Backyard Fowl Keepers

Different ages often mean different diets , an all-flock feed with calcium on the side works well for mixed flocks.

Wow, 25-40% mortality seems like a significant difference! I've had good luck with my hatching rates, but I make sure to store eggs in a controlled area. If the temperature fluctuates a lot, I try to collect eggs more frequently. Also, I've read that eggs left in the cold for longer periods have ...

I have a septic lagoon covered in duckweed, which I know is a great protein source. I've heard the top layer of water in a septic lagoon is relatively clean, but Im unsure if the duckweed is safe to feed to animals. My lagoon only receives overflow from a septic tank, and with just two people in ...

Im eagerly awaiting my first chicks to hatch and planning ahead for their diet as they grow. Since I hunt and fish regularly, Ill have plenty of scrapsdeer trimmings, fish carcasses, and small game. Chickens eat almost anything, but I want to make sure Im not feeding them something harmful.

I ...

Brooder plates are great, but they don't heat the air,only the chicks. If your garage is cold, consider adding a ceramic heat emitter to keep the ambient temp stable.

I'd set more traps and reinforce the coop. Even if the possum was an egg thief, something else likely did the killing. A camera might reveal more.

Some hens will continue sitting longer, especially if they're really committed, but most will prioritize the live chicks. If the younger eggs are close to hatching, she *might* stick it out.

If she's going into the nest box, making noise, and leaving without laying, she might be egg-bound. Try a warm bath and gentle massage to help her pass an egg if needed.

If your oil is free of seasoning, burnt particles, and excessive breakdown, a tiny bit mixed with other food might be okay. However, because used oils can develop harmful compounds, it's safer to opt for natural fats like lard or unprocessed coconut oil instead.

She's showing classic stubborn hen behavior! Chickens like consistency, so moving her pot probably threw her off. If you really want her to lay in the coop, you may have to block access to the pot completely.