Are you a student doing this for your own study or is this a study funded by the college? Where do
we find the research protocols/permissions/ethical approvals etc. please?

B******s

he will probably revert to colour when the new feathers are fully grown

YES A GOOD PRICE. BLUE EGGS, LAY EVERY OTHER DAY USUALLY.

Personally I would go for the CLB (we have one) as they are easier to handle and less flighty than the Columbine.

They do need a perch. and Diatom - yes go for it.

Agree about the "science" of mites. Bit of a minefield really.

Yup. Cats, dogs, horses. See this link for more information http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4377040/ which may help you. I have never used Poultry Shield so cannot comment. We use a combination of Smite, weekly plus Permethrin and Diatomaceous earth powder DAILY. I would suggest you remo...

MY advice before getting any more hens is to ensure the safety of any you may get in the future. Is your electric fencing working etc. Is their run secure. Is the fox still around? Can anyone get rid of it for you? I would only ever introduce a minimum of 2. There will be shenanigans while the pecki...

Are they moulting, or having a mini moult? They will go off lay if doing either. Another thing to consider is when they were last wormed and if they need worming again.

Our French Wheaten Maran lays the most beautiful dark brown eggs, but they always seem 'wet' when first laid and all the stuff in the nest boxes sticks to them (we used paper shreddings.) Any idea why her eggs are different from all the other hens we have?

Agree, they go for coloured nails and shiny rings. Try tucking your fingers into a fist shape and approaching her slowly then when she accepts that try a stroke.

Lovely.

Yes, I agree culling is the answer. Culling does seem harsh if you are new to all this palaver, but really it is the only option. I can assure you it is kinder than selling blind to persons unknown who may then pass them on them for fighting. Happened to someone we know. Take a deep breath ..........

Post hacked under feeding header - see treadle feeder advice..

Well last time we increased our flock we had one Spekeldy to see what we think of them as a breed. Well, Freckles is a lovely hen, friendly, very approachable and loves to be picked up. Chatters away to me when I am cleaning in the run in a morning. Lays lovely darkish eggs. I think we shall certain...