Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

Michelle, depending on what is in the pasture, sheep may do a better job. Goats are good for weeds and sheep graze better on grasses. For really good pasture care, a mix of the two animals would be great.

 

[michelleml]

Hechicken would sheep need the same type of fencing?

 

[HEChicken]

Being about the same size they need similar fencing but aren't as bad about climbing fences and escaping so are easier to keep in that regard.

 

[chicken danz]

If you have woody stuff like trees and shrubs goats are ideal. The cheapest option would be to run an electric fence. I've been trying to find someone to just fence two sides of my yard with field fence and they want all but my first born child to do it. It's ridiculous.
I sold some pullets 2 days ago and he has already gotten 2 eggs. They are just starting to lay. He put the guineas and chickens in together and say they are all doing great. I love to have satisfied customers and 20 less mouths to feed around here.
I had another order for a rooster and some eggs for tomorrow. They wanted another duck but I only have two male pekins and I'm afraid not to have a back up drake. They are just at the right age to start laying when it cools down.

 

[michelleml]

does anyone know where i can find rabbit meat? We are wanting to eat healthier and i've been reading that rabbit meat is healthier.

Hechicken i was thinking goats sense my Mom has Boer goats she can give me

 

[tweetysvoice]

Hey all! Not too much happening here. I've been reading posts, but haven't had a break to respond.
I do want to say - NOOOOOOO Hawkeye, you can't leave us!!!

- I know you won't be able to stay away.. hehe

Michelle asked about rabbits, anyone know if Tony is still doing that? I know he's on FB more than here anymore, but last I read he was into bunnies more than chickens cuz of his landlords.

This heat is about to kill us all! I've been tempted more than once to just go sit in the bird's misting patio when I'm out collecting tomatoes! I've got all four birds laying an egg daily, but Ducky hasn't laid another egg after the first two. I think it's just too hot, i'm actually shocked the chickens are laying right now anyways. Got me a couple double yolkers too. I've never actually had one before, so that was fun to open.. hehe.. it's the little things in life

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Karen, I'm so glad for you on the air conditioner, yay! That will make you feel so much better & maybe you can relax a little more & your blood pressure can go back down, good for everyone.

I'll have no excuse to not put that eliptical to good use also! Exercise should help a great deal.

I don't know if I've said this before but....your DH is a keeper. Seriously, congrats - that will be awesome. And when the craft room is not occupied by birds you can still enjoy the A/C.

Maybe I'm just over-tired, but that just cracked me up. I had visions of the hens reaching around and carefully taking off their saddles, putting them down and later, scratching their heads thinking "Now WHERE did I put that saddle?"

You're so funny! LOL! and thanks for the congrats.

Karen, your DH does good work! I don't have too much patience for the research stage of things.

Thanks! He sure does and the man does have even more patience than I thought after tolerating the chicken in the bathtub!

FANTASTIC!!!!!

So glad that you are getting your ac unit for that room! That is really going to make life so much easier on you. That's a great price for a new one at Sams, too. Good shopping skills he has there!

Thanks for the CL info -- it really got the ball rolling!

This heat is about to kill us all! I've been tempted more than once to just go sit in the bird's misting patio when I'm out collecting tomatoes! I've got all four birds laying an egg daily, but Ducky hasn't laid another egg after the first two. I think it's just too hot, i'm actually shocked the chickens are laying right now anyways. Got me a couple double yolkers too. I've never actually had one before, so that was fun to open.. hehe.. it's the little things in life

It really is!

 

[Hawkeye95]

I've been monitoring the site on FB that is the Cream Legbar site in the UK & they keep saying that all of our birds from Greenfire have the wrong coloring. So I'm wondering if Greenfire got taken on the birds they imported, were they sold inferior birds to get rid of them or what? They're supposed to have 3 different blood lines now at Greenfire & so far from what I've read none of the birds have the correct coloring to meet the UK standard of perfection. They're saying that all of them are too dark, the cockerels have too much color coming through, the hens have too much gold around their necks & are too dark in color. But if you look at some of the birds in the UK they also don't all meet those standards, so are they seeking to get the breed lighter in color than even their own birds? I was told that the hens should have cream neck hackles, not gold & should be a lighter brown with only a light salmon breast. The cockerels should be all cream & grey with no rust coloring coming through & should also be lighter in color. They tell us that we should not be breeding these birds from Greenfire because we're spreading incorrect birds for the standard. I made the comment that we only have one source right now to buy birds, so we have what we have.

