Hello there. I don't see any grounding wire in your heated bucket. When I bought that same de-icer (this week) the instructions included putting copper wire in the bucket that is supposed to be attached to a 8 foot grounding rod put 5 feet deep into the ground. Is this not necessary?? Thanks!
Does this unit require a grounding rod? I got the Farm Innovators 250W de-icer and when it was delivered the instructions included installing a copper wire in the bucket that goes to a 8 foot grounding rod placed at least 5 feet into the ground (which is now starting to freeze) and given my...
Also, would this heating mat work on the floor for my silkies to keep them warm this winter since they don't roost, they just form a poultry pile on the floor. Thanks!
Hey all,
This will be my first winter with chickens and I've been researching methods to prevent eggs from freezing. As such I began to look for heating mats and have seen many seedling and reptile mats but with my nesting box size of 16" x 48" (divided into three separate boxes by...
Hello all! First winter with my flock and I have four pure silkies and three that appear to be silkie mixes in addition to some RI Reds, Brahmas, EEs, and Leghorns. I know that the big birds will do fine in the winter with adequate ventilation, however, I've heard that some others have heard...
I've kept a rabbit (3 rabbits) hide in my coop with my 18 chickens since both were young. Rabbits now live around the coop/run as they began digging very deep holes in the run. They never dug out but I got sick of following behind the rabbits and filling the holes.... Holes aside, the rabbits...
Hey all,
Can you please help identify the breed of these chicks? Two are the same breed with furry feet, the other looks similar but no furry feet.
Thanks!
My chickens free range is one reason I’d like a rooster, to keep an eye out for the girls. Also, one of the roosters was very high maintenance as a chick and was nursed back to health from 5 days old and is now very healthy and not a problem at all at this point. I already have a new home for...
So out of my 8 straight run silkies, it turns out that 6 are roosters!! What are the odds?! Apparently 3:1, lol. I have 10 various other hens. All chickens are six months old but two of the roos are becoming quite aggressive and actually came after me today. Given the high number of roos and...
Thanks for everyone's replies. I appreciate both sides of the argument, take in all the personal experiences as well as the literature data provided. I then take all the information provided, apply it to my personal situation/geography/coop&run conditions and try to make the best informed...
I got my chicks in early April this year. The first day one of the Silkies appeared to be off balance and weak. We took her to water and food and gave vitamins - worked great within a day or two. She was then named Dizzy as she looked dizzy trying to stand when we got her. However, another...
I have been reading on regular deworming schedules and have gotten mixed opinions. Some say just do fecals regularly, some say just deworm regularly. This from BYC folks as well as Vets. Looking for pros/cons of each as well as reasons/literature supporting your views. Please vote too.
Thanks!