“I intend to keep chickens in 2009 for the first time in an area of the garden that has never had any poultry on it before and I will buy pullets. Can you tell me how the chickens might get red mites or lice if they are ‘clean’ at the time of purchase? Thanks.” ~ ...…
"At what age do you clip chicken wings? Thanks!" ~ Stephanie Francis Great question Stephanie. Before we address the "when" and the "how to", let's look at the "why". If you haven't discovered it yet, chickens can fly ;-0 It's true they won't soar through the air gracefully floating on the breeze but they can ...…
"I have a small flock of 5 of my favorite breeds (Delaware, Amerecauna, Buff Orpington, Welsummer & Barred Rock). I ordered a Delaware Rooster in my latest chick order as the hens are so friendly (they come running to be petted) and I'd like to see if they will hatch some eggs for next year. ...…
"My chickens are losing their feathers, they seem healthy otherwise because they are still running around and eating and drinking. Is there a disease I should be worried about? Should I be giving them medicine? I've never had chickens before and I'm worried and could use your help, thank you." ~ Mary Katherine Kellogg Mary ...…
"Is there a way to limit a young rooster from crowing or is there anything that you can do to "condition or train" him from excessive crowing. He doesn't bother me, but I live on the edge of a camp and I get some mild complaints from volunteers who sleep in nearby cabins about his ...…
"Hi Wendy, My chickens have been pecking each other along the sides of their bodies for several months. During that time several of the chickens have had wounds that bled. I was advised to used corn starch to dry the wounds. This morning I went into the coop and one of my chickens was dead. ...…
After reading your last newsletter, we thought you might be interested in our story of our chickens perching... The first chocks we had were three bantam Buff Orpington. The chap from whom we bought them did not provide any perches in their enclosure, but we made sure they did have some where to perch. However, ...…
Well, for many of us it's that time of year again; molting time. I've been getting a lot of questions about how your flocks are suddenly dropping their feathers and you're concerned. Because we have so many new chicken farmers joining us each month, I thought it would valuable to review the molting process Let's ...…
"Help, I just found out that my sister-in-law and her whole family is coming for the Christmas Holidays. We were planning of waiting until after the first of the year to start raising broilers but it sure would be great if we could get them now and eat them for Christmas dinner. Do we have ...…
"Hi there! I have been keeping two hens in my very small garden for the past six months in an ark, with a 6ft x 4ft run. I have been moving the ark every few days so they have a fresh patch of grass to scratch in and to ensure the lawn does not get ...…
"Is their any way to keep chickens off a patio without a physical barrier? My chickens always hang out on the patio and get their poop on it and I am tired of having to clean it all the time." ~ David David, Thanks for the question. I sympathize with your situation, we've had the ...…
Love reading both "worm farming secrets" and "chicken keeping secrets". I'll save them for a night when I have a few moments to myself and can enjoy them like a small truffle. They are short, sweet, full of good stuff and when they are "gone" I wish I could have more right then. My question, ...…
"Greetings, We really enjoy your newsletter, keep them coming! We have a new batch of chicks and find ourselves the owners of a new puppy too. We never intended to have all of these little animals at the same time but she (the puppy) needed a home and we just couldn't say no, so here ...…
Have I told you all lately how smart you are? I get lots of tips from readers in my inbox and thought I'd take some time this week to share some of them with all of you. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to send along your experience. Dealing With A ...…
