I've read some threads on this and am looking for input from those who have built a foundation of sand. It seems there have been people who put gravel down as a first layer, but then regretted it as the chickens seemed to dig it up. But would that be because the sand layer wasn't deep enough...
I have:
1) one hen and one rooster who are 1 year old - in their own ark & run
2) 14 pullets and cockerels who are 6.5 weeks old - in their own coop & run
3) 4 chicks who are 3.5 weeks old - inside in a large 4' x 4' brooder set up
What is the best way to integrate them all?
The...
The chick just hatched 2 hours ago and she has a fluid filled area just beneath her skin just to one side of the vent. It's about the size of a dime. It is not yolk or the umbilical cord. Will this slowly decrease in size and be absorbed naturally?
Bear with me, this may seem a silly question. How do you put on the coil-type leg rings on new chicks? If you open it too wide, it loses the smooth ring shape on the interior and then irritates the leg. I tried that and had to take it off. I have chicks which I definitely need to keep...
2 of my chicks hatched yesterday and at 19 hours are ready to come out of the incubator. 5 chicks are still wet, 4 eggs have pipped. I notice that the membrane is starting to look slightly dry on the 4 pipped eggs. Can I remove the dry chicks, put a damp paper towel on the pipped membranes...
I have a still air Hova-Bator #1602N. I have two thermometers and two hygrometers for monitoring. The instructions say to fill the water trough as needed and then 2-3 days before hatch, fill the water troughs and then do not lift the lid until hatch is done.
Whenever the lid is lifted, the...
If this is in the wrong forum area, moderators please relocate it.
I am wondering about the best way to pack eggs for shipping? I've heard about wrapping each egg in bubble wrap, but do you leave the two sides open so the egg can breath? Thank you.
My sick hen is much better. She has been recovering in the house for a month now. For the past 2 weeks, I notice that the towels in the dog crate have wet spots on them throughout the day. Her poops are now completely normal and have been for 2 weeks. Any suggestions as to what she emits to...
Is there a way to search through the photos only? I'm guessing not, as it seems the search engine only uses text? Is there a location to view photos only?
What are the differing symptoms of each?
What is the timeline progression?
Are these the only three stages?
What are possible cures for each?
I was just reading of these three different stages (I never realized there WERE three stages!). Now I am curious about the answer to the above...
We are building a new coop this spring and while I love the idea of free-range, we simply cannot do that with the amount of wildlife cruising the area. Our birds are confined to a run and an ark at the moment, which we move around the yard every week.
We're considering a more permanent...
I know not to use cedar wood to build the coop, and not to use cedar shavings as bedding, but what about cedar needles on the ground?
How toxic are cedar needles on the ground to chickens? I'm researching the advisability of putting my new coop in a corner of the lot where there are cedar...
I have read some threads while searching for info on Wry Neck. I don't know if my girl has it, but there are similarities with her case.
I had posted this previously:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=143884
The antibiotics were completed last week and her fever...
I am wondering if one of my hens has gone broody. She is a Partridge Chantecler and is 11 months old. She has not laid an egg for 7-10 days. 5 days ago she started behaving differently:
- less active
- eating/drinking less
- feathers fluffed out
- standing in one area of the run
- sitting on...
One of my friend's hens was found dead this afternoon. She was 6.5 months old. No change in behaviour, no evidence of trauma, just dead on the ground near the door which goes from the run area to the yard. I know we won't ever know what happened (she was fine at 1030, dead at 1600), but we're...