Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

Hechicken I just bought that grain mill. I just got it in the mail day before yesterday. I hadn't even opened the box until today. I sure hope they send me a new one and pay for return postage. It's very heavy so postage would eat me up. Why me?? I ordered it from Target but of course I have to go through Kitchenaid to get it replaced.
I'm racking my brain, Josie to try to figure out where I could keep those peachicks. I think you know I would take good care of them.
I have 4 little olandsk chicks hatched and one more that has pipped. It is awfully far behind the others so I hope it does hatch. I had 7 eggs that showed development and three of them were questionable when I candled them so I am thrilled there are 5 viable chicks if this one makes it. I worry so much when one takes longer. I like them popping like popcorn then I know they are all healthy.
If I have no losses I will be happy with this little group assuming these chicks are at least 50/50 boys and girls. They could be all girls for that matter since I have two roosters. That wouldn't disappoint me at all.
I still need to go shut up the coops. I got inside and forgot about them.

Danz, that's the pits about the grain mill, you know you can take things back to the store at Target that you order by mail don't you? I know it's a drive for you, but an option if you don't want to wait for them to mail another one. We bought our granddaughter a scooter for her birthday, ordered it online & on the shipping slip on or in the box they say returns can be done at the store or sent back by mail. Since we were in a time crunch we had to make the 35 mile trip one way to replace the scooter with another model, they didn't have that one in stock in the store, but we got her a nice one at the last minute. I just didn't know if you knew you could do that. Yeah, it was the pits about the peahen I don't really know exactly what was wrong with her. One day she was walking around & the next she was dead. I did give them some safeguard wormer in their water today just in case. I know peas have to be wormed more often than chickens.

Hi guys! Thank you so much for all the well wishes! It seemed to take forever but I finally had my first normal day a couple days ago and I just hit the ground running. It feels so good to feel normal again. I haven't caught up with everyone on here yet, but will soon. The kids and I managed to "spring clean" the house and get the birds ready for the cold weather just in time, and in one day. We worked like a bunch of dervishes! I've also managed to get my Christmas shopping almost completely done. I'm going to try my hand at making my own laundry detergent today and hand soap this week. I've always wanted to make my own soap and just never got around to it.

DH is working lots of hours since they cut his group in half at Beech. He's sure had his hands full with me being ill on top of that. Gotta love a guy who just steps up and doesn't make you feel any worse than you already do about not being able to keep up with your part of the deal. Oddly enough, the kids are really glad when I'm back on top of things because Dad is far less strict than I am and they don't enjoy the chaos for very long. It's lovely to be back on the job and everyone's so appreciative!

I have one son home with the flu, but we caught it quickly with some Tamiflu and he's improving rapidly. Good thing cause he has a concert tomorrow evening -- hope he makes it!

Hope everyone is doing well and almost ready for the holidays!

We're so glad to see you back KarenS! But don't over do it even if you're feeling much better, you could find yourself having a relapse. I know you have lots & lots to do this time of year, but use your helpers every way you can.

It is so cold. I still have no way to keep the water from freezing. Does anyone have any ideas on things I can make other than the cookie tin one because I have no cookie tins?
All the birds are all puffed up like little fluffy balls and following me around complaining lol. Time to get used to the cold guys.....

So we just got around to getting the xmas tree up last night, my daughter wanted to make a memory chain out of the turkey hens feathers ( a memory chain is a wiccan holiday tradition of making a chain for the tree full of memories from the past year, we use paper or rope etc and attach photos or drawings or objects ,once it is on the tree we talk about those memories) we placed it on the tree and both my son and daughter began to cry, which in turn made me cry. We shared the memories and finished decorating. I never knew they could be so touched by those hens. They both agreed on getting 2 more hens but those 2 would never replace Spirit and Storm. Spirit and Storm if you all remember are the 2 taken by the predator and heads eaten.

Maidenwolf, do you have a goodwill or salvation army close by? They often have cookie tins this time of year in the stores for cheap, check in the Christmas decoration area if you go. I agree, the cookie tin heaters are probably pretty cheap to make, but also Orschelyn's has the heated dog bowls on sale again, I just saw the ad for that in my email. I have several of those in my outdoor pens & they work great. I only have two of the heated water bases because they're so expensive to buy. I had bought one for full price a couple years ago that I use in my main coop & then last summer got a deal on some waterers & a base cheap off the local online swap site. I got two waterers & the base for $30, that was a bargain.

