Consolidated Kansas

[Ralph Moyer]

Danz, I would give out my cell ph number vs. my landline if I were you. Aside from the convenience of not being indoors tied to the phone, a landline phone can be easily traced and then they have your address, whereas a cell phone is not as easily traceable.

A friend of mine lost a BBB turkey yesterday that was about 3 months old but was already bigger than an adult heritage turkey. His birds live inside a fenced off orchard that is patrolled by three dogs, night and day. He found a small pile of feathers and beside them a clear pawprint impression in the muddy ground. I have to say, I agree with him that it looks like a bobcat print. That is so scary to me. Whatever it was, it got past 3 dogs, grabbed a turkey that probably weighs in the neighborhood of 20-25lb, and cleared a 4' fence carrying the turkey, to get out again, apparently without the dogs being able to stop it. And, now it knows where food is, it will be back. This happened between the hours of 7-3, more than likely. And he can't just not go to work to stay home and wait for it, so I know he has to be worrying about what he finds missing everyday when he gets home from work now.

I haven't had to deal with something like that - yet - and hope I never do, but I really feel for him.

Several years ago when I only had a few turkeys, I was loosing them one at a time. It was happening during the day while I was at work. But I was home when my last full grown turkey was taken. I saw a coyote jump a five strand barbed wire fence with the turkey. The turkeys had been in a large area fenced with 5 foot cattle panels.

 

[HEChicken]

Hechicken they already have my address and all my other pertinent information. This is an insurance company. I am really tired of waiting on them.
I had a exhibition buff orpington I sold to a friend's son for the fair. He was taking him to state next month. Yesterday afternoon she called me very upset. She had just let him out of the pen to free range for a little bit and gone back in. When she came back out she saw a coyote dragging him off. That was a great loss. I paid $25 for that roo and let him go for like $10 because I wanted the boy to have something outstanding for the fair. She wants to get a replacement. I do have one spare but I am suggesting she completes her fencing before I sell her one. It was very upsetting because he was a very nice calm rooster and just gorgeous. She also raises rabbits and has been letting them out in a little make do pen in the yard. She'll be loosing bunnies too if she isn't careful.

Oh gotcha! I figured it was someone calling about buying birds and it would be more convenient for you to be out doing chores and have your phone with you.

You know, I had a similar conversation with someone on one of the swap pages just a few days ago. They posted that something got in and got most of their hens so they need to buy some more laying hens and wondered if anyone had any. Well, me personally, I know that once I sell a bird it belongs to the new person but that doesn't stop me caring about each and every one of them and wanting the best home for them possible. Am I going to sell birds to someone who has just lost most of their flock to a predator, so that same predator can come back and eat my birds too? No way! I would feel so bad if they had a good home here and I exchanged them for a few dollars to have them become a predator's dinner almost right away. So I suggested to the OP on that thread that perhaps they want to deal with their predator before obtaining replacement birds and both the OP and another poster jumped in to say that they need new birds in order to have "bait" with which to catch the predator. What can you do except shrug and drop the subject? But I do know I'm not interested in selling my birds as "bait".

 

[Ralph Moyer]

22qzoo, I haven't noticed any particular breeds having one thing over another other than the import birds just aren't as resistant to our local diseases. But then I haven't spent a ton of time paying that much attention.
Ash, I had both silver and gold laced Wyandottes. To be honest they were one of the first breeds I got out of. They just seemed less hardy to heat and cold both, got sick easily, and ilost several of them at a younger age than you'd expect a chicken to die. I thought they were gorgeous but other than that I just didn't think they were worth the expense to keep them. I am sure other people have had wonderful experience with them but that is strictly my opinion. I have brahmas with the same coloring and am much happier with them, however they are more expensive because this is a fairly recent color development.
The baby bird is doing quite well. He has taught himself to fly and is eating pretty good. He just seems pretty darned lonely. I figure in a couple days he will be let loose to fend for himself. I can't turn him out to be eaten purposely but as soon as I feel he is capable out he goes. I'll try to put him out where the cat won't bother him.
Trish I have thought of getting barn cats but how do you keep them from eating chicks? We have an old Tom that moved into the South barn who is spooky. I am sure he lives on rats and mice but he never comes up to the house or near the buildings that are closer. We don't feed or water him and couldn't catch him if we had to. I worry about the broodies that have babies when it comes to undomesticated cats. I sure don't need any more animals to feed. How do you manage those cats. Do you provide food and water? I also wonder about less than tame cats having disease that would infect my domestic cats. I've always spayed and neutered my cats so I can't imagine how costly that could get.
I wonder when the stores are going to have fall chicks. Anyone have any ideas? I want to plan fall hatches for the peak season. But I don't want to be stuck with a bunch of excess birds I can't sell either.
I had to go get shavings and chick starter again last night. I sure go through a lot and haven't found a suitable replacement for it.
I have been checking into pellet presses. I think maybe I could save enough in feed by making pellets it might be a worthwhile investment. I need to get more information. They aren't cheap but they do have some that run between one and two grand. The problem of course is I really need a mill and grinder as well. I love the fermented feed but if I am ever going to rig up an auto feeding system it won't work. It has really saved me a lot of food because the smaller particles are being used. I keep dreaming like I have money to spend.

