Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

I fed all of the pumpkins I got after Halloween, the birds had treats for quite awhile & they loved them. I really don't have much right now to give them for treats other than leftovers once in awhile or sunflower seeds. I try to buy some cabbage for the geese when I get to the store, they like that. Last winter I did feed some suet cakes to the chickens when it was really cold out. I have been cleaning out the freezer to make room for the lamb meat so I cooked up 6 chickens that were down in the bottom of the freezer, some of which is getting fed to the Great Pyrenees outside. Yesterday they got chicken broth & some chicken on their dry food. They really gobbled that down.

I'm glad it's going to be a bit warmer for a few days, I'm having trouble keeping the water unfrozen in my chick pens & for the rabbits.

Danz I hope you feel better soon, that respiratory crap is hard to shake off. I had the crud for over two weeks.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

I have sad news to share today early this morning a a Great Horned Owl broke into my friend Heather's coop and despite the brave Peeves Rooster Attack it killed Peeves as well as her only Buff Orpington as well as a Mille Four chick was killed in the attack. Farewell sweet Peeves you fought strong for your girls and gave your life trying to protect them.

 

[rlh1]

So, I learned the hard way that buckets with the nipples are not a good option for winter. My wonderful husband doesn't want me lugging water, I have a bad back, so he sprung for a huge heated waterer! I'm so excited! And we should have chicks around Wednesday!

Trish44 I think my chickens got sick of pumpkins this year. They started to turn up thier noses at them lol

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Grrr new incubator somehow got turned up found my it at 116 at 330am i immediately opened it for a few mins turned it down and its now steady at 99.5 my question is there any chance my turkey eggs are still viable or is there no way they could have survived that temp high and I should just toss all the eggs and wait to try again when my turkeys start laying again? I started these eggs at noon on Friday? Thanks

 

[chicken danz]

I have sad news to share today early this morning a a Great Horned Owl broke into my friend Heather's coop and despite the brave Peeves Rooster Attack it killed Peeves as well as her only Buff Orpington as well as a Mille Four chick was killed in the attack. Farewell sweet Peeves you fought strong for your girls and gave your life trying to protect them.

Ah! That's sad. Did she only loose the three birds?

Grrr new incubator somehow got turned up found my it at 116 at 330am i immediately opened it for a few mins turned it down and its now steady at 99.5 my question is there any chance my turkey eggs are still viable or is there no way they could have survived that temp high and I should just toss all the eggs and wait to try again when my turkeys start laying again? I started these eggs at noon on Friday? Thanks

It all depends on how long the heat was up. If the internal temperature of the egg got too hot, it will kill the embryo. But if it were a short spike they could still be viable. I personally wouldn't toss them yet, but rather give them a few days and candle again. Also be very aware of spoiled egg smell. My nose is my best tool for hatching. Using those smaller styro incubators you have to watch that very carefully. Temperature changes in a room can make a huge difference since it's not a self adjusting thermostat. When I've used those incubators I kept them on a solid wall without windows and no air flow like heat vents or anything near by. You don't want any fluctuations at all if you can prevent it. If it has a built in fan though that helps a lot.
I cooked about 11 roosters yesterday I had in the freezer. I just used my big 60 quart butcher pot and cooked them in the old garage. It was after 11Pm last night before I got done sorting and packing away meat and broth. Needless to say the dogs and cats had a great dinner last night and will again tonight. They get everything I don't want. The cats get the bones and left over meat because they don't eat the bones but actually tend to suck the juices out of them. The dogs get the skin, fat, some broth and any meat stuff I don't want to it. That means a good share of leg meat and bits and pieces off backs and ribs and such. Looks like I need to cook more chicken meals. I've got a lot of bags in the freezer. I still have more birds in there that need cooked and of course a pen of boys that aren't butchered yet. I am trying to clean out the freezers to make room for the hog right now. Plus it really needed to be done.

