Consolidated Kansas

[maidenwolfx80]

I'm so sorry. Why is it always the special ones? She was gorgeous. We have a small enough yard, with big enough lilacs in it, that it would be very hard for a raptor to swoop in and take one of our hens. Not impossible, but luckily it hasn't happened. I saw in a magazine recently where someone took some kind of twine or something and just ran it across the top of the chicken yard, stapling it to the top of the fence rails. They ran stripes close enough together to keep out a predator-sized bird. That might be more workable, and certainly cheaper, than netting.

I have heard of that but I have 4 acres that they roam. I guess it would help with the smaller ones who stay closer to the coop. I am so angry...

 

[Hawkeye95]

I used to mail aquatic plants myself. I made more money off of plants than any other pond supply.
Well my septic tank is pumped. He said it is functioning perfectly. But now we have to snake the house cause the blockage is in the house line. &*#@#! That means renting a power snake tomorrow. I can't do it so it will have to wait. I guess the laundry will wait as well. Yay! More sewage to look foward to. So do I clean the basement or wait until all the mess is over?? I think I am going to put the oxine to work down there at any rate.
Checoukan the single lateral is fine but it actually goes onto the neighboring property. It worries me. The guy who bought that property doesn't care but he is pretty old. If he would pass away I might have some problems. DH won't consider doing anything over there which I think would be a great place to pen more birds because of the fact we might have to replace the lines someday. I'd rather just do it and be done with it but have no idea what it would cost me. This whole set up is different than what you would normally expect. The septic tank is quite a distance from the house instead of close like most. I know at one time they tore down the original house and built this one but I don't know where it set for sure. I kind of think they used the original septic tank and just routed to it. I would have personally put it on the other side of the house if I were doing it. Who knows what the people were thinking back then.
I need to get moving and start getting the baby ducks to their new digs. I hate hatching ducks. It always stinks in the hatcher after ducks. I put probably another 18 duck eggs in today and I have 2 different types of chicken eggs to go in there the next two days.

Sounds like a lot of work is in store for you in the basement. Very interesting about the fact they didn't put the new house where the old one was. It would make sense to rebuild in the same spot-- all of your hookups would be close.

The merging the baby ducks with the older ducks was very stressful. I had been putting them in an X-Pen with in the big ducks pens periodically for a few weeks, I did try to introduce them the week before and boy all the biting and hissing. Scared me like crazy, plus I felt so bad because the newer ducks were little babies to me ( even though they are almost the same size as the adults ). I decided to put a barrier in the duck house so I could separate them, but they could all sleep together, and see each other, so I put the babies to bed before night fall. I ran an errand, and came back about 2 hours later, to find the babies swimming in the duck pool ( the barrier fell down ) and everybody living almost in harmony! I decided to put them all in bed together, none of them were very happy about it. We are now on day 5, last night for the first time, everybody, including the babies lined up to go to bed, I was so happy. I can tell they are not all comfortable yet but I think we are getting there.

I had a scare yesterday afternoon. In the middle of my backyard I found a pile of feathers, dark gray and white ones, good size. I did not go to close, but ran down to the pens and counted everybody. Everybody was accounted for. Had my husband check the feathers, there was no body just feathers. I have no idea what bird the feathers are from or what animal got the bird, but it was pretty scary. We do have hawks and owls. Our pens are covered.

Yikes, sound stressful for you with the ducks. I love those Xpens!! I use them with my silkies, they can't fly, so even the really short Xpens work perfectly for them. I use those pens inside pens all the time. It's great for separating them, but where they can see each other. I have my boys separated from the girls that way. It's so funny-- the girls and the boys will snuggle up next to each other along the pen. But this way-- the girls don't get bred and have all their feathers pulled out during show season. What a SCARE about those feathers! Yikes! I would have been upset, too! Glad it wasn't one of your birds.

