Feel free to contact Fancy Feathers with any questions you have about your poultry!
Q: Why have my hens stopped laying?
A: There are a number of things that can cause a decrease in egg production. Your hens could be getting to old to lay poultry egg production usually starts to decrease around the age of three. The birds could be laying outside of the nestbox which would create a secret stash that you woulnt know about. A predator may be getting the eggs before you can; Snakes and rats are the most common egg thief. Your chickens could be eating their own eggs; Look to see if the hen's faces are matted and or stained yellow. Worms can cause egg production decease as well; You can purchase poultry de-wormer at your local feed store, or if you would rather go natural try pumpkin seeds. Disease may be what the problem is; Make sure your chickens look alert. Bright eyes and tomato red combs and wattles are a sign of good health. Your birds may be molting; Causing a natural decrease in eggs. They will pick up again once they have their new feathers. Stress can also be a factor; For example... A change of coops, sudden changes in weather, or a new addition to the hen house. Egg production should pick up again once the birds have calmed down. And of course winter; With the decrease of sunlight your hen's egg production will decrease as well.
Q: How can I keep my chickens cool in the summer?
A: Make sure that your birds have a shaded spot to rest while they are out foraging. Your birds should always have a source of fresh water; If you are using nipple waterers consider giving then a dish of water on hot days so that they can have easy accessible refreshment. To keep your hens cool you can set out a pan of water for them to stand in. You can also give out healthy snacks like watermelon, cucumber, or tomatoes that will cool off your poultry and keep them hydrated.
Q: What is the best production layer for my flock?
A: If you are looking for the best production layer and do not care about feathers or disposition the White Leghorn is the bird for you. If you are looking for a fun, sweet, backyard breed try Ameraucanas.
Q: Do I need a rooster for my hens to lay?
A: You only need a rooster if you want fertile eggs, hens will lay with or without a rooster.
Q: My poultry are getting frostbite on their combs. What should I do?
A: If your birds are getting frostbite make sure that they are not sleeping alone. Body heat from other chickens is the best way to keep your flock warm. If you have chickens that are getting body heat from others and are still getting frostbite, you still do not need a heater! Rub Vaseline on the areas that are getting frostbite. This will help give your poultry an extra layer of insulation to keep their combs warm. Try not to have a heater in your coop unless it is absolutely necessary. Heaters can start fires, especially if they are surrounded by hay.
Q: What is a PT Paper?
A: A PT Paper is a certificate you receive when you birds are tested negative for Pullorium Typhoid. PT is a rare, infectious disease that can lead to high mortality in poultry. Your birds must be tested negative if you are going to sell, breed, show, transport, or exhibit them in public.
Q: What temperature should my incubator be set at?
A: When hatching chicks your incubator should be set at 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: What is the deference between chick feed and layer feed?
A: Chick feed has a much higher protein percentage; Anywhere from 18% to 24% is common. Layer feed on the other hand as only 14% to 16% protein therefore if you give your hens to much protein (anything over 17%) you can start to get some plump girls. Whereas this may be considered very cute, in the long run it can cause health problems. Chick starter and chick grower finisher should never be fed to adult birds. Just as layer feed should never be given to young poultry. If chicks are fed feed with too little protein it can effect and harm their growth. If you have a hen hatch chicks, and you need to provide feed for for the little family go ahead and give chick feed. Although this is not ideal for the mother, the chicks will need that extra boost more than the hen won't need it. Since your hen will already be skinny from the long brood, the extra boost in protein will do her no harm.
Q: Can my ducks and chickens mix?
A: There is no real risk of having your poultry mix, but having your chickens and ducks share the same coop is defiantly not recommended. Your ducks will make the floor of the coop damp and muddy. Whereas the ducks will enjoy this kind of environment, the chickens will not. Your chickens will roost on perches at night, but the ducks will sleep on the ground. This will cause your ducks to get pooped on by the roosting chickens. Although both your ducks and chickens will be able to share the same feed, the ducks will moisten the feed until it is the consistency of pudding. This behavior will greatly upset the chickens. All in all, there's no problem with your poultry mixing in the yard, but they really shouldn't share coops.
