California - Northern

[casportpony]

This happened down the street from me last Saturday. No homes were lost, but several pigeons and their coops were. Picture from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilroy-Fire-Department/115450808610635 On Saturday, E47 and Batallion 47 assisted South Santa Clara County Fire Department and CalFire on a structure fire near the intersection of Godfrey Ave and Ferguson Road. Unfortunately, multiple barns and pigeons that were used for breeding were lost in the blaze. -Kathy

thats horrible . what started it

I don't know what started it. -Kathy

 

[Audio51]

Quote:
The Goldens are likely half siblings. I only had 1 male with 4 females so not likely full sibs. I am only getting 2 eggs a day from all of my adults right now and the only ones laying them are the Goldens. I am building new housing for them that will give more space that the stacked cages I built before. I found this one on YouTube. It is 5' wide x 2 ' deep by 5 1/2 ' tall in front. I am going to shorten the interior height to 18" for both sections and make it 6' long instead so I can use three 23.5" in square garden trays for dropping pans on the top section. It also has the slanted floor so the eggs will roll out at the bottom front. I have all the materials except the roofing shingles and the paint. I think they will be happier in there. But it will meant only 2 breeds.


.

Quote:
I was thinking food coloring--that stuff lasts forever...

In my experience with getting marked chicks, a tiny bit of hilighter or food coloring lasts a very, very long time on chick fuzz. The rubber bands are a good option, too.

...And it just hit me that my older daughter has most of a gallon freezer bag's worth of those rubber band loom bands. Much less messy than food coloring!

I'm going to have to have my husband help me separate the chicks from Frieda so I can swap out the zip ties for the rubber bands tomorrow--they're already starting to fill them in. I swear they've nearly doubled in size since Sunday!
Isn't food coloring messy though?

Quote: Yep! I thought I rememberd this happenig to someone here....

We had a bad Cocci outbreak in the brooder. I'm hatching weekly and the entire family had the stomach flu last week. So, we have temporarily abandoned our brooder until it can be re-vamped and sterilized. Rather than put more chicks back in that Cocci-laden environment, I built a chick condo out of boxes. The main box in the middle doesn't hold food or water. It is the heated area. The boxes on the ends are the food and water boxes. I use those heavy duty shop paper towels, on top of paper bags, for layers of fresh floor, it can be rolled up and disposed of every two or three days. All I have to do is lay new shop towels in one box and sprinkle some food. The chicks will then mostly go to that box and I can change the bedding in the next box over. I took some pictures this morning because it was kind of comical. I think there must be close to 50 chicks all shoving themselves into this box! They are all within 3 days of each other in age.



Since this is in the house, an old fashioned incandescent bulb works well for heat. You can see I'm gearing up for the next hatch (starts tomorrow). All the new babies will go in the plastic bin until I get to costco for some new boxes. I rather like the condo idea. The chicks zip from end to end and all the water mess is kept away from their bed. DH is going to have a new brooder box built in the garage by the end of the weekend. This will buy us some time to figure out what to do with the old one, it is outside and won't work for winter babies very well, although it will work fine as a grow out pen. We'd like to get away from the shavings and I think we are going to put in a new floor with 1/4" wire instead of 1/2" wire. This way we will never need shavings again. Meanwhile it is chick condos in the office! If that isn't motivation to fix the outdoor situation, I don't know what is!

This is really clever for a short term solution. Very Smart!

This happened down the street from me last Saturday. No homes were lost, but several pigeons and their coops were.

Picture from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gilroy-Fire-Department/115450808610635
On Saturday, E47 and Batallion 47 assisted South Santa Clara County Fire Department and CalFire on a structure fire near the intersection of Godfrey Ave and Ferguson Road. Unfortunately, multiple barns and pigeons that were used for breeding were lost in the blaze.

-Kathy

Oh no....poor pigeons......

I use these for brooders:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/rubbermaidreg;-structural-foam-stock-tanks-50-gal--capacity

-Kathy

Hey Northern CA BYCers

Anybody know where to get fish meal locally? I'm in Madera and I haven't been able to find any... trying to mix my own feed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/920808/feed-nerds-opinions-wanted-re-whole-grain-feed-recipe Thanks!