I was out feeding and found another beheaded hen. This is one that sleeps under the hen house rather than go inside. She was laying just at the edge of it. I don't know what I am going to do. I just have some stubborn birds who won't go to bed where they are supposed to. There are about 5 others that sleep under there. It is too shallow to crawl under so I'm stuck. I don't really want to have to fence to the ground if I don't have to, because I'm afraid the mice will start moving in if I do. The front that goes to the attached pen is fenced so nothing can get in the pen.
I've been locking up everyone that I can. .I'm still thinking it is an owl at this point, because it isn't making any noise at all. If it did it would wake the guineas and that would alert the dogs. And this is 10 feet from the guinea pen.
I've got a few cookie tins I got last year. It is just a matter of getting them made. It feels kind of hot outside now. Amazing.

Hawkeye I'm afraid the mattress city would probably be just a little to ghetto for your DH.

Oh no! Would that be a opossum?? They can be pretty quiet and sneaky! I think it would be pretty funny to build that used mattress city! Maybe I could use that as a threat-- dig my holes or I build a mattress fort! hehehe Actually, I could probably dig my own holes if he would put the auger on the tractor. But I can't lift that thing-- it's HEAVY. Maybe if I can convince him to just put it on and I can do the rest...

I can't help but wonder why people are breeding lavender/isabels? Not sure of the colors that are being combined whether they are using a BBS and crossing it with a buff. But a true lavender Orpington is an English import and it is a self blue and isn't split to anything. You don't have to breed back anything to keep that color and they are English so they are bigger and fluffier.
Is this the American breeding to create their own lavender color? I'm not trying to be tacky or critical. I am just trying to understand what the deal is? Is the isabel a desirable color?
I really am trying to get a full grasp on chicken genetics.

I know with silkies, we do not have an exisiting color for Isabel/Porcelian. We just got Lavender approved into the SOP only a couple of years ago! So, they have been crossing Buff and Lavender to get the Isabel.... BUT they are not looking anything like the true Isabel/Porcelian that is already called out in the Standard, so we have to come up with a new name for it. By nature of the silkie feather-- they don't hold color the way regular feathers do so the color set in the standard wouldn't be correct. I think the name of choice is "Self-Blue Cream". So this remains a color that needs to be supported by two color pens to get the desired color. Nice that the lavender orpington isn't split and breeds true. BBS doesn't usually have a lavender base to it, and blue is really a toned down black-- less melanizers. Splash has two copies of blue to create it. Now having said that-- I DO have a line of splash/blue with a lavender background. It's interesting, because it's been popping up for me. But it's not really the right way to go. It won't hurt anything (because they have similar genes anyway with blue, but just have to be careful to breed right to bring in darker splash (with either dark blues or black). I was just wondering if Trish's Isabel have the problem of having to have two color pens to continue with the color line, or if they are breeding true without having to breed back and keep the color strength.

I need help, or advice. I just went out inivestigate a screech from my birds and saw a hawk 4 feet from my coop which is 75-100 ft from the house ontopof one of the 2 mille fleur duccle hens. I got within 3 ft of him and he took off, I didnt have my gun on my like usual, he left her with a broken back and I had to put her down. She was that favorite chicken, that one that rushes out to see you. She would jump in my lap and lay down to sleep. She was my special little girl. I need to know what I can do to help deter them. Please help me I am so devestated. That is Sunshine iin my avatar.

Oh no, so sorry about your favorite bird! I've been really worried about hawks. I just don't have any out free ranging. Either the pens are covered, or they can get under my large coop quickly. I did have a hawk sitting on the edge of my pen a while back, and ran out there and chased it off. I like the idea of stringing cord out there. You could tie some fabric strips onto it to make it more visible. Anyway, what an awful thing to happen today.

We spent some time running errands around town today. Yesterday I got the last of my tomatoes turned into 5 more bags of crushed tomatoes. I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the green tomatoes ripened into red. My chickens have been happy to eat the skins and seeds and the ones with holes in them, and a friend of my FIL dropped off a big batch of chard for them. He manages a community garden for his church, but it's not divided into subplots like ours is. It's one big garden and people are just supposed to come in and work and harvest what they need. Last year he ended up doing all the work halfway through summer and this year he's done all the work throughout the whole season. He brings us all the chard and kale that no one wants. I have some bell peppers I haven't decided what to do with yet. Last year I chopped and froze the green ones, but I tend not to use them. They seem to be more bitter than when they're fresh. Many of the ones I picked last week are turning orange or red, but there are still more green ones than I'll use before they go bad.

