Many people ask if it’s safe to free range their flock. As with most questions, there is no simple yes or no. To really answer this question you need to understand the pros and cons of free ranging your hens. Continue Reading
You may have heard the Silkie Bantam is only a fair egg layer, but is this a fair statement? Perhaps they get a bad rap because they’re often broody which interrupts egg production. True, but in my opinion, this incredible bird should be considered a master of two jobs. I give them five stars for their dedication to motherhood, and here’s their generous contribution to the breakfast menu. Not bad, not bad at all!
My Silkies lay every other day on average, with little change during our mild Arizona winters. There are six birds in my flock over the age of four and are still producing at the same rate. As far as I’m concerned, a chicken’s production decreasing after the age of two years has not proven true on our little farm.
Meet Fern, this little lady doesn’t lay eggs at all, ever! Hatched in 2012, isn’t interested in setting on eggs, and has never gone broody. But no worry, there’s still a job for her here as a bug eater. She’s also valuable as a warm body to the others on those occasional cold winter nights.
Something as simple as a drop of blood from even the tiniest injury to a chicken can cause real chaos among a flock. So this morning I had an extra chore to attend to… and fast. As creepy as it sounds chickens are indeed cannibals, it’s important to #1 clean up an injured bird that is bleeding, and #2 isolate the bird until there is no sign of injury.
Wilson, my young Silkie rooster was spooked by a bag of shavings set near the coop. He caught his foot in the interior wire mesh causing minor bleeding. This was reason to quickly remove the bird, clean the wound and any remaining blood on the feathers. Even docile friendly members of a flock will be attracted to blood and peck the area. This will only make the situation worse. Once chickens get a taste of blood they are relentlessly drawn to get more.
After a semi-bath, Wilson is in a separate coop where he will stay for a few days until there is no sign of injury. Stay on top of potential problems. It’s always easier to address problems as they arise, ignore them and they only escalate into into a bigger one.
Three days later…
Reunited with friends, Wilson is healed, happy, and has the cleanest feet in the flock!
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