Consolidated Kansas

[sunflowerparrot]

I honestly had never eaten lentils except in a mixed bean stew.

I cook lentils about once a week. In fact, we had them for dinner last night. I just simmer about 3/4 cup in some garlic and crushed red pepper for about 45 minutes or until tender. Then I add an onion, some jalepenos, a cup of steamed jasmine (or basmati) rice, and a can of crushed or stewed tomatoes - heat up - eat up It makes a decent sized pot and we have the left overs for lunch the next day. Cheap, tasty, and very healthy!

 

[sunflowerparrot]

After quite a bit of debating, I've decided to get rid of 2 of the 4 cats (older kittens really). There are 2 black kittens that are very annoying and just too needy and dependent for my comfort level. I hate walking outside every day and having to trip over them, having them meow nonstop like they've never eaten, in my lap, etc. One of them is constantly diverting Fern from staying with the chickens and the dog is always following the 2 black ones. My friend in Oxford will happily take them - I am taking them this evening. That will leave 2 (who are more independent and able to go off on their own and be farm cats and not so much pet cats).

This brings me to a question - how many cats do you have (I will have 2 after this evening), how often do you feed them (I am feeding twice a day, but thinking of cutting back to one larger meal in the morning only), when did they start to go off on their own and hunt mice/etc (mine still hasn't - they are about 4 months old), how important are cats to keep rodent population down?

 

[lizzyGSR]

Good morning everyone! My husband and I got the sides of the duck run up this weekend! I've started using it as it is more secure than the temporary pen I've been using, even with no top. This seems to have thrown my birds for a loop. They don't like their routine being disturbed. Basically, I put a pen around the duck house. They usually go to the duck house from one direction. That is NOT the direction that the gate is at, so they've been having a really hard time figuring out how to get into the duck run. Silly, silly birds.

I do have a question this morning as well. This morning, I got up and fed the birds and then went and watered the garden and trees. As usual, when I was done, I put some water out in the yard for the birds and herded them over to it. However, one of my ducks wasn't keeping up with the flock this morning, even though the flock wasn't moving all that fast. He was trying to run faster and wasn't able to keep up, so he started flapping his wings, like he was trying to run/fly to keep up. That didn't work either, so he just stopped, giving up altogether. This bird is a touch-me-not and doesn't even like letting me get real close. However, he let me pick him up without running away. I looked him over somewhat quickly, checking his feet/legs and didn't see anything wrong. He MIGHT have had some drainage from his nostril this morning, but it was kind of hard to tell for sure as the birds had just been playing in the water and this bird was wet. Any suggestions on what I should do? I have a general antibiotic that I could put in their water. I did give them a vitamin supplement in their water, just as much for my goose with angel wing as for the duck that wasn't keeping up with the rest of the flock. Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[chicken danz]

We just remodeled bedrooms, so that while she and Aubri still share a big bedroom, visually they are very personal spaces. Sera wanted light aqua blue walls and grass green floor. We are painting bamboo on her walls and she has pandas everywhere. Her carpet is actually artificial turf. Her lighting is little and big white Asian lanterns. She requested all of it and has just had a blast having a "space" all of her own that she doesn't have to share . My oldest has dark purple floors, medium purple walls, brushed metal full size futon bunk and white twinkly lights everywhere. We are going to tile a Stone path through the entry and though Sera's space to the closets. It looks like a garden path even now They are starting the school year with their own places to study and relax. Not so easy with a freshman and a second grader in the same space.They both are so happy.... And mom is worn out!
No eggs today, except for our constant little pink egg Bloom leaves us. Maybe they listened to Sera and we will find some tomorrow though

That must be a huge room. It sounds absolutely magical. I always wanted to have a space decorated for my own likes when I was a little girl. Aubri is such an awesome child.You just don't know how lucky you are to have a teen that is that sweet and tolerant at her age. And of course she is just beautiful.
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Jamaican meat pies and Irish hand pies..... Those sound interesting!
I love little Fern! Thank you for sharing her cuteness!!! These GPs are all so photogenic and just exude an air of gentle intelligence. Someday..... Owning one is on my bucket list!
Sera is wanting to show her silkies next year at the fair Danz . If the "bed head" is a pullet, she will be so thrilled! Andy will too! Thank you so much! They talk about you and your birds every time they see a peacock or a duck Sera was telling Topaz tonight that her "bird zoo momma" wasn't going to be very proud of her if she doesn't lay eggs. I had to laugh as I reminded her that Topaz wouldn't be laying eggs for another few months. She so wants her and our splash to lay eggs like Blooms so that she only eats pink eggs . I love this age!

