Can't wait to see those pens! BTW-- my DH was able to borrow a fence stretcher. So we'll bring it when we come over. My DH is coming, so watch out for super straight fence lines! LOL I can't wait to see the work you've done on your pens! I tried explaining it to him, but he needs a picture.
I use GoDaddy, they weren't free, but they were REALLY cheap. You can end up paying something like $4 a month. There is a freewebs.com site that really is free. They put advertising on their pages, but it's really not that bad. I've visited plenty of chicken sites that were done with freewebs and the advertising didn't bother me.
I still think Chick Days is your best bet! I'd call your local farm store and ask them when the chicks come in. Get their FIRST. I bet other people want silkies too. They go fast. All of my sources that I know about, you'll be spending a lot more than $3 a chick!
WELCOME!!!! I don't have any of those breeds, but I know lots of people on here, do! I bet you get hooked up with some of them.
Well, welcome back! I hear you on the young kids, it's tough! So exciting you're doing the 4-H and showing! YAY! There are peeps up your way that have nice birds, I hope they respond! Definitely buy your birds from a reputable breeder that is working on the Standard so that you have something really decent to show! I think you'll be fine!
There are several people here working on breeds and I know they have gotten them out of very nice breeding lines. 
While I am thinking of it, if anyone else is coming this weekend (Saturday) to help with horse fencing please let me know so I can make sure we have enough food! Planning on starting at 9 AM but feel free to show up when you are available! Thanks!!!Can't wait to see those pens! BTW-- my DH was able to borrow a fence stretcher. So we'll bring it when we come over. My DH is coming, so watch out for super straight fence lines! LOL I can't wait to see the work you've done on your pens! I tried explaining it to him, but he needs a picture.I hope you get those gates worked out. Sorry they caused such problems! Yeah, Mr Meat seems very fitting for this boy!
Yeah!!!!!!SO glad you guys are coming out, it will be an enormous help. We have never run fencing like this so I really want to get it right and not have to go back later and fix it. Is there anything we should get done ahead of time to make it go smoother? I wanted to get the wood corner posts set but we didn't get to that this weekend....
The pens are coming along. They aren't as "pretty" as I had in my head but they are looking pretty good compared to what we usually build so that makes me happy! Even if they aren't absolutely perfect it will be so very nice to have all the birds in one place, run electric out there and have a nice set up that is easy to feed, water and clean. This is the best DH has ever done as far as building goes and he has put a lot of work and planning into this project for me which means a lot to me even if they aren't as straight and perfect as they would be if built by a professional.
Hey, if you are bringing the kids is there something I can have for them to do so they don't get bored? Let me know.
I use GoDaddy, they weren't free, but they were REALLY cheap. You can end up paying something like $4 a month. There is a freewebs.com site that really is free. They put advertising on their pages, but it's really not that bad. I've visited plenty of chicken sites that were done with freewebs and the advertising didn't bother me.
One of the gals over on the sebbie thread used Wix to make her website and I really like the way it looked so I started with that and we shall see how it goes! This is my first venture into really getting this thing out into the public eye but these birds have got to at least start to help pay feed for themselves. And I have spent a pretty penny on some fairly nice birds so I should be in decent shape.
Get those corner posts set. You can't run fencing until they've had a chance to set over night (or for a couple of days-- even better). We set ours in cement, so that will need a couple of days. You have all the wire ties that tie onto the T posts, right? Those go REALLY fast. You string your fencing from one wood post to another (across the pasture) and then you hammer in your T posts and then you go back and tie them on. With several people it can go pretty fast. I would get your gate or even try to set it if you can. If not, it's not that big of a deal. But be sure you have your posts set for your gate. You want that gate big enough to put a truck or tractor through. An idea I got from my dad-- because he grew up on a beef farm-- they were always having to get into the pastures (just walking) and so they would set two wood posts close to each other-- close enough to turn and walk sideways thru, but too close that a horse or cow could get through. Then you don't have to open gates. I had a pony a while back and he would put his shoulders through it-- he was so small, but his belly was too fat and he never did get through ours. Just an idea. I love it because I only have to open gates when I'm actually driving the truck or tractor through, otherwise, I can squeeze right through the opening to the side of the gate. Another cool thing that my dad's farm had-- they had a stretch of wire that went a loooong way and they had built a stair case (looked like a ladder V shape) over the fence. But it didn't go over the top wire-- it went under the top wire. So I remember as a kid walking over that "ladder" to get out into the back 80 to go play down in the pond. But if we used the gates, the cows would all come running. If we walked over the steps or used the openings, the cows would ignore us and leave us alone. Nothing you have to do-- but some great ideas on getting in and out fast with out opening gates.
