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

[MyHaven]

Wow life got in the way of my BYC'ing and it has taken me a while to catch up again.

Now here's a new glitch for you the iPad app is not letting me bold so you will have to read through to see if I've mentioned you.

LuckysMum - ouch. Out of all injuries I hate the crush the most. I hope your toe comes good quickly a break will keep you off you feet for a while.

Thanks everyone for advice and concern regarding the stray cat. My hand is healing quickly. The tetanus is the most painful now. The stray does look like it is owned - it's coat is in pretty good condition for a long hair. If she does not have a home I doubt my cat could ever accept her. And unlike some peoples mums I'd rather another chook than another cat. The traps for cats and foxes are different but I thought I'd investigate with the local animal aid if they lend cat traps out. I work with a lady who volunteers there so will check with her.

So glad Braxton found his way home. I hope I have the same luck with the cat. Not that I have seen it since Friday night.

Are you kidding Potatochip, take it easy you're a walking danger zone. And people amaze me too. The two guinea pigs I got were rescued from a daycare centre. Now why would you let tiny kids drag poor defenceless animals around. A friends granddaughter goes to a daycare where they have piggies and the kids are permitted to cart them about like dolls. It infuriates me.

Before and after Kiki photo - OMG you'd swear that was a different chicken. Teila I agree that sellers knowingly sell chicks into bad situations. A friend of a friend bought a 1week old chick in winter to replace an adult bird taken by a fox. He put it straight in the coop and run with the big girls and wondered why it was dead in the morning. He felt bad when I explained it to him. He didn't know any better - but why did the produce not ask how it would be kept or provide instruction on what to do. And now that chickens are popular, you see a lot of unsexed chicks on gumtree going into who knows what circumstances.

AB you could never be bad to your chickens. Sometimes they are best alone for their wellbeing as in this case.

Thanks everyone for the congrats on my sons Silkie - which he named Silkie the same as the last one. I thought "can't you come up with another name." He has called other chickens Splash, the same as another of his that was taken by the fox. Someone pointed out it could be his way of coping with the loss, or maybe honouring them. The lady who bred this Silkie told my son that he has to cuddle her every day. So everyday he reminds me, "the lady said I have to cuddle her."

I also "forgot" to mention that I got two (or didn't get). I couldn't introduce one bird to the flock. The other is a buff colour. I also got (didn't get) a tiny frizzle-x-Silkie for $5. It was so messed up I had to bring it home (not bring it home). I think I have a real problem. Lol

LuckysMum what a wonderful family you have, building the coop.

Fizzybelle I recently did my first quail hatch. Supposedly jumbo japs. The eggs were huge (for quail) but the birds have not grown bigger than normal japs. They are taking forever to mature.

Satay my quails are 12 Weeks old now and not laying and not acting like adults. Any ideas?

OMG Fancychooklady your silkies sure are fancy. They are gorgeous. Love the chicks and the pup. Also you are honoured to be a custodian of such a lovely home of wonderful vintage.

And ChookNewby I agree with others that your top perch looks too small/thin meaning your girls can't get a good foot hold. Square boards are ok if the edges are rounded. And maybe more head and front and back room would help.

It seems every one here has mites at the moment except me. (I'm touching wood)

Sneezing, half my flock is sneezing. I've got sulphur powder. Any other suggestions?

Fermented feed, I've been experimenting with Fermenting feed and was wondering if anyone here on this thread does it.

Cheers I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

[LuckysMum]

Teila so glad Braxton got home. If he's been looked after while his owners away maybe he's gone looking for them.

MyHaven also "forgot" to mention that I got two (or didn't get). I couldn't introduce one bird to the flock. The other is a buff colour. I also got (didn't get) a tiny frizzle-x-Silkie for $5. It was so messed up I had to bring it home (not bring it home). I think I have a real problem. Lol
Haha I like the chicks you didn't get. Well done. I might have to go driving and see what I don't get. New to just getting chicks I always used one supplier for my ISA's so I guess I will check gumtree.
The fertile eggs I get are from a friend too.

Bears at it again. Paul put some plastic mesh to stop the ISA's from coming out from under the coop to the path he made, Bear ripped it out last night and was in the run. For some reason he likes to eat their poo. That's why we try so hard to stop him from getting into any of our runs/coops. We didn't have anything stronger at the time so I guess its off to Bunnings to get something stronger.

On the subject of perches and nesting boxes. My ISA's decided when they went into the new coop to sit in the nesting boxes some where on the perches but there was poo in the boxes. So last night Paul blocked off the boxes so they'd perch (its the same wood that they were use to in the old coop), when I got up this morning to check on the girls I thought I'd open the nesting box outer door and pull the wood out so they could use them. LOL there was on hen in there it has squeezed over the top and got in. Must have been determined. While I'm trying to get the wood out another hen is trying to get in the box. They must like Paul's new nesting boxes. That was when I found Bear's handy work.

The sun is shining here today. It's horrible to say when we need to rain so badly, but its nice to see the sun shine and a beautiful blue sky.

I hope everyone has a great day.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Teila   so glad Braxton got home. If he's been looked after while his owners away maybe he's gone looking for them.

