I want to expand my flock after losing a few to predators and stray dogs...I would like to get a few breeds that are auto sexing to give myself a better chance at getting all pullets. My rooster is awesome so I don't want another if possible. What are some of you folks favorite auto sexing...
My group just went through a brutal molt...they were almost bald! LOL Anyway, after the molt I noticed that one of my BR's has become almost completely black with gray bars where she used to be gray with black bars(if that makes any sense) Do they change colors sometimes? Just thought it was...
So yesterday I had a stray dog show up with bad intentions....I live in the country so he had to come from a long ways. Anyway, I hear a commotion outside and go out to 1 dead hen and feathers everywhere. I did not take anything to defend the flock but my new to me rooster was fighting and...
Okay chickens experts, I've had a hen that I suspected was broody for over 3 weeks now. I put some fertilized eggs under her that I got from a neighbor and she sat on them every day and night but now she is leaving the nest but still making these clucking sounds and walks around all puffed up...
Okay chicken experts....I have a Gray Star/Sapphire hen. I believe she is starting to be broody...she won't leave 1 certain nest except to eat. I have had to remove her and place her on the roost the last couple nights. She's also making some weird noises... Is that what it is?
I don't...
My aggressive rooster just left! He will live out his life with a flock of new hens that are basically feral so there won't be hardly any human interaction....I'm picking up a replacement tomorrow night from a good friend who has a fantastic flock of different breeds.
I'll have my choice of...
I'm at the end of my rope with the rooster I have constantly trying to attack me so he's leaving....either in a crate or crock pot, that is still undecided. Anyway, do the hens do alright by themselves while free ranging? I live in the country and have predators around and have already lost...
Most folks know that I have been free ranging all day every day since my flock was old enough to do it on their own....I came home today and the feathered friends did not greet me like they normally do so I started looking for them. After a short search I noticed they were scattered and under...
As some know I have a very aggressive rooster that I have a weekly confrontation with....well today he decided he wanted some so I kicked him and knocked him out. He got up and wobbled over and got under some bushes. Now he has finally started back crowing again after about 30 minutes...
My flock is 40 weeks old this week.....for the last week or so I have noticed a bunch of Barred Rock feathers and started checking the girls out and one of them seems to have lost all the feathers on her neck and a fair amount of her tail feathers. They are growing back now and she is almost...
As I have told before I have 3 pullets that will only lay in my carport nest box....yesterday I was coming in from being on the tractor all day and there's a puddle of blood about the size of a saucer and a trail to the nest box. Of course I thought something had gotten one of my birds but they...
Just a curiosity question from a newbie....when does the winter egg production begin to show? I won't have a molt this year since they are only 30 weeks old but I suppose there will be a decrease in eggs? TIA
Quick question with the upcoming winter season....my coop has an open window directly adjacent to the roost. Should I completely block the wind with plastic or just put a shutter up to knock it down some?
There will still be a ton of ventilation if I block it completely...TIA
Installed another Omlet on my run today...it's gonna make things easier for when I can't get back before the roost time to lock the run door. Since they already had one on the coop it was easy for them to go in tonight for the first time.
Starting my bunch on Nutrena since my local co-op doesn't sell much of the all flock feed and it is bug riddled after a few days of having it. The Nutrena All-flock sure smells good and the 40# bags will actually be a help to me with a small flock. I added a small amount to their existing feed...
Will changing from a mini pellet to regular be a problem? I'm having to switch feeds because the last 2 bags I have gotten is infested with weavels(sp) so I'm going to swap over to either Purina All flock or Nutrena next week from TSC and they only come in full size pellets it appears... I've...
Do the layers get enough calcium from the egg shells vs. oyster shell? I'm not having issues but was curious because they pick through the oyster and get the egg shell out....my eggs are hard as a brick so it has not become a problem yet.
I was just curious if there was a huge difference? TIA