We're looking at 25 degrees tonight so I put the heat lamp (with a red bulb) in the hen house. The girls are all hanging in the outside roost. Should I make them go inside or trust that they know where they're comfortable? They sure look fluffed up and chilly....
Obviously a question from a new chicken owner.
I realize production slows with shorter days, but do they totally stop laying in winter? I've a BO, BR, RIR and Ancona.
Just curious. We're not planning on simulating daylight in their coop.
Thanks.
I have a 22-week-old Ancona pullet who just started laying 5 days ago. She has laid every day, is eating fine and generally seems healthy. My 3 other girls all look fine. Should I be concerned? I've seen quite a bit about mites, worms, etc.
Thanks,
Julie
I have 2 pullets who just started laying a few days ago (and 2 more who aren't). I use shavings in the nest box. How often should that be changed?
Thanks,
Julie
Slugs have been taking over my veggie garden so I tried the beer in a container trick last night. Worked wonderfully and I now have a couple of containers loaded with slug carcasses. Could I give these to the girls?
Also, they've been having a field day in the blackberry bushes and I caught...
We have four pullets, 16-17 weeks old. Their combs and wattles are getting really red. I know it's still a little early, but what other signs of imminent egg-laying should I be on the lookout for?
We typically let them free-range during the day. We've got the nest boxes all ready to go, but...
I read somewhere on here that the nest boxes should be covered when the pullets are younger to discourage them from hanging out in there before they're ready to lay. They are now 14-16 weeks old. Should we open them up now or wait longer? (I think I'm secretly hoping that opening them up will...
A couple of days ago we got rid of a "hen" that turned out to be a roo and now want to add a young pullet (about the same age) to the batch. We only have 2 now - BR and Ancona - and they are friendly, easy-going young ladies (about 3 months old).
Do I have to quarantine the new one? If so...
Our chicklets are about 3 months old and for the last few mornings one of our "ladies" has been making her presence known in no uncertain terms. The consensus a couple of months ago was that we have all girls, but I'm starting to wonder.
"Ameraucana", but I think EE is probably more accurate...
This coop is taking SO much longer to get finished than we expected (doesn't help that our weather is more fall-like than summer-like!).
We're thinking about painting the inside of the hen house with a high gloss paint to make it easier to clean. Thoughts?
We decided to make our own coop. It's been a great project for the kids to help on and, as with many projects, it's taking a little longer than expected. We hope to get The Chicklets in there by this weekend. yay!
Certainly better than their current sleeping quarters - a Rubbermaid...
I am not a builder by any stretch of the imagination, but I built this to keep the girls entertained and outside during the day. They seem so bored when stuck in the brooder...
Now, on to the coop construction!
I know it's not nice to pick favorites, but this one is mine (on the bottom). I'm really hoping she is really a she as we can't have he's in the city.
Thanks!
We are attempting to design our first coop and are having a hard time figuring out appropriate dimensions. There's so much information out there and we're new to chickens. All help appreciated.
1) Live in the Pacific NW = rainy, chilly winters
2) 3 hens (Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Ancona)
3)...
We just got our chicks and now have to decide what kind of coop to build (building it ourselves) and could really use some advice.
3 hens: Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Ancona
Urban backyard: approx. 3000 sq ft
Problematic critters around: hawks, eagles, raccoons
Thanks.
I don't live close to a feed store and am wondering if I can pick up grit at a pet store for my 2 week old chicks (as well as some mealworms ). Would parakeet grit work or would that still be too big?
Thanks.
We just picked up our chicks a couple of days ago and the guy at the feed store said they were all "about a week old". This one is quite a bit bigger and "featherier" than the other two (she's also a different breed tho) and I'm thinking she must be older. She is an Ancona.
Thanks!
We just picked up our chicks Saturday and one of them just started having olive-colored, loose stools. We change the water 2X day and feed them organic chick starter.
Will keeping her clean and adding ACV to the water do the trick or is there something else we should do?
Thanks.
I've caught the fever. I don't have any chickens yet, but we will be getting some within the next few weeks and I'm researching all I can. Anybody know where I can purchase some chicks in the Snohomish/King County area?
Thanks!