That is a great idea about the narrow opening in the fence Hawkeye! Josie if you need a t-post wire tyer thingy let me know.
I don't think the turkeys would go in one of those. I think I may just cut rings out of some plastic barrels I bought. I read that works very well for peafowl so it should work for turkey.
No the neighbor has a different zip code and the mail comes from a different post office. We are the last house on my mail route, then the zip code changes.
If you go to the Sutherland's website, you can sign up to get it delivered to your email. That is the only way I get notified of Sutherland's sales and how I heard about this one. Then when you wanted more info, I just pulled up the email again to get it. Easy peasy.
I saw that. If I make one town my home store I would get their adds and if I make the other my home store I would get their adds. I wonder if I could sign up for both?
Is it the midget whites you are butchering? Let us know how that goes please. So far all I've butchered is chickens and I have the turkeys for this year's Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners but am nervous about when the time comes.
I have never butchered anything that went so wonderfully smooth. As if I didn't love these guys already I am convinced they are the perfect breed. The feathers came out clean with absolutely zero pin feathers. They were embarrassingly easy to pluck. This guy that did this for me worked in a butcher facility for 7 years. He also said he has never had a bird pluck as easy and come so clean.
I was so relieved when I went out this morning and found all of the turkeys doing great. I think they had just been battling each other too much and a couple were too worn down. A nights rest had them up and going again. I have to admit I cried when he chopped the first ones head off. I was okay after that. Those birds just win your heart. I don't know that I could do the killing with these but the rest went wonderful. He did tell me that you have to hold a turkey until they quit flooping or they will bruise themselves up really bad. He did that part as well. It went really smooth and didn't take much time at all to get four birds butchered and ready to go. I had a big 3 gallon trash can half full of ice water. Another trash can to just wash them off, my big stock pot with hot water, another trash can by a table to put the feathers and guts in. No mess!
The one thing I noticed is the lack of smell. You know that awful smell when you butcher a chicken? There was nothing here unpleasant. I wonder now if it is the FF or if turkeys just don't stink like chickens.
These guys were perfect. They all dressed out about 12 and half pounds when we were done. They had lots of fat on the their breast which means lots of great flavor and tender meat.
I agree - study a few different plans and come up with what works for you. Some of the differences in building have to do with the size, some your orientation (i.e. is it in a direction where it will get full wind or just a cross wind) and some is personal preference. I studied the photos of when Trish built hers (and a few others), and then showed them to DH as well. He is an engineer so he looks at things differently than I do. He was the one who suggested the A-Frame framing for my back wall saying that of all the ideas I had shown him, that would be the strongest in terms of stability.
I just realized when I was feeding this evening that DH put my hoop house in backward of the way I asked. He has the coop part on the south. I don't want to try to relocated it and relevel the dirt around it. I may have to make some kind of chunnel to keep the wind out of the coop. I know I made myself very clear what direction I wanted it to face.
I've made some progress on mine today despite the wind which is just crazy today. I got the whole back wall wired in, and then I decided to change my door frame. I moved the verticals out 3 1/2" each, making the door 7" wider than it was before. The reason? I realized that the welded wire was going to be a pain to fit across the front wall as I would have to piece it together to fit the gap, whereas by making the door wider, I won't have to sew together any welded wire to fit. So it was a win-win - the fencing will be easier and now I have a wider door too. So this is definitely a flexible plan where you can make changes along the way.
If you have a picture of this, I would love to see it!
