Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

Little chilly and breezy today. I decided the weeds in the strawberries could have their way today, but I'll be back!

Made yet another doctor visit and they are taking me off another medication to see if they can stabilize my BP. Crazy. If they stop that medication, the irregular heartbeats will start again. They know. The type of irregular heartbeat I have won't kill me, the low BP might. But the irregular heartbeat makes me feel weak and tired. It's too bad they haven't figured out how to fix PVC's. My Cardio says it is a faulty signal from the brain, not an electrical problem in the heart, 9 times of 10. So an ablation can't fix it, most likely. So, I will just reconcile myself to being weak and tired and work around it. At least I don't have cancer.

My Walt'z Ark babies will be here tomorrow! 5 Speckled Sussex and 5 Light Sussex so I am so very happy in spite of another depressing doctor appointment. I spent some time with my chickettes today and it makes everything just kind of disappear. Chickens are so therapeutic. I tell my husband they save $$ on therapy bills. My story and I'm sticking to it!

Are the babies there yet? I think we need to combine blood pressure to make one stable person. I live in the high stroke zone.
Quote:

Can anyone tell me if this is a male or female

Definitely male judging from the feather patterns

So sorry for everyone loss on here. Never easy to loose a pet.
So a quick question, was worried that one
of my Bantams was a rooster week I was right and wrong at same time. I had three of my chicks tested. All 3 are roosters. I live in a subdivision and can't have them, any suggestions on what to do with them. There is a swap meet i can sell at.

You can sell at a swap meet but don't expect to get your money back on them. Roosters are almost always a total loss. I sell full grown ones that are worth $25 as chicks for $5 for eating. Maybe some day I'll find time to vent sex birds and figure out what to do with all the boys.

@sharol , Posh Spice, my Red Star who was laying the shell-less eggs *I think* laid a normal egg again today. I will have to confer with my kids, who gathered some eggs today too, that we got 3 Red Star eggs. I brought in one, and if I remember correctly, they brought in two this morning. I went into the silo coop last night to check to make sure the 6-week-olds had made it up to the roost for the night, when I noticed Posh jerking her head around. She also had a nice runny poo right in front of me, so I stood and watched her a bit. I noticed that her crop seemed really full, and it had already been at least 4 hours since they had last eaten. I felt her crop, and it was hard as a rock. I decided to let her be until morning, then see how she was. This morning she seemed fine again. Crop had gone down. I still massaged it, just to make sure there wasn't anything else that would get hung up in there. I have a feeling her whole digestive system was a little out-of-whack, causing issues. I am still going to keep an eye on her, though.
Shelless eggs usually occur at the beginning of laying, the end of laying, right before a molt, and right after a molt. MOST birds recover and lay normal eggs. Lack of calcium etc can cause it but judging form the age of the birds I would say she just hasn't got her egg factory in tune yet.
@milomac , thank you for the good suggestion. I think we just need to make a few, inexpensive changes to keep water out from here on out. My husband worked too hard on building the steps going down, roosting buckets under the stairs, etc. for us to fill it all in with sand. Plus, the part of the silo that is underground gives EXCELLENT insulation from both extreme heat and extreme cold for the chickens.
This is a fact I missed earlier when reading your post... that the bottom is underground. That is NOT good. Unless he can waterproof it it is going to be a problem for sure. I am sure he knows what he is doing but I would opt to build it up if it were me.

Hi everyone! It rained pretty much all day here today. A few of my chicks acted like they weren't enjoying the cool weather very much but I think they'll survive. I stayed in and worked on some craft projects. A couple stenciled burlap table runners and I wanted to work at revamping some dress patterns but I didn't get to it. Got too enthused about the table runners.

BTW I have an extra incubator that I ordered when I thought my second one hadn't shipped and I'm currently auctioning it off on the 24 Hour auction thread. I'm

that I get out of it what I paid for it.

I'm sorry to see you are auctioning your incubator. I would have said KEEP IT! You can never have too many incubators.

Hopefully it is hatching day here. I have one egg that pipped yesterday morning. I checked it and it is finally starting the zip, but the pip is on the side of the egg, so who knows. There is at least one other pipped egg. I felt around under the broodies (much to their disgust) and felt a rough spot on one egg. I have one 4 day old, two pipped/zipped out of 12. I'm staying home to be sure the broodies stick on the nests today. I have the incubator up and running just in case.
Sharol that means you have a large chick in a small egg. His head would be in the middle. That occurs more often than not in those big English Orps. Good luck with your hatch today
Speaking of incubators. I have one of the LG styrofoam ones. I had it all set up with the turner and stable at 99 degrees (according to two of my 4 thermometers -- did I mention I'm a worrier). The add on fan came, and I shut it down and installed the fan, and when I turned it back on, it was nearly 5 degrees hotter. More adjustments, and it was stable again. Then when that first chick hatched Saturday, i took out the turner to be ready if Graycie came off the nest. Again, the temp went crazy. This time it dropped a couple of degrees. More tinkering, and it is finally stable again.

So this is my question. Clearly the fan is pushing the heat down. Did the temp drop that much just because of the inch or so lower (the floor was) after I took out the turner? That has to be the most confusing sentence ever, but it's early.

