Chicken Keeping Secrets

“I want to get a puppy, of a breed known for protecting livestock. I want to take it to training camp. I want the breed to preferably have short hair but be able to withstand winter weather outside in Texas… a large breed of dog that will be able to fend off a Bobcat or a Raccoon. So, what information do you have for me regarding this quandary? Please help.” ~ Bill Bush

(NOTE: Initial Question Heavily Edited For Lengthens Sake – The Primary Concern Was The Bobcat…)

Bill, thanks for the question and I’m so sorry you’re having predator problems.

I’m not an expert on breeds of dog nor am I a veterinarian but I happen to know one very well. He is also an avid hunter and is knowledgeable on the use of dogs in hunting, mountain lions in particular. This veterinarian seemed like the best resource for your question so I’ll share some of the things he told me.

In his opinion, there is not a particular breed of dog that would have the ability to kill a bobcat.

Even well trained, large dogs will be severely wounded, if not killed by an animal of that kind. Obviously a large dog would fare better than a small one though.

You must remember that we are talking about domesticated dogs versus a wild animal that is seeking food. No mater how large the dog, it’s skin is only so thick and is vulnerable to being ripped up by the bobcat if confronted. (more…)

“My friend and I recently purchased hatching eggs of several breeds online. Some arrived within a couple days while a couple of batches took over a week. The first to arrive have all hatched with about 85% success. The rest have been pretty awful. Was I foolish to think that mail-order eggs would be OK? I have hatched some from my hens without too much trouble but I wanted to get some different breed stock going. Any advice would be welcome.” ~ Kathleen Thompson Davis

Kathleen, thanks for the question.

You were NOT foolish to believe that mail-order eggs would be okay.

As you personally experienced, an 85% hatch is great!

I’m going to assume that the delay in arrival had to do with delivery.

Since you got the first batch so quickly I’m assuming the supplier did their part.

I would still contact the supplier and let them know what happened, they may send you some replacement eggs. More importantly, they need to know what happened so that they can prevent the same thing from happening to other customers.

For future reference and any one else who runs into this problem, try to get an expected date of delivery for your orders. If your eggs don’t arrive on that day, contact the supplier and let them know. It’s okay to make a nuisance of yourself if you have to call day after day until the eggs do arrive. (If any of our readers answer the telephone for a poultry supplier, I apologize.) (more…)

“I have enjoyed the many insights provided in the newsletter. I currently live in the city and am not able to raise any chickens. I do miss the more than 50 chickens that I had when I lived in the country. There have been several references to culling unproductive hens and roosters. Where does a city dweller who dislikes homemade chicken soup dispose of them?” ~ Cleotha Dinkins

Hi Cleotha,

Thanks for your question.

If you are living in the city, in the country, or somewhere in between, and need to find a home for your chickens, you may have to do a little bit of work but it shouldn’t be too hard to find a home for the chickens you need to cull and don’t want to butcher.

Obviously the first step would be to find someone you personally know that would like to take them from you.

Secondly, I’d suggest posting in a local listing that you have birds to offer. It is hard for me to be specific because we have readers from all over the world but let me share what options I would pursue in my area if I were in that situation;

I believe Craigslist.org is pretty far reaching. In my area, you can sell animals in that venue but I’m not sure that is allowed everywhere so you’d need to check your local Terms Of Use. It’s free and gets a lot of traffic. (more…)

“Can you ID the male and female chicks at birth, even as they get older I am still not sure, can you give us any guidelines?”

I’d like to thank our reader for this question and yes, the sex of day old chickens can be determined in a few different ways.

The first way is very difficult for the layman to accomplish with much success but I’ll tell you about it anyway.

“Vent sexing” relies on identification of the chickens sexual organs.

A chicken’s sexual organs are not located on the outside of their bodies like other animals but rather just inside their vent (anus).

The copulatory organ of a chicken is identified by shape. However, there are over 15 different possible shapes so determining male or female sex is very difficult. (more…)

“Hi Wendy and Duncan! I have a huge rooster who insists on attacking me when I am out in the yard doing lawn care. I have never mistreated him, but raised him as a pet last summer with several hens. Over the winter he has become meaner and will go into the ninja attack mode without provocation. His spurs are quite large and can do some damage. I don’t want to have to kill him – we got him by accident in with pullet chicks. But… I would like to feel like I can go out into my yard without being threatened by him. Any suggestions? Thanks.” ~ Ina Eaton (South Carolina)

Hi Ina,

I’m sorry you’re having such problems with your rooster.

It’s actually not uncommon to have a really mean bird.

Sometimes their aggression is directed only toward other roosters, other times they turn their aggression toward people.

If you’ve ever been scratched up by a mean rooster, you’re likely to be cautious around him from that point forward.

However, most of us keep chickens because we enjoy it, no one is forcing us.

So when keeping chickens isn’t enjoyable because of a mean rooster, it’s time to take action. (more…)