BRRR! It's so cold out there today, my hands were freezing trying to get the two pens that don't have heated waterers some water this morning. I've got to dig for those new gloves I bought last winter that are waterproof so I don't have to freeze my hands off outside. I put them away & I guess I put them away too well. My chickens are out walking around today like nothing is different, crazy birds. I went out later to let them out thinking maybe it would be a bit warmer, but it wasn't too much warmer even then. I offered to let the guineas out, but they were having none of it, they came & peeked out the door & went back into the hoop coop further. I gave all the birds who stay in their pens some extra bread for treats today & they gobbled it up. We started our first fire in the woodstove last night. My DH had gone out on Saturday & filled up the wood racks in the new shed he put up last spring so we have dry wood when we need it now.

Well it's almost time to cook lunch, so I'd better get off here. Everybody try to stay warm today!

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Thanks guys. I will look at the thrift stores when I go into the city next. But I have been bringing the waterers in at night and just taking them back out in the am so I amy just keep with that.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Well, it was actually kind of funny. Four of the ducks routinely sleep in the coop and the other two spend the night on the pond. So, last night one of those two was busily preening while the "losers" filed into the coop. You know, because she's way too good for that nonsense. Meanwhile, her best friend was following the other four into the coop. Miss Preener suddenly looked up to the see the tail of her best friend disappearing through the pop door and, at the thought of being left outside by herself, ran as fast as you can run on those huge duckie paddles they call feet. She couldn't get in the door fast enough once she realized she was going to be left out all by herself.

Oh Hawkeye, I meant to tell you, the Silkies are still doing just great. They were actually two of the birds this morning who didn't seem in the least bothered by the cold. Some of my other birds were huddled looking a wee bit miserable, but the Silkies were out running around looking perfectly happy. Until yesterday they've lived in the chick pen but I decided to integrate both them and the two chicks they've been living with today, because I don't have a way to heat the waterer in the chick pen and it is plastic so will crack if it freezes. I let them out every afternoon for the last hour or so anyway, so its not like they are brand new to the flock - its just that they haven't spent a whole day in the main flock before today. I stayed for awhile to make sure they were doing okay but no one else was paying them any heed so I'm happy to have the whole flock integrated. It will make life easier not to have to fill multiple feeders and waterers everyday, though the Silkies have not figured out the pop door so I will probably have to put them in the coop manually each night. I've considered trimming their crests so they can see better. Would you forgive me?

The BO's you get from hatcheries should be "pure" BO - its just that they will be low quality, and that pretty much goes for any hatchery. The hatcheries produce chicks in high volume and don't focus too much on quality. They stick any of BO roo in with a dozen BO hens, and incubate the results. If you are looking for show quality birds, you are always best to go with a good breeder. I would start by looking for a thread dedicated to the breed in which you are interested, and either start reading on there, or simply ask for recommendations on breeders who consistently produce high quality birds. Just be prepared to pay significantly more than you would for a hatchery bird.

We'll be keeping our fingers crossed something comes up for him so you guys can stay in Wichita.

I'm so glad to hear that they are doing great! That's great that they just blended right in when you let them out for good. That should really help you, too. I understand about the multiple water and feeds. I'm doing that right now. I only have 3 pens, but it's enough. Ack, you can't cut their crests!!! LOL I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Of course, you do whatever helps them. Just a reminder-- once you trim them, it will stay until next year's molt. They don't grow back. Since you won't be showing them, it won't matter at all.

ABout the BO's: At the county fair in Cheney this summer, I saw a couple of BO's that were judged harshly. I can tell you what the judge told me (because I was clerking for him)-- they had the wrong color of legs, the wrong type and even the quality of the feathering was not right. I think he even said something about their eyes-- being wrong! Anyway, that's what a hatchery bird will get you, I guess. I don't even think you could breed it and get the right color of legs back and all of that other stuff. There was just too much wrong with it. However, I do believe there are people right here in the Wichita/HUtchinson area that are breeding exhibition BO's because I saw some at the Kansas Fall Classic and there were some NICE ones... OMGosh, very nice! They are waaaaaay bigger than a hatchery BO, too. You think those BO's you have running around are big?? Wait until you see someone who is breeding them for show. They are practically the size of a small goat! LOL Checoukan wanted to buy one! She said she thought it would be funny to feed it up and then have a contest at her 4-H club to guess it's weight!

