So I have had quite a time with chickens laying on the floor. This summer I caved and made a nest on the floor that I could reach. But this late summer, I have been thinking, I have had these nests since dirt was made. They are old and made out of wood, and while I have cleaned them, added fresh...
I have full size standard egg laying mutts, I have had pure bred birds of several different breeds. (knock on wood and whispering) I have never had an egg laying issue in 20 years of keeping chickens. So I have a theory, that exercise is the reason. I have a large run, and roosts in several...
The thing is, in the summer, one can cheat on the numbers, the days are long, the nights are short, the chicks are small. But as the fall comes on, chicks in the spring become full size, while the coop remains the same size. And as the fall comes on in the northern hemisphere, the days begin to...
I am getting almost an egg/ hen a day, give or take. Now is the time to store those eggs. I have done freezing stored eggs in quart bags, I have stirred 12 eggs and dividing them in muffin tins, and freezing eggs for baking that way. Last year, I put up 4 1/2 gallon pickle jars with water...
I generally feed each day. But I am going to be gone, and want to leave feed 24/7. So I used a 5 gallon bucket with the holes cut in the side fitted with the half cup deals for chickens to put their heads in to eat. So I set it up and there was a lot of feed spilled out in the first couple of...
I have read two separate posts on SOP's which I have found very interesting. But truthfully, I rather find the SOP's about as clear as mud. Just what do they mean, what do you look for?
I think that if people would post pictures of different breeds of roosters, and what they see compared to the...
I was blessed with one or two eggs most days all winter. I had a pair of last summer chicks that laid until January and then molted, and I had this years summer chicks start - and one old biddy. Enough for our fresh egg eating if I am careful.
Then I used the water glass eggs for baking or...
If you got some time, go to Sandhills preservation. There are breeds and history there that are just fun to consider. Breeds that I have and have not ever seen or heard of.
I have nothing to do with this, just sharing the site with other crazy chicken people. It is a fun way to spend with a...
I went to the feed store, and was asked if I had fertilized eggs. Well I have a rooster named Sargent that is close to getting promoted to Lieutenant (he is really turning out nice). She said that laying hens and fertilized eggs were going for quite a sum.
What are you hearing in your part of...
I know a lot of you worry about cold. Last night was predicted -26, and just before dawn we were -28. Last night I did shut the pop up door. So this morning, now a balmy -14, so cold my iPhone won't take pictures. I was wondering about the coop conditions when I opened up the human door.
It was...
Just a reminder, do not Jerry rig heat for your chickens. They really don’t need heat, and most chicken houses are very flammable!
Chickens really need wind protection and to be kept as dry as a possible.
The sun is shining and mine will be outside soon.
Mrs K
So this year, I tried water glassing eggs when they were plentiful. I am still getting eggs, but only 2-3 a day, and so I use the water glass eggs for baking. The egg yolks tend to break easily, but they have been fine for scrambled eggs or baking.
But what do you do with the lime and water in...
On another thread, a poster indicated that one should not encourage roosting too young, that is can cause damage to the keel bone.
I have never heard this, and have always had broody hens get my chicks to roost fairly quickly, usually by 3-4 weeks, although it varies. I have always thought this...
I live in rough country. Neighbors are miles away and without a doubt, we have predators. I am pretty sure it was young coyotes. Today, I lost my rooster Long Johns, and a hen. Long John was too big for an eagle or a hawk. Dang it. Have not had a loss in a long time. I don't let them out at the...
Oh my…3 weeks ago tomorrow I set some eggs under a broody. I expected chicks this afternoon or evening. I went down mid morning and the hen was off the nest with a lone chick peeking out. There were still to eggs in the nest, one had a pip, but both were cool to the touch.
Sometimes you don’t...
If you live in the northern hemisphere, now is the time to measure your coop, count your birds and determine who gets to stay. The thing is, you can cheat on the numbers in the summer, long days of daylight, and chicks are little. But as we head into fall, with long dark nights, space inside the...