I think I have a rat picking feathers off my ladies at night while they are roosting.
I haven't been locking the coop at night and just shutting the run door. Apparently, that wasn't very smart.
Last night I went out to shut the run and fill the feeder and what I think was a rat came...
I have 2 BSL, 2 Golden Comets & 2 RI reds. One of my BSL has lost almost all of the feathers on her bum. All of my others are also
starting to lose their feathers on their bum as well. I have checked for mites. I don't see any. I don't have a roo. What in the world is happening???? [/IMG]
I have 6 chickens. 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 black sex links & 2 golden comets. Lately, all but one or two are sleeping on the coop
Floor. They use to all roost together. Why are they doing this? Anyone know?
I have a very big run for my 6 ladies. Currently it is a dirt floor and I rake it about every other day. I feel like I am running out of dirt as I'm raking it away. What does everyone else have for the their run? Dirt? Hay? Grass? Suggestions?
I see a lot of coops online painted red. Are chickens more attracted to their coop if it's painted red or does it not really make a difference? I wanted to paint my coop red but thought it would be a bad idea (pecking at it).
I can't allow my flock to free range unsupervised. We have many predators because of 200+ acres fish and game land directly behind our home. Can I allow the ladies out of their run for a couple hours a day when we are only there to supervise? If so, how do I get them back in their run?
I have 6 hens and a coop just big enough for them. I can't hang their water or food in the coop because there isn't enough room. My question is do I need to have separate food/water in my run and in my coop (during spring/summer)? Or do they only eat & drink during daytime hours? Also, what do...