Consolidated Kansas

[JosieChick]

OK. More input on this topic. I didn't feed my birds any additional food last night as they still had most of what I'd given them yesterday morning. I gave them a little bit this morning, but there was no sign that they had eaten anything that I gave them yesterday. It has been warmer here recently. I chased them out of their pen yesterday because they seemed all too willing to stay in. Once I chased them out, they stayed out for the rest of the day. They did wander around and free range a bit, but it seems strange to me that I suddenly catch them nibbling on dog poo and not eating their regular food, all simultaneous to the weather warming up. Any thoughts on this? Maybe the dog poo isn't frozen anymore??

Somewhere, I saw someone say something about their geese acting crazy. Oh boy! Mine have definitely joined in on the circus act! Previously, Lucy, my original goose, would chase my drake every time he tried to service one of his ladies. Now, my two newer geese have joined in on the craziness! Then, yesterday, I caught all the birds running, wings outstretched, in jagged lines sort of like they were scattering with something chasing them, though I saw nothing dangerous anywhere. On top of this, I think the two newer geese have taught Lucy how to hiss. I was holding her the other day, and my husband, who was holding my drake, got close. Lucy hissed at him! My husband looked at her, somewhat surprised. I think Lucy expects everyone to run from her, just because she is my "top dog", err...umm.. "top goose'.

The hissing is apparently just the newest way for her to ensure that happens. Hehehehe, I think Lucy might be a he!!

None of my girls hiss, only the ganders.

Really? I didn't know this about the geese. You really should share more info. I am totally dumb about these wonderful creatures.
Your whole post didn't multi. I sure hope I get some fertile eggs this year. I'm counting on it. If the boys can figure out what to do at least the girl from Trudi should be old enough. I want babies!!!
Sorry, I am still learning a lot too!! I wouldn't be to heart broken if your fertility is hit or miss. I had two yearling geese today trying to do the deed but the gander was on for the ride backwards!!! Usually the key is to have an older gander that is at least 2-3 years of age and that would increase your odds. I think they lay for such a short period of time that it can take them that long to get the hang of mating.

Hate to burst your bubble, maybe someone will figure it out?

Hi Jeannie, welcome!! Good luck on your hatches!

Hi , thought i would introduce myself.. i am jeannie.. i live 60 miles straight east of wichita. i have started raising silkies,lavendar orpingtons , and americanas. i also have a few mutt chickens who arent laying right now. i started hatching eggs last summer from some well known breeders and i think i have some beautiful chickens.. well i am really not sure but of course i love them. i am trying to study all the good traits they are suppose to have and my daughter in law has been documenting their growth and progress. right now i am hatching some silkies from catdance and lavendar orpingtons from the Hink-JC lines.. hopefully they will hatch and turn out well. Looking forward to reading all about everyone here on this thread and maybe even meeting some of you in the future..

Cute babies! I am terrible at the guessing game, Wichitakidd, that was a riot!! I thought you were going to really tell us all what they were but your names were much more amusing!!!!

Witchitakid- very good observation of breed and form

I think you are totally right about this. No breeding pen is ever going to produce perfect offspring and there will always be offspring with flaws that need to be culled from even the best breeding set ups. But it does tick me off when people either misrepresent their birds or don't know enough to realize they don't have quality birds or have never test bred before they sell eggs or chicks. I hatched twice from peoples true wheaten Ams and both times were a disaster. The first time they weren't even Ams and had gotten mixed up from another pen. The second time the offspring looked like EEs. They are pretty but NOT Ams and it was really frustrating because they sent me pics of their birds in their breeding pens and everything. Lot of wasted money.

even you see flaws in some of the chicks you have hatched from your birds. I think you have to just be honest about what you're selling if you sell birds & not mis-represent them to anyone. I'm not saying you do, don't take that the wrong way, I'm saying in general I think everyone should be honest when they're selling birds, but I'm sure there are people out there that aren't. In fact I know there are. I don't think anyone on this forum would do that but, I think you have to be careful if you're paying a lot for birds about who you buy them from. I just really prefer any more to buy breeders from other breeders that I know if I can or who have a good reputation. Otherwise you just don't know what you will get. I bought Ameraucana eggs from someone last year, wheaten & blue wheaten & one of the hens I got from those eggs is just literally an Easter Egger, she doesn't meet any color standards at all. I put her in my general laying flock & that's fine, but that's not what I paid for. Anyway, my original point was that it's OK if some don't want to show & we just want to have our own project birds to raise or pure breds for breeding. Showing isn't for everyone, it's very time consuming & not even something everyone wants to consider. I think we have to all respect what each individual is trying to achieve, whether it just be to raise their own birds for eating eggs or breeding to sell chicks. I'll get off my soapbox now.

