Hobby Farms Forums / Livestock / HobbyFarms.com Forum Topics

chickens not laying

flemfarm — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:37:27 GMT

My chickens have not been laying well most of the summer and now into the fall. I have 25 hens and im getting 5 eggs a day. in the spring i was getting a dozen a day at least. A friend said i should sprinkle hot sauce on there food that it would make them start laying like crazy. I feed my hens 16% layer pellets and they have access to oystershells and i throw a cup or two of scratch grain to them everyday. Im getting frustrated and my egg customers are starting to look elsewhere. I dont want to damage my hens by hot sauce, just wondered if anyone knew anything about it. Thanks

The best laid plans....

Drawbar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:56:32 GMT

It all started with a pick up door slamming shut. One of the hired men up to the farm stopped at the house and said they were going to spread cow manure on my fields before the CNMP shut off went into effect. Because of frozen soil, we can only spread manure up until December. I like the idea of them spreading manure because that means the grass will really grow next year without having to spend money on fertilizer, but you can't graze sheep on freshly laid manure.

I was just smiling the other day, figuring I could push my grazing all the way up until December, or at least the first major snow. I had plenty of grass for the sheep since the fields were still green and the sheep seemed to be doing well on free range grazing.

Now they are pinned in to the only field I have that the trucks can't get on. That means the grazing is gone and its on to winter feeding. Its no big deal I guess, but one of the things I really want to get into is winter grazing, or at least pushing the grazing back to the extreme. Its a stretch here in Maine, but for every day I gain in the fall, that is one less day of feeding out winter feed...

Now its 20 degrees outside and snowing hard with accumulating snow. I guess winter is here huh?

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Anybody here breed or keep angora rabbits?

brody — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 07:21:34 GMT

or have great angora rabbit links?

I just lost a wonderful family member (a 14 year old rabbit) and am thinking angora rabbit(s) would make sense given my move to the country...

would love more info before the committment to living with one tho

Goat after labor

jenlaar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:38 GMT

I have a young pigmy goat who had her first kid a little over two weeks ago. The kid was early so it did not survive. The vet checked the mom and said that she cleaned up well and is okay. This morning when I went out she had a bloody mucusy discharge. Should I get concerned or is that part of the birthing process? My concern is that it is so late after the birth. This was my first experience with birthing so I need some advice from those of you who are experienced.

THanks

Berries

JasonP — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:07:46 GMT

We have honeysuckle growing on our property. It is the upright bush type and has produced a good crop of bright red fruit. I have been told it is poisonous for humans, but I was curious if goats, chickens, or ducks can eat them. They are just outside the fenced area, but I love using the landscape to feed my animals when possible.

Question about Milk

CampineChickens — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:07:09 GMT

Hi,

Is raw homegrown goat milk better than raw homegrown cow milk? If so, why?

Thanks,
Ariel

Farm Raised Pig Price?

Politicaldog — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:09:15 GMT

Well, we did it. Never having raised any pigs we successfully raised three Hampshire pigs.

These pigs were raised on a combination of good quality swine food from a local grainery along with maybe 35% of their food coming from our organic garden. Green beans, squash..etc. plus a generous portion of eggs from our chickens.

The live weights were 390. 375, & 345. The hanging weights were 260, 230, & 255. We have already sold two of these pigs but do not know what the price should be. The buyers are paying all kill fees and cut and wrap.

It cost us 55 cents per pound live weight to to raise them or 81 cents hanging weight. We are not trying to make a killing but just would like some advice on a fair price per pound.

Thanks

Trying to Find/Buy Livestock

cweick — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:50:33 GMT

Well P2 is hooked with these Hereford Hogs. I've been looking for a year now. So I'd talked with our Chiropractor about options. He gave us a name of a Mr. Walker who has Landrace, Yorkshire pigs as well as feeder pigs. So we (hubby and I) came up with the plan on getting him 2 barrow piglets from Mr. Walker and let him grow them out. Which in turn would give me about another year to find producers of these hogs (Herefords). I found a farm to the east and it was a no. Found another farm to the west and it's a waiting list and then if he doesn't sell the piglets for meat then he'll call us in October 2010 (which would fit our plan to the "T"). I found several places up north but that's to far to be away from home and animals.

