Recent content by Girl43

Hi. I'm taking my muscovys to "freezer" camp today. Is there a proper way to pick these guys up? I am aware of the inner claw on their legs and such. I've heard that you pick them up by the base of the wings??? I'm not too sure of the technique involved here. Thanks for any advice.

Hi. I have 15 chickens that free range (altho the pickings are pretty scare going into winter here). I also feed four penned heritage turkeys. I am going through a 25kg bag of lay pellets per week. Is this enough, not enough, too much. They are always hungry or so it seems and there is never any...

Thank you for the info. Very much appreciated. I figured they would be a bit unhinged with their new circumstances. I guess patience is a virtue!

Hi. I just bought 10, six-month old RIR "ready-to-lay" pullets a week ago today. I've so far collected four eggs. Is this due to adjustment period or when the say "ready-to-lay" do they mean the laying age or the actual laying behaviour? Thanks!

Thank you very much for such SOUND advice. I have felt their crops in the evenings and they are pretty full. I just needed some reassurance. The thing with the free feeding is that the muscovys are actually pigs in disguise and will sit there and eat until it is gone, unlike the chickens, who...

Hi all. I have a quick question. Here's the warm up first. I have 24 chickens, 24 muscovys (soon to be down to 16) in a couple of weeks. They are all very healthy and free range on 5 acres everyday. I am wondering if I am hitting the mark with feed. Before I let out the chickens, I feed a...

Yeah, I feel the same way...huge relief! I'm waiting for the big "OH my Gosh, you haven't quarantined them for the right amount of time or some such nonsense...I'm sure it is on the way but I'm the girl that allows her turkeys around all the other poultry and haven't had blackhead or anything...

Hi. Well, all is good here with the ongoing chicken intro. After wading through a lot of opinions on a number of topics relating to this issue, I've accomplished what I set out to....a peaceful coexistence with all the birds. Chickens are always interesting and never cease to surprise me...

It is a shame they are so beautiful but have such jerk ("a" word) personalities! I think I'm going to introduce, monitor, and then probably build a separate enclosure for them or the guy. I'm just hoping things work out. I'm TRYING to be an optimist.

I'm hoping for the hand holding and the singing :) If not, I'll keep the houdans in their own little area. Thank you very much!

Well that is certainly good to know. I haven't seen any aggression yet really, maybe a bit but mild. They are separated. You are right tho. I think the Houdan is the more aggressive of the birds. I'm not ready to put them together yet but I'll hang out and monitor. I guess it is just the...

ridiculous

It's comments like this that make me happy that I'm not addicted to this site. I've had chickens and turkey and ducks and the like for EVER and I think I know what I am doing. I have never thrown in a new bird with an established flock. The rooster situation IS new to me but not managing...

Well, I kind of want to chide you for that reply. I like my chickens quite a bit and I don't think "giving them the boot" or whatever is the way to do things. That's a quick solve solution and I'm not ready for it yet. Yes, I do want to work on some lines but obviously not throughout a Nova...

Yes they are quarantined as we speak. I do have them where they can see each other. My GP is in there on the other side of the fence and the MH is more feisty than him but perhaps because he has his two ladies to protect. I'll leave things as they are until I can accurately read the situation. I...