Recent content by qwackers9

They can be confined to this other structure as well. But I probably will wait at least a week or two.

Great info. I have a small concrete structure about 6x6 ft. It would give them much more space & the chickens could have their coop back. Plus it's safe for a heat lamp if needed. We are supposed to be having temps back down in the 40s at night but if mom does her thing, I shouldn't need it. I...

I think chickensforbackyards.com hatchery was 3chick require. Shipped about June 10 but we can still have chilly nights. I'm in South Western pa

I have a broody Pekin laying on approximately 9 eggs. She removed & destroyed 2 but they may have been unfertilized. To set the scene: Mama chose to nest in the lower level of chicken coop that has its own gate, which is inside the main pen for 4 other ducks + 6 chickens, so they are safe in...

Last year I ordered from chickensforbackyards.com hatchery. They shipped with a heat pack. I ordered 3 females. They sent me 5. Which was ok...what was I to do anyway but keep them & take care of. One did turn out to be a rooster but he is friendly, funny & beautiful & I love him!

U r right...I have been busy. I sometimes on website, just not signed in. Right now I have 5 ducks, & 6 chickens....one is a beautiful rooster. Also have Brody Pekin sitting on about 9 eggs. Should be hatching in 7-8 days.

Two days ago, I found my pekin with a bad limp in the morning. I saw she is missing a toenail on her outer toe & the whole toe is swollen. No one area of her toe is more swollen than the rest except for maybe the very end where the nail was. I didn't see any blood anywhere and it doesn't appear...

All good to know. Thanx everyone! The first day of their arrival after being shipped, I gave them starter crumble with a little splash of Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes for Poultry (TSC). Just enough to moisten. Also as water source for first day only. On day 2, I started dry food just tossed...

Just my own experience with babychiks re temps... I have 5 2-week old chicks (two days into third week). Hatchery instructions said 100 degrees for first week. TSC poultry thermometer said 95. Both said to lower by 5 degrees each week. Not a single chick really laid directly under the heat lamp...

Yeah, I'm sure there is some in bedding that I can't see. Food is started crumble. The only other thing I have given them is crushed up dried mealworms but never more than a tablespoon between them & I have only done that 4-5 times. Not daily. I have two brooder boxes for them so I'm only using...

I have 5 baby chicks...all exactly 2 weeks old. I started them on chick grit today, as per instructions on bag. I am unsure how much to really put/keep down. The bag said if it seems they are eating it excessively & cutting back on food, then to decrease the amount given. I am just looking for...

Well, it's an outer toe, so I could probably splint it with popsicle stick(s). & Keep him confined. Any idea how long this could take to heal?

I think my poor little guy, Puffy, may have broken his toe. I have two older males that like to chase my two younger ones around from time to time. I am pretty positive this is an injury from that & not anything else. He has no lesions, wounds, nothing on the underside ...just this swelling that...

Thanx everyone for all the great advice. I've been reinforcing pen everyplace I think even an ant can crawl through. Just finished new roof & have plans to wrap entire pen with metal metal chicken wire & run it into the ground.

Update: I have seen raccoon twice. First was close to 9 pm but still plenty daylight. It was coming down along side some trees that run close to "the birdcage". Not sure if it was heading for the pen or the mulberry tree but turned and ran back the other way when I walked out the door. Was not...