MyHaven  also "forgot" to mention that I got two (or didn't get). I couldn't introduce one bird to the flock. The other is a buff colour. I also got (didn't get) a tiny frizzle-x-Silkie for $5. It was so messed up I had to bring it home (not bring it home). I think I have a real problem. Lol
Haha I like the chicks you didn't get. Well done. I might have to go driving and see what I don't get. New to just getting chicks I always used one supplier for my ISA's so I guess I will check gumtree.
The fertile eggs I get are from a friend too.

 
Bears at it again. Paul put some plastic mesh to stop the ISA's from coming out from under the coop to the path he made, Bear ripped it out last night and was in the run. For some reason he likes to eat their poo.  That's why we try so hard to stop him from getting into any of our runs/coops. We didn't have anything stronger at the time so I guess its off to Bunnings to get something stronger.

On the subject of perches and nesting boxes. My ISA's decided when they went into the new coop to sit in the nesting boxes some where on the perches but there was poo in the boxes. So last night Paul blocked off the boxes so they'd perch (its the same wood that they were use to in the old coop), when I got up this morning to check on the girls I thought I'd open the nesting box outer door and pull the wood out so they could use them. LOL there was on hen in there it has squeezed over the top and got in. Must have been determined. While I'm trying to get the wood out another hen is trying to get in the box. They must like Paul's new nesting boxes. That  was when I found Bear's handy work.

 The sun is shining here today. It's horrible to say when we need to rain so badly, but its nice to see the sun shine and a beautiful blue sky.

I hope everyone has a great day.

I try not to worry about where they roost. Some will sleep in the nest boxes during the colder months.
I have a 10 foot ladder on the lean in the silkie coop and that allows them to roost at various heights.
Bushfires all round us here and we too desperately need rain.
Enjoy your day.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Wow life got in the way of my BYC'ing and it has taken me a while to catch up again.

Now here's a new glitch for you the iPad app is not letting me bold so you will have to read through to see if I've mentioned you.

LuckysMum - ouch. Out of all injuries I hate the crush the most. I hope your toe comes good quickly a break will keep you off you feet for a while.

Thanks everyone for advice and concern regarding the stray cat. My hand is healing quickly. The tetanus is the most painful now. The stray does look like it is owned - it's coat is in pretty good condition for a long hair. If she does not have a home I doubt my cat could ever accept her. And unlike some peoples mums I'd rather another chook than another cat. The traps for cats and foxes are different but I thought I'd investigate with the local animal aid if they lend cat traps out. I work with a lady who volunteers there so will check with her.

So glad Braxton found his way home. I hope I have the same luck with the cat. Not that I have seen it since Friday night.

Are you kidding Potatochip, take it easy you're a walking danger zone. And people amaze me too. The two guinea pigs I got were rescued from a daycare centre. Now why would you let tiny kids drag poor defenceless animals around. A friends granddaughter goes to a daycare where they have piggies and the kids are permitted to cart them about like dolls. It infuriates me.

Before and after Kiki photo - OMG you'd swear that was a different chicken. Teila I agree that sellers knowingly sell chicks into bad situations. A friend of a friend bought a 1week old chick in winter to replace an adult bird taken by a fox. He put it straight in the coop and run with the big girls and wondered why it was dead in the morning. He felt bad when I explained it to him. He didn't know any better - but why did the produce not ask how it would be kept or provide instruction on what to do. And now that chickens are popular, you see a lot of unsexed chicks on gumtree going into who knows what circumstances.

AB you could never be bad to your chickens. Sometimes they are best alone for their wellbeing as in this case.

Thanks everyone for the congrats on my sons Silkie - which he named Silkie the same as the last one. I thought "can't you come up with another name." He has called other chickens Splash, the same as another of his that was taken by the fox. Someone pointed out it could be his way of coping with the loss, or maybe honouring them. The lady who bred this Silkie told my son that he has to cuddle her every day. So everyday he reminds me, "the lady said I have to cuddle her."

I also "forgot" to mention that I got two (or didn't get). I couldn't introduce one bird to the flock. The other is a buff colour. I also got (didn't get) a tiny frizzle-x-Silkie for $5. It was so messed up I had to bring it home (not bring it home). I think I have a real problem. Lol

LuckysMum what a wonderful family you have, building the coop.

Fizzybelle I recently did my first quail hatch. Supposedly jumbo japs. The eggs were huge (for quail) but the birds have not grown bigger than normal japs. They are taking forever to mature.

Satay my quails are 12 Weeks old now and not laying and not acting like adults. Any ideas?

OMG Fancychooklady your silkies sure are fancy. They are gorgeous. Love the chicks and the pup. Also you are honoured to be a custodian of such a lovely home of wonderful vintage.

And ChookNewby I agree with others that your top perch looks too small/thin meaning your girls can't get a good foot hold. Square boards are ok if the edges are rounded. And maybe more head and front and back room would help.

It seems every one here has mites at the moment except me. (I'm touching wood)

Sneezing, half my flock is sneezing. I've got sulphur powder. Any other suggestions?

