Common knowledge that an inexperienced person should know?

[WingsysRoost]

I have no experience with Leghorns and I did not realize they would do that. That's too funny that they actually went back in when told! Glad you were able to get them back in.

 

[WingsysRoost]

• Chickens are not supposed to have calluses, and yes, that "callus" is really bumblefoot.
• Chicken coops always take much longer to build than you think they will.
• The chickens will be fine in the cold as long as they have proper shelter. You, on the other hand, may not be after running in and out of the house checking on them every few hours at night once it gets really cold.
• Chicks always grow faster than you think they will. They will outgrow their current accommodations when you are least prepared.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this one yet. But if you need to examine or treat your chickens, it's easier to get hold of them after dark, when they have roosted, than to chase them around during the day. Doing the latter will stress them considerably, especially on hot days, and in high summer can actually kill them. For handling them at night, get a little head lamp that has a red light option; it won't rattle them nearly as much as a bright white one.

 

[Iluveggers]

Pasty butt can kill baby chicks. Luckily my neighbor told me about it before I brooded our first group so I knew what to look for. I check my new chicks twice a day & use coconut oil & warm water at the first sign of it. Much harder to remove when it builds up a lot.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

I have no experience with Leghorns and I did not realize they would do that. That's too funny that they actually went back in when told! Glad you were able to get them back in.

I don't like having to keep them in all the time, but hawks were picking them off one by one. Leghorn had been free ranged for years previously, so they are not very happy with it. They don't listen because I didn't raise them, but my others do.