Sera is such a trooper! She is so funny! I just love your kids! If the polish has a round poof shaped head it will be a pullet. If it has longer straighter feathers on it's head it would be a roo. I would think it would be about old enough to tell. The jury is still out on this buff laced one I have. It's got a really wild "bed head" and I can't really tell yet.
My favorelle and the d'uclle boys are still doing great and still sleep together on the back porch. I have no idea what they will do come winter. But they are a team and have to be together. I often wonder when the favorelle reaches breeding age what on earth the d'uccle will do! I can't find any self blue d'uccles for sale to mate him with. Wrong time of year.
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Well, it only took the fox 3 weeks to find us and the mice about 2 months. Sheesh. I thought I'd get more of a break than that. So I'm going to try to get some Buckeyes since none of my birds seems inclined to do anything about it. When things settle down later this week, I might also try taking the cat down to the coop in the evenings. He is a little afraid of the birds so doesn't like to be locked in the coop but if I sit there with him and he gets a whiff of a mouse, he'll be more inclined to stay there and try to catch some. He's a pretty good mouser once he gets over his fear of the birds. Still, having some buckeyes on the job during the day to help his night-time efforts would be a good thing. I haven't heard anyone on here mention having Buckeyes but if anyone does, please let me know. Otherwise I guess I'll have to order some Buckeye hatching eggs and hope for the best on incubating them.

All of my birds love catching and eating mice. But I go through bucket after bucket of mouse bait and we never seem to get them under control any more. I think the drought has driven them here more because there is food and water. I have can sitting all over with bait in them and a hole cut in the lid so the chickens and dogs don't eat it. I'm starting to believe they've developed an intolerance to it cause it doesn't seem to work at all.
I know a guy that raises top quality buckeyes. If you have an incubator I can send you some contact information and you can ask him about getting eggs. He lives in Missouri.
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After quite a bit of debating, I've decided to get rid of 2 of the 4 cats (older kittens really). There are 2 black kittens that are very annoying and just too needy and dependent for my comfort level. I hate walking outside every day and having to trip over them, having them meow nonstop like they've never eaten, in my lap, etc. One of them is constantly diverting Fern from staying with the chickens and the dog is always following the 2 black ones. My friend in Oxford will happily take them - I am taking them this evening. That will leave 2 (who are more independent and able to go off on their own and be farm cats and not so much pet cats).

This brings me to a question - how many cats do you have (I will have 2 after this evening), how often do you feed them (I am feeding twice a day, but thinking of cutting back to one larger meal in the morning only), when did they start to go off on their own and hunt mice/etc (mine still hasn't - they are about 4 months old), how important are cats to keep rodent population down?

My cats have dry food all the time. I feed them a special treat once a day. But they do eat inside. If I were feeding cats outside I would make sure they got to eat at least once a day and always have water. But as kittens they will need to eat at least a couple times. Your black cats sound like ideal cats to me but I like the loving type cats. I'd feed them out near where you want them to hunt mice if you have any way to do that.

