I haven't ever seen a rat, but that doesn't mean there are no rats! He was so young I can't picture him wandering too far from momma. We have no dogs or cats that wander in, nor any of our own, tho I would love a chicken friendly dog, that's another story. I haven't seen raccoons or possums...
I did search the archives first, but no luck. I had my silkie hen with her two 5 week old chicks and another 10 week old chick in my chicken tractor. Yesterday, the hen made alot of noise and when I looked, a squirrel was looking like he wanted inside to get to the chicken feed. I scared him...
I have 5 silkie eggs in a syrofoam incubator- still air.... I have been reading and reading & I know not to turn or open after day 18. My question is: after the first chick hatches, do I really not open and take that chick out til all the eggs are completely hatched out? What is the maximum...
As a new chicken owner, and first time trying to hatch in an old hand me down incubator, I was so happy to find this topic. I read every word, jotting down notes to help me with my timeline. To everyone who contributed, to the ones who clarified what they read and asked more questions, this...
Im worried about the concrete poop scenario. I picture washing out the poop trays pretty much every day as part of my rounds.
I had an idea- what if you "sprayed" the pans with a vegetable oil or cooking oil of some kind- then the "poop" wouldn't stick. Maybe a local fast food restaurant...
I have vermicomposted for about 3 years with indoor bins in my kitchen. We just built an outdoor bin in late winter, gradually stocking it til spring when temps stayed steady over 60 degrees. Then I added the worms from my kitchen bins. It took all summer but the outdoor bin is very...
any ideas for warm treats in the morning? I thought of cornbread- they liked oatmeal soaked in yogurt (cold) but turned their beaks up at oatmeal cooked with water (warm but must have been tasteless, I don't eat oatmeal so don't know really what tastes good to humans either) any ideas...
her recipe is under any reply she gives- also, do a search for yogurt- I just did one for Miss Prissy yogurt recipe and there were lots of testimonials and guidance to get to the recipe.... I think it is also posted under the recipes..... I'm sorry, I just took it for granted everyone knew.....
I was writing her a personal email when I realized I should really share with everyone. Miss Prissy's homemade yogurt really was easy to make....and yesterday, I did a taste off with the store bought yogurt and my homemade.... hands down, the winner was Miss Prissy....now, I knew the chickens...
I am visiting a park with lots of ducks. the cooked potatoe skins seemed to be a huge hit, but am concerned since chickens shouldn't have raw peelings from potatoes, is this the same for these ducks?
we went to the TourdCoop in Raleigh today- it was wonderful. We did see a golden lace polish standard raised by a 4-H'er and my son loved that breed. I was hoping to find some in our area for sale to add to our new flock- chicks or older pullets, it works for us....jane
I raise mealworms for my bluebirds, but since moving I only have one pair at the new place so I have lots of extra mealworms. I had about 15-17 blues at my last home. Maybe they will come but in the meantime, I can train my chickens to come to me, and it should be really nutritious. j
I found the treat list- I thought I had been all over this site- which I read constantly......today my son, 17 & I go to the tourdcoop in Raleigh for ideas on our own coop. We hope to start building in June, while the other son is home from college..... thanks for the input, this site is very...
I raise mealworms and have compost worms (red worms) and they eat a lot of leftovers or kitchen scraps. But as I wait for my chickens, I keep asking myself, could the chickens eat this? or that? For example, we finished our salads and there was some leftover in the bowl. It had salad dressing...
I am switching around dog foods as my dalmation seems to have developed allergies (at 11 years old!) I have IAMS left over & was wondering if that could be used up as a treat for the girls. I am enjoying reading the treats they can have from the kitchen....we had hot wings today, would the...
http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/3-2.html
here is a good article about benefits of apple cider vinager in this issue..... I am hoping to have chickens by late June & am reading everything I can get my hands on.... I especially love this site.... all my bedtime reading is consumed by...
Is that safe? I haven't gotten my chickens yet as I am still looking for an affordable coop. But, I have a friend who has unlimited cypress shavings, or maybe I need to look closer, for as I type, I wonder if it is more like sawdust..... nothing dusty, right???? Anyway, need your opinion, I...
I think the vine idea is terrific. In some backyard coops I saw small trees in the coops, allowing shade & roosts as well as preditor protection. The woody vines helped the coop blend into the yard landscape. I will pay more attention as to what kind of plantings they were when I go on the...