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So, we have had chickens for a number of years and now our family would like to get some ducks. But, I have some questions before we get started. Thank you for your responses in advance. 1.) I plan to convert an old 12'x12' chicken coop into my duck coop. The coop has a dirt floor. I'm...

I currently have a broody hen. I've broken her broodiness several times this summer, but she is a good mother so I'm thinking of letting her raise some chicks yet this fall. I'm also in the market for meat birds, so I'm thinking of having her raise my broilers for me so I don't need to deal...

I have a very broody hen on my hands. I feel as though I spent all of last spring, summer and fall trying to break her of being broody. Every time it worked, but about two weeks later she would just go broody again. Hence, I am thinking about giving in and setting some bantam eggs under her...

Up until now, our chickens have always free-ranged; however, I have decided that I am in need of a few runs to keep some breeds separate during breeding season. They would be locked in the coop at night and we are not planning on using automatic coop doors. My first thought was to purchase...

I like to use the "new posts" options when searching new threads and posts. As of tonight when I use this option, it seems as though most of what I am getting is in another language that I can not begin to decipher. In addition, it is taking a lot of extra time to scroll down through pages of...

I am planning on using Smartside to reside our coop this fall. In fact, it has already been purchased and is in the barn waiting to be used. However, I now find myself having second thoughts about using it. Hence, I am hoping someone can answer any, or all, of these questions for me: 1.) For...

I've already purchased the Smartside needed to reside our chicken coop; however, I am now having second thoughts and find myself wondering if it is going to be too easy for predators to get through. I realize I could put a backing behind it (i.e. OSB) but I am also trying to save some expense...

I know there are other similar threads on BYC, but someone suggested starting a poll on this topic so I thought I would. The theory is that rounded eggs produce pullets at hatch, while pointier eggs produce cockerels. Some feel this theory is just an Old Wives Tale, while others feel there is...

I am currently in the process of designing a new coop and have been pricing materials. I plan on having at least 4 windows (2 on the south side, 2 on the north side). All four sides will have venting near the roof line as well. I live in Michigan where temps can range from -30 degrees wind...

What is the next breed of chicken you would like to add to your flock? Where do you plan on getting them from (TSC, hatchery, breeder, etc.)? I am hoping to add Barnevelders (including Blue Double Laced), French Black Cooper Marans and BBS or Blue/Wheaten or Lavender Ameraucanas. I plan on...

First of all, thank you to all of you at Backyard Chickens who have posted about broken legs in the past. Those posts have been very helpful in getting us to this point. However, I am hoping for some more input to get us the rest of the way. About 4 weeks ago, one of our two-year-old hens...

I live in Michigan. As winter will soon be here, I was wondering if it is too late to let a hen go broody. Our hens have developed a clutch of 7 eggs but have not taken to sitting day and night yet. If someone finally decides to sit, and we have chicks born in October, will the chicks be able...

We are new to chickens as of about 16 months ago. We currently have 16 chickens of various breeds and ages, eleven of which we got this April as chicks. They free range during the day. Eleven days ago one of our 15 month old hens disappeared. We thought for sure she was a goner. Then...

We got our first chickens just over one year ago and now have 16 of various breeds and ages. They all free-range during the day. One of our wonderful hens, who's about 15 months old, went missing about 1.5 weeks ago. We thought she was a goner, but then this morning she shows up like...