I agree, you just have to work with what you have. When you get chicks that DO have the right color, then you can cull out the others and stick with them. You can probably get to the standard in a few generations by culling hard. And since no one else has those birds, then it's the only thing you can do. Maybe you can cross out to something that would have the right color, but you're really going to have to dive into the genetics of the background and base color on your birds and figure out the best way to do that-- because if you cross out to the wrong kind of color background (not base) then you can really screw it up. It might be best to work with what you have and see if any of the right coloring pop up. Obviously you said you have Gold leakage, so you know you are working with a Gold base and not a silver, although males can carry a copy of both, but not females-- which is why it's harder to get a decent male and easier to breed for females. This is why a lot of good breeders set up different pens for a male line and a female line-- the best paired birds won't always make the best gender specific bird, so you have to decide what will do that. I am finding this whole genetic thing fascinating. I'm wanting to buy Chicken Colors, but that book is REALLY expensive. I know I'm going to do it anyway. Need to just suck it up. But it is out of print again until Sigrid in Europe can have the company print up a bunch more books. Sigh. But check into that-- it is apparently all the rage. Our ASBC was carrying the book and sold the last one available in the USA, but they will let us know when they get more in. Should be mid year. Read all you can on your genetics and how to get the right coloring you need and just cull, cull, cull until you do.

When do you guys find out about moving? I hope you don't have to move! One of these days I want to get a real horse trailer so we could meet up and go for a weekend trail ride! I have some super cute chicken saddles too and haven't had too much trouble keeping them on. I can catch all my biddies pretty easily though so it isn't a big deal to re saddle someone if they lose their clothing! My favorite is a pink on with cupcakes on it! Seems like the hens are happier with them on too and don't lose feathers due to clumsy dumb boys floundering around on top of them. I wonder how I get all these dud ball roos. I see other peoples birds and their roo just jumps on the squatting hen and does his job and jumps off. My boys are dragging everyone around by the neck and falling all over themselves and the hen and the hen is carrying on screaming. Maybe I need to get them a book....
Topeka seems so far away from you. Do you go somewhere special in Topeka that they don't have down here? I think I might run to valley vet but I may wait until DH is around because I am scared I will spend a bunch of money!! That is my only hang up, it is less than an hour away and I have always loved their website and they have fabulous customer service. I am just scared to get in there and go on a shopping spree!

Yeah, I guess the problem is higher up in the supply chain for the feed companies so most all the feed companies have some recalls. Appears to have stemmed from a computer glitch when formulating a portion of the feed.

Yeah, i love my chicken saddles. I love the prints. Well, we're trying to wrangle a few things. And none of it may work out at all, you know? No way to know. My DH is going to see if we can get 'relocation package' on a job rec that is open right now. (that would pay for moving and a few other things) So he's negotiating. I am going to see if I can get my old job back again with Boeing in engineering and there was a job rec open for the same thing I used to do, and during the course of the negotiation, it was closed. So we are in the middle of finding out if it was filled, or it was delayed or what. That still doesn't mean I would get it anyway. This would all be to OKC. All of this may fall thru and we could just find something here... but what??? And what will pay as much as we are used to? Sigh. I love the Valley Vet catalog, so I'd go CRAZY in that store!!! I would want to come with you, sounds like fun! Wish I had time for a mini road trip!

Well, I think I have the guineas sold so thank you to all the people who suggested listing them vs. eating them. I'm really rather glad as processing is not my favorite chore and they're nice enough birds to have around - I just didn't want Cyrus dying of heat exhaustion trying to stay away from them. Interestingly, by processing just the one, I apparently upset the balance enough that today they've left him alone, but I suspect it is a temporary reprieve and they will resume where they left off soon. The guy isn't getting them until the weekend and you know how that goes - people say they'll call and then never show so if he doesn't show up and the guineas continue to behave, I don't mind if they stay.

Josie, let's keep our fingers crossed Hawkeye gets to stay! We'd really miss you on this thread Hawkeye!!!

