Michigan

[keyt1969]

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Yay I was hoping it was! Thanks!

 

[DaughterOfEve]

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We use a sin bin. It is an open wire kennel very airy and no privacy and kept right in the coop with the other girls for a few days. (can take a couple of tries). I have heard of the ice water dunk but never tried it. There is an example of one in the middle of this pic. The one that looks like a jail. It has a wire bottom. Very drafty on the broody's nether regions.

 

[CricketYang]

OK, I've made the command decision. I am going to do some meaties again this year.

How do you guys start, maintain and finish yours off? I'm thinking about just getting a bag of Flockraiser and then finishing off with Layena like the Purina bag says to. I'm not sure yet. We did them last year and weren't too happy with the flavor, too light for us. but we like the convenience of 8 week chickens.

.. Or freedom rangers. I went to a website and can get 25 chicks delivered for $60 total.

 

[keyt1969]

I'm curious, for those that sell their eggs (Cricket?) what do you charge? I'm trying to work out a good deal for both my chicken and duck eggs.

Also, if anyone has or knows of anyone that has a small fridge they don't want, please let me know. I'm desperate! lol I might even be willing to trade something if I have it!!!

Also, where is a good place to buy egg cartons? Seems like they have increased in cost in the last year...along with everything else!

 

[snowflake]

whiteofish, I have been having the same problem. 1 hen out of 19 is laying soft shelled egg. I have come to the conclusion that is what it is, as there are pieces of shell and egg broke all over others in the nesting box. It seems to me if it were a egg eater there would be more broken eggs then good ones. I don't think it is feed issue unless there is something wrong with the feed and in that case it should be happening to all the hens. I am sure it is my BO that has the problem and she was mothering a baby last fall as it got cold then we had a long winter with few eggs. I am hopping it is just taking a little longer to de-stress.

 

[snowflake]

I sell my eggs for $2. a doz. should be able to get more but stores are selling for .99 every one that knows I have chickens brings me there egg cartons. re cycle. I read it was OK but put your label over the other

 

[Jim Pryce]

I also recycle cartons, I just put a sticker over the store name. I was charging $2., but the folks my DW works with at U of M insist on paying $3. due to that is what they would have to pay at Hillers, or Whole Foods.

 

[Olive Hill]

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What feed are you feeding? What scratch are you using? In what amounts? What are you diluting the buttermilk with? In what ratio?

You said you added it to their feed to keep them from pecking at each other. Has pecking been a problem? What size is your run? What size is your coop? How many chickens do you have (and what type)?

You don't have to bake and grind the egg shells; just rinse them off, crush them up and give them back to them.

There are probably as many reasons for egg eating/breaking as there are chickens doing it -- or at least close. It can be learned -- I've had hens learn to eat eggs after watching me feed them to the hogs and getting a taste of them there. It can be as a result of boredom -- if they are penned and lack environmental stimulus eggs can become the only interesting thing to peck at. It can be a result of nutritional deficiencies -- such as if a fortified diet is cut with too many treats that result in an imbalance.

I have eleven hens in a 7' X 8' coop. I have 7 Red Stars, 2 Black Stars, 1 Easter egger & 1 unknown. I am feeding them Purina Layena & the the scratch is Purina also. I keep their feeder 2/3's full & they get plenty of water..... I dilute the Buttermilk 50/50 with water. I have a few hens that are missing their feathers at the base of their backs where the tail feathers start.

If I'm not mistaken Buttermilk is only 29% CP to begin with. When you cut it 50/50 with water the resulting mix is 14.5% CP. At that point it fails to be a "protein supplement". Between that and the scratch -- which is likely around 9-12% CP. Their diet is CP deficient. And that's before taking into consideration the actual make-up of those proteins. This may or may not be at the root of your problem.

I would agree with Boyd that space issues may also be at play here though. Being cooped up in about 5 sq. ft. each all day every day is bound to lead to some problems sooner or later.

There are home remedies for egg pecking/eating. Some use wooden eggs, some fill an egg with hot sauce, etc, etc. I, personally, would cull the egg eater/pecker now and be done with it and then remedy the other situations to hopefully prevent problems with others in the future.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Who ordered this snow??

 

[Mish]

Passing along info from an e-mail I received. This is from the Macomb County area:

"Is anyone is interested in 10 free baby chicks. We were sent two shipments of 10 chicks and were only supposed to receive 1 shipment. The P.O. said the chicks would die if they were to return them. The are called a Silver-Laced Wyandotte and are supposed to be docile, cold-weather tolerant, good laying hens when they grow up."

If you're interested send me a PM and I'll give you the contact info.