Consolidated Kansas

[coricorndog]

Hi! I'm new here and live south of Wichita. I haven't bought any chickens yet, but I'm doing research and getting close! I have a small backyard and there is an ordinance that only allows 3 chickens. I has a privacy fence, but I'd prefer a breed that lays frequently, is pretty docile, and is flightless. Any suggestions?

 

[sarajoy]

Danz - No, we'll be in Wilson County ( I think Yates Center is in Woodsen, north of Wilson??). The new place is 5 miles east of Fredonia (on 47) and then some zig zag back roads for a couple miles. Its WAY back away from everything, sits in front of a beautiful wooded hill. Having a huge new chicken shed built, plenty of room for a main coop for 50 chickens, plus two smaller other pens for growing out and for breeding. Plus I have my current small 4 by 4 raised chicken coop with a 6 x 8 a-frame run. That will be over in shelter of an outbuilding, quite a ways from the chicken shed. So I'll have an isolated spot for new birds, troublesome roosters, or sick chickens. Will really have some flexibility. I'm getting excited!

My adult brahmas are all full size standard light brahmas (2 hens and one rooster). I have four juveniles. All four were supposed to be pullets. There are two standard light brahmas, one a rooster and one a hen. And then my two gorgeous standard buff brahmas, both of whom have turned out to be young roosters. I would much appreciate your keeping your eyes open for me. I don't "do" facebook unfortunately. I do check on craigslist for offerings, but hadn't thought of putting a "wanted" ad there. Good idea! Maybe also ebayclassifieds. Worth a try anyways. I'm not sure how far our new place is from Yates Center - I'll check it out later and get back to you on that. The timing of the move is still up in the air - probably not till late spring. Lot to get done on the house, chicken shed, goat shed and pen, and big (40 x70!!) outbuilding. Our crew are Amish friends/neighbors, but they can only work when they have time away from the home farms, so that varies. I'm trying to be patient. We get a little done there each time we make the trip, and take over a load of stuff at same time - at least several times a week. Trying to lay out the garden spot and such, washing walls, getting ready to paint. Putting on new siding and shingles on exterior. Putting in an underground greenhouse, so I can grow table greens (and treats for the chickens) year round. So we're way way busy for now, and time will go fast. My poor chickens have usually tucked themselves into bed at dusk, some time before I get home. They're a little put out with me for being away so much. But wait till they see their new digs!! The dogs have also been a bit anxious, but soon we'll be taking them along, and getting them used to the new place, so they should be happy.
Hope you were able to get something put together for your new shipment(s)! Sara

Sara Joy are your brahmas LF or bantams? Let me know and I'll keep my eyes open. You might try the Kansas Poultry Swap on facebook or craigslist. Are you moving to Yates Center or near there when you move? That is only about 30 miles or so from me. When are you supposed to move?

 

[chicken danz]