Danz, where can you find a small pellet press? I have thought about using grass clippings . I did get a pleasant surprise when I last bought feed. The 12% pellets I buy had dropped to $8.00 a 50 pound bag. Also crimped corn was $8.00 but chick grower was still $10.50 a 50 pound bag. I could save a $1.00 a hundred pounds if I had a way to transport in the bulk. My pickup has a camper shell on the bed that does keep the sacks dry if I get caught in a rain like I did Monday.

 

[chicken danz]

Ralph where do your find chicken feed that cheap? I have my own feed made and milled for me and do save a substantial amount that way. $8.00 a 50 pound bag is a great price however I do use a much higher protein rate than that.
I found pellet presses on ebay and wrote about them. I also found a nice site. There are two options. Pellet mills and peller presses. The presses seem to run the lower price but may need more group up material. The best site I found to buy them is: http://www.gardenheat.com/
And here is the person I talked to on Ebay. He has several models.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PELLET-MILL...284?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a668d05e4
In the long run I think a mill would pay for itself with just not loosing so many fine particles. You can make pellets by adding water but then you have to have drying trays. I prefer to do a pressure mill and not have to dry them..
I have had so many people here to buy birds that lost them to predators. I always ask if they have the problem fixed before selling. I just can't see making money at the birds' expense. Some of them say they are working on it and other's say they have it fixed. How do you know though? I just have to trust that people are being honest...although I am sure by watching facial expressions some of them aren't.
BTW, about Mid-September I want to start hatching red stars. Is anyone interested in day old cockerel chicks on the cheap? I really need a market for the boys. They could be good eating but I don't want to spend the money to raise them. HEchicken I wondered if that would be something you could use for your snakes? It kind of creeps me out but better than just culling them for no purpose. I just can't afford to feed them out myself for meat birds. I don't make much off roosters. I'm kind of trying to plan in advance so I don't give in and feed a ton of boys for no profit.

 

[Ralph Moyer]

Ralph where do your find chicken feed that cheap? I have my own feed made and milled for me and do save a substantial amount that way. $8.00 a 50 pound bag is a great price however I do use a much higher protein rate than that.
I found pellet presses on ebay and wrote about them. I also found a nice site. There are two options. Pellet mills and peller presses. The presses seem to run the lower price but may need more group up material. The best site I found to buy them is: http://www.gardenheat.com/
And here is the person I talked to on Ebay. He has several models.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PELLET-MILL...284?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a668d05e4
In the long run I think a mill would pay for itself with just not loosing so many fine particles. You can make pellets by adding water but then you have to have drying trays. I prefer to do a pressure mill and not have to dry them..
I have had so many people here to buy birds that lost them to predators. I always ask if they have the problem fixed before selling. I just can't see making money at the birds' expense. Some of them say they are working on it and other's say they have it fixed. How do you know though? I just have to trust that people are being honest...although I am sure by watching facial expressions some of them aren't.
BTW, about Mid-September I want to start hatching red stars. Is anyone interested in day old cockerel chicks on the cheap? I really need a market for the boys. They could be good eating but I don't want to spend the money to raise them. HEchicken I wondered if that would be something you could use for your snakes? It kind of creeps me out but better than just culling them for no purpose. I just can't afford to feed them out myself for meat birds. I don't make much off roosters. I'm kind of trying to plan in advance so I don't give in and feed a ton of boys for no profit.

I get my feed at Coover Feed, a small town elevator in Galesburg. Kansas, in southern Neosho County. They will also prepare feed to your specifications with advance notice. I started getting feed there when I had Emus, as they were the only place that prepared Emu feed.

 

[HEChicken]

Hmmm...Danz, that's to think about. I actually have considered hatching some myself just to feed the snakes, after reading recently about the conditions in which the mice and rats are kept, that are being bred for reptile feeding purposes. Its quite horrific and inhumane and I figure I can do better. I used to breed my own rats and mice but hated the killing part. Now I just feed them live because I've drawn the conclusion that a snake is a very efficient and really very humane killing machine. I don't think suffocation is a comfortable way to go but it is very fast. I've watched it happen and from the moment the prey is grabbed until it is unconscious is only about 20 seconds.

