Do You Have Something To Crow About — April/May 2017

Backyard Poultry Writer in Zambia

“While on a long Sunday drive out to a Zambian village, we passed this little girl, who was selling a chicken. We asked how much, and she said, ‘Two kwacha’

Immediately, we knew that wasn’t right. ‘Two kwacha’ is one of the English phrases first learned by Zambia’s poorest people. K2 equals 20 cents in US coins. People will approach you and ask for 20 cents.

Her adult brother showed up and corrected us that it was K60, about $6 and that he did indeed want to sell the chicken instead of using it for food. So we bought it and brought it to the village, then gave it to the boy and his grandmother that we were there to visit. The grandmother rewarded us with a traditional gratitude dance.” – Marissa Ames while on a trip with She Talks to the World.

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Profit From Chicken Droppings

Cleaning out the henhouse is never a happy time. I do mine about every four months. The way I do it may bring some comfort to your chore.

First of all, I rake up the manure and wood shavings into a pile near the door. I use a short handle shovel as room is tight. I attach two red boards to the henhouse door frame. Then I use a construction grade black trash sack and six clips. I open up the sack and clip the top of it about waist high to the red boards.

This is the same as if another person is holding the bag open as I shovel the manure and wood chips into the construction grade black bag. Be careful not to overfill the black bag. I tried to fill it only half-full. It gets heavy.

I sell to gardeners because it is very rich in nitrogen and excellent for garden use. I charge between $2 to $3, which is another way you can make some money with your chicken hobby. Between eggs for sale, meat on the table, a pet for an older hen and now the leavings on the henhouse floor. This makes the chore quicker, easier, and profitable

Dr. Bob Hollow, California

Mailing Live Animals

I enjoyed the December 2016/January 2017 issue of Backyard Poultry. Ryan Slabaugh mentioned the U.S. Postal Service’s handling of live animals, true, we weren’t set to deal with that very well (I’m retired) but for myself, and some that I worked with, we made every effort to treat the baby chicks passing through humanely. My point, please point out that if someone has no other option than USPS, please make sure the shipper puts your phone number on the box! I used to call. Most people were within 25 miles and could pick them up. On a Saturday or Sunday, this could save 24 hours.

Wayne A. Hise, Virginia

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Naturally Beautiful Easter Eggs

I don’t need to color my eggs for Easter. Beautiful eggs for a beautiful day.

Richard & Patricia Snyder, Tennessee

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Jungle Gym Chicken Run

I made a chicken run from a geodesic dome jungle gym. It’s connected to the coop and my chickens love it. It super easy to make; I just put chicken wire on the triangles and it was done. The structure is very stable so I can hang heavy things on it.

David Vu, California

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A “Thank You” From Wakita And His Girls

Just wanted to thank you folks for putting Wakita and his girls in the February/March 2017 issue of Backyard Poultry. It meant a lot to me and my wife. Thanks so much!

Chet Hedges, Colorado

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Hawk Attack

I first wrote Backyard Poultry in July 2016. I wrote “My Prize Hen.” We started with our first chicks in March, and we are soon coming up on a year. I have learned a lot about chickens since then, and it has been such a joy!

I wanted to share a picture of my Wyandotte, Lacy. She was attacked by a hawk. I was home to hear all the commotion outside and ran to it. My dog Beau, a black lab, chased the hawk off. I quickly brought Lacy inside and tended to her wounds. She was in really bad shape. I sprayed Vetericyn on her and dabbed her with some gauze. Then I applied Neosporin. I gave her a low dose of baby aspirin for pain and inflammation. I originally thought her leg was broken, but she started to put weight on it after only three days.

I still have her inside in a large dog crate. When she heals more I will put the crate out in the coop so she can get reunited with the flock. When I think she is strong enough to ward off any pecking from the other chickens, I will let her out of the cage. Including Lacy,  I have 22 chickens. The picture is from about four days after the attack. I think she is going to be just fine, as long as infection doesn’t set in. So far so good! I hope this letter might help someone else in the same situation and give them hope that a chicken can survive a hawk attack!

Christine Hackett, Tennessee

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