Coricorndog, welcome. You might have to clip wings to have a flightless bird, or choose an extra heavy built bird. Personally I would recommend a large fowl Brahma for your situation. Just my opinion.
Dang it! I lost a long post. Maidenwolf that would be a light brahma mix. The markings are the same. What you describe isn't drowning. Drowning only occurs after the chick does the internal pip. It sounds more like chick death which occurs mostly in the first three days and the last three days of incubation.
Some causes are contamination, handling eggs too much (Skin oils block the pores on the eggs blocking air so they can't breath), too much shaking around at the earliest stages, temperature spikes and dips, any number of things. That fluid in there is caused by chick death as the chick starts decomposition slowly. The one thing at that stage that can occur by too high of humidity during incubation would be the chick will grow too large and can't get turned around in the egg to pip. The only way to test this is to weigh your eggs before you incubate and then weigh them again just before hatch. You should have about a 12% weight loss. I prefer to do this as a unit rather than one by one. Less handling and less chance of damaging the eggs. You can weigh the entire turner or an egg tray with the eggs in it and then weigh it again before you start the hatching.
Every incubator is going to take a learning curve. It's not plug and play for sure. I have 3 GQFs and a hatcher, basically all the same design but each one needs special tweaks here and there of how I operate them to get the best results. For instance I only use one particular one to hatch ducks in because it holds humidity higher than the others etc. With that model I would definitely put a little digital thermometer with a probe next side to the one on the unit. I have read they are inaccurate and the company even says they are for indication only. I'd put that little probe right on top of those eggs and continue to monitor it. Don't mess with the temp setting once you have eggs in there is you can help it. The time to do that is before the eggs are there. You will have spikes in those small incubators, but what you want to achieve is having it set at a consistent temperature between 98.5 and 101 degrees. If you get wider swings than that you need to move the incubator to a different place. You want no exterior walls, windows, or air vents near it.
When I had my styros it took a few hatches to get it right until I finally got them adjusted to the perfect spot and the perfect setting. I marked the setting with a sharpie and NEVER change it.
Checoukan for about the first year after I had this plate put in I could feel that one screw rubbing against my muscle every time I moved my fingers. It wasn't painful, just a bit weird. I never notice it now. This metal plate gets cold if my hands get really cold. There's just not enough insulation in there! I used to wear a sleeve thing over my hand all winter like they put under casts. That was the only way I could stand the cold. I'd just cut a hole for my thumb out the side and my fingers would stick out. I had to wean myself off of it cause people would look at me strange.
Your barn is looking awesome. I am still trying to figure out a way to afford to build one myself.
I'm jealous. I would love to have dinner with all you girls. We go to a place called BD's Mongolian grill in Overland Park. It's to die for. Everything imaginable and spices and sauces of all kinds. I don't care for HuHot because to me everything tastes like peanut oil. But I probably have a lot more sensitive nose and pallet than most people. Other than that it's okay. I'm not a fan of sushi myself but I do love the grills.
Hawkeye that isn't good news. Don't give up hope on a job yet. You have my prayers. If you have to move what are you going to do about 4H? Will someone take over for you?
I got the appraisal back and I did okay on the value but I really got dinged on my unfinished projects. My lights I didn't have installed in the kitchen ceiling, unfinished sheetrock and mudding in several rooms, my kitchen and dining room floor that doesn't have the hardwood down, etc. Judging from what I read I think I lost about $25,000 in value just on those things.
My one real point of disagreement was on the value of the outbuildings. I guess the city boy has no idea what it costs to build a building these days. He only valued them at about $20,000. My barn although not fancy should be worth that much. I have that big barn, the lean to building, a large loafing shed, plus all the coops and stuff and my little greenhouse. Granted it looks pretty tacky but try replacing them and see what they cost! I have read that sheds sometimes will lower property value although I have no idea why.
Karen I'm so sorry about your little hens. We have had a hawk sitting and watching around here but he is wise to me opening the door. The dogs bark if he moves from his perch. Eventually he might find an opportunity to grab a bird but I hope not.
Speaking of birds I hope I didn't have any sit outside and drown last night. It stormed all night. Not sure how much rain yet cause it is still dark, but there is water sitting in the dog pen.
So I guess my new birds get to come home to wet ground!! Not good with the weather turning colder. I may have to set up another kennel in the house!! They were having 80 degree temps in Georgia where they came from and we are going to be down in the teens in a couple days.
I got the pups taken to the vet and got all their shots and worming done. That was a chore. Official count is 7 boys and one girl. I tried taking pictures of them as I put them in the kennel but have no idea how they will look. I was trying to hold them one by one and take a picture outside and couldn't see in the LCD screen.
I then took the roosters to town and came back home and spent the rest of the day feeding and watering.
I had a long phone call last night from a gal in mid Missouri who wants one of my pups. They keep 8-10 LGD on their property at one time. I love the program she uses for them. Woot!
So I am up waiting for the post office to call again.
I went out to set a couple of mouse traps last night. I hadn't set any for months. I just had them sitting empty outside with no bait and hadn't checked them. Everyone of them had gobs of live and dead mice in them. Heather have you checked yours recently? I put fermented feed in three of them, and put two of those in the brooder house. I want to get those nasty things out of there for good. DH has been putting a tiny bit of fermented food on the floor of the shop and sitting and shooting them with a BB gun at night when they come up to eat. Some people sure entertain themselves in a strange way. LOL
Sarajoy I don't know why I was thinking Woodson. I must have skimmed too fast. We used to play Fredonia in High School. I lived in Burlington then. I'm South of Waverly so closer than the town is actually. Sounds like a great place to move to.

 

[HEChicken]

Hi! I'm new here and live south of Wichita. I haven't bought any chickens yet, but I'm doing research and getting close! I have a small backyard and there is an ordinance that only allows 3 chickens. I has a privacy fence, but I'd prefer a breed that lays frequently, is pretty docile, and is flightless. Any suggestions?

