wow.......that is pretty heartless a comment. let the OP be disappointed and sad - even months after. let the OP be different from you. do you eat yours once they are done laying?
ah....she quit laying a couple years ago....i think that she was the one that laid one mess of an egg - almost like a lash egg....but obviously not a lash egg, given that she has lived this long....
Nutrena crumbles.....kale and japanese beetles at this time....clover when she gets out, and berries when in season. I am thinking of limiting her access to food, as her weight might become more of an issue, especially given the fact that she isn't as active.
THanks - I agree.....it's sort of palliative care now, I guess.....it's a huge run and she still isn't the lowest in the pecking order (4 birds total).....just sucks to see them age like this, and to feel it is not something i can really treat to substantially change her level of health.
Greetings....I have a five year old RIR hen who now seems to be showing signs of arthritis and heart disease. Her feet are turned inward slightly, and she walks, although not at all like her sisters. She eats and drinks well, but pants with exertion. What have you - who have had an aged...
My barred rock does the exact same.....she is just wanting attention - and that is how she asks for it.....then i catch her and she plops down on my lap, lying on her side with her full weight on my supporting hand, and could stay there for hours......nice girl....but she's the alpha hen....and...
For the dust bath, a mix of peat moss and wood ash is GREAT....they love it....I have the same sandbox setup.....do your chickens get a bit scared when you take off the top of the sandbox?
Seven birds in that coop is going to be too many....I would cap it at three or four....the four that i have typically take up about a third of the coop inside - in winter they huddle even more closely together.
I have no issues with boredom or bullying, despite their having 2.5 square feet...
i built a sandbox that was elevated about two feet....next to that is a roosting branch....they love collecting on that at times - for baths - or to get a better view of the rest of the yard.....I also planted grape vines on two sides of the run - to soften the landscape a bit, provide shade -...
I agree with you about raccoons possibly being able to get into the Eglu coop. A quarter turn of a handle and the raccoon has access through the nesting boxes or the back....In that these coops are from England, I don't think they have as many problems with raccoons as we do. I would take...
Agreed.....I have mine Eglu Cube in a VERY spacious enclosed run, but animals COULD get to the coop through the bird netting above most certainly, and I DO wonder if a raccoom might actually succeed in twisting the back of the coop off....not sure if residents in England have to deal with...
not my picture - i should have cited the source - here -
https://www.facebook.com/omlet.uk/posts/chickens-survive-bear-attack-big-thank-you-to-tom-in-virginia-usa-for-sharing-hi/10155925199945642/
I think you will be okay with the Omlet...especially if the chickens have a place to run around during the day......mine has been great - no issues with pecking and boredom.....
I am in Minneapolis - lots of snow - and use 2 inch square netting - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Netting-Poultry-Plant-Bird-Aviary-Fruit-Garden-Protection-Net-Nets-Long-Lasting/312003119558?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
My run is 12 feet by 27 feet....I spanned...
Good for you. The longer run - if you are not going to free range them or build an even bigger run for your chickens, one that YOU can be in as well (and this might be something you will want to do in the future) - will be better for them, but it will be a bit more unwieldy when moving...
No, I don't free range....too many predators. Just last week my Australorp was on my shoulder - as she tends to do whenever I am in the run for some reason - and she freaked out and flew to the ground....I looked up to see a hawk about 10 feet above us, checking us out....
The chickens have...
I have an Omlet Eglu....live in Minnesota....this is my take on it - It houses 4 hens for me. Here they SLEEP and LAY EGGS. When the coop door is open, and it is light out, they are always outside. That said, at night they all cuddle together without much pecking at all. The nest boxes stay...
My suggestion would be to use a heavy duty bird netting (2" X 2" squares) for the top.
What you are intending to use - with 3/4" squares - will prevent snow from falling through and create more than a few hassles for you with certain snowfalls.