Recent content by Folly's place

@Shadrach's article is excellent, but doesn't apply to many backyard flock keepers here. By all means read it though! Space available, handling methods, visitors/ children involved, and liability issues, not to mention the genetics of his flock, compared to what we may have here. When breeders...

We've had cockerels and adult roosters for decades, and in our experience, nothing really 'fixes' a cockerel or adult who decides that attacking humans is a good idea. Our first rooster was awful, and we put up with him way too long. Then, we tried everything to 'reform' human aggression, and...

Ours lived outside with standard chickens for years. They are not fragile like Silkies! Mary

Wire flooring is not a good idea! It won't make cleaning easier, and they should be on shavings for bedding in their coop. Mine had over 3 sq. ft. each in their coop, and 8' to 10' in their run. Don't skimp on space! Wonderful little birds! Mary

About 'grit': I think that in England 'soluble grit' is oyster shell, the extra calcium source, and 'insoluble grit' is rock for their gizzard digestive system. Here we call those little stones 'grit' and the oyster shell is that separate item. Feeding back egg shells won't be enough for...

We buy Purina's Flock Raiser, an all flock feed that's (nearly) always fresh at the local TSC. We want to use it within two months of it's mill date, so vitamin levels are best. I too bought a chick starter a few times when it was best choice during supply chain issues. Oyster shell and grit...

If you are able to convince this cockerel to leave you alone, which I think is doubtful, he sill still try any other human he meets. Not worth it! And off the roost at night is when it's best to pick up birds of either sex, although a big long handled fish net is essential equipment for those...

It's not about attacking the rooster back! It's about his behavior, and I agree that getting into scraps with the attack bird can make things even worse. When we have had human aggressive cockerels, or a rooster who decides this is a good idea, nothing we tried improved the situation. And...

Welcome! If your birds are all the same age, those pullets mature later than the cockerels, and mating can look unpleasant for a while. No injuries are acceptable though. I think that cockerels raised with adult hens, at least, learn polite behavior as those ladies smack them around. it's...

Disagree. Human aggression has little or nothing to do with flock protection, in fact, while the jerk rooster is stalking and attacking the human who brings food every day, he's NOT looking out for actual predators, or taking care of his flockmates. I keep roosters who avoid me and are busy...

I think they are also. Mary

I've never seen a black vulture here either. They are southern, at least so far. Immature turkey vultures don't have that red head, which might be confusing. I had to look that up last fall. And big soaring birds can be difficult to ID also. As I understand, turkey buzzards only eat...

I agree about the 'twist off' method of managing spurs. The bloody bone is left exposed and will heal, but it can't feel good! Once one of our roosters somehow got a spur caught on something and pulled off the spur 'nail part'. I heard him screech, and he hobbled around for a few days, until...

We trim spurs back, and a dremel works really well for big roosters. One person to hold the bird, and a second person to handle the dremel. Cutting them with a big dog nail trimmer isn't possible, except maybe for bantam roosters. Mary

Generally chickens and ducks aren't best cooped together, their needs are too different. Ducks need deep water and food dishes, and a pool is nice for them, and generally they make a wet mess where they live. Chickens need dry bedding and no swimming pool. Your chickens are defending their turf...