Jump on in and join us! I would recommend Barred Rocks or Buff Orpingtons for your situation. They are docile, heavy breeds who don't fly much, and are great layers. Silkies are both docile and flightless but not so good at the laying thing, since their main goal is to incubate. On the other hand, they don't look like a chicken so you could have 3 layers and a couple of silkies and tell people "nah, they're just animated plush toys". There are several people on here from around your area.

Danz - No, we'll be in Wilson County ( I think Yates Center is in Woodsen, north of Wilson??). The new place is 5 miles east of Fredonia (on 47) and then some zig zag back roads for a couple miles. Its WAY back away from everything, sits in front of a beautiful wooded hill. Having a huge new chicken shed built, plenty of room for a main coop for 50 chickens, plus two smaller other pens for growing out and for breeding. Plus I have my current small 4 by 4 raised chicken coop with a 6 x 8 a-frame run. That will be over in shelter of an outbuilding, quite a ways from the chicken shed. So I'll have an isolated spot for new birds, troublesome roosters, or sick chickens. Will really have some flexibility. I'm getting excited! My adult brahmas are all full size standard light brahmas (2 hens and one rooster). I have four juveniles. All four were supposed to be pullets. There are two standard light brahmas, one a rooster and one a hen. And then my two gorgeous standard buff brahmas, both of whom have turned out to be young roosters. I would much appreciate your keeping your eyes open for me. I don't "do" facebook unfortunately. I do check on craigslist for offerings, but hadn't thought of putting a "wanted" ad there. Good idea! Maybe also ebayclassifieds. Worth a try anyways. I'm not sure how far our new place is from Yates Center - I'll check it out later and get back to you on that. The timing of the move is still up in the air - probably not till late spring. Lot to get done on the house, chicken shed, goat shed and pen, and big (40 x70!!) outbuilding. Our crew are Amish friends/neighbors, but they can only work when they have time away from the home farms, so that varies. I'm trying to be patient. We get a little done there each time we make the trip, and take over a load of stuff at same time - at least several times a week. Trying to lay out the garden spot and such, washing walls, getting ready to paint. Putting on new siding and shingles on exterior. Putting in an underground greenhouse, so I can grow table greens (and treats for the chickens) year round. So we're way way busy for now, and time will go fast. My poor chickens have usually tucked themselves into bed at dusk, some time before I get home. They're a little put out with me for being away so much. But wait till they see their new digs!! The dogs have also been a bit anxious, but soon we'll be taking them along, and getting them used to the new place, so they should be happy. Hope you were able to get something put together for your new shipment(s)! Sara Sara Joy are your brahmas LF or bantams? Let me know and I'll keep my eyes open. You might try the Kansas Poultry Swap on facebook or craigslist. Are you moving to Yates Center or near there when you move? That is only about 30 miles or so from me. When are you supposed to move?

Your new place sounds wonderful - I bet you are anxious to get moved over there. Your life right now sounds very similar to ours a year ago. We closed on our place at the end of Feb, but stayed at the old place so the kids could finish out the school year rather than switch mid-semester. So we did lots of back and forth, taking a load with us on every trip. I also spent that time building my chicken coop, and some of the birds moved here before we did!

I went out to set a couple of mouse traps last night. I hadn't set any for months. I just had them sitting empty outside with no bait and hadn't checked them. Everyone of them had gobs of live and dead mice in them. Heather have you checked yours recently? I put fermented feed in three of them, and put two of those in the brooder house. I want to get those nasty things out of there for good. DH has been putting a tiny bit of fermented food on the floor of the shop and sitting and shooting them with a BB gun at night when they come up to eat. Some people sure entertain themselves in a strange way. LOL

I have one in our workshop and one in the garage (where I saw a mouse dart across my path one day). The garage one I check every day but its never caught anything. I haven't checked the workshop in weeks - I should probably do that today. I got tired of getting down to check it where it was under my work bench since it was always empty. I caught 6-7 in a matter of days at one point, but haven't had anything in them since.

So have you heard from the PO yet? Our lowest temp coming up is 22 this Saturday - perhaps you can keep them in a warmer place at night until they acclimatize.

Sorry the appraisal was a little disappointing - will it be enough to go through with the refi though?

