Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hi everyone, Im really worried about one of my hens. Shes usually active and curious, but today shes been acting really strange. Shes moving slowly, keeps puffing up her feathers, and seems like shes straining or pushing, but nothings happening. Shes also been sitting a lot, and when she walks ...

A movable run is a great idea! Just be mindful of predators digging under,burying part of the skirt might add extra protection.

You might try giving them extra space and distractions,clumps of grass, hanging greens, or even a dust bath area. Sometimes, aggression is just pent-up energy!

I stagger butchering. Roosters go around 14-16 weeks before they get aggressive, and hens that aren't great layers are processed after a year or two. This lets me get a mix of tender meat and stewing birds. My go-to method is a killing cone followed by a quick slice. Whatever method you choose ...

I'd prioritize safety over space, especially since you've already had a raccoon incident. Hardware cloth around the porch area sounds like a good compromise!

For eggs, 5-6 hens should give you a steady supply. For meat, you'll need a dedicated breeding group. If you want to process quail regularly, you'll need a separate grow-out pen for young birds. A setup with 6-8 breeding hens and 2-3 roosters should provide enough fertile eggs to keep the cycle going.

Keep her warm and isolated. Sick birds often get bullied, making recovery harder. A quiet space with easy access to food and water will help her heal.