Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

Well I was gone again today and finally back home. Trish I filled an old washtub full of straw and stuck it in the corner of the pen for the peahen, and she laid and sat on her eggs there. But the sides were too tall so the babies couldn't get in and out on their own. So I removed that and built about a 2 foot by 2 foot box out of 6" wide wood with no bottom in it and filled it for straw for the peafowl. She took her babies to it and basically raised them from it. I have read on many of the peafowl sites to use either a wooden nest or cut the bottom 6 inches or so off of a 55 gallon plastic barrel. I just went today and bought 5 barrels partly for that reason.
I thought I might do the same for the turkeys. What about dividing your pen so you can put your Tom in a pen if there are problems? I had an aunt and uncle that raised heritage turkeys when I was young and they never had them divided. The guy I got my first midget eggs from let his pair of turkeys run together and never had that problem. As well as one of my friends has hatched several young turkeys in a pen with a couple Tom's. I need to contact a couple other people I know who raise turkeys and see if this is a problem or not.
I don't know how you'd ever get fertile eggs if you remove the Tom....unless you do it after the hen starts sitting.
I had good luck hatching my turkeys. I had an unabsorbed yolk on the first one I hatched but it lived and absorbed it. And I never had that topsy turvey problem either. I had a couple regular chicken chicks in with the poults and I think they learned from the chicks how to eat.
I'm going to have a major delemma if I have to remove my Toms.
I know a guy who is a bird expert. He bought my extra Eastern Tom. I may write him and ask him for some advice on this. I need to prepare myself as well for whatever might come up.
I really like to have mother's raise their babies but sometimes it's just not practical. I was told not to let my Mandarin ducks or my peafowl hatch and raise their own babies but I did and never lost a single chick that way.
Turkeys seem a little slower to learn than some birds so I guess raising them yourself might have some advantages.
I certainly don't have the fencing or the money to set up a huge pasture for them. They will have to live in their pens where they are now.
First thing tomorrow I have to get out and clean the entire brooder. It smells so strong of ammonia. I had both windows open today and it still reeks in there. I can't seem to keep enough shavings down to keep the odors down. I may need to come up with some more vents just to air the place out better.
Well Gotta get ready for the sandman. DH has to get up early and go to work.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

O day 21. I have 2 healthy happy noisy EE's and the other 2 eggs are not pipped. When do I count my loses and take my chicks out?

 

[sunflowerparrot]

O day 21. I have 2 healthy happy noisy EE's and the other 2 eggs are not pipped. When do I count my loses and take my chicks out?

I've been told on day 24. To let the chicks stay in for 3 days - they will be fine.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

I've been told on day 24. To let the chicks stay in for 3 days - they will be fine.

The other 2 were hatched yesterday am. So wed morning? It is interested that the 2 that hatched early were EE's. And not they are terrorizing each other by pecking at each other. Every time I look in they run to the closest side to me and look up peeping and jumping it is so cute.

 

[lizzyGSR]

O day 21. I have 2 healthy happy noisy EE's and the other 2 eggs are not pipped. When do I count my loses and take my chicks out?

We would love to see pictures!!!


I got home from church yesterday afternoon and decided that it was a beautiful day for a horse ride. I put my riding boots (ropers with a tall heel... they're a lot like wearing high heals) on and went out to feed my birds. My birds (9 ducks, 3 geese) have tried to play in their water so much, that their water bowl now sits on a mound of ice. I had filled up (2) 5 quart ice cream buckets of water that I was going to use to fill the birds' water bowls. I usually have to gently kick the water bowls because they are usually frozen to the ground. When I went to do that, I forgot that I was wearing my riding boots (read: absolutely NO traction). The next thing I know, I was on the ground and had hit my front teeth on the edge of the water bowl, bit my tongue, bruised my knee, got bird poo on the knee of my fresh-from-the-laundry jeans, and of course got myself all wet (thankfully just the outside layer of the many I was wearing in preparation for my horse ride).

I am typically very careful about not hitting myself in the face because I had jaw surgery years ago and it doesn't take much for me to be in pain for hours, even days, afterwards. My jaw is aching today, and my bruised knees are tender. On a good note, though, I thoroughly enjoyed my ride. It's been so cold the last several weeks that being outside for long periods of time is miserable. We have been able to enjoy a couple of nice days (read: above freezing!!!!

) and, according to the forecast, we have a couple more on the way before we get more snow and settle back into our routine of having highs in the low 20's. My birds haven't been venturing very far from their duck run because of the cold. Today, I herded them to their usual (warmer weather) spot in the yard, which is just outside my office window. I have been enjoying being able to watch them as I work, especially since my husband mentioned seeing our dog chase a dog/coyote away from the yard the other evening.

