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  1. crystalsc

    Laying outside of the coop

    I found my alpha hen laying in my tomato plant. The rascal has figured out she can jump the gate into the garden and get into the raised garden bed. They are two years old and they have never laid outside of their coop before. Any clues why she is now doing this? I have not found the others...
  2. crystalsc

    Odd egg laying behavior

    One of my girls seems to be straining a lot when trying to lay. She finally left the nest box and is walking kinda stiffly and squatting around the yard like she’s trying to push. Could this be egg bound behavior? I have found a couple soft shell eggs in the last month so that’s why I was trying...
  3. crystalsc

    Preparing for snow

    Hello. We’re expecting snow this weekend in NW South Carolina. It might be about 5 inches and the temps will get down to 29F. I have 3 barred rock hens in a nice enclosed shed coop and they have access to a covered run during the day. This is the first time we’re having snow since I had my...
  4. crystalsc

    First loss from a hawk.

    We had our first chicken loss yesterday. It was a hawk. I have felt so incredibly sad. Our chickens are pets. I know I’ll feel better soon and that it’s just nature, but I can’t help feeling sad. I just needed to say this in a space where people are more likely to get it.
  5. crystalsc

    1st soft egg during heat wave

    I was surprised on Wednesday when I went to collect the eggs that 2 of my ladies had laid in their droppings board (not their nest) and one was soft like the picture below. The next day all 4 eggs were normal and in the nest box so I’m hoping it was minimal stress. ? It has been VERY hot and...
  6. crystalsc

    Best snake repellent

    Y’all. I’ve met my quota on black rat snakes. This morning we removed our 5th one in a month. We put them in a bucket and relocate them two miles away. I think it’s time to invest in some kind of snake repellent. I would like your opinion on the best ones.
  7. crystalsc

    Dog Attack

    Well, the worst happened. I was working yesterday and heard my free range girls yelling, went outside to find feathers everywhere, Boudica sitting on the ground and a Husky running around my yard. The husky was people friendly and honestly seemed confused about why I was upset. It took me some...
  8. crystalsc

    Waterer Preference

    My chickens have a bucket with watering cups. They have to press the silver release button to get the water. This is the best method I’ve found for keeping their water clean. However, whenever I let them out of the run, they will inevitably go to the bird bath in my yard and start drinking water...
  9. crystalsc

    Sudden Egg Size Increase

    Today, I went to gather up the expected last egg in the nest box and when I picked it up I gasped! It’s easily double the size the eggs the girls have been laying. It’s massive (weighs 2.7oz). I handed it to my hubby to get his reaction and he was shocked too and said, “did this girl have a...
  10. crystalsc

    Cicadas are coming

    Looks like the chickens will be eating very good this spring in the southeast. https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/01/22/more-than-trillion-cicadas-emerge-rare-simultaneous-explosion-this-spring/?outputType=amp
  11. crystalsc

    Hen wants to be inside

    Is it normal for a hen to want to come inside your house? I’m not sure if it is because she really just wants to be with us, curiosity, or if she’s needing something that I’m not figuring out. But one of my four barred rock ladies follows me to the house and will dart inside the door with the...
  12. crystalsc

    Chicken Christmas Presents

    Being that I’m a new chick mom and it has consumed every waking moment for me this year, I was bound to get a lot of chicken themed presents from family and friends. Here are some of the things I received. I’d love to see your gifts too!! Nesting measuring cups! How cute are they? My new...
  13. crystalsc

    Pairing Up

    These are my first chickens. I have 4 barred rock pullets. Is it natural for chickens to pair up? The two ladies on the left seem to prefer each other and hang together a lot. You can see they even roost this way.
  14. crystalsc

    Missing chicks from 9 to 5

    The week-long holiday break ends for me tomorrow morning. I must commute only 2 days a week and that begins again tomorrow. After an especially nice week spending lots of time with my chicks outside, I think I’m going to miss them terribly tomorrow. Anyone else going to be dreaming of fluffy...
  15. crystalsc

    Effects from egg laying

    Newbie question. Does egg laying affect the chickens poop? Prior to any egg laying, all poops were well formed but since laying eggs, I’m scooping (for lack of a better term) more splats. Just seems their poop is much more runny. Is this normal? I know hormones can mess with digestive systems in...
  16. crystalsc

    Comb size

    Newbie question! My 4 barred rock girls will be 16 weeks old on Monday. I read they reach maturity at 17-21 weeks. But their combs have grown very little! Should I expect a rapid growth spurt before egg laying time? Pictures I have seen of mature barred rock hens have significant combs and...
  17. crystalsc

    Starting our run build

    We’re starting our run build today. Wish me luck! I hate leveling but our lot is sloped and we want to use concrete blocks on the foundation to help the wood last longer. Plus we have free blocks that came with our house and we have free roofing that came from a playhouse that came with my moms...
  18. crystalsc

    Death to freckles!

    I’m quickly learning that if you have a lot of freckles, moles or skin tags, it can be painful to hold your chickens! 😂 But dang, they’re cute! Here is the latest of my warrior queens.
  19. crystalsc

    Feed types

    EDIT: I don’t think I can delete this thread, but I found the answer in another thread. This is a complete novice question (as these are my very first pullets). I’ve been feeding them starter feed with high protein. Looking ahead, what’s the difference between layer feed, crumbles, and...
  20. crystalsc

    Roosting on tray instead of roost bar

    I built a litter tray for my coop with a 2x4 roost bar. My girls, one in particular, are choosing to roost on the edge of the tray rather than the 2x4 roost bar. Any idea why or what I should do?
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