I got some photos downloaded of our new vegie garden - so excited. Its bigger than it looks in this picture because you can't see how wide it is from this angle. A little rain this morning doesn't hurt a bit either. Unfortunately I don't know how much we've had so far as my rain gauge fell over so didn't collect anything. I set it back upright so it is now collecting water but probably the rain will stop soon.

 

[chicken danz]

I just went and picked up my birds. All appear well . The worst thing is the brahmas were big enough two boxes had to be put together to hold them and they wore the feathers off their backs where they rubbed against the center part. Still beautiful. Pictures later. They are busy eating, drinking and pooping in the kitchen right now.

 

[checoukan]

Danz~~Glad the birds made the trip ok, I am like you they can't get here fast enough.
We did not get any rain here last night, but it is misting now, and the builders left cause of the power tools.

We could see some rain, but not much.

I am getting ready to send my entry into Pryor for the show. Some of the 4H group are going to see if they can buy some birds. They usually have several breeders there selling birds. You better be there when the door opens to get the best ones.

Got out and did my morning chores early in case it did rain, and I could get my goats, and my two cows here fed.

I decided not to do a garden this year, I have one raised bed just outside the house that I am going to put peppers, and tomatoes in, and that is it! I am afraid we are going to have anouther dry summer, and I am not going to fight that! So Im going to wait to plant a big garden. I have enough tomatoe juice to last anouther year, unless the plants i have this summer really produce, and then I will make some.

Not much going on around here, kinda boring.

 

[checoukan]

and consolidated Kansas coricorndog. We have a great group here, you have questions, just ask someone here can answer your question. Be kinda neat to total up all the years of experiance we have here in our group.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Thank you Danz for the information. I unplugged the holes and cut some 2x4's and put 2 under the incubator on the far sides to hold it up to allow fresh air to flow under. Once I did this the temp stabilized and humidity stabilized. Now we are rocking and rolling and all is perfect. I am not candling until lock down this time so I minimize handling. I am hoping that it is all figured out now and I can start looking for hatching eggs. I am going to look for turkeys too. Any suggestions?

 

[checoukan]

Madamwolf, what do you want to hatch, that is the question, bantams, standards. Possibility's are endless ya know!!

 

[Trish44]

Hi! I'm new here and live south of Wichita. I haven't bought any chickens yet, but I'm doing research and getting close! I have a small backyard and there is an ordinance that only allows 3 chickens. I has a privacy fence, but I'd prefer a breed that lays frequently, is pretty docile, and is flightless. Any suggestions?

Welcome coricorndog! Feel free to jump in any time with questions or comments. I agree, you won't really get flightless birds unless you get something that is too heavy a bird to fly. I have some breeds that will fly right out of the coop when I open the door & others that just run out. I don't have experience with the Brahmas, but some others on here have them. My Barred Rocks aren't really fliers, they're pretty docile & are really egg laying machines. They laid through the darned hot summer last year, through molting, & winter & the eggs are just huge. I really think everyone with a backyard flock should have a few of those.

I just went and picked up my birds. All appear well . The worst thing is the brahmas were big enough two boxes had to be put together to hold them and they wore the feathers off their backs where they rubbed against the center part. Still beautiful. Pictures later. They are busy eating, drinking and pooping in the kitchen right now.

I'm glad your birds got there OK, I know you were worried about them.

We got enough rain to make it muddy here, but I don't have my rain gauge out right now so I don't know how much we got. It kind of puts a damper on what I"m trying to get done this week, but I know we need the rain so badly. There just isn't anything for my poor chickens to go out & eat when they come out, it's all dead for the most part & there aren't many bugs right now. However, when I was out working yesterday on the panels for the pens I did see a tick, I was surprised to see it. One of my GPs had a huge dog tick on her ear too, yuck I just hate those things. I can't wait until it's a little warmer & I can let my guineas loose on the ticks around here, we have them so bad due to all of the trees we have & the front 5 acres is just wild where we don't mow. That's why I want to get a couple of little goats in the spring if I can to start cleaning some of that area out. We don't have proper fences for goats, but I know a lot of people just tether them out during the day & put them back in a pen at night. That's what I'm planning to do because since the darned county appraiser down the road tore down our fence there isn't one out by the other road down there. He was such a jerk, I don't miss him one bit & I'm sure other people don't either.