Go Graycie and Copper. Horray for babies.

The temp fluctuates because of the air movement and the motors. Motors put out heat. Air cools things down and moves air out... unless the motor is producing more heat than the air moves. That's the trouble with those smaller incubators. I had two styros. One for hatching and one for incubating. The fans were always on in both of them. I marked the position to keep temp steady on the one that had the turner and separately marked the position on the one that I hatched in. Trying to balance that heat is just so risky. Then you add eggs and it all can change again. Hopefully the girls will do a great job and you won't have to worry about the incubator at all.
I am HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! I had the winning bid on a Bobcat!!! Once I pay for it and get it here and it quits raining I can actually do my work in the yard and get my pen areas ready!! This unit is butt ugly. It was used in a fertilizer plant, and although not that old, it looks like it's been on the bottom of the sea. I got it for less than 2/3rds of it's value simply because of it's looks. I don't care as long as I get a good usable machine. Maybe at some point we can sandblast it and repaint it so it looks nicer and holds up better to the weather. I'm just as thrilled as I can be.
I've wanted a bobcat for a long long time. This isn't the largest unit bit it's not a little one either. Now I have something else to spend my money on. New attachments so I can do even more with it. What kind of woman gets so excited about heavy equipment?

 

[sharol]

@Chicken Danz thanks for the information about the orp. I'm pacing. The pip had expanded this morning, and the baby is cheeping. I'm sitting on my hands to stay out of the coop. I am watching carefully to be sure the moms don't abandon the unhatched eggs.

The baby hatched Saturday has attached itself to Copper (the hen that didn't hatch it), and she is the one with the zipping chick. STRESS. STRESS. STRESS.

Have I mentioned I'm a worrier.

The kind of woman who gets excited about machinery is probably like the woman who gets excited about new technology (that would be me). We see those things as a good way to get things done more easily. Right? The bobcat sounds wonderful. We got a smallish tractor several years ago (to my husband's delight). It has a blade (for snow and rocks on the driveway) and a bucket and then an add on back hoe attachment. We have used it way more than I thought we would. I have 0 desire to learn to use it. Oh well. It takes all kinds, right? I'm the one who downloaded the beta version of Windows 10 when it became available. Just out of curiosity, mostly.

 

[chicken danz]

Well I bought my tractor about 5 years ago. It came with a brush hog which we rarely use. We have two Swishers and we can pull them with the riding mowers which are a lot easier to use and cut just as wide. We have added a tiller, a post hole auger. a blade, and extension pole, etc. We already had a box blade, and a loader that came with it as well. I would love to have a back hoe but the tractor doesn't have enough power to run one that isn't a category 1. Problem with the tractor is that I can't lift the implements and there is no quick connect so unless DH changes implements I'm stuck. He won't do it at my request either.
I love heavy equipment and always have. I learned how to use some on my own and other machinery at work. A bobcat is my dream machine. I used one for a summer one time and got more work done that summer than has been done since all tolled. My first purchase will probably be a quick connect for the bobcat. That way I can change implements by myself. Of course I have to buy the implements first!!! I like technology as well but it's hard to move mountains with a computer app.

 

[Prairie Fleur]

@chicken danz I wouldn't mind keeping it but I don't have room for it and I really need the money I can get for it more than I need the bator.... How's the weather out your way by now? It's cloudy and cool here but it's not raining, thankfully.

 

[chicken danz]

Oh it's drizzly right now and predicted to rain all day. It's darn cool too. 51 right now! How depressing!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

As I was feeding the birds and calling out a name here and there the thought crosses my mind, "Do other crazy chicken people feel the need to give their hens old lady names?" Gloria, Winnifred, Aunt Pitty Pat Hamilton (I have a Scarlett and a Miss Melinie too), Dottie.....

Danz I feel for you, I feel as if I am running in the 'high stroke zone' lately too. I'm always a bit high strung but the last month, or so I have been very anxious and easily fired up. Not a good state of mind for a Mom of three little boys, I am ready for vacation!

 

[Prairie Fleur]

Here's a pic I took of the table runner I finished yesterday. I want to work on another one today yet.

 

[chicken danz]

Here's a pic I took of the table runner I finished yesterday. I want to work on another one today yet.

I love that. Particularly the bird motif.

As I was feeding the birds and calling out a name here and there the thought crosses my mind, "Do other crazy chicken people feel the need to give their hens old lady names?" Gloria, Winnifred, Aunt Pitty Pat Hamilton (I have a Scarlett and a Miss Melinie too), Dottie.....

Danz I feel for you, I feel as if I am running in the 'high stroke zone' lately too. I'm always a bit high strung but the last month, or so I have been very anxious and easily fired up. Not a good state of mind for a Mom of three little boys, I am ready for vacation!

I've always been what I call wired hot. I've been on BP medications for a few years. However for the past year or so my BP has been running in the 200 over 100 area. The medication I have to take along with my old one has turned me into a fat pig to put it bluntly, and I still have bouts of it going sky high. It's crazy. I have no idea why it changed. But then other physical problems started as well, like my hair falling out etc etc. I guess I just need to give up and accept I am old.
I can't name my birds old lady names cause I am one!

