Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

DH and I sorted the geese today. I was going by voice to sex them. I know I had three wrong for sure after I let them go. They weren't acting normal when I had them cornered. Then later I found 3 others that were missing the cable tie to mark their sex. I kept telling DH that they needed to be tighter so they wouldn't slip off but you know how men listen. 62 geese is a ton to try to corral and sex. They were all really unhappy with me too before we got done. Later I refilled their water and they seemed to forgive me. I really wish I had another pen I could just put those younger boys in until I get them sold.
One Gander did get upset and bit me on the neck. I've never had one of these Sabastopols bite and I don't think it would hurt. But this one got hold of the thin loose skin on my neck and gave it a good squeeze. Ouch! Didn't break the skin but it sure pinched.

 

[chicken danz]

I was discussing water systems with another chicken person yesterday and discovered that the automatic waterers I use in my poultry building are discontinued by the manufacturer. I spent a small fortune on these, so I got instantly worried. If I had to replace them with something else I would fork out a ton of money just changing the plumbing out there. I ended up ordering $225 worth of replacement parts for them. I would hate to have to shut my system down because I couldn't repair a waterer some day. I've not had to replace anything, but stuff just won't last forever. It seems like there is one unexpected expense after another. At least I'll have spares for the future if I need them. I think these would have sold much better if they hadn't been so expensive to begin with. They are awesome and have saved me a lot of work. Not without a problem here and there but once you figure out how to manage them they can't be beat.
We had freezing temperatures last night and expect them again tonight. Dang it. I sure hope no vital eggs got frozen. The geese are cranking out eggs and each one represents some valuable income.
I really wish the ducks would lay a few more. I'm getting very few so far.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Danz,
Wow that sucks so sorry to hear this hopefully all the spare parts will be enough to keep everything going. Awesome news on the geese can't wait for this cold front to pass and for Spring to arrive.

 

[venymae]

Jumping on the sick wagon here. Had surprise appendicitis which took me to the ER and then off for surgery yesterday. Feeling very sore and tired today!

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Oh no Venymae so sorry to hear this glad they caught it and got it out before it got worst. Hugs rest up

 

[chicken danz]

Jumping on the sick wagon here. Had surprise appendicitis which took me to the ER and then off for surgery yesterday. Feeling very sore and tired today!

Sorry to hear that, but it gave you time to post. I like your new avatar picture. I hope you heal quickly. Those unexpected things like that are almost as inconvenient as they are painful I think.

 

[sharol]

Jumping on the sick wagon here. Had surprise appendicitis which took me to the ER and then off for surgery yesterday. Feeling very sore and tired today!

Glad you are on the mend. That sort of thing can turn ugly if it isn't caught.

 

[Trish44]

@venymae I'm glad you're through it now & on the mend, I hope recovery goes fast for you.

I've been gathering eggs for days & then I saw this today that made me pause. I wonder how many of the ones I've saved are fertile. I guess we'll find out in 7-10 days.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1115365191829888&set=gm.977489022288763&type=3

I knew that light affects laying but hadn't thought about this part.

 

[sharol]

Quote:
My EE roo has been shooting blanks for over a year (he is 4), but he is such a good flock rooster, he is staying. The Breda Fowl cockerel is doing great with his two pullets -- their eggs all appear to be fertile as do the other hens that he is allowed to breed (he gets along pretty well with the EE. Most of my English orp eggs are fertile (judging from the bullseye on the yolk), so Winston is doing his job. He won't let another roo near his girls. It makes me wonder if the warmer lighter winter has affected fertility of the younger cockerels. (My Araucana cockerel just can't seem to figure out the whole process. He keeps falling off of his preferred partners. LOL -- not exactly a fertility issue)

 

[chicken danz]

My EE roo has been shooting blanks for over a year (he is 4), but he is such a good flock rooster, he is staying. The Breda Fowl cockerel is doing great with his two pullets -- their eggs all appear to be fertile as do the other hens that he is allowed to breed (he gets along pretty well with the EE.

Most of my English orp eggs are fertile (judging from the bullseye on the yolk), so Winston is doing his job. He won't let another roo near his girls. It makes me wonder if the warmer lighter winter has affected fertility of the younger cockerels. (My Araucana cockerel just can't seem to figure out the whole process. He keeps falling off of his preferred partners. LOL -- not exactly a fertility issue)
That is interesting @Trish44 . I wonder if I need more light in my building. My fertility hasn't been all that high this year and normally it is very close to 100%. I think my birds outside are getting plenty of light. When we butchered we were amazed at the size of the testicles from those boys. They were actually bigger than the turkeys'.
LOL Sharol. I remember my araucana in the yard that had that same problem. I thought it was because he was so little and the girls were big birds, and I never saw him actually get the job done. But when the girls went broody I ended up with some nice little 1/2 araucana chicks. Hence my little green egg layers. In that case I never could figure out how he bred them when he only came to the middle of their back.

Okay I'm back to complaining about the weather. This is ridiculous. I have two customers coming today and I am not looking forward to being out there at all. The cold has my arthritis flared up so bad I hurt from end to end. I don't take pain meds normally but last night I was really considering it. I was having trouble walking even from the bedroom to the kitchen.