Better than eating them, I guess? Especially if they are gamey tasting! hehe!! Thanks, I would love to stay too! If that happens, I hope DH can find something that will pay.

I hope if you leave, Hawkeye you'll stay right here. Who says you have to live in Kansas to talk to people in Kansas?
Well I made a phone call and maybe can work something out to trade one of my turkey girls for a boy. I may have to do it this evening to get it done though which is going to throw off all my other plans.
I go to TSC to buy my dog food Josie. Topeka is the closest one. My dogs like it better than anything else and it has a high protein content. Seems to be a good fit. My dogs are really picky eaters. And most dog foods I bought regardless of how expensive, they would tire of and quit eating before the 50 pound bag was gone. I just buy two or three bags at a time when I go.
It was actually a little cool here around noon. The wind came up out of the north and I was out feeding and actually felt a little chilly. It didn't last but it was great. Heaven knows it was probably still hot cause the birds were standing in water as usual but it felt cool to me.

Thanks Danz, I think I'd stay right here, too. I can't imagine not spending my time talking with all of you.

I just read ahead and saw the turkey deal fell thru. So sorry about that, what a bummer! Weird about the cool front that came thru. We didn't get that here, you were lucky!

Yes Hawkeye, even if you have to move somewhere else we all hope you will still keep in touch on here with us, we would miss you too much otherwise.
The Cream Legbars really love to sit right on it. I wonder if since they're from the UK originally that they are less heat resistant since they have a lot of rainy, dreary weather there? It was just a thought & the Swedish Flower Hen chicks just love the mister right along with the Salmon Faverolles who originally came from France. They don't seem to take the heat very well either. Really my best heat resistant birds are the plain old Barred Rocks, they lay right through the heat. I'm going to try some of these other breeds of birds this year for laying, but if they don't pan out like some of the ones I tried this last year then I may just have to get more of the Barred Rocks & Red Stars next year. I need some consistent layers for my general laying flock that I can count on. The Black Australorps & the Black Copper Marans have really been a disappointment to me for laying. They have both been broody more than they have laid lately & while I like the really dark eggs they just haven't laid that much. Everybody told me the Australorps were such great layers & I haven't really found that to be so true. One of mine has been broody for a least a month & I can't break her of it.

Well I need to run to the store before some people come to pick up one of my baby rabbits I have for sale. I sure hope they have somewhere safe to keep it out of the heat or it will be gone in no time.Oh sorry Danz, bummer, I had hoped you had found a tom.

Yeah, my barred rocks are troopers, too. They keep laying even when everyone else has given up on me. Even my Wyandottes have become ify in this heat, but not my BR's-- they are beasts, they totally are awesome! Could be your creams are less heat tolerant because of their point of origin, and that would make sense. Yeah, if we get a bunny, I think it would be an indoor pet.

Hey all! Not too much happening here. I've been reading posts, but haven't had a break to respond.
I do want to say - NOOOOOOO Hawkeye, you can't leave us!!!

- I know you won't be able to stay away.. hehe

Michelle asked about rabbits, anyone know if Tony is still doing that? I know he's on FB more than here anymore, but last I read he was into bunnies more than chickens cuz of his landlords.

This heat is about to kill us all! I've been tempted more than once to just go sit in the bird's misting patio when I'm out collecting tomatoes! I've got all four birds laying an egg daily, but Ducky hasn't laid another egg after the first two. I think it's just too hot, i'm actually shocked the chickens are laying right now anyways. Got me a couple double yolkers too. I've never actually had one before, so that was fun to open.. hehe.. it's the little things in life

Thanks Tweety!!

I can't imagine eating a bunny, but I've done it plenty when I was a kid. Used to hunt rabbits with my dad. That was when I first learned to shoot a gun-- when I was about 8 yrs old. Sheesh. My dad was crazy! LOL I have an 8 yr old and I don't think I'd give him a gun!! I wonder what the heck the difference is?? Why were we so much more mature??? I bet Ducky is just too hot and stressed to lay again, and anyway, they are young, they can be unpredictable right now. So neat to get double yolkers! I know how exciting that is!!


Well, my birthday is Sat, and my brother is driving down from Lawrence to be here. That will be pretty cool. Looking forward to seeing him.

