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  1. Castlemaid

    Would a weasel do this?

    I recently picked up six young birds. They are about 3 months old now. On days when I'm home I let them out to free range. I have a duck pond that sits between the coop and the house - and I can't really see the coop from the house. I looked out and saw white feathers by the pond. A lot! I went...
  2. Castlemaid

    Tiny egg with scrambled yolk.

    I thought fairy eggs normally didn't have a yolk and and where produce by POL pullets? My hens are older and normally good layers.
  3. Castlemaid

    Tiny egg with scrambled yolk.

    I get a scrambled tiny egg about two or three times a year. I’ve posted about this before but this time I have pics. Any insight as to why this happens?
  4. Castlemaid

    Are these eggs Duck or chicken eggs

    I remember when I first joined this forum, I had the same question. My profile pic is still a pic of that huge egg I was asking about - and for reference, I have very large hands.
  5. Castlemaid

    Recued angel wind duck - what breed?

    Hello all. Rescued this drake the owner was going to get rid off. I’ve only ever had muscovies. Can anyone tell me what breed he is?
  6. Castlemaid

    Found a stash of hidden eggs, still safe to eat despite the heat?

    This might be a silly question but as a Canadian trapped in the “heat dome” I’m experiencing some of the hottest temps I’ve ever experienced. So normally I wouldn’t think twice of eating found eggs that passed the float test but with temps reaching over 100F over the last few days, are eggs left...
  7. Castlemaid

    When your egg production mysteriously drops you might have an unwanted visitor center

    Wow, that's a big snake! I think snakes are cool, and it bothers me when people kill them indiscriminately, so kudos for taking the time and effort to grab it and move it, despite your feelings about snakes. Black snakes will also eat rats and mice, so they are awesome when not stealing your...
  8. Castlemaid

    Want to improve egg quality. What to look for in feed.

    LOL, I just noticed how I spelled alfalfa! Not sure where that came from. :)
  9. Castlemaid

    Want to improve egg quality. What to look for in feed.

    Some hay may be a good idea in addition to higher protein feed. That makes me think I could dry some other greens and offer that in the winter. (ETA: and alphalpha pellets too!)
  10. Castlemaid

    Want to improve egg quality. What to look for in feed.

    OP?
  11. Castlemaid

    Want to improve egg quality. What to look for in feed.

    Fresh greens in the winter is a challenge: First, they usually ignore them. Second, I leave for work at 6:30 am, and it's dark until 8 am. The coop is not wired, so no artificial light for the chickens to wake up and get active. Fresh greens freeze in that time, so no way they are going to eat...
  12. Castlemaid

    Want to improve egg quality. What to look for in feed.

    Thank you Lemon-Drop, I wasn't sure if upping protein affected egg quality. It certainly won't hurt to switch and see. I just checked the calcium content, it is 4.5%. The chickens do get oyster shell, but they don't seem to care for it much.
  13. Castlemaid

    Want to improve egg quality. What to look for in feed.

    I've been feeding 16% layer pellets, and I have noticed a huge difference this year between the winter eggs (chickens mainly getting only feed and scratch) and summer eggs (chickens freeranging on acreage). I live in a pretty remote area in BC, and we only have feed from a relatively local feed...
  14. Castlemaid

    Setting muscovy getting rid of bad eggs?

    Oh, didn’t think about her carrying the egg by her beak if it had a crack in it. That would make a lot more sense than carrying it under her wing, especially since the pond is a bit of a trek from her chosen nesting site. When I noticed her, she was working at enlarging a crack which I assumed...
  15. Castlemaid

    Setting muscovy getting rid of bad eggs?

    Good day everyone! Just wanted to say I love this community of experienced, knowledgeable fowl people, LOL. Whenever I have a chicken or duck question, I know I can get help here, and I appreciate you all. My question is, would a Muscovy carry a bad egg under her wing away from the nest to...
  16. Castlemaid

    Butchering inside without making a mess.

    I've only ever butchered one bird so far. A mean rooster that I did outdoors about a month ago. I'm getting ready to do my other surplus rooster, but wiht temps in the -20 to -30 Celsius range this week, I'd like to do it inside. Any tips on how to proceed with minimum mess?
  17. Castlemaid

    How to pick a rooster to keep.

    The bird I recently butchered was the type that ran at me. One time I bent over to pick something up, and he jumped on my back! That was it, no more chances! Pure bred rare-breed or not, I'm not okay with having to keep looking over my shoulders everytime I'm out in the coop area, fearing an...
  18. Castlemaid

    How to pick a rooster to keep.

    Uggghhh!!! After reading your very sage and wise advice, I spent a couple of days observing the flock and the roos. I had decided which one to keep, it was showing all the nice traits I was reading on here. Tonight, I was a couple of hours late going out to close up the coop. To my horror there...
  19. Castlemaid

    How to pick a rooster to keep.

    I had a pure bred Icelandic that I got for free when he was 8 weeks old. At the age of 10 Months, I butchered him, my very first butcher, because he was aggressive. I have three 4.5 month old roos coming up sired by the dispatched jerk, either icelandic/bovan or icelandic/baryard mix, depending...
  20. Castlemaid

    Can a six month old female Muskovy practice nesting behaviour?

    Thanks! I thought it was too early for her age and for the season, but I guess not! She hasn't laid any eggs yet, so I hope she starts soon.
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