Search results for query: *

  1. ChickenOfSpades

    How to help chicken getting pecked

    I have four chickens. One of them is getting picked on excessively and I'm not sure the best way to help. They have about 8ish square feet per chicken in their coop/pen, and go out into a much larger run every day where they each have about 35 sqft per chicken. I'm working on building a bigger...
  2. ChickenOfSpades

    How about a mix of shavings/straw?

    There always seems to be some form of the straw vs shavings conversation happening around here. I've used chopped straw or sometimes flock fresh for about a year, and it's worked well. I do wish it was a bit more absorbent at times...so what about a mix of both? I'll probably try it anyway...
  3. ChickenOfSpades

    Sudden temp drop in weather, should I heat coop?

    I know it's usually not necessary to heat a coop in winter, but were getting a sudden drop in temp. Should I give them a little heat since they may not be acclimated yet? (I have a flat panel heater with high/low settings to use instead of a heat lamp) We've been in the mid 70s in day and 40s...
  4. ChickenOfSpades

    Chicken laying eggs with no shell

    I have four chickens. They have all about reached 18 weeks. I've found two "eggs" in the area they like to roam around during the day without a shell. Looks like a yolk and maybe a sack. The barred rock has laid several (~7) little normal eggs over the last 10-14 days...small but otherwise...
  5. ChickenOfSpades

    She's turning blue!

    She gets more and more blue as the days go on!
  6. ChickenOfSpades

    She's turning blue!

    She gets more and more blue as the days go on!
  7. ChickenOfSpades

    Cheap little chicken coop/pen finished

    Finished the little chicken pen I've been working on. I'm happy with how it turned out and learned a lot for when I build the big permanent coop in coming months. The cost was pretty minimal. Here's the list of supplies: Simple frame made from 7 2x4x8 boards (three are pressure treated for...
  8. ChickenOfSpades

    Chickens don't want to roost

    I just moved my four 11-week-old chickens into a new pen I built, and I used a board (laying the wide direction) for the roost. They don't seem to want to stand on it, and are kind of squishing together in the corner. Any tips to get them to use the roost? I don't want any suffocated chickens -...
  9. ChickenOfSpades

    Which kinds of predators dig?

    I'm trying to get things predator proofed. Out of curiosity, what sorts of predators will try to get in by digging? I don't get many predators around...other than my dog that kinda barks at the chickens then gets bored and leaves them alone. There are some cats that cruise around the...
  10. ChickenOfSpades

    Latches etc that racoons can't figure out.

    Can I get a rundown on latch styles and other devices that deter raccoons? Ideally that kids can unlatch without much fuss. A padlock is obviously going to stop them, but I'd prefer something else. Carabiner? Locking carabiner?
  11. ChickenOfSpades

    Heat management idea: Water-filled pipe perch that can be frozen.

    It's peak summer here, and gets HOT. We're used to keeping bigger animals cool (like horses), but new to chickens. I had an idea while falling asleep last night: PVC pipe large enough diameter for them to perch on, but sealed and filled with water (or an ice substitute) leaving enough roof for...
  12. ChickenOfSpades

    Any issues with bantams living together with standard-sized hens?

    New to chicken keeping here. We have four young hens at the moment (see them here). Considering that this can quickly turn into an addiction of sorts, we may want to add a handful more next year. Having lived in Belgium for a time, I'm very intrigued by Barbu d'Uccle chickens...they're rad, and...
  13. ChickenOfSpades

    Temporary chicken pen progress

    I'm building a temporary pen in a shady corner next to the house. It'll house our 4 chickens temporarily while I build them a bigger/better home, and ultimately I'll just use it as a chicken tractor. It's sort of inpired by this thing, but I made it a bit wider and taller...
  14. ChickenOfSpades

    Pullet or Cockerel check on our chickens (10-11 weeks)

    We have four young chickens that we got as sexed chicks. They all still like pullets to me, but admittedly have no idea how to tell (other than they look pullet-ish compared to other people's internet photos). "Puffpuff" the Buff Orpington "Popcorn" the Blue-Laced Red Wyandotte "Chiquita"...
  15. ChickenOfSpades

    Pen/coop is adjacent to permanent wall. Any reason to put hardware cloth on the side next to the wall?

    I have plans to build a bigger, better coop in a different location in my yard, but am building a quick coop so the chickens can get outdoors full time. (Construction on the big coop was delayed a bit due to illness and foul weather.) The temporary coop will be in a little pocket next to my...
  16. ChickenOfSpades

    Is 12 to 18 inches wide enough for a chicken tunnel?

    I have about a 65-75 foot stretch of fence and I'm thinking about adding a chicken tunnel along the fence is 12 to 18 inches wide enough?
  17. ChickenOfSpades

    Managing young chickens in the heat

    I have a new little flock of 4 chickens that is getting used to living outdoors, but we're starting to hit the hottest part of the year here. It'll likely be 90F+ most days for at least the next month or two. It will undoubtedly crack 100. My home is new construction, so there's just not much in...
  18. ChickenOfSpades

    Male or Female Barred Plymouth Rock

    5/6 weeks old. Bought them sexed, but just checking since the comb is a bit bigger than the others. Thanks!
  19. ChickenOfSpades

    Any issues letting older-ish chicks explore the lawn?

    Any issues with letting 5/6 week old chicks hang out on the lawn for a bit while somewhat contained and supervised? I'm sure they'll eat some grass, and I imagine it's fine. It's been a couple months since fertilizer was applied. I have more of a dirt area too if that would be better. My 8yo...
  20. ChickenOfSpades

    Thoughts on vertical nesting boxes rather than horizontal (see photo)

    I saw some coop plans that had two stacked nesting boxes vs the usual side-by-side arrangement. Thoughts or issues with this? Here's the link to the full plans too: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/animals-and-wildlife/custom-chicken-coop-plans-pictures
Back
Top Bottom