Recent content by Robby the Rat

Just had my 76 year old ankle replaced so I'm not seeing much of my little flock. I have friends caring for them. Today my really large rooster jumped up expecting to be hand fed some goodies and startled the crap out of my friend, Sarah. Nearly all of my girls will come to be hand fed, and...

Because of losing so many of my girls and boys to hawks and fox my chickens are confined to a pen--fairly large and with lots of poles that serve as a jungle jim to give low ladies in the pecking order plenty of escape room. To satisfy their urges for grass and bugs I pull clumps of grass and...

I've been using my horses' wood shavings, but they make a mess in the yard--the shavings, not the horses. I think I'll give this a try. Thanks for posting.

I forget who told me about this method, but it has always worked for me. Pick up the chick and lay it on it's back in your two hands with the head nearest your body. Then rock the chick forward and back quickly. The hens spread their tails going forward and contract them coming back. The...

I've had my little girls for over 30 years now--not the same one, of course. I call them little girls because most are bantams. I have a flock of 12 hens and a part silkie rooster. There are also 4 Chinese Crested that I got last year. I enjoy watching their interactions and the fresh eggs...

Except for the bumblefoot that sounds like what I noticed yesterday with one of my hens. I can't say I've ever had a sick chicken before so I'm not sure what to do. I brought her in the house because it's been extremely cold so now I'm worried about putting her back out if she does perk up...