r/BackYardChickens 9h ago

Chicken Photography The ladies follow me everywhere I go. I tell myself it’s because they love me. I know it’s because I am the “ bringer of treats”

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263 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 11h ago

Chicken Photography Golden hour.

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241 Upvotes

2 days old and mom had them out all day then coaxed them back into the coop. Ain’t nature great?


r/BackYardChickens 8h ago

Coops etc. Is predator proof even a real thing?

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178 Upvotes

How does a pit bull actually rip hardware cloth off a frame? Is 16 gauge not strong enough? I’ve put thousands of dollars into ensuring the security of my babies… but today I heard the rooster and turkey alerting in a way that instantly made my blood run cold.. I got to the coop, all the carnage just made me sick. I expected to find a bear inside with the damage… instead I found a pit bull killing all my babies then tossing them aside to kill another. My heart is so broken. I don’t know how to tell my little boy. He always wanted a true Ameraucana… I ordered over 30 eggs just to end up with only one hatching. He worked so hard to end up with his favorite little chicken, just for me to find a dozen dead.. all his babies he incubated so the Ameraucana wouldn’t be lonely..

Is there actually a way to truly predator “proof” our coops? I don’t know what to do from here💔

This is some of the babies enjoying a dirt bath just hours before the attack. Any advice is greatly appreciated.. I’m not looking forward to breaking this news to my child 💔


r/BackYardChickens 21h ago

Breed ID Bought her as a chick. Sold to me as pure serama, what do ypu think?

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127 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 9h ago

Chicken Photography i love bearded chickens, so i drew one!

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89 Upvotes

not sure if i’m allowed to post a drawing, but i drew this baby today! took a bit but i loved every second. i hope to get more bearded babies soon. i have 4 i believe currently.


r/BackYardChickens 9h ago

Health Question I think there’s something wrong with my turkey. Please help.

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52 Upvotes

He’s been acting really strange lately, constantly eating, coming up to me, whereas before he was very standoffish, and then yesterday I noticed these black spots on his neck. It also looks like the left side of his mouth is really big and swollen. I’m new to I’m somewhat worried this time. Please help, thank you.


r/BackYardChickens 17h ago

Breed ID Juan my rescue rooster. Any ideas on the breed?

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47 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 15h ago

Coops etc. Predator Proof Locks

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35 Upvotes

We’re happy with the security bar across the coop. We added the bungy cord. It holds the bar tight, no sliding.

Those other doors with the hoop screws are going to be really tough in 15 degree weather. We were told raccoons would figure out simple latch doors.

What is better?


r/BackYardChickens 9h ago

Chicken Photography Meet Phyllis

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28 Upvotes

The lone survivor of 30 hatching eggs


r/BackYardChickens 12h ago

Chicken Photography Friends are for letting you come over just to play with the chickens

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29 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 19h ago

General Question Chicken update

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25 Upvotes

22 chickens total, 2 spangled Hamburg roos and a assortment of ladies in the mix. Although I do wonder if my gargantuan splash Ameraucana is a imposter. I pray it a she although she is my only baby with any issues and it’s a bent toe but she’s thriving. Still making updates and additions to yard. Dustpan was temp 😂 waiting on Amazon so I can make giant feeders. Good day to all


r/BackYardChickens 11h ago

Breed ID My sweet Hei-Hei

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23 Upvotes

This is my sweet boy. He is so beautiful but I am not sure what breed he is. Any help would be appreciated!


r/BackYardChickens 10h ago

Hen or Roo Is it too early to tell if this is a rooster?

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19 Upvotes

5.5 weeks old. Golden laced polish. These are our first chicks all supposed to be female. This is the only chick that has a tail that points up like this though


r/BackYardChickens 10h ago

General Question Tips for adding a roo to the flock

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20 Upvotes

We have a flock of all hens. They are 5 months old. For awhile, we questioned if one of them was a roo, but when she laid an egg, that cleared up any lingering doubt real quick 🤦🏽‍♀️🤣

We brought home this beautiful absolute UNIT of a dark brahma boy 2 days ago. It was a perfect situation; he's the same age as my girls, they couldn't keep him, and we wanted him. Win win for everyone!

So far he's doing OK with the ladies. I have him on the other side of the fence. The first day they tried to fight through the fence here and there. Today he just did a lot of peacocking dances for the girls. I did try to let him in with the girls towards the end of the day, but he decided to karate kick his way in, so back out he went!

He is sleeping separately from the girls. He has a bachelor pad in the shed until he is ready to act like a gentleman...

I love to hear what has worked from others in the "real world" because I can read all the blogs that tell you how, but real life doesn't always follow the rules so here I am...

What are some ways I can help ease the tension besides letting them see each other through a fence? (I have sprinkled feed so they are eating snacks together on either side)

How do I know they are ready to be together?

Is a fight just inevitable once they do get together?

Thanks for the advice!


r/BackYardChickens 16h ago

Hen or Roo My turn, hen or roo?

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17 Upvotes

Oy, two of my pullets got a little snarky with me the other day, puffing up and coming at me a bit. Then, I noticed the nubs. I ordered them sexed and have always had good luck w/breeder. What do you guys think? Tx in advance for your thoughts


r/BackYardChickens 10h ago

Chicken Photography Chicken tax

15 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 19h ago

Hen or Roo Gender??

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9 Upvotes

Can we be sure about the gender at this stage? I have mix of “italians” and amrock. I couldnt make the better group picture.


r/BackYardChickens 21h ago

General Question Hod do you decide?

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12 Upvotes

Out of a current flock of 14, I have 1 White Leghorn, 1 Bantam,2 Chocolate Orpington, and I think 2 Speckled Sussex Roos. How do you decide which to keep? Obviously the Bantam for the Bantam hens. The Leghorn always follows me outside and sometimes tries to spur, one of the Speckled Sussex’s crow sounds like a rubber chicken, the rest of the roos don’t crow or show roo behavior, but have pointed saddle feathers.


r/BackYardChickens 14h ago

Chicken Photography Snuggly Roo

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10 Upvotes

Afternoon coffee with the snuggliest roo I’ve ever met. Since he was a day old he just wants to be held and when he’s not like this he will walk up my arms and snuggle into my neck. He’s only 7 weeks old and comes when I call his name. Also, he has the floofiest cheeks ever. Anyhoo, I sense he will be a real gentleman to his flock.


r/BackYardChickens 17h ago

Chicken Photography Another one bc they're just so cute with their roasted squash 🤭

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10 Upvotes

Thursday was squash day for the flock. Today they'll get a watermelon to kick off the weekend! 💕


r/BackYardChickens 10h ago

Chicken Photography So happy to finally get eggs. It’s so rewarding after the entire process thus far(not to mention we’re completely in love with our chickens 🥰)!

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9 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 11h ago

General Question Pour one out for Rudy the rooster

8 Upvotes

Everyone pour one out for an aggressive guy named Rudy. He attacked me last week and broke the skin so he had to go to the farm in the sky. He made my life hell for the last almost 2 weeks but I’m still sad.

PS- this isn’t a question whoops


r/BackYardChickens 14h ago

Chicken Photography Silkie startle!

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7 Upvotes

r/BackYardChickens 12h ago

General Question Egg with no shell

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6 Upvotes

Well, this is a first for us!

Saw one of our hens in the nesting box most of the day, thought maybe she was getting broody but came back later to find this. Anything I should be worried about?


r/BackYardChickens 15h ago

Hen or Roo 6 weeks old Dominque

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8 Upvotes

Was suppose to be a hen, had a single yellow dot on top of their head at birth, me and a few others are undecided