So nice that he brought over some greens for your birds! They sure get so happy with the treats! I love the happy clucks they make!

 

[Kansas Prairie]

Ivomec for cattle and swine, and NOT the Ivomec PLUS for cattle......correct?

 

[sunflowerparrot]

Wow - I was the lucky winner on the EcoGlow facebook page for a 20 chick brooder Thanks for letting me know Hawkeye - now I just have to figure out how to claim it. I'm really excited.

 

[Kansas Prairie]

I need help, or advice. I just went out inivestigate a screech from my birds and saw a hawk 4 feet from my coop which is 75-100 ft from the house ontopof one of the 2 mille fleur duccle hens. I got within 3 ft of him and he took off, I didnt have my gun on my like usual, he left her with a broken back and I had to put her down. She was that favorite chicken, that one that rushes out to see you. She would jump in my lap and lay down to sleep. She was my special little girl. I need to know what I can do to help deter them. Please help me I am so devestated. That is Sunshine iin my avatar.

So sorry!

Crazy government protected over populated predators!

If you can't cover your run, some people have great luck with fishing line, making a web over their run. If the hawk was successful, it may be probably be back. They need
to just head on to Mexico where it's warmer and get OUT OF KANSAS!
If you feed scratch on the ground do it under cover of trees, bushes or right next to the coop. Hawks circle from above, if they are feeding under brush or
cover or can get to cover they have a better chance. However, hawks have been known to case your set up, land on your coop jump down in your run, enter the pop door and kill. But usually
their pray is something they see while soaring. If you have a place where they perch to watch your flock remove the place if possible. Keep in mind that they
are migratory birds and government protected, it's illegal to shoot them. They are so overpopulated here that they are getting more aggressive to get their food. I have
a big bad rooster, he hates hawks and will keep the ladies in if there is any sound or shadow of a hawk, he doesn't take no for an answer, he also keeps them feeding where
it's by the barn or under cover.

Some people say they can shoot if their livestock is being threatened. However much we love our chickens they are not worth
the fine and jail time that can come with illegally shooting protected migratory birds, and people have got in some big trouble for their comments on the internet. That's where
the BYC term SSS came from. Shoot Shovel SHUT-UP.


Here is a video of a hawk casing the pen, landing on the coop, going in a run, in the pop door and killing a chicken.

I assume the camera was set up to figure out what was killing their flock, I don't think anyone could stand by and film hearing the crys of that chicken!!

 

[tweetysvoice]

Are there any other Overland Park area chicken people on here?

I'm from Lawrence, so not too far! I didn't realize that OP didn't allow chickens in the city limits. I could have sworn that my friend in Lenexa has some, but maybe that's just Lenexa. Good luck with your permit!!!

Don't have time to answer right now. ^&%$*)()_*( I just figured out how the cat was getting wet! I would have preferred he had been in the toilet. I went to the basement to get a string of Christmas lights to put in one of the coops where I moved birds to today. Of all my lousy luck!!!!
My septic tank is backing up into the basement. It overflowed the toilet that is down there which doesn't even have the water turned on to it right now. So now I have to figure out if it is a block or the tank needs pumped!

Sorry to hear about all your septic troubles! Our old place had to be snaked out at least once a year because tree roots kept getting into the main line. I completely understand your troubles!

Hello Kansas

! Feel free to jump right in and chat!

I had a scare yesterday afternoon. In the middle of my backyard I found a pile of feathers, dark gray and white ones, good size. I did not go to close, but ran down to the pens and counted everybody. Everybody was accounted for. Had my husband check the feathers, there was no body just feathers. I have no idea what bird the feathers are from or what animal got the bird, but it was pretty scary. We do have hawks and owls. Our pens are covered.

I think I would have had a heart attack coming out to that! I'm glad it was a "nothing"!

