She said/He said Who's right? Who's wrong? No one!

[scflock]

I see that. Very good to know. Looks easy enough to make. And I really like your set up but I have to ask...did you train the chickens to use the toilet???? That's what I want to know how to do!!!!

You're a girl, right? First step is to make sure the seat is down

 

[WVduckchick]

Love it!!! I need to make one this big. I have one that's a 4" pipe about 2 feet, shaped by 2.5 ft and its enough to water 5 LF chickens. I want your brooder box!!! I love it!!!!

Thanks! It is a great box for the babies. I think it came from Rural King, but TSC has similar. Not great quality for full-time use, but awesome for the little ones.

The brooder box? I was checking out the en suite bathroom

Can't believe no one noticed that before! But I'm not surprised you did!!

That was a flower-planter when we moved into our house, left by the previous owners. But you know what? It has turned into an awesome dust bath!!

The girls just love it! Bowl and tank too!!

So next time you find an old toilet, take it home to the girls....

 

[scflock]

Thanks! It is a great box for the babies. I think it came from Rural King, but TSC has similar. Not great quality for full-time use, but awesome for the little ones.


Can't believe no one noticed that before! But I'm not surprised you did!!

That was a flower-planter when we moved into our house, left by the previous owners. But you know what? It has turned into an awesome dust bath!!

The girls just love it! Bowl and tank too!!

So next time you find an old toilet, take it home to the girls....

I would say only in WV, but I have seen more than one here

 

[WVduckchick]

I would say only in WV, but I have seen more than one here

 

[scflock]

I think it must be a mountain thing. I have seen at least 2, but both were in the mountains. I didn't realize it was decoration, I thought they were just showing off their "city water"

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok, I have a question. Egg eating hens.....is there a way to break them? Do they need something added to their diet? Or do you just get rid of them?

 

[scflock]

Ok, I have a question. Egg eating hens.....is there a way to break them? Do they need something added to their diet? Or do you just get rid of them?

I have had some success giving them free choice oyster shells. That will ease the craving, but the problem is that once they learn to eat them, it's hard to make them stop. I still have a couple that are known egg eaters, but they haven't done so in a long time. I will find an egg that has been pecked every once in a while, though. The trick is just to collect eggs as often as you can, and try the oyster shells. The calcium craving is what makes them start, but once they learn what's inside they become addicted. Many people will advise you to cull them as soon as you find the culprit

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I have had some success giving them free choice oyster shells. That will ease the craving, but the problem is that once they learn to eat them, it's hard to make them stop. I still have a couple that are known egg eaters, but they haven't done so in a long time. I will find an egg that has been pecked every once in a while, though. The trick is just to collect eggs as often as you can, and try the oyster shells. The calcium craving is what makes them start, but once they learn what's inside they become addicted. Many people will advise you to cull them as soon as you find the culprit

I heard Oyster shells. I've found 2 eggs in the last month that the top was missing and the majority of shell had been removed from the membrane and of course empty. I had a feeling it was one of the silkies that I got from my sister. Well the other day I actually caught her standing there pecking the egg. It had been moved to the same spot the last one I found was (not where they choose to lay) and I am pretty sure it's her. I don't have a problem getting rid of her if I need to, but I thought if there was a suitable way to stop it I would give that a try first. When I took them I noticed some irregularities in the shell quality of hers versus mine, and I wondered if they had been lacking something in their diet that might be making her do that.

Thanks. I'll have to get some this week and try it.

 

[WalnutHill]

I have had some success giving them free choice oyster shells. That will ease the craving, but the problem is that once they learn to eat them, it's hard to make them stop. I still have a couple that are known egg eaters, but they haven't done so in a long time. I will find an egg that has been pecked every once in a while, though. The trick is just to collect eggs as often as you can, and try the oyster shells. The calcium craving is what makes them start, but once they learn what's inside they become addicted. Many people will advise you to cull them as soon as you find the culprit

Culling is usually necessary for the egg breaker, but the egg eaters (after broken) can usually be cured.

Put porcelain eggs in the nest, and collect the real ones VERY frequently. Pecking on a hard unbreakable egg gives them a headache.

Empty an egg by scrambling inside the shell and blowing it out, or find one already pecked open and open the hole and empty it out. Fill with mustard and put back where the egg was. If you add powdered alum the effect is even better. (It's often available in the spice section at the grocery, or at the pharmacy)

Use roll out or self collecting nests that don't allow the eggs to sit in plain sight.

A combination of methods may work.

 

[WalnutHill]

I just had a guy drive up and ask if we had chicks for sale. I don't advertise them, as I only hatched 50 or so EE crosses, and I completely forgot about the bantams. I went down to the coop to see what I could find, came back up with three little bantams, and pocketed $15 in just a couple of minutes.

To see the joy on the faces of three little girls AND their dad was priceless!