So has anyone else had a problem along these lines? If so, what did you do to find the animals that you were looking for closer to your place?

Thanks.

Evening Feeding

williams@uplink.net — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:23:13 GMT

I just read in the Storey Guide to Raising Sheep (or a similar reference book) that sheep should be fed an hour before dark - no later. I'd never heard this before and wonder why it is? Anybody know why?

Does anyone know of any other optimum times for the evening feeding? Does is vary by species?

I've always kept the horses close to a 12 hour schedule, with the evening feeing being at 8 or 9 pm so that I could also do a 'night check' before settling into my PJs.

What time do you feed in the evening and why?

What will your livestock NOT eat?

cweick — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:50:47 GMT

Our cattle will not eat watermelon or pumpkins

Mangus (rabbit) apples

Dog/Cat cooked steaks...I refused to feed them raw like they want

Keets won't eat busted pumpkins

Suckling Operation?

Drawbar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:07:00 GMT

We have been emailing the people who own the cottage for our trip to Ireland in a few months. Its kind of neat because its on an active farm, but as she told us the history of the place...first being a dairy farm, but not making any money with that they went to laying hens. Predators took their toll on them, so they now run a "suckling operation".

I have never heard of a "suckling operation", but it sounds to me like they run what we would call a replacement heifer farm. The "sucklings" being the heifers that they raise from calf to motherhood and then sell the now lactating cows to working dairy farms. Does anyone know if that is what the Irish call a "suckling farm"?

On a side note, they seem as eager to have us there as we are to go. They said they will be very busy on the farm at that time, and that they have never had farmers stay at their cottage before. We are pretty excited as well, but were a little saddened that they did not have sheep. They said few sheep farms exist there because the land is flatter and more arable then the "hills region" where sheep farms are numerous.

BBC Mud Sweat and Tractors - Beef

Paul Ewing — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:29:44 GMT

I just caught the BBC show Mud Sweat and Tractors - Beef which is a documentary on the evolution of English Beef cattle since 1900. It especially dealt with the shrinking of the Angus and Hereford breeds in the mid century and it's negative effect on the industry. If anyone can get this series it is a great show. You can find some of them online. It has lots of interviews with the top breeders, show managers, and auctioneers of the era and film footage of the breeds through the years.

It is funny how people are converting to the small cattle that were created in the mid 20th century for a very specific purpose and almost killed the Angus and Her ford breeds in England.

Originally in the 1800's to about WWI, the Angus and Herefords were not much smaller than they are now. More of the fat stock side than the lean that is preferred now, but just as large. This was because the beef was sold to large family estates in England that had many people working on them and large families to feed. Starting around the WWI point, the cattle started getting smaller. Two reasons for this were the smaller family sizes and the import of beef from South America and later Australia. On these import cattle, the carcass had to be able to hang between the decks of the ships for the three week trip to England. The animals proceeded to shrink though the years until they resulted in the "belt buckle cattle" of the mid 1960's. At his point, the Continental European breeds became the main influence because they could make a decent size carcass that was lean. The Angus breed started to get bigger by the gamble of a few breeders that imported the largest bulls they could from the US and Canada to revive the breed in England. Today the breed is back up to a normal size and doing better because they can finish out of grass instead of having to be grain fed like the Continental breeds.

It will be hard to make up any feed efficiency with the prices charged for breeding stock for these re-miniaturized breeds. And if you ever have to sell them outside of the breeding market, it is very likely you will be clobbered. I saw a beautiful herd of Belted Galloways (another small English breed) sold at auction a couple months ago. They all went at canner prices of 30 to 50 cents a pound verses 90 cents to 1.10 a pound for standard Angus crosses.

New to site Need ideas when feeding Goats Grain

TerriL — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:39:18 GMT

Hello, this is my first post I will try and keep it short. I have 14 goats, mostly rescues. I dont feed much grain because our state university said I should not beed any because I have some wethers however my Vet says I should feed it in the winter. Any ideas how you get Goats to mind their manners and not kill me and each other when I try and feed them grain. I actually had one goat get a concusion (sp) last year and die because he got butted just right. I dont think I ever cried so hard in my live except maybe 2 years ago when one of the wethers had UC and eventually died even with surgery. I use the Goat Chow and the Goat Mins and add something into the mins for the UC (sorry can remember the name). Any ideas would be appreciated.

