Been busy rebuilding after getting divorced last year. Doing fabulously now! Just had a broody hen hatch a few chicks - new babies always add such joy!
I’ve been afraid to add my coffee grounds to my compost as my chickens get into it and I know caffeine is toxic. Have you had any issues? Do chickens not like the taste so they don’t eat it?
When I started with chickens, I bought some from Craigslist, some from tractor supply. I had several just “drop dead” the first year -all were craigslist birds (though different sources). This summer I bought chicks from Ideal Poultry (based in central Texas). I am very pleased with how healthy...
I have a batch of 20 Muscovy ducklings about 8 weeks old. They are in a secure combined coop (8x12) and run (10x30) with 24hr access to both. They’re growing well and feathered out completely...except the wings. They seem to be pecking each other’s wing feathers. I culled a couple that were...
I have several black copper Maran hens that are three years old. They are definitely laying fewer eggs, but now I am seeing white feathers on their heads. Do hens “go gray”? Is this a sign of age or associated with decreased egg laying?
Thank you. I‘m pretty creeped out, so I think I’ll toss the eggs til they’ve been treated! I definitely hadn’t noticed any poop change, but they have been looking off (some of them; I’ve lost two in the last two weeks but I attributed to the extreme heat). I’ll start worming regularly as I...
Breathing a little more now: research saying not a health risk to me, and it appears these are species-specific (so shouldn’t infect my dogs/goats/sheep/chickens). I’ll treat my ducks as well. I knew my chickens were off, but I thought it was the 110 heat index we’ve been dealing with for...
I have safeguard. I’d love the dosing! I am freaking out right now as I was about to eat the eggs. Do I throw all eggs for two weeks? I’m assuming I dose now and again in two weeks?
WHAT IS THIS? I just cracked open some eggs for lunch and found this About THREE INCHES LONG! I AM FREAKING OUT. CAN I EAT MY EGGS? ARE MY CHICKEN INFESTED? HELP!
Welcome from Central Texas! It’s true, what @microchick said: chicken math is REAL! Plan for far more chickens than you think you’ll get. :-). I planned on 15-20. I have 50ish now, after I got 25 more chicks for $40. You can’t turn that down!
@21hens-incharge
I used to have roosters, but I culled them a few months ago as I wasn’t going to hatch any more eggs (and some of the ladies’ backs were looking ragged!). This is the only hen whose wings and under-neck look like this.
My sweet Dixie used to get picked on by other hens. I haven’t seen any harassment for a while, but her feathers still look so bad. Some of my other chickens are molting, but it’s more evenly distributed. Does this look concerning to anyone? She’s about 1.5 years old. Acting fine.
Does anyone have any experience with West Feeds brand livestock feeds, out of West, Texas? My local feed store sells this line. I’m looking for a new option due to repeated mold issues at TSC. Thanks!