calling any one from missouri

[jthornton]

We go 2 1/2" of rain from the last system. Maybe the rain made them buddies? Mine did a lot of huddling under the coop during the heavier rains and once I got caught out there with them for a 30 minute down pour. We all just waited it out.

JT

 

[SueT]

They are predicting snow for tomorrow....meanwhile I mowed the lawn today (after DH filled mower's 4 flat tires and charged the dead battery.)

 

[Crooked Chicken]

I got her at Estes Hatchery about one year ago. I picked up 4 br. leghorn sexed pullets, and just 2 bantams, the other being a d'uccle. Both banties ended up as pullets tho they were unsexed. The D'uccle is very shy and the lowest in the pecking order and doesn't stand up for herself. The Sebright stands up for herself, they are a very feisty breed, but she still gets pushed around. I have as many feeding stations as chickens, to improve chances of getting some for everyone, it's a bit of a hassle. The bigs don't hurt them they just crowd them out. The Sebright doesn't give, up, the D'uccle does. I sneak treats in for the bantams. Besides the leghorns and banties, there are 2 older hens. an SS and a BR. They are the sternest to the bantams. I don't know how it will go when the Spitzhaubens are integrated!!!!
I don't have any conclusions here. Some days I think 'my chickens all hate each other" and what was I thinking getting even more....other days, it seems pretty mellow. We were free ranging the last couple of months and that was nice, but a coyote attack ended that. Being all together in the run adds to the social tensions.
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You have beautiful chickens Love the picture of you training your chicken. Are you using treats to coax her or?? I also have that "they hate eachother" feeling at times. When I take out special meals or treats now I take 3 bowls. One for the older chickens, one for the young pullets and one for the young cockerels. Sometimes I will put the young pullets in the in-coop brooder so they can eat unbothered.

We've still been getting bald eagles and other large birds flying over quite often, so I haven't been letting them out as often or as long as I'd like to. Every time I get lax in thinking they are okay while I go in to eat lunch or something, I'll come out to see the birds circling overhead. Ugh... I don't want the wild birds to leave, yet I don't want my flock eaten either.

I 'm sure they would. I haven't ever gone as a seller. There are buyers walking out carrying chickens by their feet, so you know what will happen to those......I think I'd ask $5 or more first, hoping to find someone who'd keep them alive. I saw a man with a cage of Dutch bantam cockerels and he later said he traded them for ducks. Anything is possible. Including bringing home diseases! It's kind of a crazy scene there. But I have too many chickens in spite of recently losing 2 to coyotes. The next swap is April 7. We'll see.
here's a pic from a Joplin swap...we met this man selling Seramas...
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I think I would freak out if I saw someone carry my chickens by their feet, even if they are going to make a meal of them. I've snatched up a few of the young cockerels that way when they've gotten aggressive with me, but....

Wow no rain for one whole day in SEMO! The chicken yard is so wet I can't wait for this round of rain to be over with.

JT

We had about 3-1/4" here several days ago. The chicken yard is mostly dry on the part that has the panels overhead, but the remainder is wet, but not flooded. The part that had all the water was all across one side of coop and run so that I have a large swath of mud. It was like a river running past it for much of the day. I think I should probably put down a bit of gravel in front of the doors.

On Monday night I kept hearing this peep peep noise coming from the backyard. I finally went out to investigate and found a tiny squirrel face down in a pool of muddy water. It's a female eastern gray squirrel about 6 weeks old maybe. Thank goodness I didn't ignore it or she would have drowned or froze to death. She's doing really well and getting more active by the day. I tried a couple of times to put her out in a clear container for mama to find her, but no squirrels came out. So I'll take care of her until she's ready to be returned to the wild. I am just loving her....

This was later the night I found her

earlier today

 

[SueT]

Are you using treats to coax her or??

Of course I am using treats....btw, I love the squirrel pics. I raised 2 baby red squirrels when I was a kid. Please keep us updated!
*****
I think the snow is going to miss us. I am so glad. But I don't know why but I'm hoping that Chinese space station lands in our pasture....well of course I know why, I'm always looking for building materials to scavenge...

 

[jeria]

No snow here this am yet, looks like maybe later. Cute squirrels.

 

[jthornton]

We only got a 1/4" of rain the last 24 hours, and I'm glad. Reminds me of the song The Mississippi Squirrel Revival by Ray Stevens.

JT

 

[Rachealx4]

They are predicting snow for tomorrow....meanwhile I mowed the lawn today (after DH filled mower's 4 flat tires and charged the dead battery.)

No snow out here near Hermann yet. I see that we are still slated to get some this afternoon along with some nights below freezing... and more rain.

 

[Crooked Chicken]

It started out with super tiny sleet here about 1-1/2 hours ago and it's now snowing. I hope we don't get too much or that it least warms up the next couple of days. It was so cold and breezy today. Brrr.......

 

[jthornton]

It's even cold down here in SEMO and we just got 1" of rain in a couple of hours. I've been to Mexico a few times to pick up tractor parts for my '56 Ferguson F40. Always make a point to visit Swiss Meat company for brats when I'm close to Swiss MO. Pretty country up that way.

JT

 

[Crooked Chicken]

It's even cold down here in SEMO and we just got 1" of rain in a couple of hours. I've been to Mexico a few times to pick up tractor parts for my '56 Ferguson F40. Always make a point to visit Swiss Meat company for brats when I'm close to Swiss MO. Pretty country up that way.

JT

Siss, Mo huh? I've never heard of that. Maybe I can go check that out when I take my folks to see Hermann. I have not had much chance to get out and about since moving here -- always busy with the animals, yardwork, etc. One of these days -- I better make time soon.