Recent content by Kaedrian

I just wanted to let you all know that I calmly and with my own hands dispatched a chicken. This was night and day from that first traumatic experience I had (with the head coming off and body flopping all over the yard). I had wanted my husband to buy the tree limb lopper and do it that way...

What is your program or method of operation for sifting out the "bad" ones? Do you keep them in a mixed flock and see how they act around one another? Do you go in there and see how they react to you doing things? All the chicks I'm raising right now will either be kept for egg production or...

We're in Southern Minnesota. Thanks for the offer. Like I said, I'm still debating if I even want one. It was nice walking out today without worrying about being attacked.

I was going to put a wall of text here detailing my whole rooster experience, but I won't torture you all. Basically, after two bad experiences, I'm determined to find the perfect gentleman rooster. He not only has to be a charmer with the ladies, but he has got to be respectful of his human...

Late to the party, but something similar happened to our flock last year. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the hen. She had no parasites or sickness. The only thing I could think of was that she was starting to act broody. She never actually went broody, but her puffing up her...

I'm wondering if anyone near me has hatching eggs available for this coming spring. Specifically, I'm looking for these breeds: orpington (fun colors included), speckled sussex and chantecler. I would consider other heavier dual purpose breeds or a mix bird of these breeds. Also, would like...

I'm wondering if anyone here in southern Minnesota raises these chickens: Chantecler or Sussex? I'd like to add a few hens to my laying flock next spring and would love to support someone local if I can.

You think it's a bad idea? I might hold off then.

@LaFleche I think you're right, sadly. I'm going to try one more thing someone suggested (putting bengay on her to deter him) and see how well that works. He's got a few weeks to shape up, or he's gone. It's just I wish I knew why he's so fixated on punishing her so I could help fix it. I...

An update. Carrie (the hen that's been picked on) had a bloody head a few weeks ago due to the rooster and other hens pecking her so we put her in a quarantine coop/run and she recovered. I had her free ranging for a week by herself (aside from our stubborn Esther who keeps jumping the fence...

I'm a newbie chicken owner from southern Minnesota - Watonwan County. I'm interested in butchering my own chickens but could use some guidance. Does anyone hold classes near me or have any tips?

It's been a few days, and I've reflected on the situation and all your words. @Ridgerunner , I think you have some very good points. If I do decide to try it again, I'll be better equipped the next time (I found my knife) and be better prepared for what to expect. I think I was most appalled...

So, we're raising 18 chickens for butcher this summer. They are about 10/12 weeks old now. Today when I put them to bed, my 4 year old daughter wanted to help me. She was out in the run herding them in while I opened the door for them when one of the roosters attacked her. This was one that...

Hm. I haven't seen her in the nest more often than usual. She still lays eggs, though now, she'll be chased out of her nest boxes on occasion by the other hens. Not sure what is happening. Aside from keeping an eye on her, I'm not sure what the right thing to do is here. I could replace the...

The rooster was given to us so I don't know his exact age, but I believe he is similarly aged as our hens, perhaps a few months older, as our hens were bought a few weeks old in May of 2022 and he had been born that winter I believe (the guy that gave him to us said he had suffered some frost...