Backyard Fowl Keepers

Day 18 pip can happen. As long as it's peeping, things sound fine. Hold tight!

Check her crop first thing in the morning , it shouldn't be full or squishy. If it is, you might be dealing with a crop problem.

Buff Cochins and Silkies are both excellent choices for a calm flock! I've found that as long as they have enough space and aren't overcrowded, they get along well. Since Cochins are much larger, be sure to provide multiple feeding and watering stations so the Silkies don't get pushed aside ...

A chicken I had lost a toenail, and it healed fine with just some antiseptic.
I'd only wrap it if she won't leave it alone.

Speckled eggshells are usually caused by excess calcium deposits. If you're mixing oyster shell into the fermented feed, try offering it separately instead.

Strange poops and lethargy could mean coccidiosis. You might want to start them on Corid just in case.

It sounds like you've done a lot of good work adding compost, but chicken manure can sometimes cause issues with young plants or trees if used too heavily. I've found that spreading thinner layers and giving it more time to break down helps prevent yellowing or burning.

I actually prefer alfalfa hay in my coop because it smells great and gives my hens something to scratch through. Just make sure to replace it regularly so it doesn't get too dusty or moldy.

That's so unfortunate, I hope your chicks recover quickly. For penicillin, it's usually available at agricultural stores, but be sure it's safe for poultry. You could also look into getting poultry-specific wound ointments like Vetericyn to help with the healing process. Continue monitoring the ...

It's great that they calm down when you hold them. Keep reinforcing that you're the leader of the flock, and they'll eventually get the message. If they continue to challenge you, you may need to reassess keeping both.