Maine - Page 241

Finished cleaning out the coop today. Now I just have to get some wood posts and more fencing so I can expand the pen. Then it should be all set for the flock, Good thing the chicks aren't due in until the first week of April. By the time they are ready to go outside they should have a large and secure area to reside in.

Also took the horses out for the first ride of the year. My younger gelding, Gosi, did great. He isn't great out by himself but he went all the way to the neighbors without pitching a fit. He was eager to turn around for home but he learned that he does not get his way. I would let him turn and take a few steps towards home and then we would turn and go back the way I wanted to go. Once he figured out that the only way he was going to go home was if he walked and not trotted or tolted he settled down. The other Icelandic, Stefnir, seemed to enjoy getting out. We went all the way to the trail head and back. Even did a bit of cantering. This is the first time in two years that we have gone for a ride since he has has trouble keeping weight on. He's put on some weight and I figured he needed the change of scenery. Didn't hurt that it was also 70 out. :).

Got all my coops cleaned out this weekend so all my girls are happy now. Sorted out some birds into three different coops. Have someone coming this week to pick up 8 chickens so that is nice. Have to make room for all the new babies coming. I also made a new covering for one of the pens so the hawks won't get another bird. I make a net type of thing out of baleing twine. It takes a while to do it but it does work, I have seen the hawk fly down and hit the net and leave. Will be working on building a new coop with 3 breeding pens to get in some pure breeds to try and expand into hatching eggs.

I have 3 runner drakes that I think I need to get rid of, my poor ducks are missing feathers on their heads

I have 5 ducks per drake in my chocolate runners and my cayugas and that was fine but my other flock of fawn/white runners merged so now I have one huge flock and not sure what to do. They are so nice and I couldn't bear for them to be eaten so maybe I will have to make a bachelor pen? has anyone done this with ducks? I have done it with chickens and it only lasts a year or so before someone starts beating up everyone else, will the drakes be ok with just 3 of them if there are no ducks? ideas?

 

 

 

I GOT 2 EGGS TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

me too but I'm disappointed, the shame of having as many chickens as I do and only getting (oops, correction, 3 eggs- sizzle decided to donate)

 

 

here is one of my new girls, she is from my white roo and a blue laced red hen. she has really pretty pale blue lacing on her chest (i say she but I for months thought this was a boy, still have days  I think it's a boy) and like a mauve color on the wings.

really stunning.  and I figure I'll post one of my slickies - i call her pom pom.

lol, I too am shamed that I don't get AT LEAST a dozen eggs a day with the amount of hens I have running around this place. They will all have new coops and nest boxes soon so I better get something back

 

I may have an offer/idea for someone but need to know one thing.....does anyone have bantam orps?

I have orps but not bantams (and hopefully my english orp and 3 marans will be hatching today)
 

 

How does anyone get anythingg done when there are eggs in the incubatot?????? All I have done today is stare at it!!!!!!

does anyone in the china /albion/ unity/palermo area want to save money on poultry feed? i am looking to get a quantity of grain (20+ bags) delivered to my house.

I am looing at pooling  orders and getting a better price. I paid last week $15.59 at TSC for chick starter, (the week before was $14.49.)

 I can get it  and we would share the savings. a 50#bag with the discount is  $12.84  (must buy 400#- that's 8 bags, I will do that myself)

 they charge a $4 delivery fee  so if we get 8 bags or more,it's still a savings.if we can get 40 bags or a pallet of just one kind it's another 25 cents off per bag. if we mix and match, he may still be able to give us some more off the price.

pm me if you need more details. yes you can buy direct from them and still get the discount but if we all put our orders together, we will save up to 50 cents/bag. i don't know about you, but I buy 3 bags every other week of grain right now and my chicks as little, wait til they are more grown up!(and if you only want 2 bags, every little bit helps and saves us money) they do also have other livestock feed so if you have pigs or horses they have that covered too.)

 

Edited by hoppy - 3/19/12 at 11:29am