If you had a moisture problem, with temperatures that cold, frost would form and not leave the windows. If you had a draft directly on the birds, with temperatures below 32 F, your birds will already have had frost bite. They will be cold, but give them some extra treats. It will help if they...
I have learned, it is not so much the areas in which you live or how cold / hot it gets, but rather the type of birds you have. If you have smaller less fatty birds, and birds with larger combs, like Leghorns; Then yes they will be a greater risk to colder temperatures and frost bite.
Direct...
My 15 month old laying hen has the same symptoms. She just stands there and starts to fall asleep. When she manages to stabilize herself and actually sleep, she moves her head from side to side? All my other birds are fine. It started yesterday, I noticed her sleeping in the flower garden while...
Do not get discouraged. Some breeds can become more separated from their human owners naturally. I have Leghorns that runs from me every time I come close to the brooder, while the other breeds like Wyandotte and Silkie do not bother with my presence. A warm water wash and some strawberry...
Hello chicken farmers. I am looking for help in identifying the material that has recently started appearing on my eggs from my Easter Egg-er (see below pic.). The material can be scratched off but can be attached so well it can chip the shell when removing it. In addition I have other hens and...
Today we lost our first chicken. Bigfoot was less than a year old and our very first egg layer. We are not sure what happened to her as there were no signs of trauma or attack. We think she possibly may have chocked or had a heart attack. We will miss her a lot. I will miss her pecking me in the...
I used large boulders, and buried them about 12" deep around the enclosed coop. It is not predator proof. However, during the daytime hours the ground predators seem to stay away as I have a couple of dogs that bark at other dogs and cats, but leave the chicken alone. The coop itself is locked...
For most breeds flight is hard for distance and height, all due to physics. However some birds (leghorns) can fly some what far distances and reach a single story rooftop easily. That being said most of the time a 3'-4' fence is enough to keep them separated from areas. Now there are...
So in a matter of a few days I went from (1) egg layer to what I believe to be (4) egg layers. I imagine within days I should be getting eggs from all (6) birds. Today I was making owlets with my new eggs and I discovered to be what I thought a fertile egg. One problem is that I don't think I...
I use the deep litter method in a elevated 4' x 8 'x 6' wood floor coop. In October I put down (1) bag of cedar chip shavings, (1) bag of hay, and (1) bag of top soil. Every month until January I added (1) bag of cedar chips. In January I have about 8-10" of composing material in which I will...
Mystery solved... I caught my Buff Orpington in the nesting box this morning. An hour later I checked again, (1) egg. It is about the size of the other laying bird's eggs now too and is becoming regular in laying time just about everyday now for (4) days.
-Frozen WIngs
The best part about being a backyard farmer is that you get to learn from experiences. My experience says that you think about raising the coop above the ground, perhaps on some blocks. In addition depending upon how many birds you have, making the roost a little larger wouldn't hurt. Put straw...
So, there is no relationship to the size of eggs and how close in time they were laid? If this is the case I believe you are right, as the second egg that was discovered was bigger than the one discovered the week before. But why am I only getting (1) egg per week from my second bird? Could the...
I love a good mystery! Can you solve mine? I have (6) hens all of which are within (6) weeks of one another. The oldest bird was born in late April. The youngest bird started laying first on the 7th of January (Brahma). She lays consistently 5 eggs a week until...
Two week ago I found two eggs...
No heat, just a place that is out of the elements and is well ventilated and dry. Your birds will be fine. I have had multiple days below zero degrees Fahrenheit and my hens had no issue. Moisture and cold are bird killers. Heat in a chicken coop is very dangerous and can actually promote a...
Glad to hear you and DH identified and cured the immediate problem! DH are good for somethings, and don't forget we love to hear about it too. My wife says you can actually see our heads swell. :)
-Frozen Wings