Twins for a Hereford Cow

cweick — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:39:07 GMT

Fall calving season is here. Haven't heard the last count. But we have twins. Both are up and going, however has anyone had any experience with twins. Is it true that if they are opposite sex that the heifer isn't fertile? What do you do, for example do you take the weakest one away and bottle feed it or try to get a mom that lost her calf to except this one? Would like to know what you all would do. Mom is healthy and in good condition, but if the weather turn cold like they say it might, I open to options.

Thanks.

Anyone have any barn plans???

sbates — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:20:07 GMT

I am wondering if anyone has any free or low-cost barn plans. I am going to build this myself (slowly), so I would like "low to medium complexity" plans. Something along the lines of a 24 X 32 footprint with a gambrel roof and a hay loft... something like this. But I am not wedded to this design. Can anyone give me some advice here (or maybe some free plans!!!) Thanks!

Transporting Gilbert and Iggy Home

cweick — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:31:20 GMT

I put out a Want to Buy ad out in the Timberland down here. I got a call the other day and picked up the ex-large pet (Blue and for a dog) taxi up from a man. A new one would of cost me over $145 without tax or shipping. I know I could put it together my self. So what I paid for this one was great.

1. We live in Louisiana, should I tape over the two side vent holes of the pet taxi to help keep the wind off the piglets? What about the front door? Do I need to do anything with that (besides keep it closed and lock...)

2. How much sand should I put in the bottom?

3. How much water should I use to wet the sand and when?

Am I over looking anything here?

Any suggestion on how to switch them from well water from Mr. Walker's place and the "city" water that we have at the Homestead. Our well went dry back in 1999.

Thanks.

Goat fleas?

Theona — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:43:56 GMT

My goats spend a lot of time itching. Is it possible they have fleas? If they do, how do you get rid of them?

Birds everywere!!

blackhog — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:50:41 GMT

It has been a while since I posted, or even logged in. Any ways My silkies are the silliest of the flock. Infact my flock has been altered a bit.

I lost one hen, got two new (cochin hens) that are black, got two americauna peeps, and now I'm not only raising chickens, but ducklings as well now.(And they are cuter than a button. I have a polish Cockrel and I entered my pullet in the county fair.(She got second)

My grey silkie is really pudgy now too..XD

Poor Horse

ozark_jewels — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:36:38 GMT

We picked up a new horse two weeks ago. We had a vet look Sunny over before bringing her home to make sure there was no underlying problem for her condition. Nope, just starvation. I really think the vet thought I was spinning him a tale because he kept looking at the horse and then shooting me dirty looks.......no, it was not MY vet!
I do not understand how anyone can let an animal under their care get into such bad shape as this poor girl is.
Here she is the day we unloaded her and she met our gelding, Cappy.

She is a real sweetheart and after being wormed and turned out, is looking a little better too me....don't *think* its my imagination. I don't expect her to put on weight fast, but her hair is starting to look better.

Here is her new best buddy, Cappy the gentle giant.

I look forward to riding all these backroads when she gets into shape. I could ride Cappy now but he and I hate riding alone.....

My first farrowing experience

mystnd — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:34:51 GMT

Ok...so in response to the requests that there hasn't been much new lately, I thought I would share my American Guinnea Hog's (and my) first pregnancy experience. I got my 3 girls and a boar at Thanksgiving last year. The girls (Pru, Piper and Phoebe) were 12 weeks old and Bosephus was 8 weeks. I drove to Wisconsin for them and had a ten hour drive home with them in the back of the truck. They did just fine. Guinnea Hogs are listed as rare breeds with ALBC and part of the reason for breeding them is to increase the population of them. They are a land race breed known as easy keepers, very social and not as large as commercial hogs. They are about 1 pound at birth and the breed website describes them as soda pop bottles with legs which is pretty accurate. They are supposed to get to about 200 pounds in a couple years and are said to be delicious. They are a lard hog and are definately THE OTHER RED MEAT.

