Hi everyone. Happy New Year!
My name is Kent. I'm 77 and trying my hand at gardening and raising layers for the first time. I built a chicken tractor (more like a van) and hit my first 6 pullets in July 2024. A variety (RI Reds, Black Coppers, a Buff Orpington, and a grey hybrid I think is mostly Araucana). I'm feeding them Kalmbach poultry feed with 18% protein, and mealworm treats and table scraps from time to time. Two of my hens were found dead in the run with no apparent cause of death about 6 weeks apart. The rest seem healthy but they still won't let me handle them for examination.
The remaining RI Red and Black Copper are now laying eggs, averaging 4-5 each per week.
Being a complete amateur, it would be great if I could find someone nearby Easton or St Michaels, MD who could "take me under their wing" so to speak, and show me what I could be doing better.
Thank you BYC for this great forum!
My name is Kent. I'm 77 and trying my hand at gardening and raising layers for the first time. I built a chicken tractor (more like a van) and hit my first 6 pullets in July 2024. A variety (RI Reds, Black Coppers, a Buff Orpington, and a grey hybrid I think is mostly Araucana). I'm feeding them Kalmbach poultry feed with 18% protein, and mealworm treats and table scraps from time to time. Two of my hens were found dead in the run with no apparent cause of death about 6 weeks apart. The rest seem healthy but they still won't let me handle them for examination.
The remaining RI Red and Black Copper are now laying eggs, averaging 4-5 each per week.
Being a complete amateur, it would be great if I could find someone nearby Easton or St Michaels, MD who could "take me under their wing" so to speak, and show me what I could be doing better.
Thank you BYC for this great forum!