California - Northern

[Kaylish]

A lot of places in California have water tables that are too low. Basements did not work out well for that, especially in the winter.

True. I had one in town growing up and when it was 110 out I could go down to the basement and relax. I don't think it ever got over 80 on the hottest days down there. Never had a flooding issue either after I built a window for the "vent" to keep the rain out.

 

[ronott1]

True. I had one in town growing up and when it was 110 out I could go down to the basement and relax. I don't think it ever got over 80 on the hottest days down there. Never had a flooding issue either after I built a window for the "vent" to keep the rain out.

Good job!

Basements would be very nice on a hot day.

 

[DoubleMM]

Good job!

Basements would be very nice on a hot day.

I remember as a kid watching Steve McQueen in "The Blob"... couldn't go in the basement for weeks

 

[PetRock]

My pita and trinkets baby are holding out on me. Are your babies from that hatch producing?

Also I've been fermenting whole grains and wonder about my recipe ... Does anyone here make their own mix? And would you share the ratios ? It's truly a pain to try and scroll through the threads for this kind of info:-(

Mine are just starting to lay. When I go into their coop area, they cluster around me taking turns squatting. Yours should be laying soon!

This is a good thread about fermenting feed. It is long but there is all kinds of good info and supportive people. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

 

[PetRock]

Okay, so you guys may remember how I was feeding fermented feed...well it started to smell like dog poop, which I figured was NOT normal/good, so I stopped feeding fermented and went back to regular dry feed. I'd like to try fermented feed again but I want to avoid the same problem....what did I do that made the feed smell so bad? It had that good sourdough-like smell for a while but after that it started to smell nasty and I'm not sure why. I did use ACV with the "mother" in it when I started the batch. The batch I did inside for the baby chicks never smelled bad and I didn't use ACV in it.
I have $35 to my name and have to go buy another bag of chicken feed tomorrow, so I'd like to start fermenting it....Dang chickens using up all my money lol...

I just posted the link for the fermented feed thread that I'm subscribed to. If you check post #16561, Latestarter is talking about dealing with strong smelling fermented feed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds/16560 I used to ferment feed for my flock but t is so hot in my house during the warm months that I started having problems with it going bad/smelling bad. So I stopped fermenting feed and will start up again when it cools down. I may try the method Latestarter uses.

 

[casportpony]

Sigh... way behind again.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Got a call from the taxidermist... he's looking for 6-12 mature roosters or pretty hens to purchase for his next taxidermy class. PM me your contact info if you have something to sell in the $10 each range.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Have to share a couple of photos of the seramas I got from @chiqita

This little guy is going to be a kick in pants when he grows up, er, gets older...

He FREAKS when getting caught but calms right down once you have him in your hands

and this teeny pullet is getting the prettiest feathers

They have the squeakiest cheep

And, of course, one of the shizzles

OMG, those are just way too cute!

-Kathy

 

[ronott1]

I do not have food and water in the coop. All food and water is in a protected space under the coop so I would have to add it if they were locked in. Ill look into that because I may want to do something for this winter. Im going to add a light to the coop in the next day or so maybe that will help.

Check out strombergs. If you have wire, these will work:

http://www.strombergschickens.com/prod_detail_list/watering-cage-cups

poke around on the site--They have others that will attach to the coop.

Water is a problem if it leaks or splashes into the coop.

 

[caychris]

Check out strombergs. If you have wire, these will work:

http://www.strombergschickens.com/prod_detail_list/watering-cage-cups

poke around on the site--They have others that will attach to the coop.

Water is a problem if it leaks or splashes into the coop.

I shuffled them in last night and put a solar light in the coop and boarded off the door. When I looked in on them they were fine. I took the board out this morning and all seems well. I think the light might do the trick they were sleeping closest to it. When I went out to put them in they ducked into the coop so I think locking them in at night for a few days and having a light in the coop will help them.