Thanks I thought it was pretty funny my self. She had a few hens that would hear her outside and would run to her as fast as they could. Not any more! She's bummed out about that. I told her they would forget.

NOTE: a pissed off white woman will just kill yer azz.

Ok. So one of my hens lays a double yolk egg about every other egg. I am digging it!!!

Here is one pic of my bantam adults. I have 10 new chicks hatched yesterday if anyone would like some.
[img:left][/img]

If you were a lot closer by I would take you up on the offer. Those are some pretty bantams.

Pretty birds. Almost looks like a prairie chicken.

Oh wow!! Those are beautiful!!!

My poor ole brown leghorns are going through a HARD molt right now and look awful....necked necks....just makes you feel sorry for them!!

Very pretty bantams! I have two hens and a rooster, but may not have that rooster much longer. He keeps sucker punching me when I have my back turned to him.

Poor ole Black Australorp has been in a HARD molt....her whole bum has been bare but pin feathers are popping out all over now...she looked a sight!!

Ok. With winter coming (maybe) anything special I need to do for my chickens? What about when it is below freezing?

Chickens are very hardy and can withstand very cold temps. With that said, if I know temps are going to be below freezing for several days, I do use heat lamps in my coop in addition to a radiant heater if I feel necessary. Now mind you, I BABY my birds compared to many. With below freezing temps, your BIG concern is frozen water! Make sure they have fresh water.

As long as you have a coop they can get inside out of the wind and rain if things get real nasty and freeze they usually fare well. Their body heat as the snuggle together keeps them warm.

Speaking of...I just walked in the door after running a coon off from the door of my coop. I saw him earlier and kept a watch because my chickens were free ranging. Spied the little bastid just as he was about to invade the coop and ran out the back door screaming like William Wallace!!

My husband and the two German Shepherds came to the rescue toot sweet after hearing me screaming at the top of my lungs and hubby shot the coon, since I had not grabbed a gun on the way out. I was just before knocking it in the head with the shovel when they arrived. Alas, one of my Brown Leghorns is now missing but they roost outside the coop occasionally, so maybe she will show up tomorrow. If not, she is past her prime and not laying regularly now, so as it goes, no big loss.

I hate freezing weather because of the watering problems

I will turn on the overhead heaters in sub 25 degree temps, or heat lamps. Just be careful and don't burn the coop to the ground.

Woohoo...my old girl was in the coop this morning!! She must have been under another hen else when I made the count after the coon invasion!!

Big Rhode Island Red rooster, about six months old has become lethargic. Sits on the ground, won't go to roost. Has stopped tending himself. Eyes are clear, has been wormed monthly. Can't find ant injury on him.

Oh no, That does not sound good. Heck, I have had hens fall off the roost dead as a door knob ...

Have you checked him for any injury? Any mucus from eyes or nose?

Very strange, eyes/nose are clear and he is alert, just won't move, I have picked him up and felt all over him and can't find a thing. Hens aren't talkin'

Okay, so I have a question for those more experienced. Is it an option to cut the spurs of your rooster?

My big ole Black Australorp roo is cutting the backs of my hens with his spurs. The spurs and almost two inches long...large and look like mini daggers. Truly, I don't want to see the hens torn up from him.

So, is it just time to get rid of the roo and let the girls live in peace or is the spur thing viable?

Thanks!

I've cut em before on a bad rooster. Go in at night, grab him by the legs and snip em off, put him back on the roost.

Thanks!

Ok. With the really old air coming in, what do I need to do special for my chickens? Obviously, I got to worry about their water supply freezing. What about them? They have a nesting house they can get into that has hay. Sould that be enough? I could put the red heat lamp out there but worries me a little