 

[Trish44]

So, I learned the hard way that buckets with the nipples are not a good option for winter. My wonderful husband doesn't want me lugging water, I have a bad back, so he sprung for a huge heated waterer! I'm so excited! And we should have chicks around Wednesday!

Trish44 I think my chickens got sick of pumpkins this year. They started to turn up thier noses at them lol

Yeah I wouldn't think the nipples would stay unfrozen in the temps we've had unless of course you had a heater in them. I think my chickens would have kept eating pumpkins for a lot longer if I hadn't fed them all to them. My geese, ducks, & guineas also like them.

Ah! That's sad. Did she only loose the three birds?
It all depends on how long the heat was up. If the internal temperature of the egg got too hot, it will kill the embryo. But if it were a short spike they could still be viable. I personally wouldn't toss them yet, but rather give them a few days and candle again. Also be very aware of spoiled egg smell. My nose is my best tool for hatching. Using those smaller styro incubators you have to watch that very carefully. Temperature changes in a room can make a huge difference since it's not a self adjusting thermostat. When I've used those incubators I kept them on a solid wall without windows and no air flow like heat vents or anything near by. You don't want any fluctuations at all if you can prevent it. If it has a built in fan though that helps a lot.
I cooked about 11 roosters yesterday I had in the freezer. I just used my big 60 quart butcher pot and cooked them in the old garage. It was after 11Pm last night before I got done sorting and packing away meat and broth. Needless to say the dogs and cats had a great dinner last night and will again tonight. They get everything I don't want. The cats get the bones and left over meat because they don't eat the bones but actually tend to suck the juices out of them. The dogs get the skin, fat, some broth and any meat stuff I don't want to it. That means a good share of leg meat and bits and pieces off backs and ribs and such. Looks like I need to cook more chicken meals. I've got a lot of bags in the freezer. I still have more birds in there that need cooked and of course a pen of boys that aren't butchered yet. I am trying to clean out the freezers to make room for the hog right now. Plus it really needed to be done.

Congrats on getting some roosters processed! My dogs are enjoying chicken & broth right now too from the chickens I cooked off to clean out my freezer. We got a lot of lamb back from taking 4 of them to the locker so I had to make major room. I'll bet you'll have good eating when you get that pork back, yum. I'm still working my my DH about getting a pig next year. I will have to build a pen for it first though to have somewhere to keep it. I have a good spot with some shade but need some hog panels to make a pen. It would be great if I could find some used close by.

 

[Plinky]

Hey guys,
I've been reading a lot about making "flock blocks" in various ways and I wanted to share an idea flash I had, but haven't tested yet.
What about using clay flower pots (varied sizes for varied needs) and putting a water soaked wooden dowel in the center to hold the opening for later threading through a wire for hanging? I know people use clay pots to bake bread in, so why not chicken treats?! They would have a nice shape. Going to try.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Yes she just the 3 those this morning I found my new Silkie hen Honey had passed away. I immediately took her mate into the house and saw that he has a running nose so will be starting him on Tylan 50 to clear it up. Anyone know if the injectionable Tylan50 can be made water soluble and if so what are the amounts? If not will just reach out to me vet for script but would prefer to avoid that if possible.

 

[chicken danz]

Yes she just the 3 those this morning I found my new Silkie hen Honey had passed away. I immediately took her mate into the house and saw that he has a running nose so will be starting him on Tylan 50 to clear it up. Anyone know if the injectionable Tylan50 can be made water soluble and if so what are the amounts? If not will just reach out to me vet for script but would prefer to avoid that if possible.

You can inject the tylan 50 directly into a chickens mouth so I am fairly sure you could put it in water. Most injectible drugs however have a base that doesn't break down in water. And tylan tastes awful so only mix up the minimum amount the birds will need and add some sugar so they will drink it. If there is snow left on the ground however they probably won't consume it.
@Plinky I don't see why that wouldn't work.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Danz ok thanks Plinky love that idea gotta have to steal it and try it