Thank you for the hopes that we stay here in Wichita-- ME too!! I'm praying about it, for sure. At least we have a back up, but I'm certainly hoping we won't need it.

It is so cold. I still have no way to keep the water from freezing. Does anyone have any ideas on things I can make other than the cookie tin one because I have no cookie tins?
All the birds are all puffed up like little fluffy balls and following me around complaining lol. Time to get used to the cold guys.....

So we just got around to getting the xmas tree up last night, my daughter wanted to make a memory chain out of the turkey hens feathers ( a memory chain is a wiccan holiday tradition of making a chain for the tree full of memories from the past year, we use paper or rope etc and attach photos or drawings or objects ,once it is on the tree we talk about those memories) we placed it on the tree and both my son and daughter began to cry, which in turn made me cry. We shared the memories and finished decorating. I never knew they could be so touched by those hens. They both agreed on getting 2 more hens but those 2 would never replace Spirit and Storm. Spirit and Storm if you all remember are the 2 taken by the predator and heads eaten.

Goodwill and thrift shops have those cookie tins! I bought several of them last year at thrift stores. I did some running around to get a few, but they were cheap! Walmart has them for $3.50, I just checked today. But if you can get them for $1 or cheaper, then it's worth it to find it else where.

They are Embden geese. I don't know for sure how old they are, but I would guess at least a couple years old. The previous owners told me that they were getting an egg every 1-2 days before they gave the birds to me. I'm just hoping that they/she (I don't know if the other one is a goose/gander) at least keep laying for a while. When I got my other two groups of birds, they laid one egg right at the beginning and haven't laid anything since. Hopefully, the geese won't follow suit there.

Okay, so not part Emu.

I'm with you, I sure hope you get lots more eggs out of them!

Hatchery birds are purebred. Like all things there can be an occasional slip up but it is unlikely. You may end up with some awesome hatchery birds or some that are just birds. There is nothing wrong with a bird that doesn't meat the standard of perfection unless you are going to show it. They still produce eggs and still are good eating. You probably aren't going to find a top quality buff Orp unless you find a breeder who does show and has exhibition lines.
I do know one person in Missouri that has a trio of exhibition BOs. He paid $75 a bird for them. I have no idea if he has had any offspring or what he would sell them for, but I could ask.


Originally Posted by lizzyGSR
I think it was all timing on your other birds, Lizzy. When spring comes I am sure they will start kicking out eggs again.

Yeah, I think anywhere from $50-75 is typical for a good BO. I saw them at the Kansas Classic, they had several GOOD breeders there with them. They even had a few lesser quality ones for sale-- even so, much nicer than a hatchery quality BO.

The cookie tin heater is probably the best option for home-made. You might ask around friends and family to see if anyone has a cookie tin you can use. I never buy cookies in the tin but found some at the thrift store for about a dime apiece.

However I really don't use the cookie tin heater much. It worked fine but in my previous coop I worried about it getting too hot and starting a fire in the bedding. So what I did in the winter is make multiple trips outside with warm water. We have an electric jug that boils water so I would fill it up and pour it into a water bowl full of ice and in seconds it was cool enough for them to drink. At night I always brought in all the waterers so the water was "house temperature" (62 or so) when I took it out to them in the mornings. Depending on the temperature during the day, sometimes that was all they needed. Other times that would freeze in a couple of hours and I'd have to keep taking hot water out. I use a black rubber bowl for water and I placed it where it got max sun and that helped a lot too.