The main problem with taking your chicks would be logistics, since you and I live so far apart. My snakes can eat a chick probably up to about 2 weeks of age and after that they're getting too big. We can certainly stay in touch about it!

I am currently hatching only pure NH and pure BR eggs. The NH's I have to grow out to see which is which but technically I should be able to tell which are the male/female BR's at hatch. So I may end up having some known boys to feed off as chicks myself. The ones I grow out, I plan for us to eat - I'm getting better at processing so feeling much better about it. I figure based on comments you've made in the past that a large proportion of what I hatch this month and next will be boys

 

[Trish44]

Do any of you have Silver Laced Wyandotte's? They are beautiful, I would love to own one!

I have two young Silver Laced & one Gold Laced Wyandotte but they are just in my layer flock & I don't raise them. I like them mostly for eye candy in the yard, but they are good layers.

Danz, I would give out my cell ph number vs. my landline if I were you. Aside from the convenience of not being indoors tied to the phone, a landline phone can be easily traced and then they have your address, whereas a cell phone is not as easily traceable.

A friend of mine lost a BBB turkey yesterday that was about 3 months old but was already bigger than an adult heritage turkey. His birds live inside a fenced off orchard that is patrolled by three dogs, night and day. He found a small pile of feathers and beside them a clear pawprint impression in the muddy ground. I have to say, I agree with him that it looks like a bobcat print. That is so scary to me. Whatever it was, it got past 3 dogs, grabbed a turkey that probably weighs in the neighborhood of 20-25lb, and cleared a 4' fence carrying the turkey, to get out again, apparently without the dogs being able to stop it. And, now it knows where food is, it will be back. This happened between the hours of 7-3, more than likely. And he can't just not go to work to stay home and wait for it, so I know he has to be worrying about what he finds missing everyday when he gets home from work now.

I haven't had to deal with something like that - yet - and hope I never do, but I really feel for him.

That had to be a bobcat to carry a turkey that big & jump a fence. We have them here & I know that because my neighbor across the road from our property down front said he has seen them at his pond. We have 5 acres that is pretty wild & overgrown & that would be a perfect environment for them to live in. I worry about my dogs having to deal with them at some point.

22qzoo, I haven't noticed any particular breeds having one thing over another other than the import birds just aren't as resistant to our local diseases. But then I haven't spent a ton of time paying that much attention.
Ash, I had both silver and gold laced Wyandottes. To be honest they were one of the first breeds I got out of. They just seemed less hardy to heat and cold both, got sick easily, and ilost several of them at a younger age than you'd expect a chicken to die. I thought they were gorgeous but other than that I just didn't think they were worth the expense to keep them. I am sure other people have had wonderful experience with them but that is strictly my opinion. I have brahmas with the same coloring and am much happier with them, however they are more expensive because this is a fairly recent color development.
The baby bird is doing quite well. He has taught himself to fly and is eating pretty good. He just seems pretty darned lonely. I figure in a couple days he will be let loose to fend for himself. I can't turn him out to be eaten purposely but as soon as I feel he is capable out he goes. I'll try to put him out where the cat won't bother him.
Trish I have thought of getting barn cats but how do you keep them from eating chicks? We have an old Tom that moved into the South barn who is spooky. I am sure he lives on rats and mice but he never comes up to the house or near the buildings that are closer. We don't feed or water him and couldn't catch him if we had to. I worry about the broodies that have babies when it comes to undomesticated cats. I sure don't need any more animals to feed. How do you manage those cats. Do you provide food and water? I also wonder about less than tame cats having disease that would infect my domestic cats. I've always spayed and neutered my cats so I can't imagine how costly that could get.
I wonder when the stores are going to have fall chicks. Anyone have any ideas? I want to plan fall hatches for the peak season. But I don't want to be stuck with a bunch of excess birds I can't sell either.
I had to go get shavings and chick starter again last night. I sure go through a lot and haven't found a suitable replacement for it.
I have been checking into pellet presses. I think maybe I could save enough in feed by making pellets it might be a worthwhile investment. I need to get more information. They aren't cheap but they do have some that run between one and two grand. The problem of course is I really need a mill and grinder as well. I love the fermented feed but if I am ever going to rig up an auto feeding system it won't work. It has really saved me a lot of food because the smaller particles are being used. I keep dreaming like I have money to spend.

