Why do you suspect Marek's? I'm just wondering if you've dealt with it before on your property because the chick is a little young for full blown Marek's (although it's possible) and missing feathers and crusty skin aren't really indicative of Marek's. However, the virus can compromise the chick...
Yeah HWC isn't rated for below ground but it typically works a lot longer depending on conditions. Unless challenged by a huge rodent, of course. We also utilize a big dog which helps keep the challengers away but protecting livestock is always a 24/7/365 job. Sorry you're dealing with this!
I also employ the long stick tactic. Husband makes them (we call them chicken sticks) from sapling cherry canes on our property. I usually only bring it out when I have an errant goofball who for the life of her can't find the coop door. And I confess, even with the stick it sometimes turns into...
No, we've never done that. I'm not fitting 14 birds into my fridge unless I empty it, and that's not happening. :lol:
The minute we finish processing each one, they go straight onto ice. Depending on their order in processing, they continue to rest in ice at least 3-4 hours while we finish...
I like this thread. Maybe if I type it here, it will happen. :D
- Harvest green beans (a bit overdue!) AND freeze.
- Print stickers for honey jars.
- Protect the apple trees before the deer completely destroy them.
(Work, cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc is a given around here.)
Processed all 14 on Saturday in about 2 hours. The weights varied widely. The largest ended up about 5-6 lbs but I had two pullets that only weighed about 2.5 lbs each. Avg weight ended up at about 4.5 lbs each for a total cost of about $3.50 per lb.
I would have liked to have processed in two...
I'm fairly hands off and just let them be chickens. They free range during the day with a very roomy, protected coop and run at night or when they can't be out. They also get garden scraps, high quality feed plus mealworms (which is how I train them to come in from the field when called), plus...
Welcome! And definitely get your coop fully functional and predator proof before ordering chicks. They grow surprisingly fast! If you don't have electricity in your coop, you'll need a protected and secured brooder box or area to house the chicks with an electric heat lamp or plate for the first...
Much much thanks for this! I keep looking at your photos. Your EE pullet is similar for sure, but your lady has that wide body and rounded tail that I love to see on developing pullets. My little thing is still super sleek and upright which reminds me of cockrel, but it's still early and you're...
Oops posted too soon but I also keep our GP up at night. It's not only to curtail the barking, but strong as she is, she might not be a match for a boar bear or a pack of coyotes. I've put way to much money, man hours, and love into her to leave her to her own devices when not semi-supervised...
As an owner of a now 6 year old LGD pyre mix, I agree with all of the above! Your dog bonds with YOU so therefore your dog obeys YOU. (Well okay they're GPs so they *mostly* obey after considering it for a minute or five. 😂) Your GP loves you so will guard you and your property including all in...
I've noticed a change in it also. This year, we purchased the exact same HWC from the same company we've always used and had to send it back. Hopefully @RJKnott can find the good stuff.
I think if it was something big, you'd have more than one dead. Since you mentioned north Alabama area, it won't be a cougar or bear anyway. If the tear is the access point, it would have to be something that can climb that cloth. I'm would guess coon or weasel in your area but they tend to make...
I also think pullet. Honestly her entire look - stance and body and feathers etc - reads 'pullet' also. Some of the ladies can be pushy pests also. I've had to rehome a Buff Isa pullet that made me scared to go into the coop, and I may have another pushy pullet on my hands at the moment... an...
Me too, Mary! They look very pointy but I need to catch her to see. Sometimes the pattern can make round feathers look pointy and vise versa.
@SilverBirds & @DLA I certainly hope you both are right and will continue to wait. Boy howdy she is a feisty one though! I've never had an EE be anything...
Okay peeps, we're another week in, now at 9 weeks, and are you all sure this EE isn't a roo? Especially because in one of the photos, I felt like she's debating whether or not to charge me. If so, please explain why! I feel like I know my birds, but I can easily be wrong. I really want a pullet...