Consolidated Kansas

[mikeksfarmer]

Cold enough here for the ducks to stand on the water. Guess its time for the bird bath warmer. I figure all those chickens in the chicken house generate a lot of heat. Since I built my chicken house I see no evidence of frost bite on the combs of my birds. I feel like I have 20 little generators in the chicken house every night. I normaly use reflector light bulbs to keep the 5 gal water can from freezing up. At this time I am warming christmas dinner ducklings and its a mater of time before their light gets used to heat the water can.
Hey by the way Happy Thanks Giving. I hope you all get more than a dinky bird to eat!

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Quote:

 

[prairiepearls]

***REMINDER***
WICHITA AREA CHICKEN MEET-UP FRIDAY (tomorrow) 1:00 PM

Anyone who's in the Wichita area tomorrow (Black Friday) is welcome to join us at the McDonald's at Kellogg & Dugan (near the west-side WalMart & the airport turnoff). We'll be in the back by the playplace so kids are welcome! We're hoping the shoppers will be shopped out by then and ready for a break. Hope to see you!

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

[mikeksfarmer]

Cold today hard to get warm and I am in the house. I got my first green egg today from my one Americana hen. Pullitsuprize! I love having a mix of green, brown and dark brown (welsummer) from my flock.
Looked out today and there was young coopers hawk on the ground just outside of my pen. scared her off and then sent a bottle rocket into the air above the pen.
Built a launcher that aims them directly above my pen. I know you all cant use this method but I live where you can shoot. I have scared many hawks and my local fox off many times so far.
I am sure glad I dont have dinky birds that hawk would have eaten them.

 

[prairiepearls]

Had another tiny chicken meet-up yesterday in Wichita -- Black Friday probably wasn't the best day for it, after all.

But it was great to meet Jennifer & Kevin and hear about their 14 birds and their beautiful new coop!

I'm thinking, with things getting busier and busier the next few weeks, we should try again to get together in January. Wichita-area peeps, how does that sound to you? Open to suggestions as to day & time! C'mon, we can't let the Lawrentians outdo us!

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Quote:
You have already out done us. You've had two meet an greets we have only had one.

 

[Myabcs3]

Quote:
This year I am trying tank de-icer in a 5 gallon bucket with nipples on the bottom.

Deicer - http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/stock-tanks-accessories/stock-tank-heaters/farm-innovators-ice-chaser-cast-aluminum-utility-deicer-250-watt-2170738
Nipple - http://www.qcsupply.com/420011-push-in-style-nipple.html
5 gallon bucket from lowes.

So ByNatureFarms, do you have this waterer rigged up yet? Can you post a pic? The water nipples have intrigued me from the start. Have always been curious if the flock would really like it? From some research on here, the feedback is split. Thoughts from the peep gallery? Anyone else using the nipple system?

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Quote:
This year I am trying tank de-icer in a 5 gallon bucket with nipples on the bottom.

Deicer - http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/stock-tanks-accessories/stock-tank-heaters/farm-innovators-ice-chaser-cast-aluminum-utility-deicer-250-watt-2170738
Nipple - http://www.qcsupply.com/420011-push-in-style-nipple.html
5 gallon bucket from lowes.

So ByNatureFarms, do you have this waterer rigged up yet? Can you post a pic? The water nipples have intrigued me from the start. Have always been curious if the flock would really like it? From some research on here, the feedback is split. Thoughts from the peep gallery? Anyone else using the nipple system?

Even with the heating element in the bucket I still see the nipple freezing.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
This year I am trying tank de-icer in a 5 gallon bucket with nipples on the bottom.

Deicer - http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-equipment/stock-tanks-accessories/stock-tank-heaters/farm-innovators-ice-chaser-cast-aluminum-utility-deicer-250-watt-2170738
Nipple - http://www.qcsupply.com/420011-push-in-style-nipple.html
5 gallon bucket from lowes.

So ByNatureFarms, do you have this waterer rigged up yet? Can you post a pic? The water nipples have intrigued me from the start. Have always been curious if the flock would really like it? From some research on here, the feedback is split. Thoughts from the peep gallery? Anyone else using the nipple system?

I do not have my winter setup up and going yet, but I did use the a nipple system all summer. I used nipples in my brooder and for all my older birds. My chickens, turkeys and geese loved them. I have all the parts for my winter setup, I just need to put it together.

 

[FondofChicks]

I used a nipple system in the bottom of a tub in the small run under the coop. It kept the girls alive and the water clean. But everytime I let them out to run the yard they would ALL dash to the regular waterer I kept in the yard and do nothing but drink for several minutes. Going to use the galvanized waterer during the winter. Bought one of those platforms to heat it BUT it says (in the instructions and on the platform) for indoor use only. So I guess I'll have to build a dog house like structure to keep it dry.

I built a bigger run hidden under my deck so nearly invisible to my neighbors. I didn't let them run the yard today due to winds gusting to 50MPH.. Even with their flight feathers clipped I was afraid they may fly over the fence. The lawn chair nearly made it!