Ditto. I've only had 5 eggs so far but we already ate the first two and they were delicious. They are huge too - the first "pullet" egg was as big as a jumbo sized chicken egg.
Quiet you. I really do NOT need to know that.I guess I need to get in and stock up on feed before chick days starts - if I have no excuse to go in there, I can't come home with any new birds either, right?
Yeah, sounds like a nest box will fix it. I bet that barrel idea would be great. I'm glad to have everyone else put these things together, I can read about it and then decide how I want to do one! This weather is nuts. Today, I just can't stand it. I HATE this wind! We ended up running errands all day and just got home. I was blown all over the road.
I have no idea how they got any siding done in this wind-- it's NUTS! Sounds like a good plan to hold up the netting. I still don't think I've ever seen that netting in person. Atwoods sells and fruit tree netting-- but I bet it's not the same thing.
Oh, that's actually smart... but how would YOU reach in and get the eggs? You'd have to cut a "door" on the side and hinge it, I guess so you could reach in.
I don't want you thinking I'm ignoring you, since all I raise are silkies. I've seen you post you want silkies several times. I don't really have anything at the moment. And the ones I'll be getting rid of this summer/Fall will probably be going for around $50 a bird. Best bet would be if I had some chicks that had major faults in my hatching this Spring. I know right away usually when I'm going to get rid of a bird. The toes are wrong, or the coloring, etc.. But most times, I don't know until I grow them out, what quality they are. I do have two pet quality boys that are up for grabs. If someone came and got them, I'd give them away free. They are out of show lines-- but like with all breeding-- just because they come out of show lines, does not mean they are show birds! These guys have a bit of wry back. Doesn't effect them in any way, just would never breed them. It is genetic and will pass on. I also have a couple of pet-quality pullets right now, but for the moment I don't think I'll get rid of them. I might, if someone could promise me that they'd be in an enclosed pen (no free-ranging!) and would not become victims of hawks, dogs, etc... their crests are so large, they can not see, and so they can't move fast and would never look up for a hawk. So for now, I know my pens are super secure, and covered, so they're staying... LOL!!
Danz-- if you ever come down this way I need to become NPIP. I'm going to start shipping birds so I can get what they're worth out of them. I need to call that vet near me and see if he's now licensed... and I hope he is so he could just come out. But if not, I need to look into getting myself licensed. How quickly could I make that happen, what are the fees to do that? Any advice or tips on that?
Hawkeye, I'll send you a PM.
Is Mr. Meat feeling okay now? I had a couple d'uccles start sneezing the last two days. He was in the same house with them. I have no idea if it is related or not since they just started. I haven't treated them with anything but vet RX yet. I hate to start meds too early but don't want to loose any more either. So far just sneezing and nothing else detectable.
Good idea about signing up on the Sutherland's website! I think I'll do that too! I'm going to have to see the door now. I don't think I understand why you made it wider-- did you already have a cut piece of wire that was that wide? I can't even believe that you are working in this wind. It is INSANE out there!!! Seriously, I hate it when it's that windy. I was just at Atwoods in Derby and they already have their chick bins set up! No chicks, yet. But they have all the stock tanks with the chips in them and the heat lamps hooked up. I think they must be expecting chicks any day now. I am wanting two more barred rocks.... BUT I was hoping to have them when I was already hatching myself so I could brood them together with the silkies. My silkies aren't even laying yet! UGH! So, I'm not sure I'll be buying a couple of BR chicks right now.
BTW--- The Silver Laced Wyandottes are laying! I have two of them if anyone wants a couple of hens!
Also being an over mothering person again. The weather is supposed to be be pretty trecherous this week.Further north there is lots of snow predicted but we are down in the freezing rain and snow mix area. The roads are going to be a mess. They are also fearing many broken power lines etc in this area. I hope you decide to stay home mid week or make plans to stay in Andover. I don't want you or myHowdy everyone! I am so far behind on posts so I figured I would jump back in.
