Backyard Fowl Keepers

Sunflower seeds are a great source of healthy fats and protein, but they should be introduced carefully. I usually wait until my chicks are at least 6 weeks old and start with shelled, crushed seeds. If feeding whole seeds, ensure they have grit, as chicks don't have the ability to grind food in ...

If you only clipped a few feathers, they might have grown back enough for them to fly again. Do a quick check,feathers regenerate faster than we sometimes expect!

You could try incorporating more free-ranging if possible. Letting your flock forage for bugs, worms, and greens can naturally supplement their diet.

Watch their behavior,if they're still energetic and curious, they're likely fine. Lethargy, fluffed-up feathers, or reduced appetite would be more concerning.

I thought I outsmarted the rats... but theyre proving relentless! Because of my setup, putting an apron around my run wasnt an option, so last summer, I covered the entire run floor with hardware cloth and added about 4 inches of soil on top. It workeduntil winter hit.

Now, the frozen ground has ...

It sounds like she is acting broody, even if she is not sitting on eggs. Some hens get hormonal changes that cause similar behaviors.

The Australorp might be feeling hormonal changes herself. If she's not laying on schedule, she could be getting broody or experiencing a temporary break. That might explain her sudden aggression.

It might take a little while for your broody to accept the chicks. First-time mothers sometimes need time to adjust, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen right away. Trying it in the middle of the night could work better, and if she still rejects them, I'd consider just raising the chicks in ...

I started feeding mine inside during the winter and outside when it's warmer. The inside feeding helps during cold snaps, while the outside feeding allows them to forage in better weather.

I agree that you made the right choice by removing the bad eggs. The heat could be a factor in her getting up more often, but as long as she's still sitting on her eggs, there's a good chance she'll stick with them.