I can lead my hens anywhere by tossing a few mung bean or lentil sprouts where I want them to go. They love them, the beans are cheap, easy to sprout, not messy to handle and it's excellent protein.
To avoid using water, maybe try what my daughter uses to tell her cats "no", which is a can of compressed air. The cats seem to respect that more than a spray of water.
That white film (kahm yeast) is very beneficial for the chickens to eat. The fermented grains provide the all important pro-biotics and the kahm yeast prevents harmful bacteria growth. Removing it isn't only unnecessary, it's tossing out some good stuff that the chickens like and need. Just stir...
That white film (kahm yeast) is very beneficial for the chickens to eat. The fermented grains provide the all important pro-biotics and the kahm yeast prevents harmful bacteria growth. Removing it isn't only unnecessary, it's tossing out some good stuff that the chickens like and need. Just stir...
There are a few brands like the Hum Bug. They're pricier, but the Fuze Bug seems to be the best quality and you can get up to a 3 yr warranty if you buy from the company for not much extra.
These work great. They're small, lightweight, and very effective. I put one in the hydrangea bush every morning that my 2 pet hens like to hang out under most of the day and move it near their coop at night. I keep a couple of them with me in the garden and even carry one around with me when I'm...
Just curious, what brand are those? I bought 4 of the smaller Hum Bug Zappers and hang one in my girls' favorite hangout spot under the hydrangea and in their house. I don't really see many mosquitoes getting zapped, but they just seem to disappear. Working bug free between 2 of them in my...
I know nothing about roos, but the hens are rated among the top 5 friendliest breeds. Of course, chickens are individuals, like members of other species, so no trait is set in stone.
I only have 2 pet 3 yr old hens from 2 different breeds so I don't have experience with others. My Blue Andalusian is smart, adventurous (escape artist, but thankfully she's outgrown that), fairly small and a little on the delicate side with a few health issues we have to deal with. My...
Chickens peck without conscious thought and their beaks are sharp. Freckles can even look like a treat to them, so I always protect my legs when I'm around them. I read something recently about an elderly woman whose chicken pecked at a vericose vein and she bled to death before she could get help.
I use Manna Pro organic layer pellets. It takes about 3 days for the fermenting to start. It needs to reach that sour smell before it's fermented. It didn't take my 2 spoiled girls to take to it and they would give me grief if they missed a day. Just be sure to keep it covered with at least 3"...
It will definitely depend on your location. I have two 3 yrs old pet hens. I had 3, (different breeds), hatched and shipped together, but shortly after introducing them outdoors at 6 weeks old, a hawk took one. This wizened the other 2 enough so that 3 years later they always seem to be aware if...
I'm a big fan of soft boiled eggs (set white with a creamy yolk.) Exactly 5 minutes in boiling water and quickly dipped in ice water is perfect timing for that with a boiled egg, but I've been unable to find the right timing for the same result by steaming one.
Here's another little known information about commercial egg dates. On the carton, next to the Sell by date, are other number codes. The 3 digit number is actually the day of the year that the eggs were laid, washed and packaged. 031 means Jan 31st, for example.