I think I have a rat picking feathers off my ladies at night while they are roosting.
I haven't been locking the coop at night and just shutting the run door. Apparently, that wasn't very smart.
Last night I went out to shut the run and fill the feeder and what I think was a rat came...
Also agree with Heather. If one bird doesn't have the suspicious bare bottom then she could be your culprit haha.
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They are all losing feathers now. I don't believe it's another girl pecking. And it's not mites or lice. I'm lost.
My girls don't have lice or mites. But these feathers are not growing back. And now almost all my girls are losing enough feathers that all their bums are bare. Can anyone give me an answer???? Someone has to know what this is!!!!
I have 2 BSL, 2 Golden Comets & 2 RI reds. One of my BSL has lost almost all of the feathers on her bum. All of my others are also
starting to lose their feathers on their bum as well. I have checked for mites. I don't see any. I don't have a roo. What in the world is happening???? [/IMG]
I have 6 chickens. 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 black sex links & 2 golden comets. Lately, all but one or two are sleeping on the coop
Floor. They use to all roost together. Why are they doing this? Anyone know?
My coop is too small for poop boards. I just put it under the pine shavings. I put in my bunny coop as well. I also sprinkled it on the dirt floor of my run. I bought it today because I just noticed a smell and I hope it helps. I clean the coop once a week and rake out the run daily.
I have a very big run for my 6 ladies. Currently it is a dirt floor and I rake it about every other day. I feel like I am running out of dirt as I'm raking it away. What does everyone else have for the their run? Dirt? Hay? Grass? Suggestions?
I see a lot of coops online painted red. Are chickens more attracted to their coop if it's painted red or does it not really make a difference? I wanted to paint my coop red but thought it would be a bad idea (pecking at it).
I can't allow my flock to free range unsupervised. We have many predators because of 200+ acres fish and game land directly behind our home. Can I allow the ladies out of their run for a couple hours a day when we are only there to supervise? If so, how do I get them back in their run?
My coop is 4ft x 5ft with 2 roost bars. Those measurements do not include the nest boxes and have a very large enclosed run. I believe that is more than enough room. There is space for food and water but not to hang them. I wanted to make certain it wasn't necessary to provide food/water inside...
I have 6 hens and a coop just big enough for them. I can't hang their water or food in the coop because there isn't enough room. My question is do I need to have separate food/water in my run and in my coop (during spring/summer)? Or do they only eat & drink during daytime hours? Also, what do...
I have been bringing them outside for over a week now. Since our days have gotten really warm (85 today). I put them in their huge run today. They are SO HAPPY. I'm just unsure about allowing them to stay in the coop overnight. It will be a low of 53 tonight.