Just emptied the hatcher. I have 42 dried ducks I moved out to the brooder pen. My darn bale of straw got wet so I sprayed it with oxine. I sure hope I killed any mold. I would hate to kill all these ducklings. I have several more pipped and some hatched and drying still on the hatcher. I had two that died while hatching and one that got stuck and is pretty crippled up. He might come out okay. Here are this mornings ducks.

Those are some cuties!! I wish I could have baby ducklings and could keep them just a few days and give them away. I loved my ducks, but boy. Can't deal with them long term. LOL

I need help, or advice. I just went out inivestigate a screech from my birds and saw a hawk 4 feet from my coop which is 75-100 ft from the house ontopof one of the 2 mille fleur duccle hens. I got within 3 ft of him and he took off, I didnt have my gun on my like usual, he left her with a broken back and I had to put her down. She was that favorite chicken, that one that rushes out to see you. She would jump in my lap and lay down to sleep. She was my special little girl. I need to know what I can do to help deter them. Please help me I am so devestated. That is Sunshine iin my avatar.

I"m so sorry Do you have a covered pen? Maybe you could try the trick of hanging old CD's to reflect light and scare away the hawks.

Hi, it's time to introduce myself! I'm Lori and I live in/near Topeka with my husband and 3 kids. We live out in the county and have around 30 chickens. I need to go count them again. LOL Just a generic laying flock & we sell extra eggs to friends. I work part time as a para educator for the Auburn-Washburn school district.

I was starting to feel like a creeper when I recognized the school in the picture Medawinks posted of her daughter's Halloween parade. That's the school I work at! It's a very distinct design. I've probably seen you at Dillon's or something, Medawinks! Anyway, I work there, so if you want to come see if I'm normal, feel free!

Anyway, that's me. Don't know how much I'll post, I'm a better listener than a talker!

! Welcome Lori! I'm from Lawrence! Feel free to jump right in

Wow - I was the lucky winner on the EcoGlow facebook page for a 20 chick brooder Thanks for letting me know Hawkeye - now I just have to figure out how to claim it. I'm really excited.

Congrats!! How exciting!!

Tomorrow is my appointment! Yay!!
I have to share a picture of my granddaughter on halloween. I call her Kaylea Bug, so we dressed her as a lady bug

 

[maidenwolfx80]

So sorry!

Crazy government protected over populated predators!

If you can't cover your run, some people have great luck with fishing line, making a web over their run. If the hawk was successful, it may be probably be back. They need
to just head on to Mexico where it's warmer and get OUT OF KANSAS!
If you feed scratch on the ground do it under cover of trees, bushes or right next to the coop. Hawks circle from above, if they are feeding under brush or
cover or can get to cover they have a better chance. However, hawks have been known to case your set up, land on your coop jump down in your run, enter the pop door and kill. But usually
their pray is something they see while soaring. If you have a place where they perch to watch your flock remove the place if possible. Keep in mind that they
are migratory birds and government protected, it's illegal to shoot them. They are so overpopulated here that they are getting more aggressive to get their food. I have
a big bad rooster, he hates hawks and will keep the ladies in if there is any sound or shadow of a hawk, he doesn't take no for an answer, he also keeps them feeding where
it's by the barn or under cover.

Some people say they can shoot if their livestock is being threatened. However much we love our chickens they are not worth
the fine and jail time that can come with illegally shooting protected migratory birds, and people have got in some big trouble for their comments on the internet. That's where
the BYC term SSS came from. Shoot Shovel SHUT-UP.


Here is a video of a hawk casing the pen, landing on the coop, going in a run, in the pop door and killing a chicken.

I assume the camera was set up to figure out what was killing their flock, I don't think anyone could stand by and film hearing the crys of that chicken!!

My run is covered, mine free range so I cant cover cover 4 acres. I know and do all the steps and to dos in order to not attract any hawks. The hawk attacked her only a few feet from the coop so the structure did not deter him either. It happened 5 mins after I came inside, the turkeys always follow me to the door and wait a few mins for me to come back out so the biggest birds and ones who cry hawk the most were busy and away at the time. I do know the SSS term and usually out here that is what we do, our livestock are our lives and our money some are even our dear friends. I am familiar with the hawk flying in the pop door, and I am also familiar with the dont shoot migratory birds. I am looking for detering methods to safe guard my flock.

