Chickens Tips and Tricks

March 21, 2021 

With the last three batches of eggs from the incubator I had a few chicks with feet that would not flatten out when they walked. I read a blog online a lady said to use painters tape on their feet and it will correct it. I have had a great success rate with chicks that are 6 hours old and allowing them to walk in the incubator. I will take a pic next time I have a chick that needs mending.  

Feb 26, 2021 

I received a tip from a family member that baby chicks and chickens need to have a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to one gallon of warm water. It is supposed to help with their digestive system track. I will keep you posted on how it goes with some chicks that have pasty butt. 

Feb 15, 2021 

Chicken Toys

This afternoon I gave the large group of ladies that are in the chicken pen next to the barn some toys . The reason behind this silliness is that I noticed the hens are staying on their roost every time I come to check up on them or give them their daily water or feed all of them are roosting close to the lamp. Also one of the chickens had scratched all the hay out of the nesting boxes. I am not for sure the wisdom behind this? Maybe looking for grub!? Anyways I decided to search on Pinterest for things that will keep chickens busy when they have nothing else to do. One of the toys that seemed pretty interesting was a bottle rattler. Get a plastic water bottle that is empty, place some hole in it using a knife or scissors and pour their chicken scratch or small feed inside. It supposed to give them lots of entertainment and curiosity throughout the day. Then I found out that they love to look at items that are shiny. Well who doesn't!!!! One shiny object that I found laying around the barn was a metal pie pan. I found a piece of string and threaded it though the middle of the plate. 

Feb 11, 2021 

 Transport  

Last night Trevor and I decided to move all the hens except one to the large coop near our house. The hens were not to fond of us catching them in the dark. Catching them in the dark saves time and stress on the hens. About the best way to carry more than one hen is the put them in pet taxi or carrier. The silky hen is staying with Ayam Cermani rooster which is in a little coop near the barn. This morning Aurora and I went out to check the flock in their new and improved area with the new red chicken. They all are doing great. Half of the hens were on the roost enjoying the heating lamp and one hen that lays blue eggs was laying one in one of the nesting boxes. Once I took Aurora out to her grandparents house I went and feed them scrabbled eggs, hen scratch, corn and dried eggs shells. 

Tonight all the hens are snug and warm

                                                                This hen lays blue eggs 

                                                         ladies are warming their bums 

Feb 8, 2021 

This winter has been a cold one off and on for the young and older ladies and their gentlemen. Recently I have been researching items to feed my chickens to give them some protein and vitamins since they are not able to get out and free range for the food. I have been researching and found out that during the winter they need extra fat like most animals and to accomplish this it is a good idea to fry or scramble their eggs. Also giving them certain scraps from the kitchen will help with this as well but need to put them in a separate pan. 

Protein and Vitamin Supplement 

Also wash the left over egg shells from the eggs with hot water. Try to wipe out the membrane inside the egg if you can but if you want you can just leave it because it will dry out anyway. Then scatter them on a cookie sheet and set your oven to 170 degrees on conventional oven for about 30 mins and then rest for another 30 or go about your day if you are busy. Then crush them a little bit and put them in a mason jar or tub to feed to your chickens if you don't have oyster shells. It will give them essential vitamins and help them with digestion. I just recently feed did them two days ago and all the chickens ate all the scrambled eggs and today my free range hens finished eating their crushed shells.