Not sure why they don't give chicken breeds "fun" names. Admit it...you would buy a Wookie-Poo if you could right?

New chicks should be here on or around March 5th. Decided to go with another mixed flock. I ended up combining my order with 3 other people to save on shipping charges which split 4 ways will end up around $3.50 per person. Can't beat that. Here's the list of all the breeds we ordered; 25 chicks in all.

Barred Rock *
White Rock *
Partridge Rock *
New Hampshire Red *
Golden Buff *
Delaware *
Rhode Island Red
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Black Australorp

I added a couple extra chicks to the order to get us to the next level to save more on shipping. I told a couple of the other people I ordered for that they will be getting "bonus" chicks. The '*' ones are what I selected for my flock of 12. The NHs & GBs I had the last time & they were great layers; consistently laying 6 eggs/week/bird. The rest will be new breeds for me. From what I've read they should all get along nicely. Nice weather days like today makes me wish they were already here. Can't wait for March to get here.

Such a beautiful day today!!! We got a lot done outside and are almost done packing the pod which is getting picked up beginning of the week. Yeah!! I hate moving!! We tried to go to the dump to get rid of a bunch of stuff but a tire blew out on the trailer on the way there. That was scary!!! A super nice guy came out and loaned us a bunch of his tools to fix the flat tire which was incredibly kind. I wrote his address down to send him a thank you card for all his help. We got to the dump 10 minutes after they closed! Darn.

 

[mommahen10]

Oh Man!!! That stinks Josie!!!

 

[chicken danz]

That sounds like my luck Josie. At least someone helped you out even if you didn't make it to the dump on time.

If I had known that about the geese , I would have skunked you out of one of your boys from Trudi. I am sure I could have talked her into it!!

I will be so heartbroken if I don't hatch a goosie baby. I love them and I really really want to hatch some. I hatched these and they are such sweeties. I was so lucky to be able to trade white Seramas for Sebbie eggs.
I didn't see the "kids" courting today. They were pretty laid back. They found a place under the apple tree and spent most of the day napping. I filled their big tub completely full of freshwater. I've only been giving them a few inches lately. I figured they all needed a good bath. So they were enjoying the sun and the water.
I had such a busy day. I had Eileen and her Mom here this morning for a couple hours. I really enjoyed the visit. I now also have a new cat. Well a new old cat. She had been a house cat and had been ousted for clawing furniture. To save her from being placed in a barn with a bunch of sickly wild type cats I decided to take her in and see if she was a mouser. She is very sweet. I met them with a dose of frontline and made sure that was first priority. She spent the day in the shop and really enjoyed her tuna treat this evening. I just have to be sure she remains an outside cat.
I want no more inside than I have.
I spent my entire afternoon working on my travel trailer project for a grow out pen and house. I had to haul out junk, pull tons of nails and staples,take out some plumbing, remove some propane tanks, vaccum, mop the floors, then start installing wood on the inside to cover holes and such. I got the fence panels all up and got it all covered in netting. I still need to complete on side of the floor where the chicken door will be, but I could probably go ahead and move birds if I have to. I really wanted that done today but I just plain ran out of time. My brooder wreaks today. It is just too ful and I can't continue to clean it out every day.
I am exhausted and never even had time to sit and drink coffee this morning. The next 2 days are going to be even worse. I need to clone and double clone myself for a few days.

 

[checoukan]

OK, here is my call on the chicks.
Not official. Just my opinion.

Number 1 chick, buttercup bantam
# 2 black tailed white jap
# 4 not sure just yet, but I do have an idea. I will post as soon as I figure the chick out.
# 6 silver duck wing Old English.
Sorry you have lost some, but I could tell in the picture, that the one chick was very ill. I don't know it almost looks like it really got chilled to me. I hope they replace for you.


Barn update. The cement has been poured, and all trusses are up. Most of the nailers are on, but still need some on the roof. Went to an auction today, and bought some cabinets, bookshelf, small fridge for hardly anything at all. The fridge was still new in the box, even still had the straps still around it. The shelf was used but in very good condition. So all my "chicken books" go out as well. Need to seal the cement, but have to get something to do that with.

