My 2yr old hen,an Amberlink, always has her drop full! In fact, she's worn feathers off from where she drags it on the ground when she's foraging! Is this unhealthy? Or just her 'shape' ( full and rounded)???
My 2 yr old NH Red hen is suddenly droopy. She seems humped up at her saddle area, her comb has bleached out, she's out and about, but not as peppy as usual. I can't check her until later this afternoon, but I will check for mites, fleas, whatever and can dust her down. It has been hot, but I...
so they won't eat the layer feed....no matter what it ends up on the ground...I've tried pellets and crumbles....different brands...different types of feeders.....nothing works. I'm just spending money and throwing it on the ground! Can I just feed them scratch without jeopardizing them in any...
I have a Light Brahma pullet, born March 1st this year. She has held her tail to the side since she was 3 mos old. I don't think it's broken. It causes her no discomfort if you hold it in position as it should be. There doesn't seem to be any irritation or trauma either. Do some breeds have...
I just found roundworms! Been keeping chickens for over 5 yrs now....maybe 6, and this is my first encounter. Bout nothing else looks like roundworms, so I'm pretty sure that's what I found. So, I can ask my vet or check at the farm store for treatments, but here are a couple of related...
I use compressed pine shavings in the coop and enclosed run. This freshly muched/chipped wood is targeted to be used in the open air - 'outdoor run'. I've read some about not using cedar anything for chickens and I'm concerned that since I don't know the content of this mulch I could be...
the local electric company is busy trimming and mulching....so I got a load of free mulch. Would probably be mostly maple, but who knows really what all is in there. I have an open run my girls spend most of their day in and it has some low spots...right now, muddy low spots. Can I safely put...
gelatin, actually. I think I would not want to use the dessert gelatin with food dye in it....but what about unflavored/uncolored gelatin? I give my girls frozen peas and beans, and I've seen photos on the internet of people making ice cubes with treats inside.....but my girls don't like ice...
the winds are soft, and the temp has cooled down this morning to 77 with 58% humidity, and all my girls are out in their 'front yard' sitting on the ground! They are so funny! Can't snap a pic to share because as soon as I go out the door, they are up and running to the corner of the...
so far...their cooked rice is a staple for breakfast- not really a treat anymore but they do love it! Then icecubes in their water....frozen peas....chilled cucumber halves and diced fresh squash!
It is rainy, but warm for this time of year in SE Illinois, but it couldn't be a happier day....at least not until my grandkids get home from school and all the excitement begins because I made a trip to the farm supply store and came home with chicks!!! 2 Barred Rocks, 2 NH Reds, and 2...
Our Coop Experience
We live in a small rural community in southeastern Illinois. Since we have lived here, we've had horses, rabbits, and the usual dogs, cats, some ducks and a couple of geese on the pond. But never chickens. Until last week - Labor Day 2009. We are now the proud owners...
beside their scratch and layer feed, they get cooked rice every morinig for breakfast. Sometime around mid morning or 10:00, they get tomatoes, apples, from the garden, in mid afternoon they get scraps from the kitchen - usually lettuce or cabbage or leftovers and after the grandkids get home...
My girls do not eat the cracked corn in the scratch mix! Do your's like it? I used to be sick about it...it is mostly cracked corn and all of it seemed to be wasted on the floor. The I started having mice, which isn't a BIG problem flor the girls...they LOVE mice! Problem is just for me, I...
I have thought for some time that I had a hen eating eggs. But, I have never found any shell fragments anywhere. What I do find is egg yolk stains on the roosting boards, and sometimes in the floor of the coop. Yesterday when I gathered eggs, I found some in the nest box in a puddle of yolk...
no image, but can supply one later if anyone is really interested. Miss Bella turned out to be a Mister and therefore needs another home! He doesn't really know he's a rooster yet, maybe5 mos old, but his tail feathers are starting to show and they are the most beautiful colors! I will not...
I just found this!! and I'm too late! When I visit BYC, it's all about my ladies. I'm so excited to see this though. Maybe next year I'll get in on it too! I am a member of a couple of interenet swap groups and do charity squares as well. I'd love this one! Everyone enjoy it, it has to be...