Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

This morning when I went out to let the chickens out into the yard I realized that 1) I have nearly doubled my flock this summer, 2) I now have 17 chickens with a coop built for 12. Oops. Of the 17, at least 2 are possibly extra roosters, so they will be rehomed when I'm sure of gender. One is a pure Marans, so he should have a chance for a 4H home (assuming he is a he).

My coop is 8x6 so according to the book, 12 is the limit. Does anyone have any experience with, say, 15 chickens in the space for 12? Can we make this work? I don't want to get rid of any of the pullet babies I've raised (of course the cockerels will have to go, but that is a different issue).

I also realized that I have a varied flock -- 1 BO, 2 Delawares, 4 EE hens and 2 EE cockerels (Butch's boys), a Welsumer, a Golden Campine, 3 Marans (1 possible cockerel) and 3 Marans mix chicks (one clearly a cockerel). Yikes.

At his point the mixed chicks are in the portable coop, but they are free-ranging with the flock all day, so they will be moving into the coop pretty soon.

I'm turning into the "chicken lady."

Sharol I probably have way more chickens than I should in my main laying coop, but they're out all day long free ranging so they just go in there to sleep. As long as there is still room to roost I'm not too worried about it. I know it's going to be a problem when I'm gone, but usually that's not for that long at a time except vacations. Mine go in & out all day to lay in the nest boxes, but other than that they're just outside walking around.

Danz, I could probably use another peahen anyway, but I still would only need the one peacock for two hens. I see no way around having to sell this one peacock. I sure don't want to have to build two more hoop coops, not right now anyway. I am excited though that these two probably are a pair. I'll have to get pics of them if I can, they're very shy.

I can't wait for this weather to cool down a little, I'm so tired of coming in soaking wet from sweating so much when it's so hot. My allergies have been flared up too, they're actually worse this time of year than in spring I think. I had to get up in the middle of the night the other day just to use some saline spray & get my nose unclogged. I hope everybody's allergies get better soon, it's no fun.

 

[JosieChick]

Just popping in to say howdy!

Lizzy- Sounds like you had a great shower! If there is one thing I have learned it is that you will never be "ready" for a baby! You can only begin to prepare so just embrace it and know that all your little one will need is you and your DH's love and warmth, food and a dry, safe place to live. They really require very little other than that in those early days. One thing I really wish I had now that I look back was a ring sling so I could carry Amelia with me and have free hands. That was the hardest part is that babies do not want to be put down when they are that little and I love the sling I have now because I can do things and have my hands, like eat dinner!

Heather- Love your turkeys, wish I had more time as I would love to have them again but alas I am still cutting back!

Sorry to everyone with allergies! I think we are in the same boat, baby and I have both been coughing and sneezing. At first I thought we caught something but I don't "feel" sick and I don't think she is either. DH has terrible allergies right now.

I might try going to the TSC swap in East Wichita this Saturday with a bunch of broody hatched chicks. I have got to crack down on these cochin girls setting!

Everyone have a great day! I am off to get some cleaning done while baby is still napping!

 

[lizzyGSR]

Sounds like you had an excellent shower, Lizzy. I don't even think I know 30 people that would consider coming to anything for me. I guess that is life as a hermit.

Yes, I did have a good shower... All 30 of those people didn't necessarily come just for me. In fact, there were a couple of ladies hosting whose names I did not know. There were several that came because of my parents and/or in-laws and several more that came for my husband. I work from home and am a hermit myself... The shower was held at the church I grew up in, so most of the people that came have known me or my family for a LONG time!

It is cooler here today, and the forecast is calling for cooler temperatures for the next several days, along with a chance of rain. My goodness it is humid though! We need the rain pretty desperately, so I am hopeful that we will get a long-lasting slow rain so it has a chance to really soak in.

I've got another question concerning my sick birds (where's josie when you need her??). My duck's scab is completely gone, and she seems to be feeling better. I plan to finish out the 2nd set of 10 days of medication for her and then stop giving her antibiotics. The thing making me question that decision, though, is that the spot where the bumblefoot was is still swollen. It went down when we first started giving her medications and has since swelled back up. Is this normal or something I should continue to worry about?