I do have a question this morning as well. This morning, I got up and fed the birds and then went and watered the garden and trees. As usual, when I was done, I put some water out in the yard for the birds and herded them over to it. However, one of my ducks wasn't keeping up with the flock this morning, even though the flock wasn't moving all that fast. He was trying to run faster and wasn't able to keep up, so he started flapping his wings, like he was trying to run/fly to keep up. That didn't work either, so he just stopped, giving up altogether. This bird is a touch-me-not and doesn't even like letting me get real close. However, he let me pick him up without running away. I looked him over somewhat quickly, checking his feet/legs and didn't see anything wrong. He MIGHT have had some drainage from his nostril this morning, but it was kind of hard to tell for sure as the birds had just been playing in the water and this bird was wet. Any suggestions on what I should do? I have a general antibiotic that I could put in their water. I did give them a vitamin supplement in their water, just as much for my goose with angel wing as for the duck that wasn't keeping up with the rest of the flock. Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

DO NOT GIVE YOUR DUCK ANTIBIOTICS! MANY ANTIBIOTICS WILL KILL A DUCK!!!
My guess is the duck has been injured some how. If you can keep her in the pen and watch her you might be able to tell what is wrong. Most of the time this is a leg or back injury that makes them act this way. It will work best if you can keep another duck in with her.

 

[michelleml]

yesterday after working on the pool. I noticed Dh was on hands in knees in the grass so i ran over thinking maybe he had a seizure but when i asked if he was okay he said yes I'm trying to catch grasshoppers for the chickens

Looks like the weather is going to be nice today its cool 68 this morning and windy. i found a free dog house on craigslist that im going to try and use a nesting box if the person will ever return my email what do you think?

 

[chicken danz]

Does anyone know where I can find some frizzles near Topeka?. I would prefer crested. Is anyone going to the swap meet at the north Topeka tractor supply Co next Sunday the 19th?

I don't know any one at all who raises frizzles. Sorry. I noticed no one answered your post. Didn't mean to ignore you.

It was so quiet on here yesterday. I kept popping in and no one was posting. I had 4 little Swedish flower hens that last time I checked the hatcher. I took 3 of them out and put in the bin with my newest lavender orps. The other was still wet. I am just like a mamma hen with these precious babies of mine. When my kids are here next weekend they are going to think I really joined the ranks of the insane. (Oh I am sure they think I am already there. They don't understand why I like all these birds.
I am proud to say I am buying a trio and a pair of orlandsk dwarfs. I don't think I'm even going to mention to DH what I am paying for them. He would just die!!!! There is no way in my wildest dreams I ever thought I would pay that much for a little chick! These will be 6-8 weeks old. I'm not sure how on earth I will house them initially. I want to be sure they are totally protected against everything. I sure hope this turns out to be a good business deal. I would love to be selling some of these beauties next spring.

Michelleml, Looks like it might work if it isn't too big.

 

[chicken danz]

You have got to watch this video! It is long but so worth it!!

 

[JosieChick]

Danz, here is a pic of my young Salmon Faverolle Roo, he's about 3 months old now, tell me what you think of him, he's right in the middle of the photo next to the feeder, you can kind of see his feathered feet. I plan to use him for breeding. He has two pullets that are growing out in that pen too, but I didn't take pics of them this time.



Here is another view of him from the side:



Here is a pic of the chicks just hanging out in the dog house I gave them. They immediately started going in there as soon as I put it in the pen. They just hang out in there & sleep, it's funny to see a whole dog house full of chickens.



And here is a pic of my big Black Copper Marans roo Rusty, he is getting really big now. I love all the colors on him!


He has big old feathered feet that you can't see very well in this pic. The chickens are all picking at the cat food I had given the kittens this morning & they left a little bit. I have to shut the baby kittens in the crate to feed them or all of the chickens, bigger cats, & dogs will eat their food before they have a chance.

This BCM boy is very handsome!

We put up one of the walls on the new coop 3 more walls and a roof to go..

Went out to refill waters this afternoon, and found one of the cats "nursing" on the puppy - Fern didn't mind one bit... weird, huh???

Ahhh, a surrogate mommy!

I guess I've been lucky, none of my kids, nor my granddaughter, have had any problems with vaccinations. I have to get the flu shot, as well as the hepatitis vaccination and whooping cough vaccination, at work or I can't work there. I find it hard to believe that so many in the medical community doesn't get it since it's a required part of employment at our hospital. We also have to be TB tested every 6 months as well.

