We have a chicken tractor. Any problem with raising the birds on a cement pad?? Tired of them ruining the grass (last year I didn't care dice this is now my garden plot). But we have a cement pad that used to have a barn on it. Wondering if I could just put them on there. Move it every few days...
We recently moved and will be starting a new flock. This is the first time we will be able to have a rooster. Since we are going to have a mixed flock, will it matter what kind of rooster we get (long term we would love to not have to purchase chicks again). Also since we have kids, what breed...
We are doing our second batch of meaties this spring. We have our tractor all set up but need to come up with a ground covering. Last years batch burned up the little grass we had. Our thought was to build a 2x4 platform to slide the tractor back and forth on (about 3 times the size of the...
We have one small coop which was designed for our bantams which we put our "little girls" in until they were big enough to move into the main coop. Everyone has integrated wonderfully in the yard but we are now trying to get the newbies to move into the larger coop. The bantam coop is not big...
Does anyone know of someone who processes in Northern IN? We can do it ourselves, but since 24 is much more than the 2 batches of 5 that we did last yearm the thought of taking them somewhere and having them returned to us all packaged up sounds very inviting. We are at 8 weeks--so it due to...
This is our first time raising 25 cornish cross (we did 2 batches of 5 last year). We are right at 8 weeks and going to be processing soon. A few of our birds have floppy chests--almost looks like a growth. We don't know if this is enlarged breastmeat, or if we have a problem on our hands...
I have 5 hens and 2 bantams (all one year old). I am looking to move my 8-5 week old pullets and 4 bantam pullets outside to the chicken yard. I have a 2 options. My husband build a bantam coop that currently noone is living in that I can move everyone into OR I can put the bantams in the...
I got 6 bantams from TSC today and one just keeps flipping on her back. She'll run crazy all over the brooder box like she can't control her body and then fall face down and sometimes flip on her back. The other chicks are already picking on her. One keeps trying to eat her toes. What is...
Cleaning out the garden this week, are there any plants they cannot eat besides tomato? I have beans, squash, pepper, cucumber, and some mystery vine that never did produce anything.
Ok going into my first winter. How much daylight do they need so they do not drop production? Also is it better to extend the daylight in the morning or at night or does it matter. How much light do they actually need? Want to do the coop updates before it gets too cold, and we have already...
Are they safe to eat? I had 2 this morning. One fell apart as soon as I picked it up, but the other is in tack and didn't know if it was safe to eat. I think someone else just started laying since I also had the cutest little egg. Along with two regular and a hen in the laying box. Too much...
We have been using the deep litter method. I know I need to scoop it all out and redo before winter. I have a few questions before I attempt this. 1)What is the best way to clean the coop from top to bottom. I have linoleum under the pine shavings. 2)Do I use bleach water or is vinegar...
Just went out to the coop and there were a ton of yellow jackets buzzing around the remains of a pear. What can I use that will get rid of them without hurting the chickens. My daughter is deathly allergic to yellow jackets so we have some professional dust that we use around the yard--but...
We are starting to get a ton of leaves--with a bunch more to follow. Can I use these in my run and/or coop? I have been using the deep litter method and know I will need to clean it out before fall. Figured the leaves may be perfect to put in the coop and my garden would love it in the...
Ok my rooster officially started crowing yesterday. He keeps doing this throughout the day. Is this normal or is he just getting used to his voice? We live one block outside city limits so technically can have chickens--but also do not want to upset anyone and then be told that we have to...
My husband and 10 year old son just butchered our first 4 meaties. They said it really wasn't that bad. Now it is time for my part. Can I freeze the parts I want to use for stock and make/can the stock at a later date--or do I need to do it know. Heading into the upper 80s so think a nice...
Does anyone in NW Indiana know where to get some food grade DE? Really want to avoid shipping charges if I can. My kids are find doing road trips so willing to travel a little if needed.
We have 20 birds. (9 meat so will be leaving soon) How long does a 50 lb bag of DE last--and can it go bad? I can get a 5 lb bag of FEED grade (not food grade) from out local farm store for $6 which seems high. All the sights I have found have 50 lb bags but shipping is outragious. Want to...
We received 5 "roasters" from 4H on May 1 and 5 "broilers" on June 1. Brand new to this and wanted to know what are the signs that the birds are ready to be butchered? The "roasters" are getting big but the fair isn't until the end of July.