm starting this thread in the hopes that we can make it a sticky thread containing links to coop plans and coop books. I think a sticky thread like this would be a good resource for new members to quickly find links to useful coop plans and books. Please reply with your own links. As people...
  7. mikecnorthwest

    New Backyardchickens.com coop book is available!

    A new book, Backyard Chickens Guide to Coops and Tractors, is now available. This book features 16 chicken coops from Backyardchickens.com members. For each coop, there are color photos of the construction process, and construction diagram, a cutting list, and a description of the construction...
  8. mikecnorthwest

    Scab and rash

    My daughter found a scab on one of our hens pretty much right in the center of her chest. It looks like an older wound which is healing. Some feathers are missing around this area and the skin appears to be red, similar to a rash. The hens molted over the winter but seem to be done. The...
  9. mikecnorthwest

    For those who used OSB/waferboard for their coops

    Over the long term have you had any problems with the boards deteriorating due to water? I've read several recommendations against using it but I also see that many people are using it.
  10. mikecnorthwest

    Five hens and lot of noise - will more nest boxes help?

    I have five hens who share two nest boxes. Over the last few weeks they've become much more vocal, to the point where I fear the neighbors might complain. I know it's normal to make noise before laying but I'm wondering if adding two more nest boxes might help. I'm thinking that perhaps...
  11. mikecnorthwest

    Reposting of Craigslist ads

    I'm not sure if this is bothering anyone else or if it's just me. It seems that a few members like to cruise Craigslist and then repost the ads here by creating a post with the Craigslist link in it. I see this mostly in the coop construction section.
  12. mikecnorthwest

    Egg pecking

    It appears that one of the girls is pecking the eggs. I know I've read about this before but I don't remember what to do about it. We check and remove eggs twice a day. We have 5 hens.
  13. mikecnorthwest

    Tough egg membranes

    My hens have been laying for about 5 weeks now. The membrane under the shell is on the tougher side which makes it difficult to peel hard boiled eggs and a little more difficult to break an egg without getting egg shell in the frying pan. Is there anything I can do with their diet to make the...
  14. mikecnorthwest

    Cardboard box incubators

    Has anyone hatched eggs using a simple cardboard box with only a light bulb? I've seen simple instructions for building one but it seems that the success rate for hatching would be low.
  15. mikecnorthwest

    Turning eggs in a Hova Bator

    I'm just starting to research incubating and am not sure whether to make my own or buy a Hova Bator. I'm not really sure how the automatic turners work in the Hova Bator but I do know it adds additional cost to the unit. Instead of buying the turner, would it work to simply prop up one side of...
  16. mikecnorthwest

    I can't add pics to my page anymore

    I've tried to update my page but for some reason I can't do it. I click on the image button but nothing happens. I've turned off my pop up blocker thinking that might be the problem but still no luck. I'm using a Mac if that makes any difference. Any advice?
  17. mikecnorthwest

    Portland, Oregon coop tour coming up Saturday, July 25th

    Not sure if this has already been posted but the Portland coop tour is Saturday, July 25th. I know this was asked about a couple of months ago in another posting. I just bought my guide today and it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. There's a bunch of coops on the tour and should make...
  18. mikecnorthwest

    Are neighborhood cats ever a problem with chickens?

    I just finished my coop and put the girls out a few days ago. They are 6 weeks old. The coop is completely enclosed by 1/2 hardware cloth. Today I noticed a neighborhood cat sitting on top of the fence eyeing the chickens. That was in the morning and he was back in the afternoon. I seem to...
  19. mikecnorthwest

    Sexing a Buff Orpington

    I have three BO's that are 6 weeks old. One is slightly larger than the other two and has a well defined breast line starting where the other two do not. No other differences between them. Tail feathers, markings, combs, etc all look the same. Is there any way at this age to tell hen from...
  20. mikecnorthwest

    99% finished Playhouse style coop

    Here's a few updated pics of the 99% finished coop. More pics were added today to my BYC page including some interior shots.
Back
Top Bottom