Danz-Hope your geese get settled down. I really would crack your first egg or two and check for fertility and if your white boys aren't getting the job done pull them and let the grey gander have a chance at the ladies. Sorry your pups aren't selling. You might try listing them down near Wichita, I would drive a couple hours to get a pure pyr puppy versus a lot of the mixes that are advertised down there.
The geese are settling some. I think letting the new female I got this weekend in with them helped for some reason. And as of yesterdayI have my first two goose eggs!!!
I was so excited I squealed!! I had my friend there who was butchering the turkeys for me and he laughed out loud at me.
I don't know if I can crack those eggs or not. If I found a fertile one I would be just miserable....but happy too. It's a hard decision to make.
Hawkeye- Glad Mr Meat is doing well! That is a great name!
Trudi-Good to see you on here! I sent you a PM.
Trish- Sorry for the delay, I am sure you must have figured your gates out by now...
Karen-Glad Jorgie is doing well, poor thing!
Ummmm.....I can't remember anymore off the top of my head right now....
SO we got a ton done this weekend, Sunday was gorgeous!!! SO warm, I work much better when I am not freezing my tail off. I got to play with the Kubota and bring loads of screenings over for the goose pens. DH started hanging the gates for the goose pens. We had a small snafu because he constructed the gates without looking at his plans and then his parents put the rest together for us. Unfortunately he measured the wrong opening for the gate and it was the side that the fencing was supposed to be mounted on so the gates were too big to sit inside the frames. I tried to encourage him to resize the gates but he thought he could "fix" it other ways so of course now it has been one pickle after another where things aren't fitting like they are supposed to and he has to re do things a different way so it took a lot longer than planned.....so I just smile and say ok dear, whatever you think!
So are you putting screenings in all your pens? I have really thought about doing that to help keep things cleaner and dryer. I sure wish you'd post some pictures!!!!
Hoping to finish pens next Sunday, DH's dad came up and we loaded the one coop we are taking from here to haul down because it will get fenced into one of the pens for the seramas. Very excited to get the birds moved soon. Hoping to get horse fencing started and going this weekend too. SO much to do and now I am back up here and have to get painting again. I hate switching back and forth from here to there and changing gears on projects.
It is cold out today, everyone stay warm!
Hawkeye, OMGosh, I'm chanting "I do not need more birds, I do not need more birds, I do not need more birds." They're adorable even when they're little!
The wind is horrific here today. I was going to make a run downtown but then thought I'd better get my boards painted so DH will have them ready tonight. So, errands tomorrow and I got all my boards painted for the next breeder pen, inside the shop. It's just too breezy to suit me today. I went out for a visit with the chickens and the wind is just blowing them about when they venture outside. Poor things.
That wind was just awful yesterday and I went from no coat to heavy coat to freezing any way. We did all the butchering in the barn except the actual killing. I had everything all set up outside the house but we just packed up and relocated.
Thanks, Josie. I sure hope this is his last surgery, but Jorgie continues to improve. I had him wearing an old T-shirt over the butt end instead of over the head. of our son's because he kept trying to pull his stitches out. The T-shirt worked and I guess the stitches don't itch as much anymore because he's leaving them alone now. I hated to have to put "the cone of shame" on him!I would have, if necessary, but so far, so good.
I'm so glad he is doing so much better.
I have Lavender orp, light brahma, speckled sussex, and black copper marans. Since we are so close I can sure fill a lot of your needs. I'm not hatching much yet. The weather is still too iffy in my opinion and I am ever trying to separate breeds. So sorry I hadn't gotten an answer to your PM. Stupid internet!!
I would go craxy Lizzy! One day without it had me all messed up. It's my link to the world. I hate wasting 30 minutes to go to town for much of anything, plus all the time it takes when I get there. Today is going to be a town day though. I have to deliver eggs and buy some groceries.
I forgot where you were??
He does sell silkies but they are really crappy ones. Lots of crooked feet, poor topknots etc. and higher prices than the stores. I would recommend buying at a local store if you can find them.
2" chicken wire is pretty worthless. My DH picked up a roll of that once when I asked him to get some wire for me. It's still in the barn unused. It might be okay to line a welded wire pen or something or to make a so so top cover, but not much else.
