Search results for query: *

Is this chicken lice around the hen's eyes? I want to make sure I'm treating for the correct pests before I clean the coop and spray all the birds.

I have a couple of broody hens. We chased her off and took the eggs for a few weeks. After a few weeks of her not giving up, I did! I decided to let her hatch a few chicks. It has been about 2.5-3 weeks and I'm noticing a foul smell. I'm not sure if the eggs she is sitting on are starting...

My chicken is limping again. I'm posting some photos. Can anyone see anything that might be the cause? I checked for bumblefoot, but that doesn't appear to be the case. The other night my husband declared "something seriously wrong with the way that leg looks", but I don't see it. It looks...

We got baby chicks last year and the kids took great care of them. They sold several through the 4-H program, so we have 15 hens & 2 roosters (EE & Bielefelders). I suppose they're technically still pullets/cockerels, but we are close to the 1-yr mark! The kids have once again signed up for...

Someone gave me a bag of dried fruits and nuts. It has apples, figs, cranberries, raisins and walnuts. Are these all safe treats? I thought they were, but my son read on one site that said raisins are safe only in extremely small amounts or they’ll cause renal failure? Is there any truth to...

I noticed today that several of my pullets (they’re probably 10 months old) are loosing feathers. One has a large bald area on her back. If I were guessing, I’d say the bald spot is probably 4” x 6”. One of the Bielefelders feathers are all curled up and frizzy looking. I’m not really sure...

I have 4 Bielefelder pullets that are 25 weeks old. None have started laying yet, but 3 are getting redder combs and waddles. The 4th has always been smaller and weaker. By weaker, I mean 3-4 times she has had a limp. The first 2-3 times was at a young age in the brooder and again around 18...

We just sold 4 chickens and are down to 22, seven of which are cockerel. They are 21 weeks old. Ideally, I’d like to keep two—one Easter Egger and one Bielefelde in case we decide to let them have chicks. We had one that was picking fights with all the other chicks, so he was the first to go...

We have EE and Bielefelders that are 21 weeks. One of the EE started laying (light brown eggs) about 2-2.5 weeks ago. I know which pullet it is from and she has been laying fairly consistently every 1-2 days. Last Friday there was also a single blue egg laying in the middle of the run. I...

The chickens have been in the coop for a couple months, but it is still not completely finished. We had a plan when we started the build, but between the weather and pandemic-driven material shortages, we had to make modifications on the fly. Fortunately, it appears to have worked out well...

My husband is trying to finish up our chicken coop. Between the weather and shortage of supplies due to the pandemic, our final design has been a moving target! We ended up omitting windows and adding ventilation elsewhere based on hardware cloth on hand and using the...

This morning I noticed black spots on one of our Bielefelder’s comb & battles. Is this from fighting or disease? We have 26 chickens including 8 cockerels. All are 19 weeks old & raised together. The Bielefelders are fairly calm, sweet boys. One of the 3 Easter Egger boys is aggressive...

I have 26 chickens that are 12 weeks old. There are 17 Easter Eggers (14 pullets & 3 cockerels) & 9 Bielefelders (4 pullets & 5 cockerels). We will be giving 4 EE pullets to 4H next month assuming the sell isn’t canceled due to COVID. That will leave us with 14 pullets & 8 cockerels. I know...

We almost have the coop finished. Well we have to build the nesting boxes and window coverings, but we got it closed in enough for the summer months and moved the chickens in last weekend. Once we get the run finished we will jump back on the coop. I’ll post pictures in a few days to get...

I finally got the chickens moved from the basement to the coop last Friday! They are 11 weeks old. Do I need to give them anything besides starter feed, water and grit? I gave them probiotics & electrolytes over the weekend, because the smallest pullet was limping. (She is better now.) They...

We are currently building the coop and run. We spaced the posts 4 ft on center, because I told hubby we could get 4’ hardware cloth. Now, I’m having trouble finding some. I was going to get 1/4”, but it is only available locally in 23 gauge. Will that be sufficient? Do I need to get 1/2“...

I'm trying to finalize our coop design. I'm leaning towards using PVC pipe w/ horizontal nipples for water, but wondering what the downside is to this type of system. Is it hard to clean? Does it freeze easily? If so, is there a way to heat the system so that it doesn't freeze? Are 5-gallon...

I’m currently using a small quart size waterer for the chicks. At what age can I upgrade to a larger waterer? I’d like to use 2 of the quart size waterers with the younger chicks so I can give probiotics in one and fresh water in the other. They are a about 10 days old and we lost 2 last...

I ordered 15 chicks (10 Bielefelders--not sexed and 5 Black Laced Red Wyandotte--female). They arrived today with only 11 in the box. I need to call Cackle Hatchery about the missing chicks, but want to make sure I tell them the correct thing. I *think* I received 11 Bielefelders and 0...

Our new Baby chicks are a couple of days old (shipped on Monday). So far I've only given them water, medicated starter feed, and ACV in today's water to help with pasty butt. Do they need electrolytes and probiotics/vitamins or just if they're looking ill? (I thought I watched a video from...