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  1. jennyf

    April 2017 chicks, who will lay first contest...

    You are not alone! My first EE started laying around Christmas (lovely mint green) but I have another and a Welsummer the same age that haven't started yet.
  2. jennyf

    Sand or deep litter for a warmer coop?

    I have sand in a coop and a small run, deep litter in their larger outdoor run. This could be entirely a misperception on my part, but when gets cold, sand is COLD and unforgiving. Both winters when it's been around zero for periods, I've ended up dumping shavings on top of the sand. They...
  3. jennyf

    Training cats to leave chickens alone

    A blast from a water gun or even hose sprayer might work if they aren't terribly persistent.
  4. jennyf

    Help chickens in my back yard!!

    They are being really irresponsible. Have you told them that you're concerned about your dog injuring or killing a chicken? You might want to gather proof that they're in your yard (photos/video or filing a report with your local animal control) just in case they try to say it's your dog...
  5. jennyf

    Advice on Automatic Chicken Doors

    We have 2 Brinsea Chick Safe Extremes. One has been installed for almost two years and one has been in for about 8 months. They've worked great for us. I had to send one back because the spool wasn't winding correctly and they had great customer service too.
  6. jennyf

    Molting Stages Question

    Can any of you chicken experts look at poor Gretchen's underside and tell me about how long until new feathers are in? Days? Weeks? Lows are near zero, highs just in the teens or lower here with neg windchill. She seemed lethargic and wasn't coming out of the coop today like other girls so I...
  7. jennyf

    Neighbors have a rat problem

    You may want to cut down on the amount of scratch you're feeding. A couple of tablespoons per bird, and they should be cleaning it up. If your situation permits, pick up the feed at night and/or only feed them enough for the day. Pellets will sometimes cause less spillage since they aren't...
  8. jennyf

    Is rebar good to use?

    I used it to anchor the bottom of a chain link fence (actually in this instance to keep my dogs in, but you could use the same principle to keep larger predators from digging under) if you have a way to cut it and space it closely enough. It's pretty easy to pound it into the ground.
  9. jennyf

    Freezing Water Trouble

    St. Louis here, it's 5 degrees out now. I use a 5 gallon bucket with nipples. In the morning I fill with hot water from the tap. Most of the time when it's above 15, that will get me through the day. When it's this cold, I do a mid-day refresh with hot water again. It doesn't freeze for at...
  10. jennyf

    Chicken run ground cover ideas?

    Any access to fall leaves? That's worked really well for us, and it can be the start of deep litter if you decide to go that route. The chickens chop it up nicely over time, it's absorbent, easy on the feet, and reduces smell. I think all potting soil by definition is going to have the little...
  11. jennyf

    The worst day

    Just wanted to offer condolences for your loss! 20 birds and 2 years is a great track record for keeping them safe. Did you figure out how the possum got in?
  12. jennyf

    Cardboard Boxes for Transport to Processor?

    I used big cardboard boxes, cut a hole in the top, then put a sheet over them and drove with windows down. Did not work well tho--they got hot, and boxes weren't sturdy enough to carry them easily into processor. I think it I had to do it again I'd try do double-decker them in a wire dog...
  13. jennyf

    Run needs sprucing up- help

    Definitely do some research on "deep litter"--there are many experts on here and lots of information, but in a nutshell, you start piling organic matter in the run, it mixes with the chicken manure, naturally starts breaking down into compost, and in the process gives your chooks something to...
  14. jennyf

    So excited I saw a HUGH Garter snake !!

    I've wondered what size is the tipping point between "garter snake large enough to eat eggs" and "garter snake small enough to be devoured by chickens". ;) Sounds like yours may be safe! I'd also muuuuccchhh rather have a snake that takes an egg now and then than nasty disease-bearing rodents.
  15. jennyf

    Chicken Roosting Behavior Input?

    Thanks everyone! I just swapped it out for a 2x4. It would be challenging to spread out roosts more with the window there. Aart got me thinking, she is one of my heavier birds, and that roost did have a tiny bit of play, so perhaps the 2x4 will fix. I'll try to watch them settle in tonight...
  16. jennyf

    Chicken Roosting Behavior Input?

    I have six chickens who seem to live together pretty happily (no feather picking, squabbling, etc). The coop has 8 feet of roost space (2 four-foot roosts). The last couple of months, I've had one, rarely two chickens (always one or every once in awhile both of my two Wyandottes) that sleep...
  17. jennyf

    Anyone FF with New Country Organics?

    Curious, what do you grind it with? (Must I sacrifice my coffee grinder? )
  18. jennyf

    April 2017 chicks, who will lay first contest...

    I want to play! My April girls are a Welsummer and 2 Easter Eggers hatched 4/26.
  19. jennyf

    Anyone FF with New Country Organics?

    I do! We've been using the New Country Organics Grower for fermenting. I also usually just go 24 hours (with backslopping) also. It gets light and bubbly usually after 24-36 hours and it sits on my kitchen counter so I'd rather it not get too stinky. One of my two groups of chickens loves it...
  20. jennyf

    Feed Amount

    Second the comments. I have nine also and a 50 lb bag lasts me about 3 weeks on average. I do feed kitchen scraps and ferment feed as well.
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