Welcome!!!! I saw CatFish food at TSC today.....don't know if it contains fish meal but it sure smells like fish!

Quote: I have the big 4' x4' wooden one I built this spring. It divides in half with a wire divider that is removable. It also has wire covered panels for lids on hinges and I found a decorative chain that is perdect for hangin the brooder light from. I just run the chain up thru the wire to the height I want it and then run a deck screw thru the chain on the top wire. The screw keeps the chain from pulling back down thru the wire and I can adjust the height very easily. I also made it so the whole brooder breaks in half for easy storage in winter. I used all scrap wood except the lid pieces. I have linoleum tiles on the floor, but I thing I am going to paint the inside before I out chicks back inside nex season. It will make it easier to clean and disinfect.

 

[SpringPeeper]

The Goldens are likely half siblings. I only had 1 male with 4 females so not likely full sibs. I am only getting 2 eggs a day from all of my adults right now and the only ones laying them are the Goldens. I am building new housing for them that will give more space that the stacked cages I built before. I found this one on YouTube. It is 5' wide x 2 ' deep by 5 1/2 ' tall in front. I am going to shorten the interior height to 18" for both sections and make it 6' long instead so I can use three 23.5" in square garden trays for dropping pans on the top section. It also has the slanted floor so the eggs will roll out at the bottom front. I have all the materials except the roofing shingles and the paint. I think they will be happier in there. But it will meant only 2 breeds.


.

I've read also that golden to golden reduced fertility? I may just keep the female and process the male. I've got some time to decide, though. They're not grown yet.

That red hutch looks nice!

 

[casportpony]

More on the coop fire in Gilroy:

from: https://www.facebook.com/PigeonFanciersSocietyOfNswInc

Pigeon Fanciers Society of NSW Inc

October 7
Fire destroys top US lofts
John DeCarlo jnr, John Heppner
OCT
06
Fire has destroyed the lofts of leading US fanciers John Heppner and John DeCarlo jnr, killing the majority of the championship quality birds in numerous breeds. ANPA President Frank Hayes has offered his condolences on behalf of fanciers in this country who have had the pleasure of meeting John Heppner during his many visits to j...udge at National Shows.

Bob Nolan, who like John Heppner has been a regular visitor to Australia, reported the destruction of the lofts, located in Gilroy, California, on the weekend.

John is a twice former NPA President and a Master Breeder of several breeds.

Here is Bob’s email:

” The lofts of John Heppner and John DeCarlo Jr. were severely damaged yesterday in a fire that killed approximately 3/4 of their pigeons. According to reports it started from a blow torch that was being used to burn feathers off the wire. John Jr. was out of town in Illinois judging at the time but John Heppner was at home and he and several others tried to fight the fire with garden hoses until the fire dept. arrived. Most of the lofts were burned completely to the ground with nothing left but dust.

The devastation at the lofts of John Heppner and John DeCarlo jnr in Gilroy, California.
The devastation at the lofts of John Heppner and John DeCarlo jnr in Gilroy, California.

“Fortunately the fire did not spread to their homes or neighbors property. The 100 degree weather no doubt played a part in the rapid spread of the fire. Of the remaining birds according to Roger Curl many were youngsters, perhaps 30 young ETs and foster parents. This is a deep, deep tragedy as many of America’s best pigeons in so many different breeds were housed on this property.

We need to think about what we as pigeon fanciers can do to help out financially or with birds to assist these stalwarts of the pigeon fancy in rebuilding. Think how it would affect you if the fire had occurred on your property.
Here is another update from Greg Pola:

“I just spoke with DeCarlo jr and asked about the nuns and he said only a couple survived. There were not many birds that survived, other than: English Carriers, most of the young ET’s and few old birds he was able to grab, and DeCarlo’s African Owl hens and some late hatches, and some various birds.”

Frank Hayes said the tragedy would have “a significant effect on many breeds in America to say nothing of the personal loss and trauma to both John Heppner and John De Carlo Jnr. We would find it very hard to understand such a loss but wish to let them know that we are thinking of them and trust that fancier support will help them back.“

-Kathy

 

[OR4-hmom]

After reading about the fire in Gilroy our pigeon mishap seems small. We lost a hen and both of her 7 day old chicks yesterday. They were dead in the crate when I got home from work. I can't figure them out! So sad to see babies and not have them make it. The parlor rollers have been sitting for 14 days and when I went out they were off the eggs this morning!