 

[tweetysvoice]

I actually can't imagine eating a bunny either. I too have eaten rabbit before, but never ones that I, myself, raised. I had a house rabbit just a few years ago. She lived for 7 years and was the sweetest thing in the world. She lived in an open cage - never left unless we took her out. She'd hop around the living room and after about 20 minutes of loving, she'd hop back into her cage again. She used the litter box we had in there and never made a mess.

My mom and my late mother-in-law's birthday is Sat as well So Aug 4th must be a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

 

[Trish44]

tweety, Tony is still raising rabbits, I see him daily on the swap pages, but he is not raising meat rabbits, just lops for pets or maybe show if they turn out well enough. Anyway, Michelleml, I don't know of anywhere to buy rabbit already processed, but maybe look on Craigslist, I have seen it seems like before an ad for rabbits processed. Otherwise you may have to raise them yourself & process them. I was thinking about raising some for meat, but I'm not really sure I can do it after I raise them, I guess I'm too much of a softie. My DH said when I got the chinchillas that I would never process any & he's probably right.

Hawkeye, there has been a lot of discussion lately on the Legbar thread on BYC regarding the UK standards for them & the fact that ours here don't match that. There is also discussion that probably our standard of perfection probably won't be the same as theirs for the Legbars, just as they aren't for other breeds that we have in common. There are no APA standards as of yet & I hear there won't be for quite awhile for the Legbars, so I guess in the meantime we all just have to work with what we have & try to improve on it. Actually I don't see the big deal about gold vs. cream hackles on the hens & others have said the same. Maybe we should just make our standards match the birds we have & say that gold is acceptable. It seems like the breeders in the UK are trying to breed the color out of the Cream Legbars where they won't be nearly as nice looking as they are now. Personally I think they're a good looking bird anyway. I love the crests on them, I will have to get some recent pics of mine to show you all, they're really cute with those little crests developing. Maybe we will have to rename our birds another name when it comes to our standards here, who knows what will come of it all. It's all pretty interesting though & I'm really excited to be able to have these birds at this time when they're so new here.

I have been wanting to get goats too, but the fence is the holdup on that since goats are really good escape artists & we don't have goat proof fencing. Fence is just so expensive if you have to put up much of it. The part the township tore down was 500 feet long, so that's no little amount of fence to replace, plus all the rest of the fence we still have up is just barbed wire & that won't keep goats in. I would love to have a couple though just to clean up that front 5 acres that is so overgrown.

Well I sold one rabbit this afternoon, that was good, but I wish the other lady that said she was coming back last Friday would come get the rabbit she had me hold. I still have hers & 3 others I need to sell yet. It's just really slow going with this heat. People are just too afraid to buy them right now.

My son sent me a text this afternoon wanting us to bring our granddaughter back down to OKC to get her tooth fixed again, she broke the one he got fixed before. I told him I can't leave right now so my DH might have to bring her by himself if it has to be right now. Why does everything have to happen when it's 115 outside? I know it's going to be just two big arguments now over all of these trips that I just can't take right now. I got griped at today when I called the Dr's office in KC to change my appt to later on. They said I HAVE to be seen once a year, that it's KS law that I can't get my medicines if I don't come in. I told the lady my situation & why I can't come next Monday & she said it would have to be approved by the Dr. I wanted to go in October, but the Dr. is going to be gone all month, so I had to make it for Sept. 10th. I sure hope it's cooler then or I'm in deep trouble. That was pretty much the only date I could get on a Monday. We go up & stay all night & then see the Dr. This was also supposed to be my birthday trip, but it had to be postponed, so I guess I'll get my birthday dinner in Sept. instead. Oh well, if it's cooler I don't mind waiting. It's too hot to take our little dogs anywhere right now anyway & it wouldn't be any fun to try to go anywhere when it's so darned miserable.

Oh & by the way, for those of you that were talking about chicken saddles, I did put one back on the hen with the torn back. Maybe I need to order some new ones, the elastic is getting worn out on these & this hen wasn't thrilled to have it put on, so I don't know how long it will stay on her. That is one issue with them, the elastic is only small stuff & will eventually stretch out. That was a funny about the hens taking them off though, I got a chuckle too over that.