I have been vaccinated out the wazoo when I first started grad school but never had any issues. We were required to have a flu shot too and I remember one girl was sick already and went and got a flu shot. She felt awful for three days. I wouldn't have gotten it when I was sick personally but it was just a walk through clinic so she didn't say anything to them about not feeling well. I was nervous about getting one because of her experience but I never felt any ill effects.

I was thinking reading about your cattails Sunflower, that if a person had a chipper/shredder if they got some that it would make really nice stuff regardless of any stocks. As long as it wasn't one that cut it too fine. I do think you should ask for a donation though because your boyfriend is burning up gas to rnow that stuff. It's so dry here I think my cattails may have actually died. There were huge bunches of them on one end of my pond but 2 years without much rain and they didn't even grow this summer.

I have at least 3 Swedish flower hens hatched. I looked in the incubator with a flashlight and the one I saw has a crest. I saw 2 other open eggs in there so I know there were more. I'm trying not to disturb them until they are all hatched and dry. Wish me luck with these!
I've got to get busy around here this afternoon and get some cleaning done. I have the kids and families coming next weekend and that means I've got to get organized and try to keep it that way. Of course knowing me I won't get it done until Friday night.
I'd like to get the yard cleaned too but that won't happen. That darned pup will drag anything I pick up right back out again.
My daughter who lives in Austin has really lucked out this year on weather. Last year their weather was like ours, but this year they have had cooler temperatures and rain. They had some major heat the last couple days and she lost one of her favorite hens. Her birds are all like very dear pets and loosing one would be like loosing a dog or a cat to most people.
I am kind of concerned about getting more expensive breeds for that reason. If I loose a $50-$100 bird that's a lot worse than loosing a $3-$10 bird. It sure would be nice if I knew what the weather would be like for the next few years.

Congrats on the swedish flower chicks! I know how your daughter feels. It is heart breaking to lose a bird that is like a pet, especially one that has an important place in your breeding program and cost an arm and a leg to buy!

Well, it only took the fox 3 weeks to find us and the mice about 2 months. Sheesh. I thought I'd get more of a break than that. So I'm going to try to get some Buckeyes since none of my birds seems inclined to do anything about it. When things settle down later this week, I might also try taking the cat down to the coop in the evenings. He is a little afraid of the birds so doesn't like to be locked in the coop but if I sit there with him and he gets a whiff of a mouse, he'll be more inclined to stay there and try to catch some. He's a pretty good mouser once he gets over his fear of the birds. Still, having some buckeyes on the job during the day to help his night-time efforts would be a good thing. I haven't heard anyone on here mention having Buckeyes but if anyone does, please let me know. Otherwise I guess I'll have to order some Buckeye hatching eggs and hope for the best on incubating them.

Mice! Ugh. I have one barn cat and she is pretty good about rodent control. I have heard from one of my friends that her light brahma roos are serious mousers too. I have one buckeye chick that was an accident from a mixed batch of eggs I bought. It is the friendliest little thing, I think you will really like them. I am hoping mine is a pullet but it is too little to tell at this stage in the game.

This brings me to a question - how many cats do you have (I will have 2 after this evening), how often do you feed them (I am feeding twice a day, but thinking of cutting back to one larger meal in the morning only), when did they start to go off on their own and hunt mice/etc (mine still hasn't - they are about 4 months old), how important are cats to keep rodent population down?

I just have the one because she showed up when we moved in. She gets fed twice a day and I would try to feed your kittens at least twice a day while they are little and growing. They won't start to really wander until they are a bit bigger. They are still small and vulnerable to predators at 4 months of age so they will stick close to where they live. I would think by the time they are 8-10 months old they wills start to range around. Lily, our barn cat, doesn't go very far which is fine with me. I don't want to lose her to coyotes and I mostly don't want rodents in my feed so I am glad she sticks close to home. Between her and the puppy, who is also a darn good mouser, they keep our yard pretty rodent (and rabbit) free.