Q: Why have my hens stopped laying?
A: There are a number of things that can cause a decrease in egg production. Your hens could be getting to old to lay poultry egg production usually starts to decrease around the age of three. The birds could be laying outside of the nestbox which would create a secret stash that you woulnt know about. A predator may be getting the eggs before you can; Snakes and rats are the most common egg thief. Your chickens could be eating their own eggs; Look to see if the hen's faces are matted and or stained yellow. Worms can cause egg production decease as well; You can purchase poultry de-wormer at your local feed store, or if you would rather go natural try pumpkin seeds. Disease may be what the problem is; Make sure your chickens look alert. Bright eyes and tomato red combs and wattles are a sign of good health. Your birds may be molting; Causing a natural decrease in eggs. They will pick up again once they have their new feathers. Stress can also be a factor; For example... A change of coops, sudden changes in weather, or a new addition to the hen house. Egg production should pick up again once the birds have calmed down. And of course winter; With the decrease of sunlight your hen's egg production will decrease as well.
Q: How can I keep my chickens cool in the summer?
A: Make sure that your birds have a shaded spot to rest while they are out foraging. Your birds should always have a source of fresh water; If you are using nipple waterers consider giving then a dish of water on hot days so that they can have easy accessible refreshment. To keep your hens cool you can set out a pan of water for them to stand in. You can also give out healthy snacks like watermelon, cucumber, or tomatoes that will cool off your poultry and keep them hydrated.
Q: What is the best production layer for my flock?
A: If you are looking for the best production layer and do not care about feathers or disposition the White Leghorn is the bird for you. If you are looking for a fun, sweet, backyard breed try Ameraucanas.
Q: Do I need a rooster for my hens to lay?
A: You only need a rooster if you want fertile eggs, hens will lay with or without a rooster.
Q: My poultry are getting frostbite on their combs. What should I do?
A: If your birds are getting frostbite make sure that they are not sleeping alone. Body heat from other chickens is the best way to keep your flock warm. If you have chickens that are getting body heat from others and are still getting frostbite, you still do not need a heater! Rub Vaseline on the areas that are getting frostbite. This will help give your poultry an extra layer of insulation to keep their combs warm. Try not to have a heater in your coop unless it is absolutely necessary. Heaters can start fires, especially if they are surrounded by hay.
Q: What is a PT Paper?
A: A PT Paper is a certificate you receive when you birds are tested negative for Pullorium Typhoid. PT is a rare, infectious disease that can lead to high mortality in poultry. Your birds must be tested negative if you are going to sell, breed, show, transport, or exhibit them in public.
Q: What temperature should my incubator be set at?
A: When hatching chicks your incubator should be set at 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: What is the deference between chick feed and layer feed?
A: Chick feed has a much higher protein percentage; Anywhere from 18% to 24% is common. Layer feed on the other hand as only 14% to 16% protein therefore if you give your hens to much protein (anything over 17%) you can start to get some plump girls. Whereas this may be considered very cute, in the long run it can cause health problems. Chick starter and chick grower finisher should never be fed to adult birds. Just as layer feed should never be given to young poultry. If chicks are fed feed with too little protein it can effect and harm their growth. If you have a hen hatch chicks, and you need to provide feed for for the little family go ahead and give chick feed. Although this is not ideal for the mother, the chicks will need that extra boost more than the hen won't need it. Since your hen will already be skinny from the long brood, the extra boost in protein will do her no harm.
Q: Can my ducks and chickens mix?
A: There is no real risk of having your poultry mix, but having your chickens and ducks share the same coop is defiantly not recommended. Your ducks will make the floor of the coop damp and muddy. Whereas the ducks will enjoy this kind of environment, the chickens will not. Your chickens will roost on perches at night, but the ducks will sleep on the ground. This will cause your ducks to get pooped on by the roosting chickens. Although both your ducks and chickens will be able to share the same feed, the ducks will moisten the feed until it is the consistency of pudding. This behavior will greatly upset the chickens. All in all, there's no problem with your poultry mixing in the yard, but they really shouldn't share coops.
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