Out of my flock of 83 birds, I’m only getting about a dozen eggs. I know winter slows them down, but it wasn’t much better in the summer. I have various breeds ranging from 4 months - 6 years. What are your guys’ methods for choosing who to thin from the flock? I’m thinking of getting rid of any...
I tried to move her into the barn, in a separate pen, and she absolutely would have none of it. It's been three hours and she won't stop pacing, and the eggs are now strewn all over the nest. How long can they survive without her sitting on them, or do you think they're already done for? I have...
So I stumbled across a broody hen in the long grass this evening as I was putting away chickens. I have no idea how long she has been there. I am conflicted between letting her hatch or not. Is it too late in the season? If I decide to let her hatch, should I move her indoors? I had a hen hatch...
Two days ago i saw that one of my gold stars was limping, and upon closer inspection, I found she had a really swollen foot, and narrowed it down to bumblefoot. One x-acto knife later, I cut out the plug and tried to drain it of as much pus as possible. The foot was still pretty swollen. I...
Yes, that does seem like what it is. I've had bumblefoot happen before, but never like this. The black "plug" is not in the middle/padded part of the foot, and when pulled out does not seem to be in the foot, just against the skin. We will see how everyone heals.
Here is a photo of one of the...
I discovered the strangest things on my chickens feet tonight. I noticed that a couple of them had swollen feet, and upon further inspection I noticed something wedged in between the "webbing" of their feet. It looked like compacted dirt or poop. I had to peel it out, like removing a scab, and...
One of my 5-week-old guineas seems to have have either broken or dislocated her leg. Her right hock joint is swollen, and she holds her leg at a slight angle. She seems to have a least some control of her leg, and still walks/runs/jumps. (But she is very skittish, so, I think she'd run away no...
Long story short I got one new baby chick tonight. She is in with my week old bantams and getting along fine. I think she is a lavender Orpington, but she is VERY small. Bantam sized. When she chirps loudly, she has a squeaky/gurggly sound to her. When she breathes normally it sounds "sticky"...
I am getting 12 guinea fowl in 2 1/2 weeks. I was pretty excited for it, but I just saw a friend of mine who has guineas and chickens that said her guineas injured and even killed some of her chickens. I'm a little nervous now. They will be cooped separately, but free range together. Do any of...
I checked on my new chicks this morning (3 day old lavender orpingtons and salmon favorelles.) and found one of the LO face down in the shavings unable to lift her head or move. I'm not sure what's wrong. Everyone else is doing fine. I was able to get the sick one to drink a little bit of water...
Perks of working at a chick hatchery - free chicks!! Maybe it's a hazard?
These guys are Blue Laced Red Wyandottes! They are straight run, so hoping for at least two hens. Anybody know if wyandottes are color sexable at all?
Regardless, I am very excited to have these new additions to the...
Long story short, back in November I found a possum in the coop eating the eggs, and another in the duck run, both of which we shot. (And reinforced everything so (hopefully) nothing more can get in.) Since then, we've had at least four more around the chicken and duck coops. (All have been...
I'm not quite sure where to begin...but I'll give it a go.
My flock of 60 currently has 3 roosters -
An almost 3 year old Lavender Orpington, (Dumbledore) who is the best rooster I've ever had; gentle with the ladies, amiable toward humans, but still willing to fight down dogs for his flock...
Thank you for the reassurance! My hatches have all been a day early, so having one that is late is a little nerve wracking! Still no chicks, but I think I see a pip!
Today is hatch day for my broody silkie bantam. Nothing has happened yet, which is making me ansty! (I know, I know, the day isn't over yet!) I'm really hoping things get moving here soon....I haven't heard any peeps from the eggs which is a little worrying, but I know you can't always hear...