California - Northern

[MrsMoonCat]

Fun to plan though isn't it? For some people it's shoes, for us it's shopping for chickens!

I have actually used this reasoning with my husband! My logical argument was that I can get a return on my birds and not on my shoes. His rebuttal was something to do with poop-return ON my shoes

 

[MrsMoonCat]

We love the nipples but the ones on the PVC pipe always leaked for us but weorderthem individually on Ebay & put 4of the on the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket & hang it where the chickens can get underneath it & it works great. You can refill it from the top with a hose easily. I have one of these bucket set ups in each of my 4' by 4' grow out bins just by screwing cleats to the two sides of a corner & resting the bucket on the cleats & srewing thebucket to the wooden sides of the bin near the top of the bucket. I use bricks or stepping stones underneath the bucket for the smaller chickens to be able to reach the nipple but remove them as the chicks grow.

I really like how you have yours set up Karen. I have been talking to the hubby about copying it. I have some of the nipples on order right now from eBay.

 

[lawatt]

[re: cream legbars]
These are on my wish list too.

Someday.....

i will be getting two chicks next month! they'll be the only non-black/white/gray birds in my flock!

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Yes!

23 are going into lockdown.

13 EO Marraduna Basque(no surprise there)
8 Pita Pintas
2 Pennes

Disapointed about the Pennes but I have heard they are tough. I eggtopsied(cracked open) the most promising clear looking one and there was only yellow.

I hope they both hatch.

Candling shows mostly an air cell and a dark mass. I did see veins and some movement in some. This is what the camera saw:

yes they do seem harder to hatch them pene's

 

[Hangtown Farms]

In the fall/winter will the chickens choose to spend most of their time in the coop/run? Curious. We are talking about somehow increasing their run size...

mine do not care much unless it is really raining hard or snowing and sticking alot.
one snow storm last winter I opened the coop they all ran out flapping there wings like normal and promptly turned around and ran back in lol

 

[chiqita]

Well confession time...I'm so crazy busy this week. I candled eggs before I was supposed to lock them down yesterday. Instead of putting them back in the bator. I left the tray inside the closet (where I candle!!)

So they were coldish when I discovered my mistake. I quickly put them in the bator but who knows now if any will hatch!! 22 partridge brahma eggs and langshan eggs

Ahh< i did that to 2 of my sq silkie eggs I swapped for last hatch I emptied everything into one bator, but left 2 eggs.
This is why I only candle if I need space , I'm terrified of leave the top of the bator.

 

[chiqita]

I read that eggs were good for dogs (not as a sole food but in addition to) and also look forward to adding a bit to his diet.

yes, when they feed dogs a raw diet they recommend eggs. Whole eggs shell and everything . The issue of course is making sure they don't swallow it whole, haha.
I'm adding to the post count today!
I have to figure out multi quote better soon.

 

[Meg2000000]

thanks! i'll try that -- and i'm not sure of the exact ages of the new birds (i seem to be settling on the names Frances and Bella), Cheryl just grabbed two that seemed to be similar in size to my previous flock -- three of whom are 8 weeks old (Daisy must be younger, she's still so much smaller), so best guess is around that. Frances & Bella are a little bigger than the others (esp. Frances), and MUCH bigger/stronger feet (they both scratch the ground like crazy, which is great!), so maybe 9 weeks?

next month i'll be getting four additional baby chicks (two cream legbars, two lavender/blue orpingtons), which of course will start in a brooder, but i have the feeling i'll need that pen to more gradually introduce them to the big girls once they've grown enough...

best,
laura

LOL Cheryl just grabbed mine too! Mine are also amazing foragers! They buried their feeder within an hour!

 

[sewandgrow]

I really like how you have yours set up Karen. I have been talking to the hubby about copying it. I have some of the nipples on order right now from eBay.

Yeah Jules, you know me................. I need everything to be as easy as possible to keep up around here. I had chicks hatching today so first thing this morning I ousted the oldest chicks (over a month old) to the grow out pen in the patio after I cleaned it all out & put new shavings & cleaned the nipple bucket & filled it. The the brooder they came out of got cleaned disinfected & set up for the new chicks. I have several of your blue Andulusians out & a variety of others, B/W Ams, B/B Orps. a Buff Orp or 2 & BCMs. I will keep checking the incubator for more..................
Did you see my mystery pair of white chickens when ou were here last time. I think I have identified them as La Breese. Greenfire Farms has American Breese & I think thats where they came from. I am waiting to hear from Cheryl.She has been so busy. They are listed as an exceptional meat chicken ????????

 

[Meg2000000]

thanks Lynda, i won't be needing one now for a while, so i'll try making the one i've got more secure -- but if i can't, i'll take you up on that!

and have a fabulous time in Yosemite! my mom has a house near there (just outside of Groveland) & i think is up there now...

best,
laura

X2 have a great time in Yosemite!! My family has gone every Mother's Day weekend since I was a baby! It's so breathtaking and FRESH there!