Just found out about PDZ. Use the bag sold for horses. Same exact product but 75% cheaper. My oldest chicken sometimes lays shell-less eggs and this really makes it easier to clean up!
I had to bring mine back in a few years ago due to predators. My run is 8x12’ for 5 hens but I definitely know the guilt. I go out twice a day and collect a bucket of their favorite greens. They love it plus it gives them something to do. You did the right thing. Try not to feel badly; you’re...
One to an owl, one to a bobcat, and one to unknown illness. No more free ranging but they have a big pen and I bring them a half pail of yard greens daily.
I tried everything then resorted to “Just One Bite” poison in the rat hotel that nothing else can get into. Found one dead inside their pen and none of the chickens had touched it. I have hardware cloth around my pen but it tends to bow out a bit between staples. Poison took care of the five...
I started with mulch that worked very well but switched to coarse sand at vets suggestion. Sand is silica (a desiccant) so dries out the poop. I clean the pen once or twice daily. Anything left dries up and get broken down. Rain that blows in under roof dries out quickly. I use coarse wood...
I cried for a day and a half after my first two deaths. You are not alone with your feelings as silly as they may seem to others. I have a wonderful friend who also has chickens that I called those first times and she really made me feel better. I hope you have a friend like that although it...
“Her” tail feathers are quite long. My Barreds are not that big nor are their tail feathers that long. May be a rooster. When “she” crows you’ll know for sure.
Wow, what a pickle. I started out with a tarp over HC then got a roof. With a tarp you will need like a 2x6 under the length to prevent rain from pooling.
A screen will not keep any predator out and I’m concerned that there is hardly any ventilation or cross breeze in that coop. I think you’re going to need a saw...
This is crazy. I would not be concerned with what your neighbors think of you as they obviously have no respect for you currently. Report them to the ordinance people or rehome them.
Probably not a good idea to use saw dust in the first place due to the dust levels and the chook’s lungs. Maybe switch to pine shavings like the Premium bags at Tractor supply.
Fruits can make chickens fat due to the sugar in them. So can sunflower seeds. They should get no more than 2T(5% of food)/day/per chicken of treats. There is a major problem with obesity in backyard chickens. Food is love, right? NOT! Mine stay in the pen due to predators so I give them a...