Will have to build a cab net to put my sink in, its kinda funny, but we bought it at an auction, they threw it in with some thing my husband wanted. Well come to find out the sink, it came out of the house at Oswego, that Ivy bought!! Strange things occur sometimes. I think it is neat, must have been a special order, as the sink is a pumpkin orange!! I know where my sink is going, but I want to figure out for sure just where I want the incubator/hatcher, brooder, and fridge to go. I want every thing just right and handy and easy to clean. Need to have a drawing or something to help me out.

Had a nice day today, and feel some better, but I don't think I will ever get over this darn cough. Ugh, never coughed this hard and this long in my life!!

Oldest son, and his two kids have the flu, so that has put extra work on my DH. I won't go near until I am sure they are better. Dr. told me long ago, to stay away from ones I knew that had the flu. I could kill me. He said it would go to the weakest part of my heart and that would be it.

I believe there was a question about chickens for 4H? Really it is best to let the kids choose what they like. We all have different tastes in birds, so do the kids. Let them choose and you will have better luck in them taking care of the birds. If they truly are interested they will take the time to learn more about the breed they like. And besides make the fair more interesting. People love to come thru the barns and see all the different breeds!!

 

[lizzyGSR]

Maybe the dog poo isn't frozen anymore??

Hehehehe, I think Lucy might be a he!!

None of my girls hiss, only the ganders.

It is very possible that they are just now starting to pick on the poo 'cuz it's thawed. That's a good point that I hadn't considered before. I mixed more food for the birds yesterday. This time I used 3/5 of the 16% all purpose poultry crumbles and 1/5 each of the rolled corn and whole milo. I had already purchased the 16% crumbles, so I'll have to use it before I can try anything with a higher protein percentage.

As for Lucy being a boy... Well, I have two embdens in addition to Lucy. Both of the embdens hiss, and I know for sure that one of them is a girl because I was getting goose eggs for a while just after I got the embdens. It is possible that Lucy is a boy, though. Lucy is a white chinese, and they say that you can tell the chinese genders apart by the size of their knob. Sadly, I don't have any other chinese to compare her to, so my guess is a blind guess as to gender. I'll include a picture so maybe you all here on BYC can help me decide. Male or female?


One other strange thing I've noticed recently. I've seen some of my ducks (females) standing on top another duck (also female). I know that these are females because they are all over a year old and none of them have the drake curl. Plus, I've seen my drake "servicing" them. Is it normal for the ladies to stand on top of each other? I've also seen Lucy (my goose, pictured above) standing on some of the female ducks. Is this normal or are my birds just crazy?

 

[chicken danz]

Maybe they are just trying to keep their feet warm, Lizzy!

Checoukan I want your barn!!! I would be so excited if I had it. Maybe someday I'll get one... if someone buys me a winning lottery ticket. I would never spend the $1on one myself.
I hate my chicken ghetto. I want to have everything neat and tidy so it looks professional and saves me working out in the cold dragging a hose around. What are you going to use for feed? ARe you going to have some kind of auto feed system installed. I've been trying to figure out something for my chicken trailer but haven't found anything yet.
I wanted to ask you if Susie sold her lavender Ameruacanas? I had sent a girl to her last year for some and she wants more. I sent her a message but thought she might not be checking regularly. I guess now that we are in January people are beginning to think fair already.
Mammahen is that a brooder or cages or what? I'll bet I could find a use for it. I have so much stuff around here but every bit of it gets used some way at least off and on.
I had to end up taking a pain pill to sleep last night. I never do that but my work yesterday was just too much. I slept better than I have in weeks. I am so stubborn about taking stuff like that. I don't like the way they make me feel.
So today I am back to work again. I sure hope I manage to keep myself moving and getting things done.

 

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

As for Lucy being a boy... Well, I have two embdens in addition to Lucy. Both of the embdens hiss, and I know for sure that one of them is a girl because I was getting goose eggs for a while just after I got the embdens. It is possible that Lucy is a boy, though. Lucy is a white chinese, and they say that you can tell the chinese genders apart by the size of their knob. Sadly, I don't have any other chinese to compare her to, so my guess is a blind guess as to gender. I'll include a picture so maybe you all here on BYC can help me decide. Male or female?


One other strange thing I've noticed recently. I've seen some of my ducks (females) standing on top another duck (also female). I know that these are females because they are all over a year old and none of them have the drake curl. Plus, I've seen my drake "servicing" them. Is it normal for the ladies to stand on top of each other? I've also seen Lucy (my goose, pictured above) standing on some of the female ducks. Is this normal or are my birds just crazy?