 

[mstng67]

I have to share a picture of my granddaughter on halloween.  I call her Kaylea Bug, so we dressed her as a lady bug

Tweety,

We live right up the street from you!

 

[Kansas Prairie]

My run is covered, mine free range so I cant cover cover 4 acres. I know and do all the steps and to dos in order to not attract any hawks. The hawk attacked her only a few feet from the coop so the structure did not deter him either. It happened 5 mins after I came inside, the turkeys always follow me to the door and wait a few mins for me to come back out so the biggest birds and ones who cry hawk the most were busy and away at the time. I do know the SSS term and usually out here that is what we do, our livestock are our lives and our money some are even our dear friends. I am familiar with the hawk flying in the pop door, and I am also familiar with the dont shoot migratory birds. I am looking for detering methods to safe guard my flock.

I'm so sorry they got your girl! Seems like they always get the best ones!

 

[chicken danz]

I need help, or advice. I just went out inivestigate a screech from my birds and saw a hawk 4 feet from my coop which is 75-100 ft from the house ontopof one of the 2 mille fleur duccle hens. I got within 3 ft of him and he took off, I didnt have my gun on my like usual, he left her with a broken back and I had to put her down. She was that favorite chicken, that one that rushes out to see you. She would jump in my lap and lay down to sleep. She was my special little girl. I need to know what I can do to help deter them. Please help me I am so devestated. That is Sunshine iin my avatar.

I wish I had an answer. Maybe try playing a radio or something out there to fake them out so they think you are there. I'm pretty disgusted with the predator problem around here. I may try putting a bright light out by the pens for awhile to see if that works. I just ran out of time to do much with it today. DH said he went out about 3:30 and it was calm so my predator must have shown up after that. I wish I could stay awake and had a night vision scope. I would find that sucker and it would be over.
Posted by cherwill

Hi, it's time to introduce myself! I'm Lori and I live in/near Topeka with my husband and 3 kids. We live out in the county and have around 30 chickens. I need to go count them again. LOL Just a generic laying flock & we sell extra eggs to friends. I work part time as a para educator for the Auburn-Washburn school district.

I was starting to feel like a creeper when I recognized the school in the picture Medawinks posted of her daughter's Halloween parade. That's the school I work at! It's a very distinct design. I've probably seen you at Dillon's or something, Medawinks! Anyway, I work there, so if you want to come see if I'm normal, feel free!

Anyway, that's me. Don't know how much I'll post, I'm a better listener than a talker!

Welcome Lori! Don't hesitate to post. We are glad to welcome anyone.

Sorry to hear about all your septic troubles! Our old place had to be snaked out at least once a year because tree roots kept getting into the main line. I completely understand your troubles!
Our lines are fine. It's a problem in the house itself! Drat!

Those are some cuties!! I wish I could have baby ducklings and could keep them just a few days and give them away. I loved my ducks, but boy. Can't deal with them long term. LOL
I love my ducks as long as they can free range. I hate penning them up when I am breeding for pure bred chicks.
I'm not being picky right now cause these are for meat.

Tomorrow is my appointment! Yay!!
Best of luck tomorrow. You are in my prayers!
I have to share a picture of my granddaughter on halloween. I call her Kaylea Bug, so we dressed her as a lady bug

What a little angel!

Hawkeye, I'm still laughing to myself about the mattress city! I can just visualize that!
I got a new pop door built and installed on one of my buildings today. Now when I get the pen divided they can get out from both sides. I already divided the inside, just have to hang a gate. I was watching that Alaska reality show and they had a sliding door on the chicken coop. I would love to figure out how to do that so it would slide smoothly. It would be really nice where I am dividing coops into two sides, not to have a swinging door.
I sure didn't get my to do list finished. I had to make chick feed tonight cause I didn't go get starter yet either.