We moved our chicks (1 week old) inside on Sunday. 2 had just disappeared. We suspect rats as the culprits. Found 1 dead in brooder this morning so down to 13 from original 16. How old do you think they would need to be before they are reasonably safe from rats?
We were given 5 SLW that are the only survivors out of a flock of 24 that was attacked by some kind of predator. Looks like the same kind of damage one of ours got from a fox. They all have bare butts and I was worried about them getting pecked by my other hens. The only Blue Kote I could find I...
These chickens were given to us yesterday because they had been attacked by we think a fox. Tail feathers have been pulled. they lay small cream colored eggs. Any ideas as to what breed they may be. The rest of there flock did not make it. We were told that they are about 8 months old.
This is our new Great Pyreneese getting acclimated to the flock and herd.
Fresh additions to the pile keep everyone's attention
Everything requires close attention at this point.
After loosing all my Austalorp hens to predators (the roo seemed to be able to protect his own butt just fine) I got 14 new chicks of a fairly wide variety. I was not terribly particular about breed but wanted a couple in the group that would give me some egg color variety. Breeder was naming...
Had 3 cockerals and 6 pullets 6 Mo old. 2 of the roos were pretty aggressive and a little redundant so they started their journey to the table today. Roo #3 best mind his p's and q's or I'll just buy some eggs if I ever get a broody hen. 4.5 & 5.5 lbs dressed,
My kids will be 12 wks this weekend. Usually when I check on them in the morning (4:30 horse feeding before going to work) it is pretty dark but they have always been huddled on ground. I knew there was some use of the roost going on from the droppings and feathers under it but this morning I...
My 9 chicks are about 2 1/2 mo and seem in ggod health and well feathered. I am seeing quite a few feathers on the coop floor and am wondering if this is a normal part of growth like loosing baby teeth?
I have seen several mentions of chickens decimating ant hills but was wondering how they fare against fire ants? There must be plenty of Southern free-rangers with experience with this.
I plan on adding a pop door to my run to allow my chickens to free range in the same pasture as my horses and goats (Nubian x Boer). I am wondering how big I need to make the door for my Austrolorps to feel comfortable using it while keeping it small enough to keep the goats on their side...
Apparently our horses are pretty good livestock guardians. Shortly after I left for work this morning, there were 4-5 coyotes in the pasture intent on the goats. The goats however were huddled down between 2 very protective, rather large, horses. Appal was particularly aggressive with them. The...
My 9 chicks were getting a little crowded in their one rubber tub brooder so I moved 4 of them to a 2nd tub right next to the 1st - they share a heat lamp. The 5 who stayed settled down pretty quickly but the 4 who were moved were pretty panicked for a while trying to get back to their old...
Just acquired 9 chicks from a local breeder that are Australorp and Aus x Lavender Orp. It remains to be seen what I will end up with sex wise. I was planning on culling down to 1 roo but was wondering if it would be a better idea to get rid of them all and bring one in from another source?
Hi, I've been lurking here for a while doing a lot of reading. Moved to NW FL a couple years ago and bought a place with a minimalist coop. I think they had their kids do everything because it is all about 4 ft high. I am getting ready to raise the roof and expand the run a little before I take...