"Hi Rachel, if your solution works, could you please post a photo (when you get a chance) so we can see what this new feeding contraption looks like? I would like to try it as well.

:) Liz"

"Yes, we have had a few of those too! So weird, they have little yolks too... The tiny egg came from our hen who regularly lays a normal sized egg, every couple of months she lays a tiny one. Not sure why though."

"Eva- You can get them cheaper online (even after shipping).
Janet- Thanks for the important info!! I plan on suspending mine in a mesh bag (I just took the bowl part off) so the feed will disperse over a wider area and also to help keep away pests.…"

"I also bought one of those $80 auto feeders that you're not supposed to use outdoors. I found out why. The feeder worked perfectly for two days. By the second day, a little critter crawled up the feed chute and chewed off those little rubber…"

"Thank yo for the great idea! I have the same exact same issue and have been in a quandry: Petsmart here i come!"

"I doubt you have to give them scratch, their regular more nutritious food would probably make them be quiet too. You may have to wean them back to that by mixing it in with scratch.
Chickens wake up hungry so unfortunately this time of year they get…"

"can you give them the scratch in their coop and lock it up? Nothing you can do about the noise unfortunately. My hens are right outside the bedroom window, so I know what you mean. It usually only lasts for about 5-10 minutes or so for mine though."

"Thanks so much for all of your quick replies and help! This site and forum is such a benefit, I appreciate it-- thank you thank you!"

"I would clip one of their wings to stop the flying. I have a cover over my duck's pen area to keep out the neighborhood cats. It is made in sections so I can get in easily. It is made of 2x2's and chicken wire, you can see part of it in our pictures…"

"i clipped a wing on ones i had trying that seems to fixed my problem so far"

"Lock the hens in the small cage for 2 weeks before letting them free range. This will teach them where home is."

"Only clip on wing, but be careful not to go too short! Good luck in finding her, but an owl or hawk could indeed carry a small lady off. If they will be unsupervised I would put a cover over them."

"Kristine,

I thought I had lost one of my girls and went into panic mode, searching everywhere, asking neighbors, ect. Turned out that she had found a hidey hole that I didn't know about and was happily watching me run in circles. I hope your girl…"

"Depends on the level of predation in your area. My neighborhood is riddled with predators and varmints so I chose a solid floor. Next time, I'm planning a buried wire barrier with dirt over the top of the wire."