I’ve had a couple experiences like this on here since I came back. I’m not sure what it is that makes people feel defensive when asked questions. I end up wondering if they actually want help in the first place. On the plus side, people with that attitude don’t generally hang around long because...
Side note: I figured out how to integrate my new guy when the time comes so we’ll see how it goes. 🤞 I just need these boys to stay alive and keep enough hens alive long enough to start raising chicks this spring then I won’t feel so uptight about numbers. I’m not sure 20 birds is enough to get...
We have a couple corn barrels for deer on our property that are always well stocked by our friend who deer hunts here. He also has trail cams up there and saw a coyote a few days ago. I imagine his hunting actually helps deter things. The raccoons have made themselves scarce since I started...
So a quick internet search on bobcat trapping for furs told me not to pee where I expect to catch a bobcat. So I’m hoping my husband’s beer drinking comes in handy 🤣 I know it works for city raccoons. My yellow hatch found a new tree to roost in tonight. Not sure where my other tree chicken is...
This might be an unanswerable question but what is a normal/average rate of loss when starting an adaptive flock? Ive lost three total since May—one was a very young pullet I lost to a stray cat and two to a bobcat recently. So the bobcat has become an issue obviously but a tricky one. I do have...
That is odd. I can’t say I watch my flock eat very often aside from the time it takes to feed them but I have two hens who sleep rough and are so are always out before everyone else. They expect to eat first and they do but then they usually head off to forage after the others mob the bowl. They...
Just had to post this here cause it was funny I caught the action. Cockerel is probably a little smaller than either of the hens but doesn’t seem to care
Welcome Jay! You’ve already discovered one of our favorite topics to talk about—prefab coops 😆 I don’t see your location listed but I would like to add that climate plays a big part in what kind of coop is best suited for you and whatever breeds you decide to get. It’s great that you’re doing...
What breed are they? By that age you would have male-specific feathering (which I know is hard with lavender and shredding) but I would also expect more obvious comb action by that age if you had a cockerel.
Not planning on keeping them in the same enclosure at all. The new one will be 100% free range and I need a back up because I think transitioning to a rooster they know if I lose one will be easier than bringing in a strange one again. Once they start brooding and raising their own this won’t be...
I need rooster integrating advice…again. I posted on another thread so forgive me for the overlap. I lost my good boy rooster a couple weeks ago and picked up a lovely little cockerel who is doing a great job. I have almost 20 hens now and want a back up rooster so I am going to get one from the...
At that age without an older rooster or hens that will teach him manners (which is a big ask at his age) you might have to separate him until he’s older and mellowed out. You might get different opinions. I have a cockerel roughly the same age who is a complete gent but he was raised in a...
My last rooster had lots of little spots where the hens “groomed” him a little excessively. I wouldn’t worry about that. Bearded chickens might have issues being picked by other chickens just because they’re different.
If everyone seems happy then I wouldn’t stress over it but maybe add a...
My cockerel is finally feeling bold enough to crow every morning but he is otherwise pretty mellow about it. Which is a good thing because he sounds pretty creaky still, bless his heart 😆
I wonder why Muscovy are so hated. I’m not a duck person but I love an ugly bird (Naked Necks anyone?) so I really hope it’s not just their appearance that causes them to be targeted. I also wonder why they are more susceptible to bird flu than other ducks.