Colorado

[coloradogal]

My cockerels in the large hen house are lazy. While the pullets and turkey's will fly from the ground up to the higher roost, the cockerels will fly/jump to the lower one first, then fly/jump up to the higher one, and then begin to assert dominance for best roost spots etc. They are also roosting in two distinct groups on either end of the large upper roost area. The large upper roost area is about 4 feet off the ground and is just under 12 feet long and about 15 inches wide, with three 2 x 4's running the whole length wide side up.

I only used 2 2x4s, wide side up for my roost area on the far wall. I need to put a poo catcher underneath it though. I just haven't gotten to that stage yet.

 

[Minchi]

Thanks to all for their thoughts. A little background.

Beth was first diagnosed with breast Cancer 10 years ago, when she was 39. Biopsies, ultrasounds, and ,many other tests over a 1 month period confirmed it and she had a right mastectomy, followed by 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy and also radiation. Back then, they noticed a lesions (sp) on her left femur, but the biopsy on that came back negative. Things looked good for a few years, until late 2005. We were in the process of moving to Colorado from SW Washington, and she was experiencing pain in her left hip. She and the doctors thought it was arthritis. It got so bad that she could hardly walk. After the move, we pursued it further, and soon were back at an oncologist who did another biopsy on her leg, along with CT and PET scans, (BTW, PET scans are VERY expensive) Come to find out that her upper left femur and hip joint were fully involved with breast cancer tumors. The upper left femur and hip joint were replaced just before Christmas, 2006. After recovery from that she started mild chemo again. Several different types of chemo hadn't halted the tumor growth in her bones. that is when we switched to a doctor from Rocky Mountain Cancer center. he played around with several more treatment types and found one that kept the bone tumors from growing, and caused shrinkage in the ones in her lungs. The problem was that the bone tumor medication had a nasty side effect..... ONJ. Osteo Necrosis of the Jaw: Basically jaw bone death. He upper right mandible is slowly going away, which causes intense pain and discomfort. So she now deals with that as well, and the side effects of the narcotic pain medication. She went on a 6 month hiatus from Chemo in order to get a handle on the other side effects. The tumors in her bones haven't increased ( two or three vertebrae spots, upper right shoulder and arm bones, right knee two spots), but the lung tumors have grown and she has fluid buildup around the lungs as well. We hope that the chemo will again do its thing. with the exception of the last 6 months, she has been on chemo of one sort or another for the last 6 years.

We rely on our faith and Gods strength to help us through each day. its all a day to day thing. Beth looks forward to each birthday and holiday. Each one reached is a small victory. Beth rarely complains, especially in public. She says she has an advantage over everyone else...We all are in suspense, but she knows what will eventually kill her. She doesn't like a lot of attention regarding the cancer. And yes, Cancer SUCKS! She appreciates sincere thoughts and all prayers, no matter what ones religious beliefs. One of her pet peeves is when she looks and feels like crap, and it shows, and someone comes up to her and asks how she feels. Really she says? Do you not have eyes? how does it look like i feel?!

So now we start it again. RMCC wants more money, insurance doesn't cover all. Chicken projects will have to slow down again. Hopefully the cars all continue to run.

So there's the background. We must maintain the "stiff upper lip" of our English heritage, and the dogged stubborness of our Scottish heritage, and the "can do , never say die" attitude of the rural americans that we are!

The chickens have a great calming effect for Beth and myself, and we are greatfull that we have been blessed with them, our two attentive dogs, great kids and family and lots of wonderful friends. We know that blessings come, we also know that some blessings come in this life, some in the next. Not all blessings are what we think we need, but what God wants for us.

Rocky Mountain is a great facility, my dad was living in Seattle 5 years ago when he was diagnosed and they told him he had 6 months. He moved back and went to RMCC so he could be with family. He has been luckier then your wife in his treatment but Cancer does suck and the treatments are harsh. It sounds like your wife is taking it in stride and I hope this next round will be more successful. You are both in my prayers.

 

[P-Funk]

I went to feed this morning and there was an extra horse!? The mini horse we adopted to keep the old show horse company wasn't fat - she was pregnant! Mini Pearl gave birth sometime late last night, we're calling the baby Mini Cooper. I know this isn't chicken related but they share the same barn. I can't get the pictures from the phone to load here. It's a sign, though. My favorite girl died 2 days ago and now life has come full circle.

 

[dennarahl]

I went to feed this morning and there was an extra horse!? The mini horse we adopted to keep the old show horse company wasn't fat - she was pregnant! Mini Pearl gave birth sometime late last night, we're calling the baby Mini Cooper. I know this isn't chicken related but they share the same barn. I can't get the pictures from the phone to load here. It's a sign, though. My favorite girl died 2 days ago and now life has come full circle.

Oh my, that would be quite the surprise!

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Yaayyyyyyyyy! The first chick is here!!! Coloradogal, it's one you gave me. Looks like it is from the leghorn mama, currently the little gal matches the sawdust perfectly.

 

[kmatt87]

So sorry about the cacer coming back.


On another note. I got an egg today from our black sex link. My california white has been in and out of the nest box since 6a and keeps singing....its LOUD. But no egg yet. Is that normal for a first lay?

 

[coloradogal]

Yaayyyyyyyyy! The first chick is here!!! Coloradogal, it's one you gave me. Looks like it is from the leghorn mama, currently the little gal matches the sawdust perfectly.

Yay! I knew my rooster was very prolific with his gals. could be from the buff orphington mama too.

 

[coloradogal]

So sorry about the cacer coming back.
On another note. I got an egg today from our black sex link. My california white has been in and out of the nest box since 6a and keeps singing....its LOUD. But no egg yet. Is that normal for a first lay?

In my experience, every hen is different. Some are quiet, some are loud. My hens usually crow together when an egg is laid. I always know when to go look for one.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Yay!  I knew my rooster was very prolific with his gals.    could be from the buff orphington mama too.

Himmm... I will have to look more closely when she is dry; more gold and I will lean towards Orphington. She just looks so yellow right now; the Classic Chick.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Can you see the chick in the first pic? Nice camoflage...
Add: I got a closer look at the second chick. They are both clean legged, so both from Coloradogal eggs. Add#2: Chick number 3 is here, also clean legged. So only Silkie babies left to hatch. Ironic since everyone said Silkies were notorious for hatching early and here my LF eggs all hatch and are mostly dry before the first Silkie is out of its shell! Hope I see one soon, I am starting to worry.