Digging hen
I have let a broody hen hatch her eggs. I have her and her 5 chicks in a separate coop away from the main flock. All 6 seem to be fine but Momma Hen is digging for their feed and burying both the feeders of her scratch and their medicated chick starter along with filling their waterers with dirt, leaves, and twigs. I don’t know what she is finding that they are all living on and I have no idea why she suddenly does not see trays of food as something to eat. I have taken to just pouring the feed onto the ground and hoping they find it. Can you explain this behavior? And is there anything I should be doing differently.
Erica Kardelis
Helper, Utah
This is a normal behavior for chickens, especially hens with chicks. But sometimes, like with your momma hen, it gets kind of carried away. If they had a larger coop or a small run attached to their coop it would be easier to keep their feed and water further away from her digging areas. You might try laying down a piece of plywood or OSB to place the feed and water containers on so she can’t get as close to them when she digs. Other than that, just keep the water container as clean as possible until they can go out with the flock. — Jackie
Saving strawberry plants for next year
I was given 40 Ozark Beauty strawberry plants which are still in the package. I live in south Florida where it is already too hot to grow anything and the summer rains will be here soon. Is there any way to save them for planting next year in February or March. The commercial growers just throw old ones out and start over every year but I can’t bring myself to waste these if they can be saved.
Peg
Naples, Florida
I hear you, Peg! I can’t waste anything without extreme guilt. What you might try is planting them in a double row, close together, in the semi-shade and where you can water them as needed. Mulch them well with straw to keep their roots cool and see if you can’t save them. Hey, you have nothing to lose, right? — Jackie