I am not convinced that my gander is continuing to improve after the initial 10 days of medications. He is walking better, but still walks with a slight limp. His foot is still swollen, and I have not noticed any improvement in the size of the scab. Should I switch to Baytril with him once the Amoxicillin is done?

 

[lizzyGSR]

Just popping in to say howdy!

Lizzy- Sounds like you had a great shower! If there is one thing I have learned it is that you will never be "ready" for a baby! You can only begin to prepare so just embrace it and know that all your little one will need is you and your DH's love and warmth, food and a dry, safe place to live. They really require very little other than that in those early days. One thing I really wish I had now that I look back was a ring sling so I could carry Amelia with me and have free hands. That was the hardest part is that babies do not want to be put down when they are that little and I love the sling I have now because I can do things and have my hands, like eat dinner!

OK, it is funny that you decided to post while I was posting...

My mom has purchased a Moby wrap for me, and I have been considering making a Baby K'Tan for myself. We plan to go straight to a convertible car seat and NOT buy an infant seat. I leave the house only about once or twice a week, so I don't think the infant carrier is really worth the price. I plan to use the Moby instead of the infant car seat.

Clothes and diapers are the things that I really think we could use more of. Most of the diapers we have gotten so far will likely be too big for a newborn. And, since we aren't finding out Baby's gender until the birth, most people have avoided buying clothes because it is somewhat difficult to find gender-neutral clothes around here. One of the biggest things that makes me feel "not ready" for Baby is that the nursery is a MESS right now, and my nursery set isn't done yet. We got a lot of gifts from the shower, and they are all still sitting in gift bags in the nursery. I need to organize everything and then wash it and put it away. Before I can do that, though, the dresser we plan to use in Baby's room needs to be cleaned up, fixed, painted and moved into the nursery. Gah! So much to do in 2 months' time!

 

[22qZoo]

I had some hornworms on my tomatoes but I think the geese got them. When I let them out in the afternoon the first place they go to is over by the tomatoes . I just googled them, I had thought they turned into those pretty Luna moths and just shared a plant with them. Now that I know they just turn into a big brown moth I'm probably not going to be so passive .
Danz, did you like your outback ? I've always wanted one of those. This mini van is ok but sometimes it seems so bulky and is kind of a turd on snow and ice. I hate car shopping , I've never bought a car without feeling like I got taken advantage of somehow .
I can't imagine any of us on the Kansas thread having housing for our chickens that wouldn't be 10 times better than what those poor birds that live in the egg factory's have to deal with. I'm not aware of any chicken-coop police.

 

[JosieChick]

OK, it is funny that you decided to post while I was posting...

My mom has purchased a Moby wrap for me, and I have been considering making a Baby K'Tan for myself. We plan to go straight to a convertible car seat and NOT buy an infant seat. I leave the house only about once or twice a week, so I don't think the infant carrier is really worth the price. I plan to use the Moby instead of the infant car seat.

Clothes and diapers are the things that I really think we could use more of. Most of the diapers we have gotten so far will likely be too big for a newborn. And, since we aren't finding out Baby's gender until the birth, most people have avoided buying clothes because it is somewhat difficult to find gender-neutral clothes around here. One of the biggest things that makes me feel "not ready" for Baby is that the nursery is a MESS right now, and my nursery set isn't done yet. We got a lot of gifts from the shower, and they are all still sitting in gift bags in the nursery. I need to organize everything and then wash it and put it away. Before I can do that, though, the dresser we plan to use in Baby's room needs to be cleaned up, fixed, painted and moved into the nursery. Gah! So much to do in 2 months' time!

That will be awesome! Start practicing wrapping the Moby now with a stuffed animal or something! It takes a certain touch but once you get it you are good to go! Good plan on the car seat, we were gifted an infant seat but we have already switched because I felt like she was sitting in a hole and its terrible for your arms to carry those things around anyway AND baby is much happier to be worn than in a car seat anyway! Our nursery was a MESS two weeks before we had the baby! Don't despair, you will get this surge of crazy soon to be mom nesting drive in within the next couple weeks and the place will be ready to roll. (Your husband will think you have lost your mind during this period too btw)

What brand of diapers are you going to use? If you are interested I have a TON of onesies and stuff. They are gently used but still in great shape that I could send you some to get you started. I had a friend gift me a ton that she had from her babies and never used half of them. PM me an address and I can get a box out to you if you are interested.

