I'm not sure, but it sounds like molting. Mine are doing the same thing. I thought it might be lack of calcium or protein. I've read that they eat the feathers for protein so that might be the problem also, but I'm still looking at other ideas' and am going to buy some crushed shells for calcium...
I've raised meat birds (Vantress) for 2 years and I believe that raising them in middle to late fall (Aug, Sept or Sept, Oct) to be the best and most cost effective. I lost two when I raised them in April and May one year and the next year I tried May and June which seemed to work better. Didn't...
If it helps, I get my Vantress meat birds from the feed store. They get them from a Hatchery here in Northern Michigan. I had 25 black sex links 2 years ago when I first started raising chicks, and got them because they are a dual purpose bird, but after getting the Vantress meat birds, I...
If it helps-I have 1 low energy(40 watts) one of those spirally things, outside of thier coop by the door so they can see food and water. The water dish is a 1 gal. heated dog dish which works real well. It helps scare away any pedators also. The temp here in Michigan has been in the single...
My roos started at 6 months and sound off when ever they hear a noise. The Barred Rock is 1 1/2 yrs. old and just mangles the typical "crow" sound, but the 2 6 mo. old RIR Roos sound beautiful. Just give em time.
my barred rock is 1 1/2 yrs. old and the only time I've had a problem with him is when my grandson(2 yrs.old) wanted to kiss him on the nose(beak),
I got between them fast, and Rocky just turned around and went the other way. I always talk to him and call him handsome, but I would never let him...
I have an old wooden ladder in thier coop, next to the nests. All 12 hens stick together on the ladder about 2 -3 rungs from the floor of the coop. It's been really cold the past 3 days, so I put a heat lamp in the coop to give them some warmth. So far, so good!
Dalentam-I live in rose city, mi and as of right now we have around 1' of snow and getting more. I open the door on the pen, but mine just look out. They range during the summer, though. I give my birds leftover rice, breads, crushed cookies(no chocolate) and they love cooked oatmeal that is...
Yikes, don't eat em yet! I have 12 RIR and they were 2 wks. old when I got em in May. They started laying around the end of October and I get between 9-12 every day. You'll know when they do...it seems they sqwak like they're saying, "What the heck is this!" So hang in there. To bad your wife...
Hi, I've raised meat birds every summer for the past two years. I order them from the local feed store for delivery in early May. I get 50 straight run chicks and yes it is a good idea to call your processor and reserve a date. What I do is take in 25 after 7 weeks which are mostly roosters 8 to...
Hello C.K. Have you tried Food Network.com? Eggs go in just about everything, thank heavens! I'm getting between 9-12 per day and have been baking and frying alot.
Hi Buff Hooligans-Yes, I can pick out the chocolate. I don't think the sugar will hurt them, and I won't feed all of it to them at one time. They had so many good things in em, I thought it would make a nice treat. It's kinda cold here right now (9degrees) so I thought it would be extra protein...
Hello out there-does anyone know if I can feed my girls chocolate? I have some homemade cookies with nuts, cranraisens, oatmeal, branflakes, and chocolate chips and coconut in them and crushed them up. Is this okay?
Thankyou, Stacey
:ya:yaHello Jonbanks-My reds are 7 months old. They were born the 1st of May. They have been laying since October 5 or around then, so give yours a few more months. They'll let you know when they lay one, because they raise alot of noise, like calling out to ya to say, "hey, look what I did!"
I have 12 Rhode Island Reds, and am still getting between 9-12 eggs a day. I have a 40 watt bulb outside thier coop in the yard. Will they stop anytime soon? I keep the light on to discourage preditors. Seems to work well.
LHD-I use a heated water dish for dogs. Just started trying this, I refill it with a gallon jug of water every 2-3 days. It works well with my 12 RIR hens.