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  1. sovia

    Fourth "healthy" bird to die:(

    Last May, I started 15 black star pullets from Murray McMurray hatchery. They were vaccinated for Marek's and fed medicated chick feed for 20 weeks. At about 16 weeks, I divided my coop and put the pullets in one side with sole access to the run and left five hens from my old flock (that had not...
  2. sovia

    Automatic door opener- great while it lasts:-(

    We bought an inside-mount VSB doorkeeper complete with the VSB door, sensor, and timer from Foy's back in July 2008. It worked flawlessly until this past summer, it began opening and closing at the wrong times until it just stopped altogether. We changed batteries several times and called Foy's...
  3. sovia

    The Death of Mr. Fox (not quite!)

    We've had problems with a fox over the past six months and have lost 9 of our hens. Long story and I'm sure you've read it before. Anyhow, my husband "tried" to shoot it once, but missed by a lot. I found out later that he hadn't really intended to shoot it. Grrr! Anyhow, he tried live-trapping...
  4. sovia

    Is a red carcass caused by improper bleeding?

    We butchered our second batch of meat chickens yesterday. One of the chickens (after "bleeding", scalding, and the plucking machine) let out a squack. Some thought it was just a delayed reaction, but I swear that bird was still alive. One of the guys (we had a lot of helpers which I am extremely...
  5. sovia

    A little layer feed for 6-wk old meaties?

    I have a little less than half a bag of layer feed leftover from my old hens, but my new layers won't be ready to eat it for some time yet. I would really like to get rid of it. Can I feed it to my 6-week old Cornish roasters who have been eating 22% protein feed up until now?
  6. sovia

    Starting meaties with layers - which feed?

    I raised my first flock of meat birds this past summer, freedom rangers from JM Hatchery, and was fairly pleased with the results. However, I am still a "newbie" and thought I would try a batch of White Plymouth Rocks from Mt. Healthy for comparison and am attracted to the lower price and the...
  7. sovia

    Every egg comes with a gift...

    Every time my 2-year old EE lays an egg, a nice clump of poo comes with it. It comes on the egg and ends up dirtying the other eggs as well. I am not talking about a tiny bit that is easy to wash off, either. It is quite obvious that it is from her. Is it time to cull her or is there...
  8. sovia

    Cold Water Dip Before Plucking?

    We are getting to process our first bunch of meat chickens this Saturday and I have been reading everything I can! I noticed that some people dip their chickens in a cold water bath after the scalding to prevent the skin tearing. Is this really necessary or can I skip this step? Thanks!
  9. sovia

    Rangers not ranging much?

    I received 26 colored rangers from JM Hatchery in early June. They are healthy and thriving, but I am somewhat disappointed that they don't range more than they do. I kept the chicks in the brooder for about three weeks, then moved them to a portable chicken coop for another week. After one...
  10. sovia

    Strange Behavior from Chick w/Pasty Butt

    I picked up my first batch of colored rangers on Friday. All appeared to be healthy and doing well. Two days later, my daughter brought to my attention that one of the chicks had pasty butt. I knew the options were 1) wash it off and 2) tear it off like a bandage. I chose option #2. I held...
  11. sovia

    Colored Rangers and % Protein Needed?

    I have my first batch of colored rangers arriving in the next day or so. Joel at JM Hatchery recommended that I use a 21-22% protein starter for two to three weeks then switching to a 18-19% protein grower until week seven. Finish them with a 16-17% protein content. Here in SD, I don't have...
  12. sovia

    Roosts for Colored Rangers?

    I have placed an order with JM Hatchery for 25 colored rangers. I am making a portable coop out of a pull trailer that I will surround with electric fencing. I know that Cornish X don't roost, but what about the rangers? Should I put roosts in for them?
  13. sovia

    Freedom Rangers vs. White Rocks

    I would like to get 25 birds this spring for butchering. From all I have read, I have decided that Cornish X are just not for me. This will be my first time raising birds for meat and am trying for the best experience possible! I am undecided between the freedom rangers sold by JM Hatchery...
  14. sovia

    Does this really work?

    I have a year-old SLW that I don't think is laying. I know I read somewhere on this site that one way to tell is to insert a finger (with a glove on!) inside the vent and that one should be able to feel the egg forming. The problem is that now, I can't find the post where I read this! Has...
  15. sovia

    Any truth to keeping just one breed?

    This past winter, I had some issues with feather picking in my flock. I have SS, EE, BA, BO, SLW, and a Delaware (all raised together from day-olds). Without going through all the details, what I ended up doing is throwing caution to the wind and have been allowing them to free range and...
  16. sovia

    Egg Cart'n chicken tractor?

    I am intrigued by the chicken tractor being sold by Randall Burkey. It is called the "Egg Cart'n" and supposedly holds 12 standard hens. Personally, I think it looks a little small for 12 hens, but it appears to be very sturdy. And, unfortunately, it is anything but cheap, but it looks to be...
  17. sovia

    tractor during the day and coop at night?

    We live in an area with just about every predator you can think of - mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, hawks & eagles, weasles, raccoons, etc., so we have kept our flock in a very secure coop and run for the past six months. It is impossible to free-range them during the day. I am thinking of...
  18. sovia

    At what age do chickens molt?

    If anyone could tell me at what age chickens molt, I would really appreciate it. My flock is only 6 months old, but several appear to be molting. Is this normal?
  19. sovia

    Strange feather loss, but no mites! Ideas?

    First, let me say that I am new to chickens so I am extremely inexperienced! About a month ago, I noticed that my roo was looking a little scruffy around his neck. Then, the area on his lower back started to look scruffy, too. I have examined him and can't find any mites or anything else...
  20. sovia

    Do I have to bake the shells?

    Until now, I have just left the eggshells sitting in a bowl and, when they are pretty dry, I have crushed them. Is it really necessary to bake the shells before I feed them to the hens?
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