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I to suspect a predator, rather than the rooster. Mink often go for the neck, and will kill without eating the prey. A coon would probably have taken the chicken away to eat it, as would a bobcat, or a fox.. I suppose a dog might just kill it and leave it.. Sounds like some better coop...

One could actually get away with a fairly small poop board, perhaps 5" wide.. I find the poop is always lined up all in a row under the roost..You would just have to make sure the board is directly under the landing zone..lol Wood chips make for a softer landing for a bird jumping off a...

Laurel makes a wonderful refuge for birds of all types. It grows very quickly, and with yearly pruning soon becomes very thick. This thick growth above causes a shadow, which soon creates an empty space underneath it, for the birds to seek shelter, or shade. It is a hardy plant that can stand...

A friend and neighbor of mine, swears that her feeding a warm mash similar to yours, kept her hens laying all winter long, even through the coldest days and nights.. I'm sure the hens will be soon spoiled however, and expect it all the time. Better buy in bulk..lol

You don't suppose they could be pecking at the leaves you used for litter? Perhaps if some are ingesting it, they could harm them..? What kind of leaves are they, IE Maple, Oak, etc..? Problem with the feed perhaps? If the seller doesn't turn over a large amount of inventory, especially of...

I agree, the current run is to small. Ad an addition to it before getting any more birds.

They won't peck at the boards, and if you have a feeder in the coop, even a coating of it on the floor won't be an issue. Adding a layer of litter on the floor, which would absorb any excess pretty quick, but I would make sure it has a chance to cure/absorb beforehand, as much as possible...

My run has a cement foundation that the chain link sits on top of, all around the run. Chain link won't keep rats out, so running some hardware cloth (rather than chicken wire), up a few feet from the base would be a good idea. I'm not worried about rats in the outer run, but more so, out of the...

I have no idea what your yard is like, flower gardens, patio's, veggie garden, fencing etc., but if you decide to free range your birds be prepared. It is true they will eat bugs, and once they discover worms, they will go after them with relish as well. But in their quest for these treats...

Quote: This is a good point. It's a good idea to have a covered area for them if you want them outside when raining, or on those dark dull winter days. This stops them from hanging inside a lighted coop, pooping all over the place.. If it's lighter outside then in the coop, they will stay...

Great idea Yelim! Simple and effective! It seems my birds always sit in the same exact spot every night, as evident by where the poop lands. It's amazing how the poop landing zone is always so consistant, to the point I could almost get away with putting a can under each bird.. I was...

I know when we had a horse, one of the big fears was getting bales of damp hay. The composting action that takes place has caused them to spontaneously catch fire. I wonder if that would be an issue if hay or straw was used in a coop?

For dropping boards under the L shaped roosts, simply use some large metal angle brackets (L) under, (or above I suppose) the dropping board along the wall, and use some small legs under the front edge for supporting it. Attach the shorter board of the L, to the edge of the longer board using...

The cooler weather probably helps keep the smell down too..

My dropping board runs under the entire length of my hens roost. I added a small lip of wood all around the edges, to help contain a thin layer of wood shavings that I spread on it. The shavings make for easy clean up, and prevent the board from getting too messy. The top of the board has...

Sitting in my home office yesterday, working on the computer, when I hear this high pitch whistling going on. Hmm I know that sound! I rush outside and run into my Wife who also recognized the sound. Around to the chicken coop we go. Sure enough all the hens have crowded inside their smaller...

I think they miss the other ones, that are now sitting in your freezer. Perhaps they are trying to call them back home, thinking they are out there wandering around lost..

Katkan mentions that the light she has on 24/7, is in fact a heat lamp. The red light shouldn't be a problem as to their systems. My birds sleep just fine with it on.

I had a neighbor that had a raven actually go into the coop, and steal an egg. Your not so bad off..lol. I had a flock of California quail land in the run one time. There just have been 10-12 of them. There was no feeder in the run, so I guess they were just curious. The hens really looked...

As long as the water is fresh, clean, and readily available they will drink what they require. The fact they stopped laying may have reduced their needs. I would change it out a little more often. Ten day old water can't be that appetizing..