 

[chicken danz]

Congrats on the chicks Amber. Keep the humidity up and give it at least another day. I allow at least 3 days for late pippers. Since you've had some temp problems some could take longer than others. There are so many variables.
I have a couple of mutt chicks hatching today. I was hoping for polish again but so far they are just half polish.
I am making a deal right now for some exhibition buff orpingtons. I am going to trade my partridge cochins and my Phoenix for them. One more step to reducing the number of pens. I eventually would like to get all of my orpingtons to exhibition stock. I love those awesome giants.
I collected several eggs from the lavender and lemon orp pen in the last couple days. I guess I am going to do a test hatch to see if they are fertile yet.
I may end up with some Isabel colored chicks if they are.
I have a busy day ahead. I need to get eggs ready to take to town and I need to get to work on making a grow out pen/house.
I also have to do the entire brooder clean out today.
So sorry about your fall. I know what you mean. I have sheets of ice around the yard where the ducks and geese make their messes. It is even worse when it melts a little so the surface is wet.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Danz, sorry about the eggs not being as viable as you first thought. The car accident that keeps on taking.....

What is it with car troubles anyway? My car broke down three weeks ago in whoop-whoop Kansas. This car has never once let me down in 8 years of driving but when it did, it couldn't be in my garage or driveway - it had to be hours away and on a Sunday so I couldn't contact anyone to fix it. I had to get a ride home, then contact them next day and mail them my key. Well, between holidays and supposedly the mechanic got the flu bad enough to be put in the hospital, and here I am, three weeks later, no closer to getting my car back. In the meantime, DD, DH and I have all been sharing one vehicle and that has led to much inconvenience if two or more of us need to be in different places at the same time. Grrr.

Well, I saw Ned mating Madge the other day so I guess I can look forward to turkey poults in the spring. That is, the reproductive organs on turkeys are in the feet, right? Because I was alerted to the activity by Madge making sounds I'd never heard before and when I went to investigate, Ned was standing on her back. Just standing there. She continued to make these whimpering sounds and he periodically adjusted his position until it got uncomfortable for her and she wriggled out from under him. He immediately gave a command "Take your position, woman!" and she squatted down again, and he climbed back up to stand on her back some more. Since there was 8-12" clearance the whole time from his body to hers, I can only surmise that the reproductive organs are in the feet and transmit through to her back. Correct? (In case anyone thinks I'm serious, that was very tongue-in-cheek. Nevertheless.....those with turkeys, have you seen them mate where things seem to connect up a little better? Is Ned just inexperienced and will figure it out eventually?)

Oh wow, sorry about your car! I was out of a vehicle for over 30 days before I got my new one (after my wreck). NOT fun, so I know what you're going through. Fortunately, we have a couple of trucks, the car and the van. But trying to get all the kids into the little sedan that is not meant to have 3 car seats in the back... fun.

Very interesting turkey behavior you have going on there! ha! Hopefully he will get the hang of it, because I'm guess that just standing on her back isn't going to cut it. Anyway, I got a laugh out of your story.

Seymore (Royal Palm) decided to nest in the tree line which is what led to her demise! She built the most fabulous turkey nest in the tall grass/brush. She built it up with lots of thick sticks underneath! Then she layed in lots of long grasses over it. Didn't look very comfortable, but that's what she did all on her own. I finally found her nest and would bring her in at night and take her eggs away (they were not fertile anyway). But she headed right out to her nest each morning. It was that ONE night that she snuck out there and got left out over night that the coyotes found her and killed her. So sad. But her nest is still out there, I couldn't get rid of it. So maybe give Madge some long sticks? About as thick as your first finger. That's what Seymore used.

I've been letting the 2 surviving chicks out to free range will our older flock is out but they just chase them around. How long will it take before they will let them be. The younger two pullets stay together while to other go off and look for food. I hope everyone had a good day it was a beautiful day here so we got a few things done after church. All the snow is finally gone.

What seed company do you all use this will be our first garden and we have no idea what we are doing so if anyone has any info to share it would be greatly appreciated. I also plan on trying my hand at canning so any help things about which veggies work better would be good.

Thanks

I buy a lot of seeds, but I just buy them from Walmart or Lowes. (all of the veggies) I can find great started peppers and tomatoes at Atwoods for about half the price of anywhere else. I have bought saplings from seed catalogs, and so far have had really bad luck. I don't know why! I have bought probably close to 60 trees/shrubs and roses through catalogs over the years and ONE.... ONE tree has made it. Not good odds. Now I just buy everything local and have much better luck. I am going to grow Catalpa trees this year. I collected the pods and got all the seeds from them last year. They are in my fridge. I was just thinking about them! It's about time to get them out, soak them and see if they will germinate!! I have peat pots all ready for them. Crossing my fingers I can get at least 40 of them to grow!


Danz, sounds like you have been busy as usual! Sounds like you had a pretty good Christmas with your kids. Hope you can find the missing gifts before she out grows them! My middle child's birthday is coming up at the end of the month and I'm talking to him about what he'd like to see on his cake. So far he's said dinosaurs, a racetrack with cars, and a BIG volcano.... hmmm. I'm hoping he will narrow that down soon! LOL I think even that might be too much for ONE cake. I have an AWESOME bakery I use, but I'm not sure they can handle all of that.

I'm feeling better today! I feel like someone detached my head and it's floating somewhere above my body, but otherwise, I'm not feeling too miserable!

 

[HEChicken]

Lizzy, I had a bad feeling as soon as I saw that you put on your riding boots and didn't proceed directly to the barn......sorry about the fall but glad you are not seriously injured and were still able to enjoy your ride.

