The Chicken Club (The Flock)

Comment

Comment by Alicia Wills on July 27, 2010 at 11:53pm

Kate, whether its molting or not, you could try upping her protein intake, to help with feather regeneration. And perhaps also giving her some cider vinegar and worm expellents (pumpkin seeds, etc) as a prophylactic measure.

Congratulations, Jamie. I've always let the new hens live somewhere for at least a few days where they could interact with the other hens through wire before integrating them. Then put them all together when they have a whole day to be in a large area where the newbies can have lots of room to run and get out of the way when necessary. I once had a personality conflict that wouldn't end until I gave away one of the hens ... but usually they sort it all out within a couple weeks. Always good to have some Peck-no-more on hand and a styptic gel. Chickens sure aren't for the fainthearted, are they, gang?

Comment by Jamie Jedinak on July 27, 2010 at 11:15pm

I added three more hens to my flock today. Cuckoo maran, black astralorp and a Barnvelder. it is an interesting process to add to the flock and I am wondering tips for success, overall. one hen has begun to seriously go after the new hens.......

Comment by Deanna Lloyd on July 27, 2010 at 10:44pm

My hens aren't molting yet, but my friend has 13 hens who have started to molt so it is definitely getting to be that time of the year for at least some of the ladies....

Comment by Kate Clark on July 27, 2010 at 9:04pm

I have a hen that tried to get in the nest with the one who is setting on the eggs. I had to move her out now she is in hunkered in another corner of the coop, and is losing her feathers on her breast and legs. Could she be molting already? I"m kind of worried about her.

Comment by Deanna Lloyd on July 22, 2010 at 11:06pm

When I was growing up I lived on a farm with lots of chickens. We did as Alicia mentioned and marked the fertile eggs proving to be very useful for our little eyes. Another trick that we did to make sure that the chicks were developing was hold the eggs up to a flashlight when it was at least a little dark....that way you can actually see into the egg and see the little chick all curled up! (I always loved as a kid and was a great "party trick" for visiting friends and in my 5th grade classroom where we raised chicks in an incubator). We mainly did that we eggs in incubators though so I'm not sure how momma would feel about it although we never had them out from her for more than 30 seconds.... Good luck with your adventure Kate!

Comment by Kate Clark on July 22, 2010 at 6:48pm

Thanks Alicia- I did mark the eggs today, as its hard to tell which are the old and which newly laid. I'll find a place to let the brooder set in peace, with the features you mentioned. If they don't hatch by the end of the month, they are all going in the woods (the eggs) and she can return to laying hopefully!

Comment by Alicia Wills on July 22, 2010 at 3:06pm

Hi Kate, I usually separate my setting hens from the rest of the flock - so that the others don't join in (ie keep laying) and also so that when the chicks hatch there's no animosity toward them from the other hens. I'd be curious to hear if anyone here has raised them "in place" with the rest of the flock in the coop. One thing I just heard from Cari: she's marked the old eggs so that she can remove any new ones laid by other hens in the nest. Remember that the chicks will need to be at floor level so they don't fall out of a raised nest and that they'll also want a place with warmth (usually by momma hen), no drafts, food and water close by.

Comment by Kate Clark on July 22, 2010 at 1:30pm

Problem: One of my hens started 'setting' so I got some fertile eggs from the neighbor's chickens and let her try to hatch them. (if any hatch they'll be doing it within the week). She has stopped laying for now of course, and now another hen has decided to join her on the nest and I'm afraid she'll stop laying too. Plus, the new one has a bald spot on her chest in the center - i guess where it touches the bottom of the nesting box. UG!

How can I stop this second hen from getting settled in the nest- I need her to lay eggs? Also, could that bald spot be mites or something?

Comment by Jamie Jedinak on July 21, 2010 at 4:44pm

WED: I am planning on taking up a fecal sample to Kulshan vet north of Lynden (1st time recommended routine checkin, annual event). It's about $25, does anyone else want to gather poop from their flock and have me take it up there with me or join me in my adventure?
You just gather poop from the general pooping areas and mix it all together.

If they find anything, it would be your entire flock exposed, so that's why it doesn't matter. please call if interested 756-9919. I want to do this in the next day or so. :)

Comment by Jamie Jedinak on July 20, 2010 at 2:34am

The Chicken Palace Coop-De-Ville is erected in these past 4 days.....it takes a community!!!....Thanks so much to Sandie - Blessed support-design and construction direction for all days!!!, Zac - stamina, Warren - humor, Heather - For referring Don, Don for the awesome Team work and Power Tool Bravery!!, Mark F. - for your willingness to just jump right in!!, Chris W(for the referral), Jasmin for the watermelon, Christy for your Rooster whispering....and my Lovely across the street neighbors the Hanrahans who helped us raise the roof!!

Made from 5 - 8x8 free pallets and many other recycled materials that have collected over the last 7 yrs. Quite the feet.....more pics to come. :)

I will post some more pics when the inside is more fully developed.

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