Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[satay]

Good morning folks 

CorrieW  the duck house looks like it is coming along nicely!

In general news:

Remember how my sister was fostering an ex racing greyhound until a forever home could be found for him?

Tee hee .. read this on her Facebook page yesterday:

Oh dear, it appears I have "failed" as a foster mum to Freddie. Yep, seems that his forever home is going to be right here with me (and hubby and Amy eventually). Happens all the time apparently, even to the upper echelons at greyhound adoptions. They foster dogs, then can't bear to part with them. Know that feeling. He has settled in so well and is so adorable, affectionate, well mannered, quick to learn, etc, it just doesn't seem right to disrupt his life (or mine) by sending him somewhere else. Even the lady who minded him while I was having my nose job said he was adorable. (She is a foster "fail" too.) I'd have to say, though, of all the things I have failed at, this would have to be the most positive "fail".



Like I didn't see that one coming! LOL   

Yes that would be me too.

 

[Teila]

Hey folks .. I think this is very romantic and cute and was hoping some of you guys n' gals could help out also

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1150571/valentines-day-help#post_18004532

 

[LuckysMum]

Hey folks .. I think this is very romantic and cute and was hoping some of you guys n' gals could help out also

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1150571/valentines-day-help#post_18004532

I will that's so cool. Very romantic. Teila my husband would never do anything romantic. But he is such a good husband and always helping me. So we can't have everything, though a little romance is always good. haha

Its finally raining here. I had Tiger silkie standing under cover of the perch looking at the rain and making a hell of a racket, I don't think she thought it was very nice. But what I do think is funny, the girls are out scratching in the dirt in the rain, but if I put the sprinkler on no matter how gentle they won't go in it.
I went out and told them all to shut up this morning it was the noisiest its ever been and a third of the amount of chooks we use to have. I'm worried the neighbours won't be happy, woken early on a Sunday

 

[LuckysMum]

I was just reading the recent reviews and saw the black stars I really liked the look of them does anyone know if they're available in Australia.
They are a cross but I can't have roosters to do it myself.

 

[sjturner79]

Tiny and two bantams hatched on the same day

 

[LuckysMum]

Tiny and two bantams hatched on the same day

Beautiful. I can't wait till my new eggs hatch. They grow up so quick.

 

[sjturner79]

Beautiful.  I can't wait till my new eggs hatch. They grow up so quick.

I should have babies again in about a week I think. Not sure when I gave cuddles her batch but it got to be around 2 weeks ago.
I actually want the older crew to grow faster so I can be sure which are hens. I'm fairly sure of at least 2 boys though

 

[Anniebee]

Hi, I have been following along as much as I can but you are all so much more experienced than me. I feel I don't have much to add. I have a visual impairment so please excuse me for not addressing everyone individually. I have been busy building a duck house. They aren't ready for it yet but here it is so far. It is slow going with rains and current bad eyes.

Hey there CorrieW ....Yep - A lot of people are more experienced on this thread. Granted.

I have been on here for 4 years now ( wouldn't miss a day if I can help it ) .... and there was no more a newbie, total klutz, kindergarten level chookie owner than me - 4 years back. Can honestly say I would not call myself truly experienced now at all - but whatever I have learned for my chookies benefits has all been from HERE.

For which I thank everyone.

So hang in there - all here are so helpful and friendly. .... AND ... never hesitate to ask questions. You are not obliged to add chicken or duck info, until you are ready to do so. .

So far, your duck house is looking the goods. Will be interested to see the finished product - and pics of your duckies.

Cheers ......

 

[Anniebee]

B
Although the research has never been done I would bet that anything that human can catch off a chicken can be caught by a chicken from a human. Disease vectors usually travel both ways.

Wouldn't be surprised, although there is absolutely nothing on the Net about it. Disease vectors ? - interesting. Mosquitos are bad carriers. Dogs / cats / chickens - not so sure they can transmit to humans ( or each other ).

However, I do know that a thing called "Farmers Lung" can be contracted from mouldy hay, straw, grain etc. .... but that's not directly from chickens - only might be caused by keeping chickens and using those products. I never use hay - as in humid conditions or wrong conditions it can become quickly mouldy.

When cleaning out my chicken coops every few months ( I use the deep litter method and I think you do also ) I always now make sure I wear a mask. Have to use a tomahawk on the impacted woopsies on the floor of the coops - but I know that good microbes have been doing their work and it's all good stuff.

Doesn't stop the dust rising though - and that rises from even just shovelling up wood shavings and woospies ( which I do more often, in the nest box where my two big girls sleep ). It's the coop floor and surrounds that I leave to become 'deep litter', which is the very best fertiliser one could imagine ( or so I've been told by the recipients of it ).

Lots of dust around chicken coops !!

Cheers .....

 

[Anniebee]

Most if not all zoonotic diseases are transmitted from the bird to humans via fecal contamination.
Washing hands before and after handling birds is essential. This is why it's not recommended that children under the age of 6 handle chickens, I guess they estimate that to be the age that personal hygiene kicks in. So the fact that we humans dispose of our waste and wash our hands makes it less likely to work the other way around.

Thanks Fancy ... I had forgotten about keeping cockatiels, canaries, budgies etc.,( and now chookies ) ... certainly any fecal contamination ( cats can = toxoplasmosis ) and the fecal matter from any animal or bird is highly suspect and high level hygiene, should always be observed.

Thank heavens I have a bit of OCD .... about washing hands. I am 'older' ... but my hands look like I am 150 years old - because I wash them so very often. Don't even pat my beautiful Miss Ruby, without washing hands straight away.

I think it comes under the category of 'paranoia' - for which I am truly thankful.

Always wear different 'outdoor' shoes into the chook runs.

You are right about this .... although I doubt that a hen who is sneezing is going to transmit anything to a human. Just sayin'...

Cheers -