u/homesteadingwithlove — reddlx

▲ 8 r/poultry+2 crossposts

Please tell me there’s an easier way to get chickens in/out of the coop

Need advice because I cannot keep doing this in this Alabama heat 😂🥵
We just moved my girls into their new coop/run and they have not figured out the routine yet. At night I’m trying to get everybody from the run into the coop, and in the morning some of them act like the ramp/stairs are a death trap and refuse to come down into the run.
I’ve tried mealworms/treats on the steps, calling them, giving them time, etc. Some get it and some absolutely do not. They’re still young and this is all brand new to them, so I know there’s probably a learning curve — but I am literally outside dripping sweat trying to herd chickens. 😭
For those of you with raised coops/ramps:
What was the easiest way you taught them to go into the coop at night and come down into the run in the morning?
Did you physically put them in/out for a few days? Use treats? Let them figure it out completely on their own? And about how many days did it take before everyone understood the routine?
Any tricks are VERY appreciated because these girls are about to humble me. 😂

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u/homesteadingwithlove — 3 days ago

▲ 5 r/Homesteading+1 crossposts

Bullying help

I received a new group of day-old chicks today from Meyer Hatchery, and my Opal Legbar is being extremely aggressive toward the others.
This isn’t just an occasional peck. She is repeatedly going after the other chicks, pecking them on the head and grabbing/pulling their down. She especially started targeting one particular chick, and I got worried she was going to injure her.
I separated the Opal into her own brooder for now. She has her own heat plate at the correct height, chick starter, electrolyte water, and clean bedding. She’s also right next to the other chicks so she can see/hear them, but she is very upset about being separated and is chirping/contact-calling constantly.
I obviously don’t want her alone long-term, but I also can’t put her back and let her hurt another chick.
Has anyone dealt with a chick this young being this aggressive? Did temporary separation actually help? How long did you separate them before trying again? And how did you know when it was safe to reintroduce the aggressive chick?
I’d especially love to hear from anyone who had a chick behave like this immediately after shipping and whether they eventually settled down and integrated normally. I’m worried about both the chicks she’s attacking and her being stressed by herself.

u/homesteadingwithlove — 8 days ago

▲ 14 r/poultry+1 crossposts

What do you do if a “pullet” turns out to be a rooster and you absolutely can’t keep roosters?

Hi everyone! First-time chicken owner here and I have 7 chicks coming from Meyer Hatchery on June 23. I ordered all females because I absolutely cannot have a rooster where I live.

I know hatcheries are usually pretty accurate, but I also know mistakes happen sometimes, so I’m just trying to think ahead and have a backup plan instead of panicking later if it happens.

I’m getting a Wheaten Olive Egger, Opal Legbar, Lavender Ameraucana, Cream Legbar, Black Copper Marans, Buff Orpington, and Silver Laced Wyandotte.

For those of you who have actually dealt with this, what did you do if one of your “pullets” turned out to be a rooster and keeping him wasn’t an option at all? Were you able to rehome him easily? Did the hatchery offer any kind of replacement? Did a local farm or feed store take him?

I know the chances are probably low, but I’d honestly be attached by then, so I just want to know what people realistically do in that situation because “just get rid of it” sounds a lot easier than it probably is.

Would love to hear real experiences!

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u/homesteadingwithlove — 3 months ago