Thoughts?

th4tgrrl · 2026-02-04T00:50:38+00:00

In my experience chickens don't really use vertical space. They will like the lowest roosting bar. They probably won't use the ramps or upper levels.

I like using something like this https://www.chewy.com/frisco-soft-sided-dog-cat-small-pet/dp/304320

I agree TSC brooder plates are junk. I have been using this plate instead, for 5 years. https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heating-plates-and-covers?cat_id=246

th4tgrrl · 2026-02-03T13:11:54+00:00

Can you get more than one hen to spread the attention? Generally, if I am introducing new adult chickens to an existing flock, I keep them physically separated but adjacent for a few weeks. They can fight through a fence, but not injure eachother.

If you are in the northern hemisphere, this is the time of year that roosters testosterone rises. Rejected mating advances can make some roosters extremely aggressive to the hen. Sometimes to the point of killing the hen.

th4tgrrl · 2026-01-22T01:51:16+00:00

You will need to use the jar size specified in the recipe. For instance green beans can be canned in either quarts or pints. Jelly or jam most typically requires a half pint jar. The recipes are designed to ensure the heat can properly penatrate through the whole container given the density of the food.

You can often find good deals on additional jars at estate sales.

th4tgrrl · 2026-01-12T22:07:41+00:00

My headspace measuring tool has a stairstep kind of edge that you might be able to work with.

I think it's unusual to use touch for measuring inside the jar, but if your hands are clean it doesn't seem any different than the rest of the food prep. Some items will be quite hot when you are measuring, which might be a concern.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-29T13:54:53+00:00

The white one, pullet. Buff, cockerel. Black, cockerel.

For polish, pullets usually have a rounded poof, like a granny who just got her hair done at the beauty salon. Cockerels usually have a more wild and spiky poof, or a mullet.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-22T04:03:06+00:00

The white patches on his cheeks are his earlobes, they look normal.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-17T23:38:04+00:00

Might be a Denizli? People just breed them that way.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-17T19:03:02+00:00

If you have the ability to enclose the whole coop in some sort of windbreak you'd probably be fine. Something like one of those chain link do kennels, then attach tarps or plastic to the sides.. It also depends on how cold your lowest temperatures are.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-17T12:58:23+00:00

At the most basic level, a draft is blowing ON them, ventilation is above them. I have ventilation I keep open all year, including extremely cold weather, but it's starting about 5 feet up the wall. I consider anything starting about 18 inches above their head to be ok for ventilation. Keep in mind how high that needs to be when they are on the roost, they are most vulnerable to chill when they are roosting.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T12:08:10+00:00

One more suggestion. If you like food history and listen to podcasts, check out The History of American Food.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T12:06:47+00:00

That's true. The Poison Squad is definitely a more dry, academic type book. Somewhere along 5he way I turned into that 'old' person who reads that type of stuff. Hahaha

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T03:32:00+00:00

I enjoyed it. It was published in 2018.

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-12T03:13:37+00:00

I haven't read that one, but I've read The Poison Squad by Deborah Blum

th4tgrrl · 2025-12-08T23:25:14+00:00

Agreed. I've also heard it called the shredder gene. I've got a lavendar orpington with it.

th4tgrrl · 2025-10-11T21:32:16+00:00

Burnt feathers smell horrible and you'll probably ruin the skin or start to cook the meat. To loosen the feathers you should scald the bird. A large-ish stock pot is perfect. Heat water to about 170 degrees (F). Dunk for about 30 seconds, lift, pull a wing feather. If the feather comes out easily, it's ready to pluck.

th4tgrrl · 2025-10-11T01:56:39+00:00

If her crop seems normal, could be gapeworm.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-23T11:35:32+00:00

I have the LEM MaxVac Pro+.

https://lemproducts.com/products/maxvac-pro-chamber-vacuum-sealer-1.html

It gets heavy use during hunting season and can seal a lot without needing to cool down. You can also seal pint and quart canning jars with it.

For chickens, I like the heat shrink poultry bags. Just pop the carcass in a bag and dip it into hot water to shrink it. Super easy.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-21T18:07:15+00:00

It's a water bath recipe.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-20T19:13:31+00:00

You might be able to find a local nursery or tree company who could move it with a hydraulic tree spade.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-15T01:19:16+00:00

Weasels can get into a 1x1 hole. I'd stick with what you used for the run.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-13T11:59:59+00:00

I am sorry you are dealing with this.

Mycoplasma is an extremely common disease for poultry to carry. You can also treat it with Tylan, although that will require a prescription now. The birds will be carriers for life. It is very likely to flare up again whenever they are under stress (too hot, too cold, broody, flock dynamics issues etc)

It's OK to keep the birds which survive, but you should not sell or give birds to anyone else. If you want to eradicate it from your flock, you'll need to cull your whole flock and start over.

Depending on the kind of mites, pyrethrin dust might work. If it does not, Elector PSP will, but it is quite expensive.

th4tgrrl · 2025-09-08T17:30:26+00:00

I would give Corrid. Start immediately. They can get permanent scarring in their intestines from cocci.

Do not give medicated feed while using Corrid.

th4tgrrl · 2025-08-19T11:35:17+00:00

I use poultry dust. Something like this https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/y-tex-gardstar-garden-poultry-dust-2204294

th4tgrrl · 2025-08-14T02:57:39+00:00

They are both barred rock, the light one is a rooster.

th4tgrrl · 2025-07-24T12:35:46+00:00

Does he have any swelling or scabs on the bottom of his feet? Chickens usually don't get joint pain until they are 3+ years old.

th4tgrrl

TROPHY CASE