Colorado

[PirateGirl]

I found my ducks! I'm pretty excited. My husband is on board too because my chickens are doing well and more of a success than my garden ever was. I've only got one that's not laying yet. Anyways, I check Craigslist daily for people re-homing ducks and found some Blue Swedish, which was my top choice breed, and they are actually pretty near me geographically. Of course they will need a duck house and within an hour I managed to score enough free pallets and wood from work that would otherwise go in the dumpster to build one. They may just go in my raised bed for now until it's planting time and I make another fence. We'll see how long it takes to turn my scrap wood into a duck house. They coyotes have been around a lot lately, so I would like something a bit more secure than my garden area. They woke me up with a kill out back the last 2 nights and I saw one lurking in the field before I went to bed last night too.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Awesome! Yes, a nice secure house is good. There is always something lurking around, even if you don't spot it. I am missing a rooster, but nothing got into the coop. I am thinking a critter came by and snagged him as he was always hanging outside the fences and generally off by himself. Sometimes, he would refuse to come to the coop at night and hang out under the porch, definitely not a safe place! I did tell him so....

 

[lomine]

I got a couple of eggs yesterday. Looks like the Ameraucanas are laying again.

@PirateGirl Hooray for ducks! I adore mine. I’ve always liked the look of the Swedish. Duck math is just as bad as chicken math so be careful.

@Mtn Margie sorry about your rooster. If something did get him I hope it was quick and as painless as possible.

I ended up butchering my beautiful EE cockerel,Wash, today. I’ve been thinking on it for a while now. I noticed that as he’s gotten older he’s not as nice to the girls. He dances a little bit but mostly just sneak attack style mounting. None of the girls wanted to squat for him. He has never tidbitted. Always just eats the treats himself and sometimes chases the girls off. Yesterday there was a hawk or something flying above and he signaled a warning but as one of the hens tried to go back in the coop he jumped her and mated. Didn't seem very smart with a predator flying above. Then this morning was the last straw. He attacked my rooster, Malcolm. Malcolm is a gentlemen and everything one would want in a rooster and I don’t want him replaced as top boy. Was doing the drakes so I already had everything out for butchering. I was sad to cull Wash but I think it’s best for my girls, especially Kaylee who always seemed scared of him. I’m pretty sure some of the EE pullets I hatched were sired by him so he did his duty and lived a good life.

 

[PirateGirl]

@lomine it sounds like Wash did a good job as a rooster for quite some time and now is failing your flock in many ways. It is time for someone to take his place.

 

[lomine]

@lomine it sounds like Wash did a good job as a rooster for quite some time and now is failing your flock in many ways. It is time for someone to take his place.

He knew how to procreate that’s for sure. He did make some beautiful babies and he was a handsome boy. But I’m not sure he was all that good or just didn’t have the confidence to fight Malcolm until now. I’ve been mulling it over for over a month now; watching how he interacted with everyone. He was more interested in himself than taking care of the girls.

Poor Malcolm got a bloody comb and ended up on the other side of the yard. He was by himself under
a tree making sad little noises. Of course after he discovered Wash was gone he was back by the barn crowing all afternoon. I am sad about Wash but Malcolm is the one that spurred my move. I wouldn’t be were I am now if it weren’t for him so I couldn’t just let him be overtaken by a lessor male. I know he can’t be on top forever but his replacement will need to be as great as him.

 

[Peetza]

Hello fellow Coloradans!

I wasn’t born here but I got here as soon as I could!

My intro thread is https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hello-from-co.1217104/page-2#post-19437746

Any Delta County peeps?

 

[Mtn Margie]

Glad to have you here!

 

[Percheron chick]

I've been getting the itch to get some chicks. Brabanter and French copper marans are on the list plus a few more EEs. Didn't start any last year so had a severe lack of winter eggs. Thankfully 3 hens came back online this week for 4 total layers and I suddenly have extra eggs! Been enjoying green chili and eggs for dinner all week

 

[PirateGirl]

I've been getting the itch to get some chicks. Brabanter and French copper marans are on the list plus a few more EEs. Didn't start any last year so had a severe lack of winter eggs. Thankfully 3 hens came back online this week for 4 total layers and I suddenly have extra eggs! Been enjoying green chili and eggs for dinner all week

I think after reading this, a can of green chili is now on the shopping list (since I'm not making it from scratch)!

I'm getting more eggs that I was but I'm hopeful that as the days get longer production ramps up even more. I am getting 0-3 eggs daily from 5 girls.

 

[Percheron chick]

Santiago's in the freezer section hits the spot. Beware their hot will leave a mark .