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Is that a rhode island red? I don't know what the x means, though....any idea? I've been considering rhode islands. I developed an immunal response to meat...I know weird, right? And so I had to go vegetarian. I don't mind now that I am because I love food and was sort of forced to go explore other foods I never considered before so it's been good..... But with that I won't be eating my beans when they drop in egg production and I'm not sure I'm ok yet giving them away for others to eat.... I have concerns that something might go wrong and someone would get hurts or sick and hold me responsible....I have no reason to believe that would happen but you know this day and age in which we live!

Ryan, Rhode Island red cross breds(x) I don't know what he crosses with for his brown eggs. He has EE(Easter Eggers) that lay nice blue green eggs. I will say that they are wild and it takes a considerable time for them to settle down. There are people up here who won't buy his chicks because they are so flighty but that doesn't seem to effect laying. I get some really huge eggs and lots from his chickens. I'm after the eggs so I overlook the wildness.
Eggs are such good nutrition especially if you feed your hens well. I currently raise mealworms to suppliment their diet. Lynn

Owenmom, would like to know how you started mealworm production. I found my girls just love them dried and would like them even more fresh. What's the skinny on growen those guys?
 
Hi ruralmom, Mealworms are super easy!! You can spend as much time or as little time messing with them as you choose. Much depends on the method of propigation that you choose. There is an active mealworm farming thread that I suggest that you look at. Basically you get a plastic bin. I'm using 3 sterlite 25 QT plastic bins. Fill the bin with layer crumbles, wheat bran or corn meal ( any or all of the above). Put in your worms amd let them eat and grow. We add celery or carrots for moisture and nutrition. The trick is that you don't want any mold to grow inside your colony. The colony must stay at about 70F for good growth. So it cannot be outside for the winter.
The worms and beetles cannot crawl out and the beetles do not fly. The colony does not smell. I'm on generation 3 right now and can feed a limited # of worms to my girls. As my colonies grow and worms multiply, I hope to be able to supply a good portion of the chicken diet from the worm bin. Granted that may take some time but I think that it is doable. In this way I reduce my dependence on commercial feed and by increasing worm nutrition I will increase chicken nutrition.
I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have and to talk you through the process if you like. Lynn
 
Ruralmom, I also have a mealworm farm and suggest you search for the topic. It's huge and has everything you need to know including where to buy! I have mine in just one bin (instead of 3). Mine are currently all beetles. They are so easy to care for! I have mine in oats and feed them a couple slices of veggies once a week or so. When I fed them fruit it stunk. The veggies do not.
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The worms do all the hard work themselves. After turning into beetles they live another 3-4 months laying eggs and new little wormies start hatching. And the chickens will eat them in any state (worm or beetle), dead or alive. I think I spent about $25 on 3000 worms. Petsmart was way overpriced in my experience. It was cheaper to buy online.
 
Yes, I love the pics of the silkies! So colorful! I'm so tempted to get some silkies for my flock but can't justify it at this point. They're so cool looking though!

So, Colorado already had a storm or two where some but not all have received snow. Looks like this next one is going to be for everyone! The NWS is predicting heavy snow for us peeps in the foothills and the Palmer divide. My coop is ready to go, of course...it has survived several heavy snow falls....but with the low temps on Wednesday predicted to flirt with the low teens, I'm going to drop an aquarium heater into my bucket so the birds have water. I've also stocked up on some fattier foods to help them with this first big freeze.

What's everyone else doing?
 
MRSENESETH, does that dog have a beard? Thanks for your 'warning' responses. I'm not too worried about it. If I were kicked from the site and had an emergency, though, I'm not sure where I would go. The vet charges $200 just for walking in the door.
 
Not looking forward to the predicted snow storm. Happens every year but somehow I'm always surprised that it gets so cold!! The coops will be ready this afternoon. Cleaned them out yesterday and will deep bed them today.
Egg production has crashed like so many others. Combination of older hens(2-3 yrs) and lower light. We have put a light on a timer to go on at 5am and will begin to feed higher protien feed. Has anyone seen a difference with higher protein?
Hope tose who like the snow will enjoy. For the rest of us "snow" is truely a 4 letter word!!!!
 

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