Consolidated Kansas

[Ivywoods]

Danz, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, hugs to you & prayers.

tweety, how cute your hubby brought home more ducks. Mine would never do anything like that.

KarenS & Taz, how exciting that your Aloha eggs are coming tomorrow! Keep us all up to date on how it all goes. I wish I was joining you in the project this year, but I just can't, maybe next year.

Well so far I only have gotten two eggs from my Ameraucana hens, waiting for more so I can put them in the incubator. How long can I hold these before I have to put them in? IVY, you said something about Oxine, would that work to spray on the eggs before putting them in? I have some of that. My little hen in the crate laid my another cute little pink egg today. She took all the straw I put in the crate & make a little nest with it. I don't want to let her out when I'm not going to be here this weekend to watch her, so I guess I'll wait until we're back on Monday to give her freedom. I can't wait to get these rabbits this weekend. I'll have to take pics of them after we get back, especially of the little babies.

I always used the Tek Trol, but I've heard the oxine is okay to lightly mist them and then let them dry.

 

[Ivywoods]

Ivy-was it you that was saying your friend lived for 3 more years after being diagnosed? I really need to hear stories like that. Thank you!

Danz- I am so sorry to hear about your parents. I will be sending them prayers and thoughts!



Thank you again everyone! I am sure they are both benefiting from the extra prayers and thoughts.

My dad was going to be discharged today, but his oxygen level was too low, so they are keeping him still. But his vomiting and vertigo seem to be under control.

I spoke to my MIL this morning and she is very upbeat and positive!

I believe it was Danz that said that.

Prayers for all of you.

 

[cherwill]

Ivy, that's so clever with the band aids. I probably wouldn't have thought of that.

Marc, they really can be mesmerizing. DH and I often sit on the back deck and just watch the chickens in their yard. They're always busy. We bring them treats often enough that they get excited whenever we come outside. Sometimes they even see us just watching out the back door and start running along the fence.

 

[Mandilynn]

Hello all! I thought I would check in with my fellow Kansans, I am in the Hutchinson area and very very new to the world of chickens. My husband and I began this adventure under the guidance of my father-in-law, who used to show chickens. I have NO interest in showing, but I have always dreamed of having chickens and his stories got me really motivated. Once my husband gave the green light, my father-in-law set it up so we could split an order of bantam partridge rocks with a friend of his. We let him chose the breed since I'm happy as long as it is technically a chicken. I was in love instantly, and being so new, I spent the first few nights sleeping on the couch over the brooder convinced I was going to do something wrong. All has gone very well so far, maybe to well! After we had our original 13 (counting the freebie exotic from MM Hatchery) my husband and I each went to Orscheln's and "accidentally" came home with 7 mixed bantam mystery chicks. I smuggled in 3, he later smuggled in 4.

I have no idea what kinds we have other than the partridge rocks. I am excited and amazed about all of the aspects of chickens, I had no idea they were so love-able and so full of personality. I must admit, I have been visiting BYC for a while and getting 99% of my know-how from all of you BYCers and just now got around to making a user-name.

On a related side note: Ivywoods,one of the Orscheln chicks we got had a curled-under toe and I saw the band-aide prosthetic idea on another thread here and decided to try it. You guys are geniuses! It only took 4 days to straiten out and other than having no toenail on that toe the chick seems mobile and happy. I am so happy I found the BYC and that everyone here is so wise and willing to share with newbies!

 

[chicken danz]

Welcome Mandilynn! Glad you joined us. Isn't amazing how the chicken math works. When I got my first batch of chicks seems like forever ago. I would set my alarm, get out early, feed and water and talk to them and then and then sit in the brooder house for a couple hours just watching them. Then later in the day I would do the same thing all over. I kind of miss having the time to ooh and aw over the babies. Now it's more like hard work and I don't take time to watch them. Although, I do so love pulling them out of the incubator!
I have a busy day ahead. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't dreading it. I've got two appointments early this morning then I will be off to town to see my Mom.
I got my new Tiller picked up and picked up dog and chick feed while I was at it. I got the two pairs of chickens delivered to the guy in Topeka.I went looking for a quick solution to multiple cages that meet the requirements for the bird auction. I couldn't find what I wanted which would have been really cheap clothes baskets. I found some at the dollar store but they were way to small to put a pair of birds in. I finally found some stackable storage bins that had solid bottoms and small holes on the side. I plan to cover the bins with poultry netting, wire tin cans on the inside for food and water, and I should have all the requirements met for acceptable cages. They were quite a bit higher than I wanted to pay, but it will save me so much time over building cages for several pairs of birds. (The cages go with the birds so it's nothing you can use again.) It's like giving up the price of one pair but worth it in the long run so I don't waste a day building. I just hope the birds sell well.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Just a quick note cause I am on the run as usual. My Mom is back in the hospital. My Dad couldn't get her moving this morning and her legs are very swollen from her heart. They said her lungs are much worse than they were even a week ago. I need your prayers.

I read this yesterday before I left for the evening and prayed-- still am. Thinking of you today.

My incubator is a home-built. DH and I put it together Christmas 2010, and I used it to hatch some local mixed eggs, just to test it out. I subsequently made a second just because I had all the materials laying around (and because I could

)

Both are made from Omaha Steak styrofoam coolers.