Well I guess the non stop rain is finally taking it's toll. It was a very heart breaking day out there. First I lost two goslings. I was so afraid that would happen if they got too chilly. I really wanted DH to help me run them back to the greenhouse but that never happened. And he is busy the rest of the day and goes back to work tomorrow.
The mama duck who has done so well with her 14 babies is down to 9 of them today. Very sad...I never found them. I lost two chicks I assume from being smothered from litter mates. And worst of all I lost a year old black shoulder pea hen I was counting on for future breeding. I am guessing she got spooked by the storm, because a heater than was in their area was knocked down and she was under it. Makes me sick. I have a couple extra boys. How come it had to be a girl I really needed?
All the food was ruined and most of the pens are standing in water. I got fresh food and water out for them all I guess so it can rain and ruin it all again.

 

[Prairie Fleur]

I love that. Particularly the bird motif.

I've always been what I call wired hot. I've been on BP medications for a few years. However for the past year or so my BP has been running in the 200 over 100 area. The medication I have to take along with my old one has turned me into a fat pig to put it bluntly, and I still have bouts of it going sky high. It's crazy. I have no idea why it changed. But then other physical problems started as well, like my hair falling out etc etc. I guess I just need to give up and accept I am old.
I can't name my bird old lady names cause I am one!

Well I guess the non stop rain is finally taking it's toll. It was a very heart breaking day out there. First I lost two goslings. I was so afraid that would happen if they got too chilly. I really wanted DH to help me run them back to the greenhouse but that never happened. And he is busy the rest of the day and goes back to work tomorrow.
The mama duck who has done so well with her 14 babies is down to 9 of them today. Very sad...I never found them. I lost two chicks I assume from being smothered from litter mates. And worst of all I lost a year old black shoulder pea hen I was counting on for future breeding. I am guessing she got spooked by the storm, because a heater than was in their area was knocked down and she was under it. Makes me sick. I have a couple extra boys. How come it had to be a girl I really needed?
All the food was ruined and most of the pens are standing in water. I got fresh food and water out for them all I guess so it can rain and ruin it all again.

Seems like it's often the ones you need that you loose. It was the same way with Elf. it's hard to swallow when stuff like that happens.

Thanks! I had fun working on it. I'm working on another one and it never ceases to amaze me how they never turn out exactly like I originally see them in my head! I run out of one kind of ribbon so I have to tweak it and then something else I'd planned doesn't look quite right with the change so I change that and so on!!

 

[Grain Gypsy]

@TaraBellaBirds , we had names all picked out for our first flocks; all female singers. Some of the names stuck, like Lady Gaga, Katie Perry (who turned out to be a he and just Perry), Tina Turner (we just her Tina, for short), and Rheba. We've also got the Spice Girls, too. Posh Spice, Sporty Spice, and Baby Spice. However, some just adopted other names...like Speedy is the Double-Laced Barnevelder who is always the last one to be moved anywhere, because of her speed. Cheeky is the Blue Ameraucana with the fluffy blue cheeks. Perry and Rheba died. We do have one right now that we call Millie. She's a Mille Fleur d-Uccle bantam hen. Some of our older girls have yet to be named.

@Prairie Fleur , I love your table runner! That is a really cool looking technique, and I love the final product. I like to do crafty things, too, but with home school and the kids' activities, I rarely have the time. I do have a couple curtain and drape projects I'd like to get done this summer.

@chicken danz , I am really sorry for all of your losses. There is no reckoning with Mother Nature, and her natural forces cannot be reasoned with. This rain is pretty unbelievable to me. I've lived in Kansas 31 of my 36 years on this earth, and I don't remember a spring like this. Ever. 'Course my memory is not perfect, and about 20 of those years were spent in far western Kansas, but still. This constant rain is reminding me of the weather we had when we lived in Illinois.

I was just a pent-up mess this morning, when I went into the basement storage area of our home, and there was water all over the floor. I tried to stay calm, for my sanity and as a model to my kids. I mumbled under my breath, out of the kids' earshot. I kept it together pretty well, and headed outside, thinking gathering eggs would help me cool off. When I got to the silo coop door, I noticed debris again. I opened the door, and water had gotten in again!? My husband had the sandbags in the back of his truck and drove them around for 2 days, but we didn't get them put in front of that blasted door. I asked last night if we could go out and do it, and he said we didn't need to, that it wasn't supposed to rain that much. I knew otherwise, but arguing with my husband is pointless. I was so disheartened. The good news is the water only got up about a foot, and the destruction wasn't too bad this time. BUT, all of those fresh, dry pine shavings we put in Sunday were all wet already and the bottom nest buckets were filled with water. One of the girls had already laid her egg just outside one of the boxes, and another had waded into her favorite nest box, anyway, and laid her egg. I got a beach towel, dried out the boxes, and then put new, dry liners in. Then, when I was shutting the door, one of the door boards came off!? Grrr. I just wanted to kick the door, but, again I tried to stay calm and work on. I did a temporary fix. We ARE putting the sandbags out tonight!

Here is a video I took last night when I went in the coop to check on the girls.