Chickens are so much easier!

 

[casportpony]

After reading about the fire in Gilroy our pigeon mishap seems small. We lost a hen and both of her 7 day old chicks yesterday. They were dead in the crate when I got home from work. I can't figure them out! So sad to see babies and not have them make it. The parlor rollers have been sitting for 14 days and when I went out they were off the eggs this morning!

Chickens are so much easier!

So sorry.

-Kathy

 

[SpringPeeper]

More on the coop fire in Gilroy:

from: https://www.facebook.com/PigeonFanciersSocietyOfNswInc

Pigeon Fanciers Society of NSW Inc

October 7

Fire destroys top US lofts
John DeCarlo jnr, John Heppner
OCT
06
Fire has destroyed the lofts of leading US fanciers John Heppner and John DeCarlo jnr, killing the majority of the championship quality birds in numerous breeds. ANPA President Frank Hayes has offered his condolences on behalf of fanciers in this country who have had the pleasure of meeting John Heppner during his many visits to j...udge at National Shows.

Bob Nolan, who like John Heppner has been a regular visitor to Australia, reported the destruction of the lofts, located in Gilroy, California, on the weekend.

John is a twice former NPA President and a Master Breeder of several breeds.

Here is Bob’s email:

” The lofts of John Heppner and John DeCarlo Jr. were severely damaged yesterday in a fire that killed approximately 3/4 of their pigeons. According to reports it started from a blow torch that was being used to burn feathers off the wire. John Jr. was out of town in Illinois judging at the time but John Heppner was at home and he and several others tried to fight the fire with garden hoses until the fire dept. arrived. Most of the lofts were burned completely to the ground with nothing left but dust.

The devastation at the lofts of John Heppner and John DeCarlo jnr in Gilroy, California.
The devastation at the lofts of John Heppner and John DeCarlo jnr in Gilroy, California.

“Fortunately the fire did not spread to their homes or neighbors property. The 100 degree weather no doubt played a part in the rapid spread of the fire. Of the remaining birds according to Roger Curl many were youngsters, perhaps 30 young ETs and foster parents. This is a deep, deep tragedy as many of America’s best pigeons in so many different breeds were housed on this property.

We need to think about what we as pigeon fanciers can do to help out financially or with birds to assist these stalwarts of the pigeon fancy in rebuilding. Think how it would affect you if the fire had occurred on your property.
Here is another update from Greg Pola:

“I just spoke with DeCarlo jr and asked about the nuns and he said only a couple survived. There were not many birds that survived, other than: English Carriers, most of the young ET’s and few old birds he was able to grab, and DeCarlo’s African Owl hens and some late hatches, and some various birds.”

Frank Hayes said the tragedy would have “a significant effect on many breeds in America to say nothing of the personal loss and trauma to both John Heppner and John De Carlo Jnr. We would find it very hard to understand such a loss but wish to let them know that we are thinking of them and trust that fancier support will help them back.“

-Kathy
All the poor birds aside, to think of all the work and dedication that was lost is just sickening.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

That's horrible :-(

Now for some mood whiplash... Chick pics! (Sorry about the quality--I have to hide the phone from Frieda or she recalls the chicks.)

I did manage to get the zip ties off the chicks yesterday, but I only banded one of the yellows.

 

[Audio51]

Is anyone looking for a brooder? Someone on the 530 poultry group posted this electric brooder for sale. I don't know anythig about it but thought someone here might be interested.

Large Electric “Brower” Chicken Brooder - Very large Brower Brooder in great condition. I paid $500.00 for it, I am only asking $250.00. Serious buyers call 530-527-9369. (2 heating elements included) Located in Cottonwood CA, off of Hooker Creek

 

[tls_ranch]

Boy am I tired! I cleaned all the coops/ pens, raked up piles of feathers, and topped of the feeders with 100 pounds of feed. Wormed 36 chickens with 16 left to do tomorrow.

Trisha