My vote is that Lucy is a goose. And female geese can and do hiss. Honk did the big, wings out hiss at the pup one day. I KNOW she's a girl.

In the spring (a bit early for spring, but the warm air seems to be causing high spirits) all waterfowl get crazy it seems. Doesn't seem to matter who ends up on top.

 

[HEChicken]

Actually you are required by law to have proof of insurance in your car in Kansas. I don't know if you remember that I was a police officer in Oklahoma City for many years before moving back to Kansas. I had my license out and totally admitted my guilt. This is dumb if you want to get out of a ticket and plan to fight it, but I realized I was speeding when I saw his car. There was no way I was going to pretend I didn't know why.

Oh I know its required by law - but they can also look it up in their systems and know you have it even if you forgot the insurance card in your car. He gave you a warning because although you didn't have the card, he could see in the system that you do carry the insurance, and he believed you about the accident.

My city is thinking about changing the laws about chicken keeping in non-agricultural zones, but they are thinking it might not help much because people will then still have the HOA laws that will prevent them from having backyard chickens.

This is very true. When I lived in Wichita, I was so thrilled to learn that you can keep up to 12 hens with a permit. When some friends expressed interest, I excitedly told them they could get their own flock and they pointed out they wouldn't be able to because they lived in an area where there is an HOA that prohibits it. Then, when we started looking to move, we originally wanted to stay in Wichita, to be close to family, but did not want to live in a HOA and I was stunned to find out how many areas there are governed by HOA's. Even out in the country there are a surprising number of HOA's. We don't have one but down the road from us is a group of houses built around a shared pond, and each house is on 5 acres but even they are subject to a HOA. Technically they are not allowed to have any animals other than cats and dogs and I think it is just crazy to buy a house on 5 acres and not be allowed to do anything on it except mow a lawn! Apparently most of the people living there feel the same way and 4 of the 5 households keep chickens and one keeps goats!

Not sure why they don't give chicken breeds "fun" names. Admit it...you would buy a Wookie-Poo if you could right?

New chicks should be here on or around March 5th. Decided to go with another mixed flock. I ended up combining my order with 3 other people to save on shipping charges which split 4 ways will end up around $3.50 per person. Can't beat that. Here's the list of all the breeds we ordered; 25 chicks in all.

Barred Rock *
White Rock *
Partridge Rock *
New Hampshire Red *
Golden Buff *
Delaware *
Rhode Island Red
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Black Australorp

I added a couple extra chicks to the order to get us to the next level to save more on shipping. I told a couple of the other people I ordered for that they will be getting "bonus" chicks. The '*' ones are what I selected for my flock of 12. The NHs & GBs I had the last time & they were great layers; consistently laying 6 eggs/week/bird. The rest will be new breeds for me. From what I've read they should all get along nicely. Nice weather days like today makes me wish they were already here. Can't wait for March to get here.

Your earlier post that I didn't quote was a riot - I loved it. As for the breeds you have chosen, that looks like a great new flock - are you getting 2 of each of the ones you have asterisked?

Such a beautiful day today!!! We got a lot done outside and are almost done packing the pod which is getting picked up beginning of the week. Yeah!! I hate moving!! We tried to go to the dump to get rid of a bunch of stuff but a tire blew out on the trailer on the way there. That was scary!!! A super nice guy came out and loaned us a bunch of his tools to fix the flat tire which was incredibly kind. I wrote his address down to send him a thank you card for all his help. We got to the dump 10 minutes after they closed! Darn.

Dang - sorry that happened to you.

Trish, I guess I didn't multi it but I was surprised to hear you say the gutter caps were so expensive. The ones I got were between $2-3 apiece so it didn't break the bank. But there are a lot of different styles as there are K-gutters and U-gutters and they are made from different materials. Mine is a K-gutter made from vinyl so I didn't price anything except those end pieces. Perhaps if they are metal or U-shaped, they are a lot higher?

