➡I accidentally bought Balut eggs: 2 live ducks! Now a Chat Thread!

[Tesumph]

I've been absent for a while! I've missed you guys! @KikisGirls this is hilarious but I have to tell you! When I was in San Antonio a lady we met said she was from Houston and a lot of people she knew there had moved there from Louisiana. I happily chimed in, "oh yeah one of my friends moved there from Louisiana. family looked at me like "who???" So I say "well she's someone I met online!" I died inside!

Every time I laugh about something on here and the Ginger asks what’s so funny, I have to explain by sheepishly mumbling about “my online friends...”

 

[Tesumph]

Off topic but, does anyone have any experience using hay as deep litter?
I know it molds and I know it tends to become a matted poop carpet. But.. it’s already in the run, it is what it is and I’m wondering how to prevent problems early on. I don’t know where to get “aged wood chips” in bulk. Would a bit of leaves and pine needles mixed in help at all?

 

[BantyChooks]

Off topic but, does anyone have any experience using hay as deep litter?
I know it molds and I know it tends to become a matted poop carpet. But.. it’s already in the run, it is what it is and I’m wondering how to prevent problems early on. I don’t know where to get “aged wood chips” in bulk. Would a bit of leaves and pine needles mixed in help at all?

Yes, mix it and keep it from matting. Should work if you do that. How much is in there?

 

[NanaKat]

Based on similar diseases, it is theoretically possible, but I can’t find a single case of it so I would confidently say no. There’s already a couple threads on BYC about it but who knows.

I am finding a lot about how dangerous the leaky marek’s vaccine is, though. Yikes!
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/tthis-chicken-vaccine-makes-virus-dangerous

Another example of vaccine problems. Leaky vaccine, hot virus...deadly outcome. I don't vaccinate for Marek's. With bio-security measures, I have been lucky.

Catahoula weiner dog mix. Ya. That happened apparently.

Momma had to be the Catahoula. She was stump broke...laid down to be bred by the dachshund. Years ago our Chihuahua male bred our Basset hound.

Daddy was the weiner.

See how it happens!

 

[Tesumph]

Yes, mix it and keep it from matting. Should work if you do that. How much is in there?

A lot. It’s a 20x60ft area, the hay averages about 1-1.5 feet deep and it’s pretty compacted.
I know, it was maybe pretty stupid.. the more I think about it the stupider I feel. My in-laws gave me the bale for free and I needed a cheap way to build the low run’s ground up fast. Mud and flooding was a big issue last time.

 

[BantyChooks]

A lot. It’s a 20x60ft area, the hay averages about 1-1.5 feet deep and it’s pretty compacted.
I know, it was maybe pretty stupid.. the more I think about it the stupider I feel. My in-laws gave me the bale for free and I needed a cheap way to build the low run’s ground up fast. Mud and flooding was a big issue last time.
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Oh my. Hm... I'd go find somewhere in the woods with a thick leaf or pine needle mat, rake a bunch up, let it try in the sun (because it's usually soaking wet) and then mix it in. Dump the old bedding in there too, if you use shavings. Dirt, branches, whatever you can find. I really like leaves.

 

[Kiki]

Off topic but, does anyone have any experience using hay as deep litter?
I know it molds and I know it tends to become a matted poop carpet. But.. it’s already in the run, it is what it is and I’m wondering how to prevent problems early on. I don’t know where to get “aged wood chips” in bulk. Would a bit of leaves and pine needles mixed in help at all?

Yes! Mix as many things as you can in. I would probably turn it often for now too.

 

[Tesumph]

Oh my. Hm... I'd go find somewhere in the woods with a thick leaf or pine needle mat, rake a bunch up, let it try in the sun (because it's usually soaking wet) and then mix it in. Dump the old bedding in there too, if you use shavings. Dirt, branches, whatever you can find. I really like leaves.

Will do. The thought of how many garbage bags it’ll take to fill that area is daunting, but I guess I have to start somewhere..
A big tree was just cut down on the property with tons of dead leaves attached, but I’m not sure how to “harvest” the smaller branches and leaves. Hmm.

 

[NanaKat]

Oh, i've always wanted a parrot and a cockatoo!! I fell in love with a pink cockatoo a few years back and one day...I WILL have one!

I used to have Livebirds and Halfmoon parrots. The Halfmoon could talk.

16 out of the 19 eggs are growing!!!
3 quailies and 3 clears.View attachment 1487455 View attachment 1487456 View attachment 1487457 View attachment 1487458 View attachment 1487459 View attachment 1487460

The blue glow in the infertile eggs is from the color of the membrane in the shell. If you are certain they won't develop, use them to experiment with how to remove the spots.
Or hardboil the eggs in a pan of water with some vinegar added. Let the eggs stand in that vinegar water until cool. The vinegar will dissolve the calcium in the shell making it easier to remove.
Then when you are getting your own quail eggs you can make deviled quail eggs or pickle them. My family loved the garlic/onion/jalapeno eggs.

 

[jwyles]

A lot. It’s a 20x60ft area, the hay averages about 1-1.5 feet deep and it’s pretty compacted.
I know, it was maybe pretty stupid.. the more I think about it the stupider I feel. My in-laws gave me the bale for free and I needed a cheap way to build the low run’s ground up fast. Mud and flooding was a big issue last time.
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I don't think this is stupid especially in airy areas that get some sun. Just buy a pitch fork and start turning it regularly.