At any rate, they spent the rest of the winter in the barn and I didn't have a way to get them outside. The standard advice is: don't let them get fat or they won't breed!! Well, I think they got too fat inside and they didn't get pregnant as soon as I expected. I also think they may have been pregnant once and miscarried soon into it but I'm not sure. I spent the summer trying to figure out whether they were just fat (as my brother kept telling me) or pregnant. I eventually decided that they had to be pregnant since it was very obvious that the girls (who have always been bigger than Bosephus) were much fatter than he was. My first clear sign that I was right was when their udders "dropped" even before they filled out with milk. Their vulvas were a bit dilated but not as much as I would have expected. I found a Storey magazine that talked about both respirations increasing and temps increasing about 72 hours before birth. Well, I wasn't interested in checking temps but I was able to notice that Pru (my biggest mommie) was really increasing her rate of breathing and that she would waddle out a bit and then lay down. This was potentially a red herring as we had unseasonably warm temps for the last 3 weeks before they gave birth.

Well, I knew it should be soon but on Sunday morning when I arrived, she had 8 active, cleaned up little piggies. There was one large piglet that was dead and a much smaller one that didn't make it out of the after birth. My LGD cleaned up everything. Pru made a nice big nest and I noticed she fed them outside of it. I put up a heat lamp just in case, but it was still warm and they have rarely used it. Sometime after two weeks one of them "disappeared"...I'm guessing it died and the LGD disposed of it.

The next largest girl had hers on Thursday. By the time I got there, she had 6 babies running about although they were obviously smaller. The weather had started to turn cold and got unseasonably cold over the next week. She made her nest in a small shed that had partially blown down and didn't have much straw or much space. I gave her more straw and a heatlamp but within 48 hours she obviously laid on 3 babies. I tried to save one but it just never seemed to be able to get enough nutrition and it only lasted another 12 hours. The other 3 are strong and healthy although smaller.

Mommie #3 had 7 babies about a week later. By then it was 20 at night (about 20 degrees colder than it should have been) and wet. She made a very small nest in deep straw. She lost 2 right after birth and lost all the rest over the next 24 hours. She was the smallest of the sows and the weather was the worst.

They all ate the same feed and they all gained weight at the same rate as their original sizes when I got them so....I believe that my losses were based predominately on the weather change and their inexperience with motherhood and nest building. I am hoping (controlling this is somewhat controlable but not completely) that their next litters will be in May and that weather will be a bit better. I am also planning (now that I know what pregnancy looks like) to confine them in pens before birth. Guinnea hogs aren't supposed to need farrowing crates. There are definately differences in their mothering styles as momma #1 is very observant but not aggressive about it. Momma #2 was much more protective of her 3 after she lost the others. She acted like she might bite me once but thought better of it. She did step on my foot which probably hurt worst.

Since this is "rescue breeding" I am planning to try to sell the best 4 or 5 as breeding stock and the rest as just plain pigs. I know this is really long and congratulations if you've had the patience to read it. Sometimes I've found that if you don't know what to ask, it's hard to know what you don't know so I thought I'd share this in some detail for the other newbies like me. Mary Ann

Medicated Feed Scare

JasonP — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:25:56 GMT

We buy our goat feed from the local coop and our goats do fine on it. Recently they were almost out of feed so I went in to buy a sack of goat ration. They were out of goat ration until the next day, but they had one bag of Show Goat Ration that they would sell me at the regular Goat Ration price since I am a regular customer.
However, after we got it home and fed it once, my son noticed the tag said MEDICATED. He showed it to my wife who read all of it and halfway through the cautions it says "Do not feed to lactating dairy goats." That is the one goat that we grain regularly. She only had one small scoop of the feed before we realized what it said.
The active drug ingredient is Monensin 24 g/ton.
Anyone know about this particular drug and withdrawal times (none are listed, it just says to to feed it to her)? Her production dropped of the day before we fed it to her, so we were just feeding the milk to the cats.

free range chickens

ihenigman2 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:16:53 GMT

i have had a flock (12 hens and two roosters) however i kept them caged up i let them out a few times and they always went back in the coop before sundown ive since moved and had gotten rid of those birds and am planning to get more i was wandering if i just built them a coop to stay in at night and let them out in the day time do they lay their eggs all over the place or do they go back to their nests to do that

weaning and how it is done with different animals

prettypalfrey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:09:39 GMT

I was wondering how animals differ when it comes to the weaning process. I have just recently weaned my mare and foal and realized that it is a tough process, for the horses, my heart and my fencing. Are all animals the same or do some have a harder time with the process.

