Rising Roosters and Setting Hens

07/11/2025

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=first%20saturday%20lime&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5 =ive&vld=cid:1ccaa212,vid:WpbWHnUGuhg,st:0

Protect Garden from Intruders-Use First Saturday Lime to safeguard your plants. Dust them for protection or apply around them directly. Protect Homes and other Buildings- Apply First Saturday Lime around homes, garages, and buildings to deter insects such as ants, mites, ticks, and cockroaches. For....

04/28/2025

Just as an FYI
(and please do not name brands/companies or I will have to delete this)

There are now whole grain chick feeds on the market, and I’m now seeing an uptick in chicks with their crop split open. Chicks can’t digest whole grain well if at all, and yes even with grit. Their skin is FRAGILE, and chunks of corn can go right through.
Whole grain sounds like a great idea, and it looks much prettier than crumble.

BUT

Chicks are best off with crumble. What you choose to feed when they are older is totally up to you.

As always, be safe out there.

03/26/2025

Water belly?
Quick mention "Water belly" or ascites is a condition where fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity, causing the abdomen to swell and feel soft. I see so many suggest a hen might have this.
Let’s mention reasons this happen.
Feeding lots of the wrong foods causing chickens to gain unneeded weight. The wrong foods can also cause fat to build up around the heart . Fat is not good for the pulmonary system. Fatty foods cause liver damage. Stick to a good formulated layer feed. Very little to no treats is best. Treats take the place in the crop of that formulated feed.

Older hens (age 8, 10 yes your flock can live this long on a good diet ) may start to have heart issues aka ascites. There is no cure for this.

Too many people are attempting to drain young hens from something they do not have. Watch where you are getting your info. ascites in not as common as people think on a correctly fed flock.

Cat food is for cats, it’s not the correct protein for chickens. Chickens are lactose intolerant. There is no reason to ever feed chicken eggs. Egg shells are the wrong calcium sourse. They would need to eat their weight in shells to get enough. Egg shells are a byproduct of their system. Crushed oyster shell offered on the side or cuttle bone works well.

Research where your treats come from. Look into how they are made and what they offer. I offer the pellet form of my feed as treats. Grubs are way better than meal worms. During molting your feed brand should have a higher protein option.

03/12/2025

I was asked to try this product with my flock. I decided to give one bottle a try. I had some older hens that were getting in feathers and some new pullets. I had heard of seabuck for people and horses before with success so after reading the ingredients I mixed it in with my dry feed. The feed stays dry . I did this in small amounts because I didn’t want feed to go bad. Formulated feed is made to be eaten dry. I was an ambassador for a major feed maker at one time and I’ve studied this. I also have had to help many people who’s flock had botulism from them attempting to wet the feed after reading it was a good idea on a face book page. You can not make a formulated feed better by wetting it and trying to ferment it.
My findings: my older hens look as good as my new pullets. It’s March and one of my 5 year olds is laying every other day! Beautiful eggs. I’m ordering another bottle.
I’m also considering ordering the human versions! If you give it a try let me know how your flock does.

02/28/2025

Spring is comming!!

01/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15eX6jhNrA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/11/2024

Looking for bird care products? BirdPal Avian Products offers an extensive line of supplements, healthcare treatments, and equipment for pigeons, companion birds, and backyard chickens.

12/09/2024

Tell me about that one tool you have for your coop that others might not ever think of using but you don’t want to be without!
I believe this was used by gardeners to dig up flower bulbs? My grand father had it in his old tools when I first started back into chickens. It didn’t have the wood handle and more so was deemed useless to most. My hands are small.

It’s perfect for breaking up the tightly packed pine chips! I keep it hanging near them. I can scoop small amounts too. In the winter when my fingers are in gloves I really love it. I don’t always use the whole bag at once. After I use a part of a bag I pop a dish pan in the bag wrap the bag over it and another of the stackable dishpans over the wrapped bag. It keeps out and moisture like it was never opened.
In my coop with a bit of , never barn lime, my flock stays dry and frost bite free with no eye issues like  Diatomaceous Earth can cause cutting the third eye lid.

12/09/2024

3 Stunning Christmas Ornaments Made From An Egg Carton:

Hang on to those paper egg cartons! You can make some seriously cute Christmas ornaments with them. With a little time, some basic craft supplies (and a good Christmas playlist), you can create countless spotted

11/27/2024

https://www.google.com/gasearch?q=USA%20standard%20chickecken%20laws%20on%20lights%20&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5

Before someone tells you your flock doesn’t need any rest time please know they do need 8 hours of darkness.

11/15/2024

https://smallpetselect.com/chickens-whats-the-deal-with-calcium/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1Kb9DD1MmJxTjYhhdgbZcHpDtzYezr9P0WKR2jLTxYIIKNB8UBtUIyi3A_aem_iS1Qcv1ra84AN3pCyBDYwg

Just like hoomans, chickens need calcium. Small Pet Select explains what's the deal with calcium and how it keeps your flock healthy and strong.