Fermented feed, I've been experimenting with Fermenting feed and was wondering if anyone here on this thread does it.

Cheers I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

Thank you. I do love my silkies. It's taken 17 years to get restore Inlet Farm , when we bought it there were no windows or doors and the cows were living in it.
It is a special place.

 

[Fizzybelle]

Satay, thanks for the pics, it's good to see Fancy!

Well the bantam coop and run area looks like Agnes got into a pillow fight. That's after I spent time yesterday picking up feathers as well, in addition to normal daily cleaning. Mostly Aggies feathers, some are Esme's, which as she's otherwise healthy, would it be right to assume it's a mini moult or even seasonal moult since she's seven months in three days time? (Esme's a purebred pekin, not a crossbreed if that helps too) Agnes has finished a laying cycle so that would be why she's moulting, don't blame her. First cycle and all, but she handled it well, time for some time off. Oh the two of them keep chest bumping lately, a lot. It lasts like 5 seconds, is hilarious, and they forget about it right away, but it's been happening a couple of times a day the past few days. They're the best of friends otherwise.

 

[Chook Newby]

Hello Chook Newby .... I seriously would not worry about whether they are roosting or not. It took my two big girls ( Mandy Welsummer and Molly RIR ) 2 years to learn to roost, and they did that for a whlle in summer, but have returned to their 'nesting box' to scrabble around every night, much clawing and thudding noises, while trying to obtain the most preferred position, to sleep. They ? lay on straw in front of the nesting box. Nesting boxes are not for eggs, only for cuddling and being warm ( according to my two whoppers ).

My little girl Mindy Araucana, however, has never done anything other than roost at night. She would be seriously lost with her roost. However, despite the fact that she has a nesting box of straw, which she regularly kicks out with much annoyance, she prefers to lay on the wood shavings in her coop.

The branch you have higher there, might be a bit too high ? .... while I know they crouch on roosts, they also need a fair amount of head room. As for them piling in on top of one another --- seems that some hens prefer to do that ( I am not sure of it, that's only from my own experience ) .... to be close to their companions and receive the warmth and companionship they need. Why ?

I went scrounging around for some info. as it intrigued me too .... and found this link - it gives some interesting thoughts - both pro and con, about hens roosting, and whether they actually have to roost, at all ..... https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/391114/do-chickens-have-to-roost

Being chooks, they will sort themselves out, and we will never know the hows, whys and wherefores of chook thinking. !!

Cheers ........

Thanks so much Anniebee. After reading a few other responces I am going to find a thicker branch for their roost and Im also going to round off the ones that came with the coop kit and put them higher. They have lots of head room above them as the roof goes up in a large triangle and Ive also moved the branch further into the middle of the coop.

Yes as you can see from the picture mine kick out the straw from the nesting boxes too. Im am also convinced that they eat it and I am constantly refilling the boxes lol

They seem to be contect climbing on top of each other at night and as the weather gets colder Im thinking they will do it more to keep warm.

Well thats my project for the weekend. To make the best home I can for my girls...

 

[Chook Newby]

So, Braxton [yep, I found out his name] who I guessed to be about 2 years old is 18 months old and actually lives on the main road, one street back from us. His owner is overseas at the moment but the flat mate picked him up from the Vet this afternoon .. great news and you never know, I might just see him again one day.

Chook Newby please do not take this as a criticism, it is simply my experience. Dusty used to sleep in the nest box and I let her go but it turns out that she would have preferred to roost. The roost was just not suitable which I found out when we added the second kit coop and she started roosting. While Cilla was 'making do' Dusty apparently was not going to

I agree that your branch falling has probably caused them to lose trust in it and as you rightly point out, some kit coops have the roosts way too low.

Blocking off the nest box is a good idea once you have a suitable roost. My gals have always used a circular roost without issue but then they are bantams.

Tee hee potato chip I love the description of your stray look-a-like

Sorry to hear that your toe is broken LuckysMum

satay I love that Fancy is still partying

lol

No offence taken at all Teila. Im open to any suggestions cause Im still new to my chookies. My weekend plan is 'renovating' the coop and finding some thicker branches for the girls. I am going to secure them so they wont fall also. I would also like to make them a chicken swing to play on

 

[Fancychooklady]

No offence taken at all Teila.  Im open to any suggestions cause Im still new to my chookies.  My weekend plan is 'renovating' the coop and finding some thicker branches for the girls.  I am going to secure them so they wont fall also.  I would also like to make them a chicken swing to play on

Chickens really only know one language FOOD ! I'm quite sure they would prefer a pumpkin.
I dropped a bacon rasher in the pen this morning , one chook grabbed it and ran with everyone in pursuit. Then they played tug of war with it.

 

[User395221]

one chook grabbed it and ran with everyone in pursuit. Then they played tug of war with it.

Only thing they want more than food is food that somebody else has.

 

[LuckysMum]

Thank you. I do love my silkies. It's taken 17 years to get restore Inlet Farm , when we bought it there were no windows or doors and the cows were living in it.
It is a special place.

It looks amazing. Its exactly what I would like. I'm sure your very proud you should be. It must be very time consuming but satisfying.