Chickens quit laying

collyottfarms — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:15:47 GMT

I have about 30 hens that have stopped laying - mixture of sex link, rhode islands and buff orphingtons. Does anyone know why this is - I have 1 or 2 that are molting but not all 30 of them???

Water Trough for piglets

cweick — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:33:01 GMT

P2 is getting two in March/April. They will be at around 6 wks old. How tall should the water trough be for them?

Who out there feeds there pigs milk? How long do you all feed them milk?

raising chickens

amanahan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:31:23 GMT

I'm interested in raising chickens for both eggs and meat. Do you need to keep separate flocks, egg layers and broilers? I don't have any yet, not even a coop but planning for the spring to get rolling on this. Just wondering if I need two coops and two turn out areas. Thanks!

WOOHOO FREE breeding for all my cows!!!

hotrodryder — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:16:35 GMT

Our neighbor had some cows who got into our field this summer and he couldn't get one caught to take back in his own field so we just pastured her for him this summer. I got some panels up Sunday and when I went over to get her in, found his Angus bull in with all our cows. I got them both caught and called him to come get them. When he got here, we loaded the cow and he asked if we would like to keep his bull in with our cows for a while to bred them for keeping the cow all summer. What a great deal for us. We were going to rent a bull but now don't have to spend the cash so now we can use the cash to build a corral to make the handling easier. And the babies will hit the ground at the perfect time for me since I am off summers and can supervise the herd better then. Well worth doing a neighbor a favor.

Need some advise...

sntyson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:02:12 GMT

Who has had success in keeping young pigs in paddocks? I leave the bottom wire off so that the electric doesn't get shorted out on a bush, grass or other misc. stuff. But my 1-2 month old pigs are going up to the pasture and rotto-tilling it up. Any suggestions? Please, Please let me know!

Thanks,

Scott

www.180degreefarm.com

Help - lame ewe!

williams@uplink.net — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:21:06 GMT

This afternoon I noticed my son's best mother ewe is limping badly. The joint just above the hoof (fetlock area) seems swollen, though it's hard to tell in the mud and snow. I wasn't able to catch her by myself (my son is down with the flu so no help), and didn't want to run her around too much. When I leave her alone, the digs into the hay like nothing is wrong and holds her leg tiptoe to keep weight off it. When she runs, she uses it though.

I can catch her at tonight's feeding, but what should I do then? Beyond looking for an obvious injury, what else? Do I check for heat in the joint? What does that tell me? Should she be taken out of the ewe/ram pen and put into the pen with the ewe lambs so the ram is not chasing her - or should she be put completely on stall rest? Should I try to wrap the joint to support it? Do sheep benefit from Bute like horses do? Do I just wait and see if it goes away? How long do I wait before calling the vet or sending her to the butcher (hope not, she''s a great mother and only 4-5 yrs old)

I seem to recall one of these ewes limping briefly back earlier in the year, but it went away on its own - could this be foot rot or scald? I've never had foot problems. I added a new ram to the pen five days ago and he immediately showed interest in this ewe. Could he have hurt her by herding or mounting her? Could he have brought foot rot? But he's fit as a fiddle and came from a well-respected sheep farm nearby.

For a horse, I'd check the joint, bring her into the stall and give her some Bute for pain, and maybe wrap it to provide some support. but I have no idea what to do with a very lame ewe - please help if you have advice.

Thanks!

Foot rot or shelly hoof?

williams@uplink.net — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:31:20 GMT

Ok, I've taken a breath and examined the ewe. She's in the hospital stall on bare plywood to prevent bedding from packing up in the hoof. I've spent a lot of time onthe internet looking at descriptions and photos of foot problems and treatements, but I'm still confused about what I have.

There is a dry cavity between the soft tissue and the hoof wall on the outer edge of the hoof - both front feet. There is no moisture coming from it and no smell. At first I panicked and thought Hoof Rot, but now I'm wondering if it's Shelly Hoof? I can find pics of HR on the web, but no pics of shelly hoof, just written descriptions.

