Building a table-like structure to go inside the run for the chickens to get under to feed safe and to get on top of just for some enrichment. How far apart would you space the “decking” boards so toenails dont get caught? Close enough they can walk around on it and legs don’t fall through...
so when i ordered chicks last spring, i carefully planned how many i wanted and ordered 6 from a company that say “we ship as few as 3” at the end of april when it was warm. They sent 11. I should have rehomed the extra and am truly mad at past me. I feel like having this many is causing so...
i want to keep a pair of boots that I only wear inside coop/run by coop to prevent tracking in any wild bird droppings. Ive seen a few folks mention they do this. How? I dont want to just keep them outside in the rain, is there like a little insect proof locker or something I can get for...
My electric netting fence is reading 7.5v. I have a patriot p5 energizer on 100’ of fence. Any ideas how to get the voltage down a bit? I’m not wanting to fry anything.
I would like to get my girls outside their fully enclosed run sometimes and into grass. I have an electric netting fence, but I need overhead protection. I was thinking of buying one of those cheap frame runs and instead of using the netting it comes with, using my electric fence on sides...
Last week I found a hen with a huge bloody wound under her vent. Took her to the vet and it was superficial so i have her separated and am treating with Vetericyn. Today I just found another with the same wound. It’s huge. About 4”x4”. Is this a bully hen causing this or can something...
I am planning on having a necropsy done Monday unless this hen makes a huge turn around. Using the state lab. If she is still alive at that point, do you submit LIVE animal or need to have vet euthanize first?
I have a 16x20 run with sand. Not liking the sand at all. It stays damp too long (yes, we used construction sand) and it’s so cold in winter. I don’t understand how to clean it as the hens scratch their poo into it, not like it can be removed.
I HATE how the sand tracks on our boots to...
Having a lot of trouble with my flock. First week of December I noticed a few with messy vents and swollen undersides. Took two to the vet and was told one had a fever. She prescribed an anti inflammatory and antibiotics for those two.
Here we are a month later and i found another hen with...
is this a lash egg? Was on poop shelf today, a bit bigger than a quarter. This is it cut in half, solid all way through and same consistency all way through.
We are getting some bad weather next week and I want to prevent frostbite. (I know not to put water in coop and keep poo scooped). Don’t plan to use heaters often, only when it’s in teens and single digits for frostbite prevention.
For any of you with Sweeter Heater experience, how’s this...
This morning I noticed a few hens had dirty/poopy butts so I picked them up and looked closely and noticed one had a swollen abdomen. We have a local vet that has chickens and treats chickens, so I took the one with swollen area in and grabbed another with poopy butt, “just in case”. Well...
The electric fence pasture is now bare. My 11 hens have cleared the grass. I’m going to move the fence this weekend and give them a new area, I dont guess there are any pasture seeds that will germinate in the winter in Middle Tennessee?
My coop is 6x8 with two windows on front (8’ side) and a 4’ long x 8” “vent” on the back wall above the roost. I have the windows installed upside down so I can crack the tops to vent in winter.
How much of the back vent should I cover in winter? Should I do something else? We are in...
I’m considering adding pine needles or pine nuggets mulch to my sand run for the winter. The sand just seems so cold. Will i regret this come spring? Will i be able to remove whatever i add and have it back to sand again?
Electrician is coming tomorrow to wire for my outlets. I don’t plan on using lights as I don’t want to effect their natural cycle, is there any reason to have a light installed anyway?
I’m planning to build frames for clear vinyl that I put up around run in winter. I will be painting the wood. Can I just use untreated 1x2 strips or do I need something more weather resistant? They will be up November through March in Tennessee and I’d like them to last