Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[RainMom]

question for those more informed.

I've got hens that are losing the feathers on their backs from my very eager rooster with very big spurs. The Barred rock has a 4x4" bald patch and the Wyandotte has no feathers on her tail at all- looking pretty sad there. I was told that I probably need to trim the rooster's spurs/nails/talons. I checked online for some answers- looks like you can just remove the outer sheath of the spurs? Has anyone done this? (I can't imagine putting aprons/saddles on my hens)

 

[FirewifeJess]

Anyone have or know of anyone who has snowy calls? I've been looking for snowy call duck eggs like crazy and it seems like no one has any besides mixed colors!

Just thought I'd ask my fellow Washingtonians.

Have you checked hatcheries?

 

[FirewifeJess]

question for those more informed.

I've got hens that are losing the feathers on their backs from my very eager rooster with very big spurs. The Barred rock has a 4x4" bald patch and the Wyandotte has no feathers on her tail at all- looking pretty sad there. I was told that I probably need to trim the rooster's spurs/nails/talons. I checked online for some answers- looks like you can just remove the outer sheath of the spurs? Has anyone done this? (I can't imagine putting aprons/saddles on my hens)

I've watched it done and heard of it done plenty. Soak the spur in a hot compress and take pliers to wiggle it back and forth firmly but gently until it comes loose.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

Tucker is a chocolate lab/ golden retriever mx he's a good dog. He's chased all the song birds since he was a pup. To him a bird is a bird. He does great when we' re home but if one flys outta of their coup he what's to put it back! He hasn't had much luck though!

dogs bred for bird hunting aren't the best for guarding chickens. one of my dogs is a lab/greater swissy mix though. He learned when he was a tiny puppy to respect chickens.

 

[robj]

question for those more informed.

I've got hens that are losing the feathers on their backs from my very eager rooster with very big spurs. The Barred rock has a 4x4" bald patch and the Wyandotte has no feathers on her tail at all- looking pretty sad there. I was told that I probably need to trim the rooster's spurs/nails/talons. I checked online for some answers- looks like you can just remove the outer sheath of the spurs? Has anyone done this?  (I can't imagine putting aprons/saddles on my hens)

I've seen chicken saddles on eBay and I think on Craigslist. They look like they would help your problem. And there kinda cool in a girl chicken kinda way.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

question for those more informed.

I've got hens that are losing the feathers on their backs from my very eager rooster with very big spurs. The Barred rock has a 4x4" bald patch and the Wyandotte has no feathers on her tail at all- looking pretty sad there. I was told that I probably need to trim the rooster's spurs/nails/talons. I checked online for some answers- looks like you can just remove the outer sheath of the spurs? Has anyone done this? (I can't imagine putting aprons/saddles on my hens)

That may or may not help. I've seen some roosters that pull the hens feathers with his beak while chasing them around. How many hens and roosters do you have?

 

[RainMom]

Tucker is a chocolate lab/ golden retriever mx he's a good dog. He's chased all the song birds since he was a pup. To him a bird is a bird. He does great when we' re home but if one flys outta of their coup he what's to put it back! He hasn't had much luck though!

We've got a lab/service dog. Both of our cats are in love with him. Here's our lab with our Soap Lake kitty. BTW- they are NOT begging for popcorn- they are merely "suggesting" . Everyone knows my pets do not beg!

 

[RainMom]

That may or may not help. I've seen some roosters that pull the hens feathers with his beak while chasing them around. How many hens and roosters do you have?

I have 5 hens and one rooster right now (still trying to get more hens).

 

[RainMom]

He's a LAB-- what's not to love?

 

[FirewifeJess]

Question for those of you who've gone from small "backyard" flocks to larger flocks (20+ birds):

Do you ever stop naming them and thinking they're ALL your favorites? I'm trying to decide if I want to get rid of a couple of last year's birds either this spring or next, and just thinking about who to get rid of made me want to cry. And yet, I KNOW I'm not going to be the type of chicken owner to keep birds who aren't laying. They cost way too much to feed these days! So I guess I wonder, if all 12 of my big girls are absolutely indispensible because I'm too attached, how many birds does one need to have before it just kinda like "Oh, we have too many. That one and that one can go, yada yada"...