We’ve had two hawk attacks so free range days are over. They have this 8x16 enclosed run with sand that is covered. I’d like to enlarge their space so they can access grass and yard dirt. I was thinking of draping some sort of netting from the run to this chain link fence behind it (and of...
Thank you. I only have three hens and they are always together and love to hang out (and poop on lol) my porch. No predator birds at that time. I’ll give her a good inspection and see if maybe she has some pin feathers still. I thought most of her feathers had significantly grown in by now but...
One of my hens keeps displaying trouble laying down. She wants to sunbathe and spread her wings but she’s constantly squatting and then standing back up. She’s about two years old, just went through her first molt and does have an old injury on her backside from a dog bite but that was well over...
I found my alpha hen laying in my tomato plant. The rascal has figured out she can jump the gate into the garden and get into the raised garden bed. They are two years old and they have never laid outside of their coop before. Any clues why she is now doing this? I have not found the others...
I heard a commotion at my feet and looked down to see my hens with the largest worm I’ve ever seen -then I realized it was a snake! After a little battle over who would get it, a victor rose and gobbled it up like a piece of spaghetti! I was so shocked! I had no idea they would do such a thing...
One of my girls seems to be straining a lot when trying to lay. She finally left the nest box and is walking kinda stiffly and squatting around the yard like she’s trying to push. Could this be egg bound behavior? I have found a couple soft shell eggs in the last month so that’s why I was trying...
Thank you all. The ladies have a wood framed covered run with hardware cloth with sand floor. The coop interior has hemp bedding.
29 is pretty cold here but we are still in SC. :)
Hello. We’re expecting snow this weekend in NW South Carolina. It might be about 5 inches and the temps will get down to 29F.
I have 3 barred rock hens in a nice enclosed shed coop and they have access to a covered run during the day. This is the first time we’re having snow since I had my...
We had our first chicken loss yesterday. It was a hawk. I have felt so incredibly sad. Our chickens are pets. I know I’ll feel better soon and that it’s just nature, but I can’t help feeling sad.
I just needed to say this in a space where people are more likely to get it.
I was surprised on Wednesday when I went to collect the eggs that 2 of my ladies had laid in their droppings board (not their nest) and one was soft like the picture below. The next day all 4 eggs were normal and in the nest box so I’m hoping it was minimal stress. ? It has been VERY hot and...