Recent content by catballou

If you don't keep then in a safe pen, you will lose them. I had 10 beautiful hens last year. I have 3 now. I only let them out at 6 pm after the hawks quit flying, but tonight I lost my sweet calico princess. They will be locked up the rest of their lives now. I feel horrible. I just wanted...

I give oyster shell and grit. Oyster shell is for added calcium. Grit is to digest food.

I don't believe water would make your gas tank empty quickly. It doesn't take much water to make your car run poorly. We're you driving into the wind? My vehicle gets 20 mpg driving into a strong headwind, 31 on a normal day.

If you have water in your gasoline, your vehicle will sput and sputter and run terribly.

I would not. It gets -20° here in Michigan on occasion and my run is all open. My coop is in my barn and they have 2 stalls that the run is attached to. They hang out in there most of the snowy days. And then I'll open the whole barn to them so they can explore a little.

It could have been anything. Coyotes, dogs, fox. I'm guessing coyotes or dogs. I lost 4 in one evening. Just before they were supposed to go to bed. I only. Found 1/2 of a chicken. And she and another missing one were my favorites I do not let them out any more until the leaves come back out.

Then you have to expect coyotes. Be prepared.

You too!

I see now. Very nice🙂

Yes, Fahrenheit. I have read over and over that a flat 2"x4" gives them a flat surface for their flat feet and allows their feathers to be covered completely in cold weather. A round roost puts more pressure on the center of their foot, which may irritate the joint in time. If it doesn't get...

I don't use one unless it's below zero and windy. They snuggle up if they're cold. I have a 10x10x8' coop which I hang my heat lamp in. It's connected to one of the rafters by a big eyeball, a heavy adjustable chain and two big hooks onto the lamp. I have a wire cage over it. I never lower it...

Ok. But since I put the 2x4's in their coop, (10 years ago) there has been no more old hens with sore feet. JMO.

I see you have branches for roosts. I used to use those until my older hens developed a bit if arthritis in their feet. My vet said it was from round roosts In the wild they use those but usually don't live long enough for arthritic feet. Just a heads up.

If you lay down a sheet of linoleum, or something similar,on your wooden floor, it will keep odors and wetness from seeping into the floor. Are your 2x4 roosts flat side up? That allows them to cover their toes 100% in cold temperatures.

I use wood shavings for horses. A big bag is about $6 now but should last you a year. I'm worried about plastic floor tho. That's going to be frigid in coooold weather. Can you find a dog crate bottom that would fit? And cut a couple of pieces of cardboard to fit under it? That would insulate...