Recent content by SchoolPsychMom

  1. SchoolPsychMom

    Barn Cats?

    For whatever it may be worth, I recommend a female as they are less likely to roam. Others have given great suggestions for helping your new friend learn where they live. Keep an eye out for your local shelter to have an adopted free day around the holidays if you don't happen upon a 'free to a...
  2. SchoolPsychMom

    Would love to see your supply storage set ups! Looking for ideas!

    I have my birds feed in a Vittles Vault on my back porch. I'm on the Gulf Coast so our entire world is moist. There are rats (good dog!) and mice (good cat!) in the area. In 3 1/2 years of continuous use my feed has not been damaged by moisture nor have pets gotten inside. I do occasionally have...
  3. SchoolPsychMom

    Coop location /space

    You are fortunate that your yard has ample shade. Your future hens will appreciate that! I live in south Mississippi so hot and wet are my primary concerns and unfortunately my yard has few trees. Regarding electricity, I went with an easy method and added a solar security light for my coop and...
  4. SchoolPsychMom

    Time of year for incubating

    I'm in south Mississippi, on the Gulf Coast. My buff Orpington began sitting on a clutch August 4th. That's nasty hot down south! I had to put water right next to her nest (under the mounted nesting box). Unfortunately, she did not hatch her clutch. My husband 'helpfully' gathered eggs for me 2...
  5. SchoolPsychMom

    Aerial protection idea

    You can purchase 50' x 50' aviary netting on Amazon for about $30. I would take a couple of people to set it up, but seems less time consuming than weaving cord/wire. Just a suggestion. I've lost several hens to predation. We have seen Coopers hawks, swallow-tailed kites, owls, etc. (all I can...
  6. SchoolPsychMom

    What do I feed the bunny????

    Rabbits eat grasses, young shoots, dandelion greens, carrot tops, parsley, etc. Avoid iceberg lettuce. Rabbit.org recommends releasing at dawn or dusk. https://rabbit.org/care/feeding-caring-for-orphans/
  7. SchoolPsychMom

    Any Home Bakers Here?

    It's a beautiful sunny day today down south. Temp is 90, with the heat index, it feels like 101. (We live in a sauna!) I can't remember when was the last time we went 2 full days without rain. My girls may get lost in the grass before the yard dries out! That being said, they seem to be enjoying...
  8. SchoolPsychMom

    Comment by 'SchoolPsychMom' in article 'Chick-Inn Ranch'

    I love the coop! We just had to build a new one after a storm destroyed our previous set up. Mine is more functional than attractive. Living in the South, we went with a much darker polycarbonate roofing panels to increase shade. My small flock of 8 hens and 1 roo free-range by day and go into...
  9. SchoolPsychMom

    Roosters

    I'm still pretty new to chickens. I started with Buff Orpingtons and Americuana that are turning 2. I have my first rooster; a Rhode Island Red just turning 1. Surprise! BAD job on Tractor Supply: 3 chicks turned out to be White Leghorn NOT Barred Rocks (1 of which died within days) and 1 of 3...
  10. SchoolPsychMom

    Need tips with splayed leg cup method

    I'm delighted to see your chick's progress!
  11. SchoolPsychMom

    Comment by 'SchoolPsychMom' in article 'Table Scraps and Leftovers for Chickens'

    I was surprised to see nuts on the 'no' list. My girls adore raw peanuts as well as raisins. My standby treats are black sunflower seeds, raw peanuts, & raisins. I would prefer to go with table scraps, they aren't always available. My standbys are cheap, shelf-stable, & at the store year-round...
  12. SchoolPsychMom

    Comment by 'SchoolPsychMom' in article 'Chicken Toys: Why They're Important & How To Provide Them!'

    Agreed! Compost piles are a HUGE hit. When my chickens began free-ranging this year, they decimated my compost heap. Completely! From 3-4' across and 2-3' high, that area is now just 'slightly raised' and completely 'heap' free. I've given up on having compost. :-( My chickens have also dug...
  13. SchoolPsychMom

    What's the temperature where you are???

    45 with a high of 65 expected. Good chicken temps!
  14. SchoolPsychMom

    Anyone else have picky eaters?

    Mine ladies eat Dumor Layer Pellets daily. They eat table scraps and will indeed devour any hint of butter (learned from left-over potato)! They DO NOT eat lettuce or broccoli. They adore tomatoes, berries, empty carbs (Stale crackers, Honey Nut Cheerios, bread, etc.), any berry they can get...
  15. SchoolPsychMom

    To much ventilation?

    I completely relate to the struggle to keep the ladies cool! I'm on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Zone 9a, so it's hot and it's humid. My pool was 97 Fahrenheit at 5:45 pm yesterday! I researched heat tolerant chicken breeds before getting my first hens. Frost is rare where I live, but we...
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