Recent content by Vicker

  1. Vicker

    Raising Baby Chicks: What’s Your Go-To Method?

    There are pros and cons to using a broody vs doing it myself. It depends on what's going on in my life as to which method I need to use. In 20 years, I've only had two pasty butts, and they resolved after a couple of days of cleaning hineys. I brood outside in pine shavings and don't use heat...
  2. Vicker

    Trying to get an idea of how many out there do free range vs chicken runs/enclosed.

    I've made a lot of changes over the years. I haven't loved the methods that kept them very confined, such as a moveable coop with tunnels. I've kept them fenced in large areas with no cover, and I've let them 100% free range. After getting black chickens and crow decoys several years ago, I...
  3. Vicker

    Chickens staying in the coop suddenly

    I wouldn't worry too much about it. For whatever reason, they feel more comfortable inside. If something spooked them out there, they'll get over it with time.
  4. Vicker

    First Timer Do they need to be on layer food to lay?

    Coincidentally, I just saw a new video, referencing studies about feeding layer hens. He says layer feed was developed for the egg industry to provide the bare minimum of protein to create more profit. If your hens are stressed or molting or just need a little more protein, 16% isn't going to...
  5. Vicker

    Rooster crowing all the time

    Sounds like The Bremen Town Musicians 😊
  6. Vicker

    Rooster crowing all the time

    There are some generalities, like some will outgrow it, but you really don't know what you're going to get with a rooster until you get it. I like to wait until they all start crowing to cull the most obnoxious ones. I once made a velcro crow collar. It reduced the volume, but I ended up giving...
  7. Vicker

    First Timer Do they need to be on layer food to lay?

    I get them off chick starter around three weeks and onto a good (not Purina or Dumore) all-flock, with oyster shell on the side.
  8. Vicker

    What time of day do YOUR chickens lay?

    Most are laid by noon, but some come along throughout the rest of the day. Sometimes I find one after 5:00 pm.
  9. Vicker

    Comment by 'Vicker' in article 'Taming The Flock: How To Be Your Chickens' Favorite Human🐓❤'

    I don't go out of my way to tame them anymore, but I try not to spook them if I can help it. My tamest ones were always the ones that were most easily grabbed by predators. I have a hen now that used to be skittish as all get out. Now, she drives me crazy flying up to get something out of my...
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    • Article comment
  10. Vicker

    Chickens lot laying the color egg they are known to lay

    My Australorps and BR lay varying shades of brown. I have some EE and a Saphire Gem in the mix. Occasionally, I get a slightly less than pure white egg. I never know what I'm going to get from day to day.
  11. Vicker

    19.5 week old Black Australorp: cockerel?

    Comb size isn't the best indicator. Some of my BA hens have big floppy combs and others have small ones. I do think those are rooster feathers, though.
  12. Vicker

    Chickens aren’t laying

    Mine are slacking due to the heat, and some are starting to molt a little earlier this year than usual.
  13. Vicker

    New aggression in flock

    Chickens can be such jerks.
  14. Vicker

    3 week old Chick’s eye partially open since hatch

    Sorry, haven't a clue.
  15. Vicker

    19 week old Cockerel sudden death

    The stretched out body position looks like an almost instant death from accident, injury or pre-existing condition. If he'd been sick or had been kept from food and water, he'd have shown symptoms. When a sick chicken dies, they tend to sit with their legs tucked under and head lowered.
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