California - Northern

[PetRock]

First Langshan has hatched!!! Whoo hoo!!!!

 

[PetRock]

Broody Mama and the 7 chicks

Precious!!! Not many things are cuter than a mama hen with her babies!!!

 

[ronott1]

Well...I figured it was only fair. We have watched yours enough.....time to give back a little...

Keep those hatch videos coming!

 

[PetRock]

I am excited for you too Debi...... I am trying just not to think of mine except to keep watching the humidity.
Interesting that you think feed is effecting egg color. I hadn't considered that. I have been told that sprouted oats effects egg size so I am now doing that, but thought that the genetics determines egg color. Mine are all fed the same & I definitely have girls that lay a much darker egg that many of the others.

That is interesting! I feed my flock sprouted oats and sprouted BOSS. I have been impressed with the size of eggs that some of my breeds are laying and my Wellies have beautiful dark terracotta colored eggs!

 

[Audio51]

First Langshan has hatched!!! Whoo hoo!!!!

Woo Hoo!!!

 

[chiqita]

Someone mentioned that Muscovy's eat ants few day ago. Sorry, but I can't find that post now.

We have some very small biting ants here that appeared last week. Whenever we plant a tree or disturb their area, they swarm out.

I have never had ducks before. Are there any downsides to getting a few for ant control?

I dont know the regular ducks do it. I have not seen my muscovies scarfing up ants yet. But I have seen them billing the ground after insects and snap flies out of the air.

And we seem to have less ants.

All ducks will need water and enjoy submerging. Not huge ponds but they like stock ponds and clean water. Mine will go into the pen at night but didnt like a coop . Muscovies also hiss rather then quack its very nice. They also have huge claws for climbing trees that are a bit of a pain.

 

[chiqita]

Also:go pippers GO!

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I found what looked like the remains of a soft egg in the box that Omelette was in yesterday, so that's likely what all the hanging out was about.

 

[ronott1]

I found what looked like the remains of a soft egg in the box that Omelette was in yesterday, so that's likely what all the hanging out was about.

Yes, they have to work hard to get soft shelled eggs out.

Poor thing!

 

[CackleJoy]

Wow - WAAAAY behind!

I saw some extremely kind posts and had to leave the computer and then lost them. Lets see if I can tag people on BYC -

Sewngrow, you are so kind to offer to help - and the use of your extra incubators - a totally lovely idea! Thank you for that. Yes, having my husband gone was probably the hardest part of all. We are blessed that he is working near home Monday and Tuesday. Then its another out of town marathon. This is not a normal aspect of his work and hopefully once the job is done, it is done!

Wendyjeepchick (okay these names are not linking - how do I do this?) You also offered to help. Wow! I am just floored at the kindness of people. Thank you for such generosity!

I think I saw a couple other offers but I was tired and couldn't go back to find them. Please know that your kindness rather restores ones faith in humanity. What a lovely bunch of people!

My church family figured out I was sick and we have been blessed with groceries. Thank goodness for that! My children were tired of eating whatever they could fix. One night my 9 year old made pumpkin pudding (pie with extra eggs and no crust). They ate an entire 9 x 13 for supper. I was happy. Eggs are good.

I am (hopefully) on the mend! Watching my eye closely but it looks like there may not be any lasting damage. The shingles attacking my eye rather worried me! But its looking good now! I may even be able to attend the chicken show Sunday for an hour or so if I feel like getting dressed.