Recent content by LaurenRitz

That hasn't been my experience. In this case, the first two chicks she accepted were dumped behind her while I kept her attention with the other hand. She heard them, started burbling, and from that moment they were a happy little family. That was during the day. The following night I...

The chicks will be in this coop, their mother will go back to her own flock. In theory.

From that list, maybe Dekalb white? I don't think any of the others would be white at this age. Young cockerels are often the most outgoing, adventurous, and curious, which as humans we read as "friendly" when it's really opportunistic. Rooster instinct is to interact with the outside world...

So do you think I should try again and keep them in the broody pen for a while? Or move her back to her home flock?

Often the first sign of a bird being a cockerel is that their comb and wattles come in early and darken to red quickly. Pullets (hen chicks) may get a large comb and wattles, but will not usually darken until they're ready to lay, at about 4-6 months. Do you know what breed he is?

The chicks first outside excursion was an adventure. They're in the broody cage attached to another coop. The other birds have been interested but basically ignored them except for complaining that they couldn't get to the food. I opened the door, and this time she led her chicks out for the...

Normal. That's a cockerel and he's feeling his oats.

She eventually took all four. They were born on the second and the third, so nearly a week old. Their first outside excursion was an adventure. They're in the broody cage attached to another coop. The other birds have been interested but basically ignored them except for complaining that they...

I have had people surprised that they could actually grow garlic, or fruit, or seasonings. One neighbor thought almonds were an exotic and needed lots of water. She told me my almond tree would die because it was a tropical. Although it was a revelation to me a few years ago when I learned of a...

Anaerobic fermentation (lid) and aerobic fermentation (open air or light cover) are two very different beasties. They use different bacteria and different processes. The bacteria mostly being used here are aerobic bacteria, which need air. Using a lid can cause major issues. I would suggest you...

Ha! I had an update but apparently didn't post it. She took all four and they're all happy. I need to decide when to let her out of her maternity ward. She was standing at the door yesterday so I opened it, but she turned and went back to her babies.

Luffas are very easy to grow, once they get past their teens. :) They don't like their roots disturbed, so plant them where you intend them to grow.

No. That was a quote from my Dad, in response to a now-forgotten conversation. But every time I mention it, it requires an explanation. :)

I don’t vaccinate either. I have at least two young pullets that will be finding a new home this spring. For now they are my early warning, because if anyone is going to get sick it will be them. The five adult hens will go, because their genes are already mixed in or I decided not to set their...

They refused to go under her, so she moved on top of them. All quiet except for Mama's purrs.