Recent content by growsaposy

We do most of same method, but with a quirk! We used a giant black plastic back and tack it to wall and floor of roost. (s) Cover lightly with shavings. Every week or so we remove and roll up the bag with the poop on it shavings and all and replace with new bag and shavings. We only have 4...

Oh yes, down from 5/5 to 2 or 3 and some times none. They are miserable when it's over 110-so am I, but they like their dishpan pool and the hose mister. They go back to laying when it cools down a bit. We just have to wait it out! Good Luck Barb

We are also in a hot area. We have a mister that we turn on and it helps with the heat. I also put a dishpan out where they free range in afternoons. The dishpan is a big hit. They do pant, because chickens don't have sweat glands. They prefer to lay in the shade when it's super hot and lay...

We have several 4-7 inch Holes in chicken yard. We have great solar auto door in coop so no problem there. What could make these holes? We used hardware cloth wire 6" down and about 12" under yard. Could be possum (we saw two this summer but not near chicken house or yard. I know we have had...

I have learned this hot summer that the nesting boxes which were fine in spring were way too hot in summer. So the boxes have to be comfortable. Not too hot or too cold. I hope your hen has oyster shell or other source of calcium for egg shell hardiness available all the time. Does she 'hang'...

I have the same number of hens and they were laying just fine in one of the 3 nesting boxes we have set up with hay and chips. Then it got hot, really hot, and I thought they stopped laying. Wrong! They didn't like the 120 degrees in the coop and so laid in a cooler place in the shade. I found...

My very best thoughts and wishes to you. I would love to donate but am not eligible, sorry. Many of the implants are quite successful. We have a relative in Colorado who is doing well with hers. Take good care of You! Barb

In fairly mild climate, people sometimes plant a little clover like plant called dichondrra. It isn't good for chickens and you see it often mixed into lawns in shady places. Of course foxglove would not be good either, or poppies, but usually they stay away from those anyway. They are...

Not really. My Boss cat (of 3) considers the 6 chickens "his" to supervise during their free range afternoons. He watches them carefully, likes to stretch out on the grass right near them. They think he is a mighty strange looking chicken! They just got used to each other from the cat following...

My 6 hens love cabbage, especially if I hand it from a string in their yard. They peck it, chase it when it swings, almost like tetherball. It is entertaining and tasty for them. They also enjoy watermelon but not cantaloupe, (go figure) and spaghetti leftovers.

I have 6 active hens, were laying 6/6, but now much less. Several are dropping feathers and I know they are molting, but have no idea why, etc. Can you knowledgeable chicken people educate me?

Loved your story, you have had adventures. We've got 6 hens, (one rooster had to leave to another home) 1 dog 3 cats. The big yellow cat has adopted the hens- when they "free range" in the large backyard, he lays in the middle and watches them, kind of "hensits!" They are all good layers: one...

We are in N. Cal. and we have mild weather now too. I took mine out at about 4 weeks for short periods. Do you have a yard, or protected place for them? Once they are feathered out they are good in our climate. I used an old large bird cage for my 6 and they were outside all the time by a...