We also spent the afternoon on our horses and consider a 50-degree day in the first week of January to be a gift. Our forecast for this week is mid to high 50's all week so we will be making the most of it.

We have been looking for awhile for a horse for my daughter. Long story, but the mare she has been riding for the past three years (and whom she was told to treat as her own horse) is being retired at the end of this month to a ranch down in Texas. So, knowing DD was going to lose her riding companion, we started looking. We finally found her a gelding who we hope will be a good match, and the seller delivered him to our barn on Saturday morning. So we spent most of the weekend helping him get settled in and plan to be there everyday this week after school as well. So the high temperatures are most welcome

Maidenwolf, congrats on the chicks. If you have no other pips you can open the incubator and take out those two chicks now and move them to the brooder. If I have pipped eggs I don't open the incubator but if I can see that there is nothing happening in any of the unhatched eggs, I will move the chicks after they are dry. Although they can go 3 days without food and water, in my experience they are more than happy to partake sooner than that if it is offered.

Danz, I love those exhibition orps as well - congrats on the trade.

I actually sold some eggs yesterday. I went most of December with no eggs and even broke down and bought a dozen store eggs for the first time in more than 3 years. The day I bought them, the egg-drought broke and with the days getting a little longer again, laying is slowly picking up. When a customer called and asked if I had any eggs, I was happy to be able to tell her yes!

 

[HEChicken]

Hawkeye, thanks for that description of the turkey nest - that helps a lot. I am rethinking using that planter pot and may just drag a bunch of sticks and twigs into the hoop house for her and let her choose what she wants to use to build her nest. It would be fascinating to catch her building it and see how she does it but I probably won't get that lucky.

 

[Hawkeye95]

We would love to see pictures!!!


I got home from church yesterday afternoon and decided that it was a beautiful day for a horse ride. I put my riding boots (ropers with a tall heel... they're a lot like wearing high heals) on and went out to feed my birds. My birds (9 ducks, 3 geese) have tried to play in their water so much, that their water bowl now sits on a mound of ice. I had filled up (2) 5 quart ice cream buckets of water that I was going to use to fill the birds' water bowls. I usually have to gently kick the water bowls because they are usually frozen to the ground. When I went to do that, I forgot that I was wearing my riding boots (read: absolutely NO traction). The next thing I know, I was on the ground and had hit my front teeth on the edge of the water bowl, bit my tongue, bruised my knee, got bird poo on the knee of my fresh-from-the-laundry jeans, and of course got myself all wet (thankfully just the outside layer of the many I was wearing in preparation for my horse ride).

I am typically very careful about not hitting myself in the face because I had jaw surgery years ago and it doesn't take much for me to be in pain for hours, even days, afterwards. My jaw is aching today, and my bruised knees are tender. On a good note, though, I thoroughly enjoyed my ride. It's been so cold the last several weeks that being outside for long periods of time is miserable. We have been able to enjoy a couple of nice days (read: above freezing!!!!

) and, according to the forecast, we have a couple more on the way before we get more snow and settle back into our routine of having highs in the low 20's. My birds haven't been venturing very far from their duck run because of the cold. Today, I herded them to their usual (warmer weather) spot in the yard, which is just outside my office window. I have been enjoying being able to watch them as I work, especially since my husband mentioned seeing our dog chase a dog/coyote away from the yard the other evening.

OMGosh!!! That fall sounds awful! I'm so sorry! I hope there are no lasting effects other than being bruised. Poor thing! I wear my riding boots outside all the time, but they must have a lot better traction, I never slip in them. I have Justin's, they are the old style-- low heel, tall boot. (I'm definitely old fashioned with my riding boots!) I've had them forever and they are well broke in, which also helps with grip. That story just made me cringe and feel so terrible for you! I'm so glad you are okay! Of course it figures you'd do something like that in clean jeans!

Congrats on the chicks Amber. Keep the humidity up and give it at least another day. I allow at least 3 days for late pippers. Since you've had some temp problems some could take longer than others. There are so many variables.
I have a couple of mutt chicks hatching today. I was hoping for polish again but so far they are just half polish.
I am making a deal right now for some exhibition buff orpingtons. I am going to trade my partridge cochins and my Phoenix for them. One more step to reducing the number of pens. I eventually would like to get all of my orpingtons to exhibition stock. I love those awesome giants.
I collected several eggs from the lavender and lemon orp pen in the last couple days. I guess I am going to do a test hatch to see if they are fertile yet.
I may end up with some Isabel colored chicks if they are.
I have a busy day ahead. I need to get eggs ready to take to town and I need to get to work on making a grow out pen/house.
I also have to do the entire brooder clean out today.
So sorry about your fall. I know what you mean. I have sheets of ice around the yard where the ducks and geese make their messes. It is even worse when it melts a little so the surface is wet.

Ooooh, those exhibition orps are GIANTS! Every time I see them at the shows, I swear a little kid could ride one of them! They are bigger than a medium sized DOG!! It's really insane how big they are! That would be sooooo cool to have those! But from the looks of them, I bet they eat a TON of food! But wow, are they spectacular!