The predators won the war. I have covered the coop, only let them out a few hours a day. Last week a hawk scared the %#$% out of them and flew 1 ft over their wire roof. Next day something heavy jumped on their roof, causing another upset. The dogs immediately chased "it" into the forest. Never...
During free range times, my chickens mingle with a few wild turkeys. Will that affect their health, regarding parasites?
It is actually cute. When the turkeys see me throwing scratch, they come running.
Is it true that a gander (male goose) is able to protect a chicken flock against bob cats and raccoons?
PLease share your ideas. We live in bob cat / raccoon country and it is so scary to let the chickies out.
I got a new rooster whi is a delight in many ways. Not aggressive to people and caring for the hens from the very start.
Except for the broody hen (she does not have eggs). Whenever she is off the nest he pecks on her. Here's my idea. I know he is an OK rooster, who was raised in a flock so I...
How long does broodiness last when the hen is sitting on no eggs and left alone? I make her get up every day and snatch the eggs from under her that she confiscated from her sisters. She will eat then and drink but quickly goes back to the empty nest.
I have a hard time implementing the ideas I...
My Australorp hen has hatched chicks in early April, abandoned them seven weeks later, layed a few eggs and became broody again. With logging going on on our property I was able to get her off but a few weeks later she is more determined than ever to sit on no eggs.
I need help to save her from...
One of my four older hens is aggressive to the 7 six-week old chicks. She really goes and find them because they are never in her way.
The other three are fine with them and ignore them. The chicks are terrified of the meanie. Should I re-home this bullie or will one of the three remaining hens...
One of the 7 week old chicks has healed nicely from a head wound. He/she has spent the nights in a little bird cage inside my home but during the day he was in his own large cage next to his siblings so they have always seen each other. His/her head does not have scabs anymore or old blood. but...
My (mixed layer breed) chicks are now 7 weeks old. I have 8. All have tiny little spurs at the "spur spot" on the inside legs, which made me think they are all roosters. However, three of them look very feminine (fine boned, small faded pink combs). I checked with the old ladies and they...
As the chicks get older (5.5 weeks) I am running into more trouble.
So the mean baby rooster is being raised separately (see thread in raising chicks) and his destiny is still undetermined.
Now, one of the four older hens, not the mother, is bullying the other chicks. She will chase them...
I think I have about four roosters in a batch of nine
5.5 week old chicks. One is top roo and very dominant.
Would this mean he will be a good protector during free ranging later or can I better keep his gentle brother for this purpose as well? I am worried that the dominant chick will be...
yesterday I posted a message about a wounded chick (5 weeks old). He (not sure if it's a roo) has survived the night in a separate cage and the neosporin has prevented further trouble. There is now dark caked blood over his head but no red fresh blood. He is behaving normal, active and eats. I...
I have nine 5-week old chicks that are not cared for by their mother any longer. I posted another thread on the mean hens earlier. Things are tense in the coop but outside they have the room they need. They are outside free ranging most of the day and go inside at night on their own but the...
My older hens prevent the young chicks (1 month old) from entering the house in the evening. They have to wait outside until the old ladies are on the roost. Is that normal? Their mother is part of that pack and stopped caring for them a few days ago.