 

[chicken danz]

No he didn't give me a warning. He let me go. The reason I didn't get a ticket was that I had the insurance number and expiration date on my car registration and the last card before I renewed the insurance in December. Not to argue but according to KS30-3104 if you don't have proof of insurance or proof of self insurance (which is a major financial certified form that guarantees you have ample funds to pay for anything and a certified guarantee that you will), a law enforcement officer is ordered to issue a citation. If you come to court and show proof that insurance was in force at that time, or the law enforcement agency sends off a form to the state and verifies the insurance was in force and finds it was, the ticket will be dismissed. However you are still liable for court costs which can be up a couple hundred dollars dependent on the fees set for that jurisdiction.
I'm not trying to argue but I was in law enforcement for over 13 years and I still have contact with current officers/ highway patrol here in Kansas. The law is pretty clear on this. If you or someone you know has gotten by with this, you were quite lucky and it was actually outside the way the law is written. I'm not trying to be a smart a... I am still a certified police officer in Kansas and in Oklahoma. That doesn't go away once you have attended, graduated the schools, and served as a law officer. I don't have to remain employed in that occupation to maintain this title. I try to keep up with current statutes. It's just one of those things that stick in your blood.
I have actually served as an expert witness in court here in Kansas a few times in defense of some people who got traffic tickets that were unjust or for accident investigations that someone had done incorrectly. At any rate the insurance verification is in the car now and I've learned the lesson.
He did check on the accident by the way. It was the same sheriff's department.
Please don't take this in the wrong spirit. I was wrong and would have paid the ticket had I gotten one. I'm pretty much a stickler for the law. My DH was also a police officer here in Kansas. One of those things that tend to help you understand one another.
But I am too old to wrestle drunks any more. I'd rather just handle my chickens and live here peacefully in the country.
Being a police officer was the best job I ever had. I never missed work and was actually thrilled when it was a work day. I became an adrenaline junkie. And yes this is a real thing. The more dangerous and exciting it was, the happier I was. I went to work knowing I might not make it back home but was good with that. I even got shot at once. Talk about the ultimate adrenaline high. I always said I was going to write a book about my days as a police officer in Oklahoma City. There were so many funny things that happened!
At any rate I realize now that I am very breakable and I prefer being away from people. Living on the edge has no appeal to me now.

 

[WichitaKidd]

This is very true. When I lived in Wichita, I was so thrilled to learn that you can keep up to 12 hens with a permit. When some friends expressed interest, I excitedly told them they could get their own flock and they pointed out they wouldn't be able to because they lived in an area where there is an HOA that prohibits it. Then, when we started looking to move, we originally wanted to stay in Wichita, to be close to family, but did not want to live in a HOA and I was stunned to find out how many areas there are governed by HOA's. Even out in the country there are a surprising number of HOA's. We don't have one but down the road from us is a group of houses built around a shared pond, and each house is on 5 acres but even they are subject to a HOA. Technically they are not allowed to have any animals other than cats and dogs and I think it is just crazy to buy a house on 5 acres and not be allowed to do anything on it except mow a lawn! Apparently most of the people living there feel the same way and 4 of the 5 households keep chickens and one keeps goats!

HOA's in the country? Guess I never thought of that. We've been house shopping again & have mainly been looking at houses on the edge of town with 5 acres or so. Found a couple of properties that have peaked our interest, but now that you mention it, I bet at least one of them has an HOA. Very good to know.

Your earlier post that I didn't quote was a riot - I loved it. As for the breeds you have chosen, that looks like a great new flock - are you getting 2 of each of the ones you have asterisked?

It was fun & the names just came to me. Seems like a lot of people on the list have had a rough month or so with all the illnesses, bird attacks, bad hatches, car problems, you name it. Figured a little humor might perk things up a bit if only for a short chuckle.

As for the new flock, yes, I ordered basically 2 of each breed for myself. However, 2 of the 3 other people I ordered chicks for are relatively new to raising chickens. I've pretty much decided that when the chicks come & we start dividing them up we all may end up with different combinations. The WRs were the "extra" chicks I ordered to make the shipping minimum. Mostly because Meyer had plenty available on the hatch date as all the other birds in the order & they were cheap. Meyer also ships "bonus" chicks with large orders. Our order is large enough that we'll be getting at least 1 extra free chick. Looking at the order online it looks like they are sending an extra BA which I'm great with.

Have a favor to ask too. Next time you're out taking pictures if you can take a good one of Betty for me I'd appreciate it. BLRWs appear to be in high demand this hatching season as evidenced by low availability (other than roosters) & high prices. I've been curious to see how her coloring has developed. I was reading somewhere that their feather coloring changes from molt to molt. Guess I hadn't thought about that either. Makes sense to me & would explain why she's always looked lighter in color than a lot of the pictures I've seen.