I have never had a problem with cats & chickens, I have always had cats outside at both of the places I have had chickens. Of course they can't get into the pens where the smaller chicks are. If they could then I might have a problem with them getting chicks, but I keep them shut up in pens. They have never bothered a grown chicken or even a half grown one. I have a lot of kittens right now, I mean I am over-run with them at the moment & they sometimes go into the run & main coop & the chickens peck them on the head & chase them out. If anybody needs any barn cats for mousers I have a big assortment free for the asking. We have way too many right now. Yes, Danz I do feed them at night along with all the other critters & the dogs & I know we can't keep all of these we have right now. My DH won't pay for any of the females to get spayed, so we just keep having kittens here & I have to find homes for them or they wander off or something happens to them out here. I think sometimes the coyotes get some of the younger ones. I do like to keep some around for mousers all the time because they keep them cleaned out. I rarely see a mouse around here unless I see one they have already caught.

Oh gotcha! I figured it was someone calling about buying birds and it would be more convenient for you to be out doing chores and have your phone with you.

You know, I had a similar conversation with someone on one of the swap pages just a few days ago. They posted that something got in and got most of their hens so they need to buy some more laying hens and wondered if anyone had any. Well, me personally, I know that once I sell a bird it belongs to the new person but that doesn't stop me caring about each and every one of them and wanting the best home for them possible. Am I going to sell birds to someone who has just lost most of their flock to a predator, so that same predator can come back and eat my birds too? No way! I would feel so bad if they had a good home here and I exchanged them for a few dollars to have them become a predator's dinner almost right away. So I suggested to the OP on that thread that perhaps they want to deal with their predator before obtaining replacement birds and both the OP and another poster jumped in to say that they need new birds in order to have "bait" with which to catch the predator. What can you do except shrug and drop the subject? But I do know I'm not interested in selling my birds as "bait".

I saw that same ad & wondered the same thing about it. Why would you get more chickens until you took care of the problem, you will just end up feeding them to the same predator.

I had to laugh yesterday, I was at my hairdresser's getting my hair cut & I had taken her some of my fresh eggs before & she had me bring her some more this time. She has two foster boys at her house & she said they have only seen white store eggs. When the 6 year old looked in the refrigerator & saw those eggs in there he asked what those things were. She grew up with chickens & knew farm eggs come in all different colors, so it wasn't a surprise to her but she had to tell the boy that they were eggs. He replied, but they have spots & they're different colors. I do have one Marans left who lays spotted eggs quite a bit & they're fairly dark brown & then I have some blue egg layers too along with varying shades of brown. That was just fascinating to them that eggs came in something other than white.

 

[lizzyGSR]

We had a downpour yesterday afternoon that came with some strong winds and some hail (everything just BARELY under the limits they use to qualify a storm as severe). My birds (ducks and geese) were standing near the duck house but were still OUTSIDE the duck house in the weather. Does anyone else's birds stand out in the yucky weather when they have the choice? If I'd known that the small dark cloud coming my way was going to produce all that, I probably would've locked my birds up in the duck house, but I hadn't expected any adverse weather so I wasn't watching the radar. I know I wouldn't want to be caught out in a storm like that. Doesn't the hail hurt them too? Any ideas why they don't seek shelter from the storm? If I hadn't locked them in the duck run before the storm hit, they might've been in the middle of the yard, away from any shelter at all!

 

[lizzyGSR]

I had to laugh yesterday, I was at my hairdresser's getting my hair cut & I had taken her some of my fresh eggs before & she had me bring her some more this time. She has two foster boys at her house & she said they have only seen white store eggs. When the 6 year old looked in the refrigerator & saw those eggs in there he asked what those things were. She grew up with chickens & knew farm eggs come in all different colors, so it wasn't a surprise to her but she had to tell the boy that they were eggs. He replied, but they have spots & they're different colors. I do have one Marans left who lays spotted eggs quite a bit & they're fairly dark brown & then I have some blue egg layers too along with varying shades of brown. That was just fascinating to them that eggs came in something other than white.

I heard a story on the radio a year or so ago... The story unfolded that there was a lady (an adult) who thought chicken was just a pre-packaged item you bought at the store. I don't remember exactly how it went, but the lady ended up visiting a petting zoo or something where they had live chickens. Apparently, the lady was flabbergasted to find out that the package of meat she'd been buying in the store actually came from a live animal. How do you get to adulthood and not know that??? How do you get to adulthood and not realize that there's an animal called a "chicken"???

 

[cleansquared]

So except for saturday i have got an egg every day for over a week i have been trying to keep track of who is actually laying and for the last two days in a row its the crested legbar im not always around so i sometimes dont see who is hanging out in the basket to lay but i thought it odd out of two days its the same one infact ive never actually seen the other one in the basket is it possible all the eggs are comming from the one?