I have soaked her feet in soapy water, cleaned the cavities, trimmed hooves, and filled the cavities with copper napthanate (a thrush treatment for horses - it's all I had on hand this weekend). I have her confined to plywood flooring and away from other sheep.

How long before I should see improvement if it's shelly hoof? I know foot rot would require more aggressive treatment, but how do I tell between these two conditions? (The crease between the toes looks normal, not red, or hot, or white curds - this is what makes me think it's just shelly hoof). Any advice? Please?

Is there some sheep discussion group where I should be asking these questions?

P2's Awards at the 2009 Fair

cweick — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:14:14 GMT

Artwork 1980's House. It's hard to see the house in this photo.

small Chicken flocks, Economicaly viable alternative for eggs??

Ze Stallion — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:45:20 GMT

Hello all,
I am a new farmer in Missouri. It is a long ways to the nearest town to go get some groceries so I am brain storming Ideas to cut that time&money waster. We are so hard on eggs that we are always running out and I like my fried eggs breakfast. So a friend suggested I get some chickens, as all farms had chickens or so she said.
I got the impression she was not a farmer at all so I am looking this one over real good. I know of a few farms which have chickens (about 2-3 dozen) so I think there must be a way to make them economically viable alternative to a half hour dirt road drive then a 15 minute highway drive just to get some more eggs. Not to mention all that gas im burning.
So what are your secrets? how do you keep chickens and make them at least cut costs around the farm? and occasionally bring in a profit or 2 because I just can not figure out how.
They allways seem to cost more to keep about 1 dozen reg. chickens than it is to go with the supper market route.

P.S. I am just a poor farmer who has to watch his budget carefully. I am just trying to cut some pork no offense to those who rear pigs.

P2 Big Choice - Pic included

cweick — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:12:45 GMT

P2 wants to put a dz of the green in his name and he wants me to put a dz of his brown in under my name in the adult division.

After Sunday the girls can take a rest......

If we don't place we'll try again next year. P2 is looking for a white egg laying chicken that isn't all white like Dovey. Any suggestions?

Araucanas

LadyDi — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:13:08 GMT

I"ve had chickens for about 5 years now and most start laying at 16-18 weeks. However I have araucanas this year for the first time and have only seen a few eggs..these were hatched the middle of April and the other breeds in the coop have been laying since Labor Day. Are these slow to lay or is there a problem???

Footrot: University Vaccination Experiment

Drawbar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:45:19 GMT

I sent an email to the State Ag Dept on my ongoing footrot issue. Its been plaguing my sheep now since May and does not seem to be going away. The one person I gave a Courtesy Copy of the email too was the only one that responded. She is the University of Maine Professor for Animal Science.

After a series of emails all day, she wants to come out to the farm and start a vaccination program on trying to start footrot resistant flocks of sheep in this state. I said I would be willing to participate. My sheep farm is big enough now so that I can be a closed flock with the exception of adding a ram for breeding now and then, and no longer have to depend on purchased sheep to grow in number.

Overall I think it would be good for my flock, as well as for others in the state if they can find the right kind of vaccinations to stop this issue. As is I am part of the USDA Voluntary Scrapie Program, am fully compliant with NAIS, and am a USDA recognized farm so I am used to having vets out all the time. I realize it may not be a program everyone would like, but I think its good to try to improve the genetics of ones flock.

Deer corn for chickens

mn454 — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:46:08 GMT

Is it ok to feed deer corn to chickens? I saw some at local walmart that was apple sent or tast. Will it be ok to eat eggs form these chickens?

Frozen Potatoes

mystnd — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:54:37 GMT

Lots of potatoes here are frozen...can you still feed them? Would you have to cook them first? This is for the pigs. I know if they thaw out they'll rot but they may not do that. They would be free. Mary Ann

Heated Waterer for chickens?

LeandraCat — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:46:15 GMT

Hi there! We have a flock of about 30-35 chickens and live in Northern NJ.

My husband is wanting to purchase a heated Waterer or something like that. Any suggestions?

There is one that he found, which got a TERRIBLE review on Amazon. It's plastic, 3-gallons, 100-watts.

Thank you!

Julia

Pork Tracker

cweick — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:35:33 GMT

Has any one ever used this brand of pig food? How do you like it?