Hi all, we have 60 freedom rangers in 2 mobile A frame coops. They are on fenced pasture during day and we shut them in mobile coops at night. They are 6.5 weeks old, fully feathered. Coops are open but covered on top with tarp. Ends are open. We are in northern MA and it’s going to be 45-55...
We have a flock of 13, coop is built into a stall in a modern barn. Not airtight but not drafty enough to ruffle feathers. It is -6 now and feels like -30. It will get down to -9 (maybe feeling like -35?). This is a historic low for massachusetts. Our birds haven’t experienced anything close to...
Hi friends! We have a broody hen we’d like to get some fertilized eggs for. We ultimately want 2 or 3 new pullets for the flock, how many fertilized eggs should we purchase to get this number? Thank you!!
Our 2 year old Americana has been laying eggs for the last 2 weeks that are a bit bumpy/rough and thin shelled at the top. The other 14 hens are laying eggs with nice thick shells. She lays blue eggs and the coloring has been a little darker at the top too. We feed sunrise organic layer feed and...
Just sharing a WILD story from today. We were re-integrating some birds back into our flock (one was in house recovering from bad winter molt and feather pecking) and there were a few light squabbles. We put the hospital hen in with 2 friends in side by side see-only coops. When they were gently...
We’ve got a freedom ranger hen almost a year old who started a very hard molt about a month ago. Her flock mates bloodied her so we have brought her in to care for her and to let her molt without dealing with negative temperatures. She is almost done with her molt, but I don’t know if she can...
Hi friends! I am posting to let folx know (and to get feedback on) a method that I’ve been using to control mites. We’ve been battling these mites for a couple of months. Tried dusting whole flock with DE, one bird at a time in pillowcase (with birds head OUT of course), cleaned all...
We had a rooster as of yesterday perfect health. This morning he was sneezing. Two hours later dead. Blue face and comb when found. No apparent obstruction in mouth or nostrils. Mucus in mouth. Anyone have any idea about what could have happened? 15 hens in flock, no one else is sneezing or...
Hi all. We have a New Hampshire hen a year and a half old who over the last few days has been listless, standing in a stupor. Her comb has fallen over, she has had a random bald patch on side of her neck (new feathers emerging now ). Her right wing will drop but she pulls it back up. She was...
We’ve got a hen just over a year old who has developed red blotches on her underside and chest. Pics attached. Out of 17 she’s the only one we have noticed this on. What is it? What should we do? It’s been really hot here for a few days last week. They have a dust box, a coop inside the big...
So I’ve gone and done it. We have a flock of 60 freedom ranger roosters for meat, one pullet in the bunch. I got attached to her, and she to me. I’d like to add her to our established laying flock of 16 (1 rooster) of mixed heritage breeds.
Does anyone have experience feeding a mixed flock? The...
So it happened. We got freedom ranger roosters about 12 weeks ago for meat. Ended up with One hen in the bunch of 60. I have become attached to her and she to me. Follows me around and wants to be held. Very sweet bird. Does not really get into the squabbles the boys get themselves into, but...
15 hens one roo. Doesn’t seem like he has a favorite hen, he mates with all. One year old now. Hens fluffy at back, one with a slight bare spot and one with a pronounced bare back spot. Is this over mating or the weird first molt? How to help soothe the exposed skin on hen, seems irritated some...
Flock was outside this afternoon in their poultry net “supervised” run. Rooster started freaking out, cattle dog took off like a rocket. Chased a coyote for half mile. Dog and rooster tag team. Holy heck. That was an afternoon adventure. Just wanted to share. 😂
One year old barred rock. Bald back seems irritated. No signs of mites, one rooster and 15 hens, he mates with everyone. This hen is the boss in the flock. Is she molting?? Would love your thoughts and advice about how to care for her.
Hawk just attacked, got one of Jersey Giants. We got to the hen quickly, but she’s hurt. We flushed the wound with vetericyn plus and put triple antibiotic best we could. She might have lost an eye. Been giving her droppers full of water and she is in the house with us. She can stand and has...
Ok fam! Winter is here and our girls are cooped up. What are your best chicken enrichment toys for the coop and run? I can’t wait to hear about your amazing enrichment inventions!!
Don’t know if she’s just molting or what. Shaking her head like there’s something she’s trying to get off. Pale comb. She’s eating, drinking, scratching, and being her usual self otherwise. She’s 7 months old New Hampshire. None of her other 16 flock mates look like she does. Pics attached, help?
Have a Jersey Giant about 7 months old sometimes laying eggs that are not quite right. Started laying earlier this fall. Pics attached. Should we be worried?