Ugh, really? These chicks were $15, which I was only willing to pay because I really wanted those dark brown eggs. I'm so annoyed. I guess we'll know for certain in another month or so when they start laying, huh? What would you guys do?
I got these gorgeous birds as 1-day-old chicks from a local store. They're supposed be be Black Copper Marans, but the hen doesn't have any copper at all and the roo just started developing light brown in the feathering around his neck. Still not sure what we'll do about him but I'm wondering...
Thanks so much tyjaco! She seems to be clear of mites and worms (I'm no expert on the matter but can't find any signs). After three weeks of eating crushed up eggs shells plus free access to crushed oyster shell calcium (the big chunks, not white powder), she's still not laying and hasn't laid...
This same thing just happened to us with our best layer. She's only 3 years old and after the winter molt she laid a couple of thin-shelled eggs which broke (and of course she ate). Then we got one normal egg from her and she stopped laying altogether and hasn't laid a singe egg for a month or...
Eye pecking is no joke. This weekend I reached into the coop to grab the eggs and one of my girls went for the eye. Thank goodness I must have blinked because she didn't scratch the eye or tear the cornea, but she should popped some blood vessels. I'm investing in goggles for the little...
You guys are the best!!!!
I went back out there and moved her out of the coop into the grass and, what do you know, she perked right up and started pecking, the little rascal! Phew! I was sure our sweet little neighbor loved her a little too roughly. Thank goodness.
Thanks again!
Nicole
Please help with my silkie. I've only been keeping chickens for 9 months and this is our first taste of something amiss.
1) What type of bird , age and weight: White Bantam Silkie, 9 months old, 2-3 lbs.
2) What is the behavior, exactly: She's been laying in her nest box not moving for the...
Our chickens are definitely pets with the benefit of eggs.
Once I decided that I wasn't okay killing and eating our little rooster, I actually made a vow to not eat any factory-farmed meat from now on. If I'm not okay eating a chick that I know had a humane life (just because I'm too...
remarkikkin, you can do both. The BSF grubs pass through 5 stages as larvae, and the final stage is a very dark brown color. If you wait to feed them to your chickens until they reach this stage then they will have eaten all that they will ever eat in their lifetime.
It has also been suggested...
I love when my different worlds collide! I was just researching black soldier fly larvae for gardening reasons. Here's the best post ever on the little creatures:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/verm/msg0401113220154.html
Kelly Slocum knows her stuff!
Using Kelly's info to answer...
I have a silkie rooster (14 weeks) in Berkeley and would bring him to you this weekend if it's not hens you're looking for. He's very sweet but does crow!
Thanks for your replies! I had been out of town when the first crowing occurred and I heard him for the first time this morning. He crowed about seven times in a row and, although he wasn't too loud, it definitely stood out in the quiet morning.
My big concern is that the neighbors closest...
Alas, our little Butters is a rooster. We caught him crowing! Roosters aren't allowed in Berkeley and we'd love for him to go live with someone who would like to keep him as a pet (outside the city obviously!). He's 14 weeks old, so still a little guy, though I suspect he won't get much...
Really??? How can you tell? Is it comb size/color or something else?
Any opinions on the RIR or the silkies?
Almost jumping for joy, but forcing myself to remain calm.
The girls are 13 weeks old now so I'm posting a photo update to see what you all think now that some time has passed!
We've heard what sounds like a couple of attempts at a crow, but not really sure.
Here's our RIR, Rusk, who we love (PLEASE be a hen!).
This is the Easter Egger...
I'm new to this and could use your collective expertise! 8 weeks ago we got three ameraucanas, two silkies and a RIR. Trying to figure out their sex now. We thought one of the Ameraucanas was definitely male because he was brighter red colored and heaver. After seeing a lot of pictures...