Search results for query: *

I just wanted to let you all know that I calmly and with my own hands dispatched a chicken. This was night and day from that first traumatic experience I had (with the head coming off and body flopping all over the yard). I had wanted my husband to buy the tree limb lopper and do it that way...

What is your program or method of operation for sifting out the "bad" ones? Do you keep them in a mixed flock and see how they act around one another? Do you go in there and see how they react to you doing things? All the chicks I'm raising right now will either be kept for egg production or...

We're in Southern Minnesota. Thanks for the offer. Like I said, I'm still debating if I even want one. It was nice walking out today without worrying about being attacked.

I was going to put a wall of text here detailing my whole rooster experience, but I won't torture you all. Basically, after two bad experiences, I'm determined to find the perfect gentleman rooster. He not only has to be a charmer with the ladies, but he has got to be respectful of his human...

Late to the party, but something similar happened to our flock last year. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with the hen. She had no parasites or sickness. The only thing I could think of was that she was starting to act broody. She never actually went broody, but her puffing up her...

I'm wondering if anyone near me has hatching eggs available for this coming spring. Specifically, I'm looking for these breeds: orpington (fun colors included), speckled sussex and chantecler. I would consider other heavier dual purpose breeds or a mix bird of these breeds. Also, would like...

I'm wondering if anyone here in southern Minnesota raises these chickens: Chantecler or Sussex? I'd like to add a few hens to my laying flock next spring and would love to support someone local if I can.

You think it's a bad idea? I might hold off then.

@LaFleche I think you're right, sadly. I'm going to try one more thing someone suggested (putting bengay on her to deter him) and see how well that works. He's got a few weeks to shape up, or he's gone. It's just I wish I knew why he's so fixated on punishing her so I could help fix it. I...

An update. Carrie (the hen that's been picked on) had a bloody head a few weeks ago due to the rooster and other hens pecking her so we put her in a quarantine coop/run and she recovered. I had her free ranging for a week by herself (aside from our stubborn Esther who keeps jumping the fence...

I'm a newbie chicken owner from southern Minnesota - Watonwan County. I'm interested in butchering my own chickens but could use some guidance. Does anyone hold classes near me or have any tips?

It's been a few days, and I've reflected on the situation and all your words. @Ridgerunner , I think you have some very good points. If I do decide to try it again, I'll be better equipped the next time (I found my knife) and be better prepared for what to expect. I think I was most appalled...

So, we're raising 18 chickens for butcher this summer. They are about 10/12 weeks old now. Today when I put them to bed, my 4 year old daughter wanted to help me. She was out in the run herding them in while I opened the door for them when one of the roosters attacked her. This was one that...

Hm. I haven't seen her in the nest more often than usual. She still lays eggs, though now, she'll be chased out of her nest boxes on occasion by the other hens. Not sure what is happening. Aside from keeping an eye on her, I'm not sure what the right thing to do is here. I could replace the...

The rooster was given to us so I don't know his exact age, but I believe he is similarly aged as our hens, perhaps a few months older, as our hens were bought a few weeks old in May of 2022 and he had been born that winter I believe (the guy that gave him to us said he had suffered some frost...

So, I have a hen that is over a year old - certainly not ready to retire from egg-laying. BUT, I am considering retiring her from the flock (moving her, not culling her) for one reason and was wondering if it's a good reason or not. I've noticed for a few months now, that one Buff Orpington...

Yeah, the weather didn't seem too cold or hot or wet. In any case, I put a fan at the door and dried it - though once it got hot, it got sticky again, though not as smelly. We put sheet vinyl on top and the problem is solved. I haven't noticed any smells and the chicks are in. I figure it...

Thanks! That makes sense. This will probably be my next step. However, I was thinking of using those vinyl sheets? I've got a fan in there now so hopefully it'll dry and destink enough the next day or two, and I can lay the vinyl on top.

I did not use the popular liquid rubber you speak of. I figure any similar liquid rubber would be okay. I guess I was wrong? If you're curious, this is what I picked up from Menards...

I tried putting some liquid rubber in new coop and it smells. It's been a couple days and it's still tacky and smelly. Granted, there isn't a whole lot of air flow (it's a room inside an old grainery that we are converting into a coop), but I thought a few days would do it. It did just rain...