Search results

Does anyone know about this one. One of my chooks keeps eating the wood shavings I use for their bedding. At first I thought she was just curious but is still doing it. The wood shavings come from a reputable equestian shop. I have grit available in a dish, & as I thought she might be wanting...

Morning all, My young chooks haven't started laying yet but I'm sure the Maran is definitely thinking about it despite the bad weather, poor light etc. She squats down when stroked on the back, has been in & out of nesting box that sort of thing. I was given 2 laying hens (a swap for my...

Hi All, Just wondering about this subject. All chooks must have good ventilation in their houses but don't like being in a draught, so what constitutes a draught??? Trying to work out how big the ventilation needs to be per square foot of house or number of chooks in the house is a real...

Can anyone help with this problem please. probably more for future info as the poor chook's fate has probably been decided :( I had 7 chooks (came as young 10/12 weeks) When I was on holiday (so I didn't actually witness this so this it what was described to me) one of the lower ranking...

I heard something last night about a vet that really made me cross. An elderly relative of a friend lives in Surrey. Her neighbour, also elderly, has started keeping a couple of chooks. She was worried about one & the two ladies decided she should take it to the vet. On walking in to the...

Anyone whose read my previous post will know that instead of 7 hens,I now have 3 cockrels & 4 hens!! Originally the breeder had said she would 'swap' any boys. Well, don't know what's going on but cannot get hold of her, been trying for over 10 days & I'm getting very anxious for my birds...

Donna, its taken me a few days to get the pictures sorted (couldn't upload as files too big, now I think they're too small ;) ) Anyway this is a picture of my coup. Its not ideal & I would have done things differently if I'd had the help of this forum when I started but for the time being its...

Any ideas anyone if I have 3 boys or 1 boy & 2 can't make up their minds? Hope the photos are good enough for you to get an idea. Despite looking less like a boy than the others, no comb or tail & the youngest at 22/23 weeks. Decided to tell me he was a boy 3 mornings ago with a wake-up crow...

Its another question about Pullets & Cockrels. Still can't decide if a couple of mine are male or female, maybe someone can help. None are crowing (ages 22 & 26 weeks), tail feathers are growing & combs are too, but I've compared them with a picture of another hen I had (she was definately a...

Does anyone have any brilliant suggestions of how to stop them getting all the pellets out of the feeder & onto the ground? I have one of those galvanised feeders with a 'coolie hat' top & it stands on a small raised plinth. It wasn't so bad before the bad weather but so much is wasted it would...

Hi Everyone, Just back from hols & OMG what a time the poor peeps that had the (supposedly easy) job of looking after the chooks have had. :o In 2 weeks:- 2 'girls' have turned into boys :o the little henpecked one was nearly killed by the others :o Luckily my Mum heard a...

I have a home-made Chicken coup made from a small garden shed with an extension at the back, its on legs to be high enough for the chooks to shelter underneath with the original door as the main opening with a pop-hole cut into the side. At the moment I cover the floor with shavings & clear it...

Hi Tim. Just had a look at the webcam its great (haven't looked before) I just wondered what do you use on the floor of the house & is it different to what you have on the run? I think you've said before 20cm shingle but not sure if this is in fact what you have. Thanks.

Hi All, an easy question for all you experienced keepers but I can't find the answer anywhere so hope you can help! At what age does a grower become an adult chook? Just want to know for future! Also another question related to 'growers'. When I got my chooks at 12 weeks & 8/9 weeks (don't...

Following the previous topic, I re-read the article on Coccidiosis through more informed eyes :geek: its started me wondering. I have one or maybe 2 chooks who are 'pooing' slightly bloody, runny poos & I'm now wondering if I should treat with Coxoid. When I first brought the chooks home one...

Experienced opinion please. Got my first chicken family of 5 about a year ago.3 hens & 2 bantums, of indeterminate age.They settled well into the new run & coup. Within about a few weeks we had the first casualty, she developed respitory problems & died :( In our naievety we weren't too worried...

I'm still learning about this totally consuming hobby & have a question. I have young birds, 4 are 16 weeks, 3 are 12ish weeks. Will they moult this year? & as it will be Autumn when they reach POL will that delay their first laying? I'm so looking forward to the first eggs I hope its won't be...

My chooks live in an enclosed run, quite large for 7 hens. Its approx 4.00 x 6.00. Now all the grass & vegitation has been eaten ;) it gets quite muddy when it rains & I want to be prepared for the Autumn/Winter. I've read about various good ground coverings, hard-wood chips being the most...

I've just found this site & am looking forward to picking up tips from all you experinced keepers. I got my first chooks a year ago from an elderly lady who was giving up her chicken family. Sadly before she could organise it she had a visit from Mr Fox so I took over the 5 he left. I bumbled...