You comments about ventilation were very good. I'ld like to know more. It is confusing how much is 'good'. I do understand the difference between drafts and ventilation.
About a week or so ago in early morning when chickens were getting off the roost a hen waited till last. When she jumped off she lowered her head and stuck out her neck and started running backwards. I checked on her later in the day and she seemed normal and looked fine. But it happened...
Does anyone know why guineas prefer crumble? I give mine pellets to help control waste on the ground. They will pick up a pellet dropped but not crumbles. They are several years old and are healthy so I assume getting enough to eat. Thanks
I have 4 year old guineas. And chickens. I feed all flock pellets with oyster shell in a separate hanging feeder. The guineas have not starved yet. I also bought two old guinea girls recently and they eat the pellets. Maybe because they see the chickens eat it? The two new ones are with...
Fascinating! Thanks for the info. I recently rescued a white male. Bought him two women. A pearl and a lavender. I was hoping I'd get pied if the pearl and white produce keets. The girls are supposed to be three years old and haven't laid. So that question is answered and I'm happy! My...
I get DE from Amazon in big '5 gallon' tubs. Nice heavy duty tubs use for something else. With lids. What I am curious about though is if these products are harmful to worms in the compost/garden?
Ok thanks for the thoughts. I know white birds are an issue with predators and we have eagles. My pit and aussie keep any 4 legged predators well away. I am interested in the Buckeyes as a possibility. I have some 5 year old Australoups. They don't lay much anymore but they are good...
I'm trying to choose which breed to raise for meat birds. I have a big Buff Orpington roo and three Speckled Sussex pullets. I'm thinking either Delawares or Chanteclers would make a good cross for meat birds. I live in north central Arkansas and the summers get very hot. Can the Chantecler...
Last year I raised Buff Orpington for meat birds. I kept a dandy rooster and I have a Speckled Sussex roo and three SS pullets. I'm wanting to choose a breed to cross with the Buff roo for meat birds. I'm thinking maybe some Chanteclers or Delawares would make good meat birds crossed with my...
Unless you are wanting to hatch chicks you might not want a rooster at all until your kids are older. You might look around good to see if the hens are hiding eggs or if you have a big snake enjoying eggs. A snake visiting at night would explain the strange behavior. Would be a coincidence...
I know this thread is old but I am now raising Buffs for the freezer and have raised Freedom Rangers in the past. I am trying to come up with a meat bird I can raise at home. And I like the idea of heritage birds. I think they are healthier. The FR worked well enough for meat birds but I...
I see someone beat me to it. Sloggers gardening shoes. Great shoe. But do it the low ones. I got some kind of ankle ones and they are difficult to get on with two hands let alone slip into. But the low ones are great. They are rubber and last forever if you don't get a puppy. Hose off...
All these replies about it changing from a cute little pet to a serious problem when it matures is very correct. You need to try to get it to a rehab or have it put down. Raccoons are serious pests. Chickens and eggs are food to them. Lots of people have tried keeping raccoons as pets and it...
I have no idea how this will go with your raccoon. But, a couple years ago an orphaned raccoon insisted on becoming a member of my sister's mother dog and her puppies family. The mother dog was a hunting dog and she didn't want a raccoon for a baby but the raccoon insisted on being a puppy...
Raccoons are easy to trap as they are greedy and not very bright. Cat food in a live trap and then dispose of them. I've caught many of them. Maybe you can borrow some traps and get several at a time. I've had them crowd in before the trap went off and caught more than one at a time. They...
It's been a few days. The eggs shells went back to normal just a couple days after the thin shells. So it was just a short term problem. Just scared me that the wormer was too much and had caused harm to the birds. Thanks for the replies.