Southern NY, Dutchess county and below - Page 302

Thanks.  Bobby has a knack for building anything.  He grumbles a lot, but I know he enjoys the challenge. 

Yesterday I let the girls into the garden space.  They had a ball scratching around in the soft dirt looking for worms, etc.  And now my garden is beautifully turned and aerated.  I bought seeds for kale and lettuce and spinach for them.  I'm going to plant some in window boxes under the front windows in the coop so they have their own private stash.

It's extremely windy this morning and the girls are picking up the quince blossom petals that are flying around.  That ought to keep them busy for awhile!  My new composter is next to the fence where the quince bush (it's a monster) grows, so they've been sitting up on top of the composter picking at the bush.  Except that Gladys went over the fence into the front yard and then freaked out when the neighbor's dog started barking.  Gonna have to keep them off the top of the composter, I guess.  It's always something...

Lavender Orpington hatching eggs are due to arrive today.  The incubator is all set up and waiting.  And Auntie Roberta has given me her expert advice.  Fingers crossed everyone.  Think hens.

Happy Easter everyone! Hope you had a great one! Suzanne, that coops looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!

When are the chicks coming again? Mrs. C is def broody but only for like a day now, wondering if she'd accept the chicks so soon after going into broody mode. Broodies are so funny! She's growling at me. Be prepared for it with your buff orp, they love going broody. Though, only three of my original eight ever did it.

wish Mrs. C was broody for longer, wonder if she'd accept the chicks with just a week of broodiness under her belt? I hope so!

Are you buying chick starter for them? Should we split a bag?

If Rhonda stays on the nest for days, she could be broody.

I crush up eggs shells too. My hens got all the grass we just removed from our front lawn to make room for a picket fence and arbor. That has kept them busy for a few days so far. We never use pesticides or fertilizer so that should serve as a great treat! Tons of worms, grubs and other goodies in there. Never tried flaxseed, we have some here though. Maybe in the winter when greens and other stuff is scarce.

I got chick starter.  Brooding box is in place.  Just need to add the shavings, etc.

My eggs are due to arrive any minute.  I just saw the mail truck in the neighborhood. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by smkchick 


The blanket is actually crocheted. I know how to knit and purl, but not how to put those two things together! I can't do ribbing, etc. My grandmother taught me both, but I never got good at knitting. I thought about taking lessons through adult ed or something. You know, in my spare time.
The eggs arrived and are "settling" on the dining room table. I'm such a yutz. I put them in the incubator right away. Good thing I texted Roberta! She explained that they have to sit for a day. Works out better that way. I want to take the day off when they hatch and Tuesday is better than Monday.
Spent some time working on the insulation in the coop. Nap time!

So exciting! I set up the lamp over the brooder box today and turned it on with the thermometer to check the temp. The girls filled up the feeder and the waterer and put marbles in the water dish. I can't believe it's this week, yikes! Crap, I am going to have zero time between bringing home the puppy and putting the newbies outside. The weather better heat up fast is all I can say. Either that or they're just going to be roommates for a few days in the spare bedroom. Boy is that going to smell delightful!

Quote:

Originally Posted by smkchick 


Chicks should be here Thursday. I'm taking off from work to pick them up. I have like 50 sick days to use. I won't get paid for them, so what the heck? What are they gonna do, fire me?
My EE, Rhonda, growls at me when I take eggs out from under her. And Agatha has the loudest and longest egg song ever! She goes on and on and on. I've taken to throwing cheerios out the back door to shut her up. So now she's probably doing it for the treats!
I've been crushing up used eggshells and giving it back to the girls. Yesterday I added some flax seed. I read in Storey's that flax seed makes better eggs.

I put ground flax seed meal into oatmeal when I cook it. Sometimes you can hide it in a smoothie too. I was going to give it to the chickens but I thought might as well go the direct route. I found a big container in Marshall's for cheap. Their "gourmet" section has all kinds of interesting stuff. So addicted to Home Goods, bad bad bad!

Ruthie doesn't do the egg song but whenever she sees me in the yard she starts yapping to let her out. I think she thinks I'm only coming out there to let them free-range. So far only my EE makes an egg song, interestingly enough. There was something big and black hovering in the sky, maybe a turkey vulture, and they started in on their danger! rumbling noise this morning when the girls were out with me, so no letting them out until I'm out there with them.

florida, day 4, just managed to get on BYC....... i am loving it down here, just wondering if it was worth the 10 days without the presence of my birds, and worth the money to have somebody feed them... i guess time will tell!