Feel free to contact Fancy Feathers with any questions you have about your chickens!
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, egg production usually starts to decrease around the age of three. The birds could be laying outside of the nestbox, creating a secret stash that you do not 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. 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 be a factor also, 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 bird has calmed down. And of course, winter, with the decrease of sunlight your hens 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 under 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 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 give out watermelon as a snack that will cool of 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: 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, egg production usually starts to decrease around the age of three. The birds could be laying outside of the nestbox, creating a secret stash that you do not 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. 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 be a factor also, 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 bird has calmed down. And of course, winter, with the decrease of sunlight your hens 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 under 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 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 give out watermelon as a snack that will cool of 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!
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