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Hi all, We have a smallish flock of four which has just been expanded with the addition of four feed store chicks slipped under our broody hen a month ago or so. It has made for close quarters in the coop itself -- having created a penned off area of about 3' x 4' for the hen and chicks --...

Thanks Newmarch, I did as suggested and gently as I could lifted her and extracted the remaining egg. A chick had wandered out by that point -- two actually -- and she looked at them nudged them a little -- not a hard peck but an exploratory kind of move -- and then they just pushed their way...

Thanks ChickenCanoe -- who knew I'd be a nervous mother AND nervous chicken mother by proxy. I'd just read some horror stories about getting broodys to adopt feed store chicks -- and these weren't brand new -- but less than a week I'd guess -- they came into the feed store on Friday and I...

Thank you Dan, Yes -- I knew she was broody but we live within a city's limits that doesn't allow for roosters...I initially wanted to put fertilized eggs under her but was told the chance of getting roos that I wouldn't be able to keep was too high. I'd done some reading -- but I'm new to...

Hi all, Our Buff Orpington was clearly broody having been in the nest since May 5th or so -- just last night I introduced feed store chicks underneath her in the dark of night(she wasn't sleeping -- does she ever sleep?) I fear I made a mistake early on -- trying to get the eggs she...

Thanks everyone. I guess I was so busy getting through the winter I didn't have a chance to respond. In terms of called the chickens fared pretty well. The one with the larger comb did get some frostbite. We still have very cold temperatures here so we are not even near spring. I just posted a...

Thanks Lovethembirds That was the mystery I guess. We love this local city store that sells supplies and they were a great inspiration in getting the chickens (we have a double lot in the suburbs). I purchased that organic layer feed at their suggestion and just didn't know enough to know how...

hi all. We have had a hard and brutally cold winter here in Minnesota. We brooded six checks roughly 11 months ago and went into the winter with six seemingly healthy pullets. We bought the appropriate feed from the local feed store. One was an organic layer feed that seem to have a powder...

Hi everyone, I'm new to chicken farming -- my family and I added six pullets to our already full household in April -- we live in an inner ring suburb of Minneapolis where my husband has constructed a very sturdy, insulated coop with one overhead light and an outlet. Though I'd given thought...

Late October in Minnesota means our light has just dipped to under 12 hours a day. Until a few days ago our pullets (born in late April) had been laying reliably -- with the exception of the Buff orpington -- who hasn't laid yet - and the Australorp who just began -- our Rhode island red...

Thanks everyone for the great ideas and the warm welcome. I have to say that while I read up on it until they were home we didn't really think about all the various things we needed to know -- and sadly we learned the hard way and lost a chick to overheating early on -- and while I knew...

Thanks so much -- glad to be among so many thoughtful and knowledgeable folks. Pam

Thanks for the hello! Death Valley -- you must be an expert on how not to overheat your chickens!

Hi! Thanks.

Thanks for all the great direction -- it seems like such a thorough, vibrant community! I'm relieved to meet some northerners as I have to tell you I'm a little nervous about the learning curve with our severe winters -- this last one was a real doozy with subzero temps and horrendous...

Thank you! Now I've learned something new -- I had no idea Rhode Island was called that -- A great community -- everyone is so helpful. Pam

Thanks so much for the welcome! My husband is cursing over the coop now -- he's taken on a little more design than was probably necessary -- just wait until I remind him about the run! Jetdog suggested a dog run that you secure with hardware cloth and put netting over the top -- I have a...

Thanks! Pam

Thanks Whittni! I credit the people at this urban Feedstore we have here. They select the breeds that are supposed to be very hearty, relatively family-friendly, and good layers. In reality we have no idea what to expect ... We have really loved watching them and their behavior though. We look...

Great advice! Thanks so much. I was just getting really overwhelmed. Sand sounds like a great easy to clean material. I'm all for it! My husband is going to love the dog run idea. The coop design and building sort of took on a life of its own. I really appreciate your time, Pam