Now, as for the eggs....I am really excited about this. I had lunch with ChooksChick today and she very generously gave me some of her South Americans and Konzas that she has been working on. I am really nervous to start incubating them in case I do something wrong and they don't hatch but at the same time I'm so excited to have this opportunity. I have them on my kitchen counter getting settled at room temperature, but my incubator is ready to go so I will be setting them here in the next hour or so.

That is a seriously cool looking incubator!! Thanks for sharing that!! I'm really impressed! Reptile pads, hu?! That's kind of genius, actually. SO neat that you got to have lunch with Renee and get some fun eggs to hatch next. Well-- 21 days will go fast. (for me, not you!) LOL I hope they all hatch!!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Tweety- those are adorable ducks! I love the black one! That's 4 ducks-- you're going to need a kiddie swimming pool now! LOL

Cherwill, thanks for the compliment. I LOVE how your chick is screaming like a little girl. A roo, perhaps?? LOL

Karen, good luck on those aloha eggs!!

Trish, I was told eggs could sit up to 10 days. But it sounds like most people prefer not to go over 7 days to get better hatch rates (silkie people told me that). Post pics when you get your rabbits!

Taz, glad your dad is feeling better. Good to hear your MIL is in high spirits, that will help.

Ivy-- brilliant about using the ROUND bandaids!!! That is so smart! I've seen people post pics of using the regular kind and this looks like it would spread out and cover better and be less of a nuisance. Thanks for sharing that!

I hope it's nice today, I have big plans for today!!! I'm going to finish my coop if I can get enough warm weather. It's 34 degrees right now... hoping it warms up!!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Hello all! I thought I would check in with my fellow Kansans, I am in the Hutchinson area and very very new to the world of chickens. My husband and I began this adventure under the guidance of my father-in-law, who used to show chickens. I have NO interest in showing, but I have always dreamed of having chickens and his stories got me really motivated. Once my husband gave the green light, my father-in-law set it up so we could split an order of bantam partridge rocks with a friend of his. We let him chose the breed since I'm happy as long as it is technically a chicken. I was in love instantly, and being so new, I spent the first few nights sleeping on the couch over the brooder convinced I was going to do something wrong. All has gone very well so far, maybe to well! After we had our original 13 (counting the freebie exotic from MM Hatchery) my husband and I each went to Orscheln's and "accidentally" came home with 7 mixed bantam mystery chicks. I smuggled in 3, he later smuggled in 4.

I have no idea what kinds we have other than the partridge rocks. I am excited and amazed about all of the aspects of chickens, I had no idea they were so love-able and so full of personality. I must admit, I have been visiting BYC for a while and getting 99% of my know-how from all of you BYCers and just now got around to making a user-name.

On a related side note: Ivywoods,one of the Orscheln chicks we got had a curled-under toe and I saw the band-aide prosthetic idea on another thread here and decided to try it. You guys are geniuses! It only took 4 days to straiten out and other than having no toenail on that toe the chick seems mobile and happy. I am so happy I found the BYC and that everyone here is so wise and willing to share with newbies!

YAY-- glad you found your way to the Kansas thread-- we're so glad to see you here! And

you will LOVE this forum. I dont' think I've ever seen bantam rocks, you'll have to post a picture of the little guys! Sounds like your chicken adventure is getting off to a great start. Have you started on a coop, yet?

 

[Hawkeye95]

Welcome Mandilynn! Glad you joined us. Isn't amazing how the chicken math works. When I got my first batch of chicks seems like forever ago. I would set my alarm, get out early, feed and water and talk to them and then and then sit in the brooder house for a couple hours just watching them. Then later in the day I would do the same thing all over. I kind of miss having the time to ooh and aw over the babies. Now it's more like hard work and I don't take time to watch them. Although, I do so love pulling them out of the incubator!
I have a busy day ahead. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't dreading it. I've got two appointments early this morning then I will be off to town to see my Mom.
I got my new Tiller picked up and picked up dog and chick feed while I was at it. I got the two pairs of chickens delivered to the guy in Topeka.I went looking for a quick solution to multiple cages that meet the requirements for the bird auction. I couldn't find what I wanted which would have been really cheap clothes baskets. I found some at the dollar store but they were way to small to put a pair of birds in. I finally found some stackable storage bins that had solid bottoms and small holes on the side. I plan to cover the bins with poultry netting, wire tin cans on the inside for food and water, and I should have all the requirements met for acceptable cages. They were quite a bit higher than I wanted to pay, but it will save me so much time over building cages for several pairs of birds. (The cages go with the birds so it's nothing you can use again.) It's like giving up the price of one pair but worth it in the long run so I don't waste a day building. I just hope the birds sell well.

I'd like to see a picture of what you're talking about (cage). I never thought of using a laundry basket or storage bins, but i can't imagine them with holes in them already. Good luck on your project converting them. Hope you get a lot of use out of your tiller. Good luck with your appts and your visit with your mom. Sounds like you have a very busy day ahead of you.

 

[Trish44]

Welcome Manilynn to the Kansas thread & to BYC!

Danz, sending more prayers your way today. Good luck with your cages, I hope your birds sell well for you.

IVY, that's a great idea on the bandaids, I'll bet it will work.

Well I'm off for the weekend, I won't be around, but will try to keep up some on my phone. I'll let you all know Monday how the little rabbits & babies made the trip. Have a great weekend everyone!