Recent content by Penpal

This afternoon I was looking online at TSC and another store for some Cornish X. Nobody has them. But, The Duck N' Coop Hatchery, 45 minutes from me, suddenly has 200 freedom rangers for sale. I drove over, only got lost twice, and picked up 10 rangers for $3 each. If all goes well, I will...

Chickens are herd/flock/school/family animals. Just like a calf, lamb, puppy, kitten, they NEED to be with others. They do not feel safe being all alone, especially a baby. Get a couple more chicks. You need at least 3 together.

Rancid, you presented a good documentary. Love the photos of dust. You can always tell when the furnace comes on in the Fall. Dust mess at every hot air opening. Allergies. This is why, when we built this house, we put in-floor radiant heat instead of a furnace. It is so much cleaner. I also...

In quantity, garlic can be toxic. I use one pinch of garlic granules per bird in the feed. However, mine are Brahma, so you might want to use less. I only do it a couple of times a week.

I agree with the ventilation issue. I would take out that board and put in hardware cloth. Looks like it would not be too steep. If it is, you can use a board on the bottom to raise the bottom edge so they take a step up before being on the ramp.

You have fallen into the pit. There is no return.

She may be in shock. Make little circles around one ear for 30 seconds. Then, with two fingers, stroke each wing from the body to the tip a couple of times.

Do you have a table that you could put the brooder on?

Well, you could put plastic walls up in the winter. Dairy farms around here use a heavy plastic to create walls on their loafing sheds during dire weather. You either take it down or roll it up in good weather. Leave enough opening at the top for ventilation.

I don't know why your chickens can't go outside in the winter. Mine do. As long as they have shelter to go to, they will be fine.

You might try breeding chickens that are close to the standard. The chicks should grow up to be as big as they are supposed to be. Broody breeds should be broody. Flighty breeds should be flighty. Etcetera. You should also breed chickens that do well in your area. I love Brahma, but they are...

Never pop a blister, it just allows germs to get in. You can't really keep a bandage on a chicken foot. If she is favoring that leg, then she is doing what she should be doing. I wouldn't isolate her as long as nobody is bullying her.

An electric fence for poultry has a low voltage. It's not like a cattle fence.

If you can, put another wire on top. It should be about 12 inches from the top wire and 5 or 6 inches inward. When the chicken rises up to hop the fence it will hit the new wire. They can't understand that they have to back up and go higher.

Yes. Chicks are usually put outside around 3 weeks anyway, weather permitting.