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In the Summer, they make a dust bath under the eves "shadow", plus I make one under the overhang that is over the barn door. I move that one into a corner of the coop for Winter. I use one of those black troughs they sell in the home improvement stores for mixing cement and soil, etc. They...

I would like to have a couple of rose comb brown leghorns, preferably a strain with excellent egg size and quantity. I would prefer to obtain them from a local breeder rather than a commercial hatchery, if possible. If anyone knows of a breeder who is hatching such birds, please let me know...

I know a lot of commercial brooders have the wire floor, so I guess they would survive. I did read a study that claimed an association between raising on wire and a tendency to feather picking. Also, I wonder if late introduction to scratching would impact foraging capacity. Got the run...

Scary times, Coopchick! I'm afraid of getting locked out in this weather, too. I've kept an eye on the thermometer today, and the high at my house was - 5 degrees F. (Heaven knows what in wind chill!). The flock is snowed in at present. My helper is coming tomorrow and we'll shovel them a...

I enter my coop from the utility room (it is on a glassed in porch) and it has another "people" door out to the barn (and a door from the barn to the run). The chickens go out to the run through a tiny pop door. I made it as a "guillotine" door with a cord tied to the top, running through...

After fixing a flat tire, the snow blower, thankfully, is up and going. Replaced all the coop bedding (sand under shavings) yesterday, anticipating 3 days of confinement for the flock. Hoping that with the dry fluffy stuff and all the wind, the roofs will not have too much accumulation...

Nice hooked rugs! Love the unique arts and crafts.

Thanks to all who weighed in on the leg mite issue. Hopefully, the olive oil with oregano essential oil drops will start to turn it around. Will try a good rub with bag balm on their legs for the whole flock (16 birds) on Saturday when my helper will be here. I'll treat the ones with no...

Now that's a good broody! I would like to have one like that to school any cockerels I want to keep with such respect. I had to get rid of one I wanted to keep for his genetics because he was so rough on the hens. Any one know of a good treatment for scale mites (on the legs). I found a...

Her pin feathers are gradually growing, I couldn't consider putting her back in the coop with temps so low until she feathers out more. She is eating well and drinking, stools are normal looking. She does seem less perky than usual but that could be the change in environment. I am considering...

Wow, lots of early hatching! One of the best things about chicken is the tremendous variety, size, uses, looks, personalities, etc.; there is something for everyone. I've heard the turkens (showgirls,too) have great temperaments. I do,tho, find their naked necks a bit disconcerting. I think...

Wow! You are getting a jump on the hatching season. What breeds are you setting?

My coop is in the former sun porch (3 5x5 foot windows). It has thick rubber roll roofing membrane over the floor. I cover that with an inch of sand then 4 to 6 inches of shavings. I clean out the used shavings about every week or two, depending on conditions (the nose knows!). They can...

Thanks for the info, Widget. I was always fascinated with the critters, prehensile tails and a pouch, cool. I'm glad to hear 'possums aren't as much of a disease risk as I was led to believe. I do have a cat that likes to sit on shoulders. When he slips, he doesn't bite, tho, just digs in...

'possums were common when I grew up in Florida. Often seen as road kill, the poor little ones would cling to the mama's body after she was killed by a car. As marsupials, they were very dependent on her. They were known to be vectors for many diseases. I've never seen "hide nor hair" of them...

I agree, there is a real need for processing the birds. I had to go way up north to deal with some mean birds who sealed their fate by seriously mistreating the hens. The fellow who did it for me is setting up a processing center and getting certified. He said that there is grant money for...

Does anyone know of someone/business that processes birds? Have two bully roos and two guineas who are bullying/attacking the laying hens to an unacceptable degree. This is way beyond normal pecking order or mating behavior. Everyone, even the dominant hens and the roo's favorites are missing...

Finally, my power just came back on. 4 days without really makes me appreciate power. Had just about had it, no water (ran out of water to flush) and the flock needs a drink. Have lost all the food in the fridge. My scooter ran out of charge, couldn't get out to feed the wood stove. First...