On your duck, if it is still swollen the bumble foot is not healed. Did you open it up and scrape all the nasty stuff out?

 

[chicken danz]

I was thinking that today was when it was supposed to cool down but it looks like it has been moved to tomorrow. Poor birds! I know they are ready for some relief...especially those that are stuck in pens and can't go find shade on their own. If they'd just learn not to interbreed, go to bed where they belong, not go broody and nest out too far, and not fly off I could let them all free range. Not asking much, am I? Sometimes I think life would be manageable if I just had one kind of bird, one breed, one color etc. But what fun would that be?
This darned rag weed is a killer and just as soon as it starts letting up then they start harvesting which is another whammy on my allergies. Reasons to hate fall other than the fact it is a prelude to winter. I am ready for some cooler weather though for sure.
Lizzy those kids don't stay in those little clothes any time at all. Just some sleepers or onsies or something is really a lot more practical when they are little anyway. Especially if you aren't taking them any where often. I always loved those baby nightgowns that had the bottom you could fasten or leave open. I used those for both the boys and the girls. I also thought they were much more handy than sleepers for changing diapers and stuff. But they are harder and harder to find. Of course diapers are always a must regardless.
22Qzoo yes I did like my outback. I had another subaru before I got the outback and l loved both cars. My outback didn't do quite as well as the other one did in ice and snow. I intended to buy another one but couldn't get dealers to come down on price or find a good used one that I felt I could afford with the options I wanted. If I were going to buy a new car it would definitely be my preference.

 

[lizzyGSR]

That will be awesome! Start practicing wrapping the Moby now with a stuffed animal or something! It takes a certain touch but once you get it you are good to go! Good plan on the car seat, we were gifted an infant seat but we have already switched because I felt like she was sitting in a hole and its terrible for your arms to carry those things around anyway AND baby is much happier to be worn than in a car seat anyway! Our nursery was a MESS two weeks before we had the baby! Don't despair, you will get this surge of crazy soon to be mom nesting drive in within the next couple weeks and the place will be ready to roll. (Your husband will think you have lost your mind during this period too btw)

What brand of diapers are you going to use? If you are interested I have a TON of onesies and stuff. They are gently used but still in great shape that I could send you some to get you started. I had a friend gift me a ton that she had from her babies and never used half of them. PM me an address and I can get a box out to you if you are interested.

On your duck, if it is still swollen the bumble foot is not healed. Did you open it up and scrape all the nasty stuff out?

We are using prefold diapers for the newborn stage. We have some Indian Prefolds, some Thirsties Hemp, BabyKicks Hemp, and some Diaper Rite Prefolds on our list. For covers, we've got two Thirsties Duo Wrap covers and two Flip One Size Diaper covers on our list.

We have opened the wound up twice now. The first time, we did out best to cut out the infected stuff. The second time, we tried, but didn't see anything that looked obviously infected. Do you think we should do it again?

Any suggestions on treatment for my gander?

 

[lizzyGSR]

That will be awesome! Start practicing wrapping the Moby now with a stuffed animal or something! It takes a certain touch but once you get it you are good to go! Good plan on the car seat, we were gifted an infant seat but we have already switched because I felt like she was sitting in a hole and its terrible for your arms to carry those things around anyway AND baby is much happier to be worn than in a car seat anyway! Our nursery was a MESS two weeks before we had the baby! Don't despair, you will get this surge of crazy soon to be mom nesting drive in within the next couple weeks and the place will be ready to roll. (Your husband will think you have lost your mind during this period too btw)

You are actually the first person that has thought that NOT getting an infant carrier is a good idea... Thanks for the encouragement! I really appreciate it! My biggest concern is during church and when eating out afterwards. Can you eat while wearing Baby in a Moby?

 

[sharol]

Point taken.

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