California - Northern

[Janeothejungle]

First day outside getting some sun for the new little flockers!

 

[tommysgirl]

Any tips for helping chickens survive heat.

Last year when we had all those July days over 100 I bought ice blocks and put them under the bushes where everyone hangs out when it is hot. I also froze water bottles and scattered them and wet down that area as well as their runs. In addition I added extra water sources fed frozen veggies and lots of watermelon.

I understand your concerns re grubby birds but white chickens who range get dusty in the spring and summer and muddy in the fall and winter...the only time mine look pristine is right after a molt and when they first get their big bird feathers.

It is far better to have a dirty chicken than a dead one

and making sure they have damp places to scratch into to get to cool dirt below is key in helping them stay cool and alive. I know you want what is best for your birds...sometimes shade isn't enough

Oh and when they molt it looks like you have littered your yard with scraps of white paper.

 

[chiqita]

I'm trying to talk George into coming to Karen's chicken party 5/18.  Maybe he can talk to Mario about retrofitting our hatcher.  My hatcher does not have the metal frame.  I has metal on the sides that hold the sides of the removable metal trays.  We made a tray insert that I pushed to roll the eggs but it did not work well so it's back to the drawing board for us.  Hand turning by raising the end of the tray up and down is working okay but if I'm gone for the day it only happens in the AM and the PM.  

It sounds like its not an issue however. If the veins are spidering all the way around the egg You are turning enough. Because I know you don't have leg issues

 

[ronott1]

It sounds like its not an issue however. If the veins are spidering all the way around the egg You are turning enough. Because I know you don't have leg issues

Turning has become a hot topic for some!

I was going to say that they are fine.

Shhh, do not tell anyone but I did not turn the Dorking and Del eggs for the first two days for the last hatch and it was one of the best yet! I was treating them like shipped eggs because they travel 40 miles to get to my place.

 

[Audio51]

Had a good hatch last night! Only 5 eggs left to go

That is amazing! Have the other 5 hatched yet? What kind are they?

Yay for Northern California! Im in the Santa Cruz Mountains! <3

Welcome to the group! We always love it when we make new friends!

First day outside getting some sun for the new little flockers!

It is always so much fun to watch them on their first day! You have some pretty little birds there!

Quote: I have been pretty lucky with mine. I did lose a couple last year to the heat, but I think the issue was the coop not being ventalated well enough. That will be remedied this year.

 

[Audio51]

Someone on the FB Poultry group is looking for a home for this guy. He is free and she is in the Rough & Ready area. He is a frizzled Silkie

 

[sewandgrow]

Don't you hate those treat all the birds at one time kind of chores?!!! What do you use for leg mites? Mine have never had them but I'm sure the day is coming.

I watch a bunch of videos while suffering insomnia this morning & am now armed with VetRx, Ivomec/Eprinex & a spray for leg mites from Tractor supply.

Anyone ever use a redwood incubator? Are they easy to fix if something isn't working? Here is one that looks interesting.


http://monterey.craigslist.org/grd/4420607018.html

Just realized it was listed 17 days ago so probably not available.

It may still be available. I have a 600 goose Humidaire that is no longer made. My husband has messed with it but we have never actually used it to incubate.

Thanks eveyone for weighing in on blue egg layers.
I think I'll be patient for some UofAs because they are new to me.
I love my EEs with their sweet fun temperments so ill keep AMs in mind as a backup.

On a side note, my Araucana decided to go broody. She's quite a screamer! Lol.

I too am looking forward to trying a couple/few U of As.

Yay for Northern California! Im in the Santa Cruz Mountains! <3

WELCOME..............what a nice place to live...lucky you. I love the Santa Cruz mountains.

Oh, I was just wondering about leg mites. What are the symptoms and what do you do to treat them? Do they just affect the legs? Or do they migrate?

The scales are slightly raised on the shanks & feet. You can smother them with oil or Vaseline or use medicated treatments from the feed stores.

 

[tls_ranch]

Audio51, they are Barnevelders one more hatched leaving four left to go. 2 are pipped, but both might be stuck. I found the two eggs rolled onto the pip holes when I cleaned out the empty shells. I'll wait and see if they can progress on their own before deciding if I should help them. I usually don't help stuck chicks, but it might not be their " fault" they are stuck. I will candle the last two eggs tonight if they haven't pipped.

Trisha

 

[Audio51]

Audio51, they are Barnevelders one more hatched leaving four left to go. 2 are pipped, but both might be stuck. I found the two eggs rolled onto the pip holes when I cleaned out the empty shells. I'll wait and see if they can progress on their own before deciding if I should help them. I usually don't help stuck chicks, but it might not be their " fault" they are stuck. I will candle the last two eggs tonight if they haven't pipped.

Trisha

They are beautiful! Fingers crossed for the last 4

. I always second myself on assisting too. If it is having trouble becasue of something we did or something else not related to the health/vitality of the chick it doesn't seem right to let them die. Sometimes we know why they are having trouble, but not always.

 

[Audio51]

The second mottled Ameraucana that hatched is my first chick to have spraddled legs. I have the electrical tape splint on and it is doing better at getting around now. How long does it usually need to stay on?