Backyard Fowl Keepers

Instead of tunnels, consider a mobile run. A lightweight, movable frame covered with wire could be placed in different areas to give them controlled access. It wouldn't block people gates, and you could adjust their ranging space as needed. If the concern is them returning to the garden, a one-way ...

Poor thing! It sounds like you're doing everything possible to help her. You can try baby bird formula or kitten milk (not regular cow's milk!) to give her the nutrients she needs. Another option is feeding her soft foods like boiled egg, mashed banana, or even porridge mixed with water. Keep a ...

Bresse chickens are a solid choice! They free-range well, grow decently fast, and have amazing meat quality. They do need good forage and extra care, though.

I think a bigger concern is predator protection. A 5' fence might work fine during the day, but could something jump it to get *in*?

Assisted hatching can be risky, but if the keet is alive and struggling due to the wrong air sac position, a carefully placed safety hole could help. Just don't rush the process,guinea keets sometimes take their time breaking out.

A predator-proof run is critical, especially if you plan to leave your chickens unsupervised. Chicken wire works for keeping birds in, but raccoons, opossums, and even large rats can easily rip through it. Hardware cloth (1/4” or 1/2”) is much stronger. A wire skirt helps, but instead of just ...

Could she have coccidiosis? Lethargy and vent irritation can sometimes indicate early symptoms. If she's not eating or drinking, I'd consider starting Corid as a precaution.

Try using a saline solution instead of just warm water. It might help clear up any mild infection or irritation.

For over two years, my flock has reliably put themselves to bed in their coop each night, guided by an automatic door. The coop is attached to their run, and theyve never had any issuesuntil recently.

A couple of weeks ago, I started noticing them already in the run when I came out in the morning ...

Freezing in trays before bagging can help prevent them from turning into a solid block. Boiling will reduce bacteria and keep them from turning black, but drying is best for long-term storage. If sun-drying, a mesh-covered drying rack could help keep scavengers away.