No, I don’t have a drake and that’s intentional. My son gets lots of babies and I don’t want to deal with that. The ducks seem to break easier than the chickens. Take their eggs and other than waiting a few days for more eggs that seems to do it. I’ve had broody chickens that sat in empty nests...
Getting eggs regularly from the RIR and Barred Rock. Nothing yet from the EE, hope she lays a colored egg and not brown. Ducks have tried to go broody, but I’ve risked life and limb to steal their eggs.Temps have been lower than 110 and we’ve had a little bit of rain at night, but I still have...
One of the RIR girls died overnight 😔
Also, I found out a mystery illness wiped
out my sons entire flock of chickens including Elvis and Toast. They only have ducks now. This year sucks. It sucks a lot.
I’m so sorry for your losses Shad. Henry did live a long time, pretty amazing really.
I don’t think your project is daft at all. It shows you haven’t lost faith completely 😊 I can understand if it’s diminished though, I have very little myself.
Thank you Renee. I told my husband that when these girls are gone I’m done with chickens. I love em, but I feel a lot of guilt in summer. Ducks are a little more work, but that’s ok.
I would say my ducks handle the heat better. I have seen them pant, but their natural behavior helps cool them off. They make their own mud and are always in the water whereas the chickens aren’t naturally inclined to walk in the water and stuff like that. They have to learn the tricks so to speak.
I went outside at 0400 and it was still warm, I’d guess at least 90. It’s only 0900 and I was sweating just from filling waterers and the pool. There’s wet mash and electrolytes in the fridge for the crew and the ice blocks are ready. Also a fresh battery for their fan for tonight. I think I’m...
Blessed in one way and cursed in another. I guess that’s par for the course. How is your garden though? Doing well? I don’t have one right now, just some Roselle but plan Ni ing for herbs and greens in the cool months.
Lost one of the barred rocks to heat. I knew that was coming, but still a sad day. We are hitting 117 and 118 tomorrow and Thursday respectively. Hoping mud puddles, ice blocks and electrolytes will be enough. Poor chickens are roosting with their wings out and panting 😔 I made lots of mud for...
It is HOT. Daytime temps are 110+ on most days and one of the barred rocks was in a little distress last night. I could see her holding her wings out and she was making some noise. Today I need to water so they’ll have lots of cool mud and I hope they get the hang of the ice pools soon.
Thank you Sue :hugs I expected losses here and there, we have aerial predators too. After no issues for so long I was pretty shocked. I didn’t expect a coyote to go in our yard because of our dogs and that was a dumb assumption.
I honestly thought just the smell of the dogs in the yard might keep them away. I guess smell doesn’t tell anything about size and fighting ability :lol:
Hi Jen, thank you!
I haven’t contacted anyone about them. If they come after me, which I seriously doubt, then there will be a body to collect but that’s about it. And only if chasing it out doesn’t work. Good to know about the rollers work, we’re doing a DIY version when the $$$ permit.