My cats have dry food all the time. I feed them a special treat once a day. But they do eat inside. If I were feeding cats outside I would make sure they got to eat at least once a day and always have water. But as kittens they will need to eat at least a couple times. Your black cats sound like ideal cats to me but I like the loving type cats. I'd feed them out near where you want them to hunt mice if you have any way to do that.
DO NOT GIVE YOUR DUCK ANTIBIOTICS! MANY ANTIBIOTICS WILL KILL A DUCK!!!
My guess is the duck has been injured some how. If you can keep her in the pen and watch her you might be able to tell what is wrong. Most of the time this is a leg or back injury that makes them act this way. It will work best if you can keep another duck in with her.

We have given our ducks baytril which is safe for them. If the duck doesn't improve you might consider getting in touch with your vet. I love baytril, a couple doses and they are feeling a million times better. I have noticed when a duck is injured or sore that it is very lethargic and unwilling to move, much more so than a chicken.

I don't know any one at all who raises frizzles. Sorry. I noticed no one answered your post. Didn't mean to ignore you.

It was so quiet on here yesterday. I kept popping in and no one was posting. I had 4 little Swedish flower hens that last time I checked the hatcher. I took 3 of them out and put in the bin with my newest lavender orps. The other was still wet. I am just like a mamma hen with these precious babies of mine. When my kids are here next weekend they are going to think I really joined the ranks of the insane. (Oh I am sure they think I am already there. They don't understand why I like all these birds.
I am proud to say I am buying a trio and a pair of orlandsk dwarfs. I don't think I'm even going to mention to DH what I am paying for them. He would just die!!!! There is no way in my wildest dreams I ever thought I would pay that much for a little chick! These will be 6-8 weeks old. I'm not sure how on earth I will house them initially. I want to be sure they are totally protected against everything. I sure hope this turns out to be a good business deal. I would love to be selling some of these beauties next spring.

I looked at greenfire farms website. Those brahmas are awesome. They are kind of a racket with chicks though aren't they? One breed was $399 for a chick!!!! I about fell out of my chair! Congrats on your orlandsk dwarfs, are you buying them privately?




Well if the pup ever grows up we will be all set right?? I go out the door this morning and there is a duck on the front lawn. I thought it was dead but it lifted its head. Don't know what is worse sometimes, injured bird or dead bird. Molly was laying about 10 feet away from it and when the puppy came running up she chased her back into the backyard so I think Molly has made the connection that the puppy chewing on my birds is bad news and that I become irrational in the presence of injured fowl. It had some minor abrasions but I think Molly took it before the pup had too much time to cause serious damage. I could kill that puppy some days. So I brought it in and it is resting in the bathroom.

I went back out to take care of everyone and I let the geese out and the darn puppy goes bounding after the geese!! So she got in big trouble and made herself scarce after that. She looks like she knows better but just can't help herself. I am so torn over what to do with her. She is supposed to protect the birds but I have lost more birds to injuries from her than I have lost to predators. On the flip side, she works her butt off. She is out all night all over the property barking. A few days ago I watched her chase the neighbors giant in tact male redbone coonhound off the property who is easily twice her size. The lady came to pick up her mare this weekend and her little four year old son was with her. Lucie carefully walked around with him while they were here and was so gentle with him. She would sit with her head down at his waist so he could pet her and when they walked down to the creek she walked two paces behind him and when he tottered on the rocks she waited until he regained his balance to continue walking. Sometimes she is so good and then sometimes she is so bad.

Lots to do today, hoping to get my feed moved into my new shed which I need to take a pic of! Danz- I bought it from ecanopy (http://www.ecanopy.com/) for less than $300 and free shipping. The directions were really good to follow and we put it up in about 3 hours. I was pretty thrilled with it overall.

Still trying to find some prairie hay locally. If anyone sees round bales of prairie hay let me know. We want 3-4 and delivery would be a huge plus!

 

[michelleml]

the measurements on the free dog house are 34" wide, 24" deep, 24" high in the front, 17" high in the back.
Opening is 13" high and 11" wide.

 

[JosieChick]

the measurements on the free dog house are 34" wide, 24" deep, 24" high in the front, 17" high in the back.
Opening is 13" high and 11" wide.

Do you mean you will just be using it as a nesting box? How many birds do you have? That looks really nice! I love that the lid is hinged, so much easier to collect eggs and clean out.