Oh! That makes sense, I thought you were saying the RIR had a rose comb. Its the black pullet in topic here, correct? I was having a panic attack there... questioning myself, but doubtful.
I knew I was missing something, my bad.
I do that too, as soon as I can get them grit. IMO, mealworms don't count as "oily" and don't stick to dirt as the chickens run and drop some across the grass, so I love feeding them that.
She sounds too far gone. You would have to break her in an elevated dog crate. Usually, elavating a dog crate on some bricks work. That way you create airflow under her and help her to release her hormones. Being broody for too long can cause several issues. She will probably molt once she is...
How old is the bird? Looks like an australorp to me, color matches, body shape, etc. Seems to have white skin as well, but the photos are not very clear. Looks like a pullet, but depends on age.
If your chickens are 3 months, they can eat a whole mealworm just fine. I know because I do it all the time. They LOVE it. That being said, treats should take up no more than 10% of a chicken's overall diet. Earthworms work as well, but I recommend mealworms. I like to raise my own mealworms...
New layers will be new layers. Much like a new driver, there will be accidents in the beginning. With new laying pullets, they often get egg laying glitches (soft shell, double yolks, blood on eggshells, speckles, small eggs, fairy eggs, etc.). The good thing is that most of these are happy...
To be honest, it would be hard to find a cockerel that could do well with only 8 hens. I recommend at the very least 10 for one cockerel or rooster and buy chicken saddles (with wing protection) for them. Over mating is an issue that can be quite serious. I would keep the nicest to the hens and...
I almost never hear anything either. Usually when an attack is about to occur, I see it, not hear it. For example, I am extra careful during the aerial predator's "lunch break". Which is usually around noon to afternoon. I have seen, quite a few times, when hawks or vultures roost on a tree near...
Thats a broad question. I free range, with little to no losses. But thats because I watch my birds and I am almost always home. If I were not home, I do not like to let them out. Again, everyone is different. I know the birds in my area, I know the 4 legged and the 2 legged. I have pretty much...