Surviving Minnesota!

Ralphie, it is so good of you to offer a chicken coop cleaning apprentice program at no charge. I would surely avail myself of the opportunity if not for previous commitments.
It is low 30s this morning near the big lake with a few rain drops. Better weather can not be far off?
All of you who are tending to chicks are to be commended for your dedication. I have long ago passed into the land of the lazy chicken keepers who do not deal with these tasks until real spring weather is in full force.
It will be interesting to learn if Bert Jr. is soon able to produce any fertility with his partners.
 
Ralphie, it is so good of you to offer a chicken coop cleaning apprentice program at no charge. I would surely avail myself of the opportunity if not for previous commitments.
It is low 30s this morning near the big lake with a few rain drops. Better weather can not be far off?
All of you who are tending to chicks are to be commended for your dedication. I have long ago passed into the land of the lazy chicken keepers who do not deal with these tasks until real spring weather is in full force.
It will be interesting to learn if Bert Jr. is soon able to produce any fertility with his partners.

I am hoping he will become fertile as spring approaches. I have been letting them out of the breeding pens to wander about also, thinking the activity might help. It is a pain to let them out because I have to keep all the other birds locked up. I only allow one group of birds out at a time just to maintain breed integrity.

Also I only have 2 of the hens laying eggs at this time, one CX and Bertha the CX rainbow cross.

I have resisted putting them with Ed for the same reason, I am being optimistic they will breed.

I let King George out today with the British gals, around noon I will run them in and let out the layers. .
 
Howdy!! Welcome!!

Are you buying from breeders or hatcheries? Are there certain egg colors you are looking for? Someone @Cluckies I think has a fantastic post on wintering birds here in MN. And great info on what to keep in your first aid kit for poultry. Maybe she will chime in soon and repost it for us. :)

You will find that we encourage you to get many birds of all kinds. We are enablers here!! I am still learning the ways of chickening in winter as this is only my second but I can tell you ventilation is key!!! I know I am not much help but there are many here that have been doing this for many years and have lots of good advice. If you have a question ask it. There are no dumb questions!!
Although research on this site says buy from a breeder for docile temperment...we may end up with hatchery for first group of chicks. I am "uber" interested in the first aid kit for poultry as my only experience with chickens is with meaty birds. As far as egg color is concerned.....as long as the yolk is yellow and egg is edible works for us.

How well do Barred Plymouth Rock and Buff Orpingtons get along? These are the top 2 choices from the kids for 4H? Any recommendations on docile rooster?
 
The only things in my chicken medicine chest is some sulmet (probably expired ) and a hatchet . I use the hatchet for most problems . Sometimes have blood stop powder on hand .
 
I don't have the medicine chest most people have. I do have a few things.

Most of my hospital stuff is done by my wife. SHe has a car full of medical stuff, so I force her to pilfer (her work supplies) to fix my chickens when need be...




Although research on this site says buy from a breeder for docile temperment...we may end up with hatchery for first group of chicks. I am "uber" interested in the first aid kit for poultry as my only experience with chickens is with meaty birds. As far as egg color is concerned.....as long as the yolk is yellow and egg is edible works for us.

How well do Barred Plymouth Rock and Buff Orpingtons get along? These are the top 2 choices from the kids for 4H? Any recommendations on docile rooster?


A docile rooster is two parts, breeding and environment. The biggest thing you can do is make sure the rooster knows you are ahead of it on the pecking order. Little things like walking through them instead of around them. Touching them when they do not want to be touched. Holding them if you have to and holding there head down with your hand. I have never had a mean rooster other than King George who is not mean just a PITA with his attitude. He has never attacked me but I do not trust him around my grandkids.
 
Although research on this site says buy from a breeder for docile temperment...we may end up with hatchery for first group of chicks. I am "uber" interested in the first aid kit for poultry as my only experience with chickens is with meaty birds. As far as egg color is concerned.....as long as the yolk is yellow and egg is edible works for us.

How well do Barred Plymouth Rock and Buff Orpingtons get along? These are the top 2 choices from the kids for 4H? Any recommendations on docile rooster?



When are you planning to get chickens? How many? I have hatchery quality Black Australorps , Easter eggers, and Speckled Sussex. Hopefully I can upgrade to show birds for next years hatch.

I have good quality Cream legbars and Partridge Chanticlers, And if you want turkeys and Guineas I have them too. I will be hatching until mid June.


With luck I will have my NPIP in mid March.
 
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LL
So is this a toad egg .
 
Quote:
I just got Two Barred Rocks - a Roo and a Hen - last Autumn. Beautiful Roo and he is kind to me, very protective of all his hens. Protects them, rounds them up, talks to them and is obvious he is telling them what to do. His name is Tom Hanks. The hen, Gilda Radner, talks and talks and talks. She always has a story to tell me and complains about everyone of the other hens. Gilda is a good layer. And personable. Neither was socialized when I bought them so there was a learning curve but they learned fast.
 
I just got Two Barred Rocks - a Roo and a Hen - last Autumn. Beautiful Roo and he is kind to me, very protective of all his hens. Protects them, rounds them up, talks to them and is obvious he is telling them what to do. His name is Tom Hanks. The hen, Gilda Radner, talks and talks and talks. She always has a story to tell me and complains about everyone of the other hens. Gilda is a good layer. And personable. Neither was socialized when I bought them so there was a learning curve but they learned fast.


I have one barred rock, Pocahontas, she is a sweet heart too.
 

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