The heat plates, or electric hens as they are also called, use an awful lot less electricity. But the chicks soon outgrow them and we ended up with two, one small and one large with adjustable height feet. Then you will need to go back to a lamp anyway. We use a red lamp to start (first few days), t...

The minimum age for the Astrazeneca vaccine here is 55, but most other EU countries it is 60. The instruction here now is people under 55 who have had Astrazeneca must not have their second jab- instead they are to have either Pfizer or Moderna. Whether this is because the side effects are worse on ...

That article from 'Connexion' is 'infox'- the French word for mis-information. They have found a link to the blood clotting and it can occur to someone with a low platelet (whatever they are) count. Predominately women under 55 are affected, although there has been a fatality of a 63 year old here, ...

They need a Calcium /Phosphorous balance at around 8 /1 to move the Calcium from store in the bones to the egg shell- these proportions should be in the feed, so adding extra Calcium grit may make it worse by creating a mineral imbalance. Calcium for the egg shell doesn't come from the feed directly...

Lice stick their eggs in clusters around the base of the feathers. Your photo appears to show a very early case which can be treated by dusting with louse powder. We use one little spray on the egg area of Johnsons dog or cat flea treatment, which isn't meant for chickens but does work. You won't be...

I thought so as well.

Reminded of the origin of Calgary Bay in Canada- it was named after the childhood holiday destination Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull where we have also spent many a happy time.

We bought our Solway from Margaid for emergencies and have had it in use for 3 years now. Originally it had one internal nest tray but an external box had been fitted. Ventilation is poor and we added mesh to keep creatures out. It leaks a lot and needs a lot of sealing. Access is poor as the back d...

Ideally you would want the coop off the floor to make cleaning out easier on your back and to discourage rats, which have a habit of tunnelling under coops to make nests near a food supply. Ours are about 18" high, which is plenty for chickens to get underneath and the frame is of very simple constr...

My advice would be to halve the number the manufacturer claims will fit in, so you will be looking for a 20 bird coop. We have two coops on stilts made from old sheds, which means an awful lot of modification. Both suit 10 maximum and are 6' x4' floor area. Ventilation and access for cleaning are im...

Firstly don't use an energised electric net, because stopping it earthing is near impossible. Both our enclosures use the wire mesh or electric net as the earth circuit. About a foot outside that we run two energised wires on posts at 8" and 18" height. Both are battery powered energisers which, if ...