Now I could use the cookie tin heater since I have a concrete slab to put it on so don't need to worry about fire. But in the meantime I was gifted several dog water bowls so I am using one of those today.

oh-- I do use my cookie tin heater IN the shavings. But, I laid down a piece of flat particle board for the tin to sit on top of. So in the shavings, I laid down the board piece and then set the cookie tin heater and then the water on top. I have to brush off the shavings that get kicked up only every couple of days, it's not that bad. But my piece of board I'm using is about 2ftX2ft-- so large enough not to get shavings kicked up on it all the time.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Danz, that's the pits about the grain mill, you know you can take things back to the store at Target that you order by mail don't you? I know it's a drive for you, but an option if you don't want to wait for them to mail another one. We bought our granddaughter a scooter for her birthday, ordered it online & on the shipping slip on or in the box they say returns can be done at the store or sent back by mail. Since we were in a time crunch we had to make the 35 mile trip one way to replace the scooter with another model, they didn't have that one in stock in the store, but we got her a nice one at the last minute. I just didn't know if you knew you could do that. Yeah, it was the pits about the peahen I don't really know exactly what was wrong with her. One day she was walking around & the next she was dead. I did give them some safeguard wormer in their water today just in case. I know peas have to be wormed more often than chickens.
We're so glad to see you back KarenS! But don't over do it even if you're feeling much better, you could find yourself having a relapse. I know you have lots & lots to do this time of year, but use your helpers every way you can.
Maidenwolf, do you have a goodwill or salvation army close by? They often have cookie tins this time of year in the stores for cheap, check in the Christmas decoration area if you go. I agree, the cookie tin heaters are probably pretty cheap to make, but also Orschelyn's has the heated dog bowls on sale again, I just saw the ad for that in my email. I have several of those in my outdoor pens & they work great. I only have two of the heated water bases because they're so expensive to buy. I had bought one for full price a couple years ago that I use in my main coop & then last summer got a deal on some waterers & a base cheap off the local online swap site. I got two waterers & the base for $30, that was a bargain.

BRRR! It's so cold out there today, my hands were freezing trying to get the two pens that don't have heated waterers some water this morning. I've got to dig for those new gloves I bought last winter that are waterproof so I don't have to freeze my hands off outside. I put them away & I guess I put them away too well. My chickens are out walking around today like nothing is different, crazy birds. I went out later to let them out thinking maybe it would be a bit warmer, but it wasn't too much warmer even then. I offered to let the guineas out, but they were having none of it, they came & peeked out the door & went back into the hoop coop further. I gave all the birds who stay in their pens some extra bread for treats today & they gobbled it up. We started our first fire in the woodstove last night. My DH had gone out on Saturday & filled up the wood racks in the new shed he put up last spring so we have dry wood when we need it now.

Well it's almost time to cook lunch, so I'd better get off here. Everybody try to stay warm today!

I hope your other peas will be just fine! I ran to Walmart and Atwoods this morning and got groceries and feed and picked up another metal water fount. I had a plastic one out there for the boys (silkies) and realized that it might freeze and break. So got the metal one. Would you believe that even though it was only 30 degrees--- that i got HOT out there? LOL I was lifting 50# bags from my vehicle and carrying them into the barn to put into the storage barrels and back and forth and then got the feed out for the chickens, etc... anyway, I was peeling off all of my layers and my hat to cool down. Whew! I got my work out in. I just hope my back doesn't complain tomorrow after all of that. Sigh. I never had to worry about that before.

We have our 4-H meeting tonight. It's going to be fun-- all of our families were supposed to shop for the 3 kids we adopted for Christmas and we got them gifts we are going to wrap for them tonight at the meeting. We're also having a couple project talks, Honor Roll awards for kid's grades at school, and I think that is about it. I'm going to be the new leader after the start of the year. So it'll be sad to see our current leader finish up. Sigh. She has been a good leader! And she has dealt with a lot while doing it-- went through breast cancer and STILL did not quit her position. Dedication, I tell you. Not many people could have done that. (and she's still on drugs for it, too... so it's not really over) Anyway, we have Piano tonight and then the 4-H, going to wrap up a really fun evening tonight!

 

[chicken danz]

I have general hatchery quality buff orps and I think they are great. But they are not near the size of the exhibition strain. I would love to get some. I don't think mine are bad at all just a lot smaller than the exhibition types. Since I'm not into showing these are just egg layers and for normal production. But my English breeds are exceptional. I have these white orpingtons which are top of the line for American breeding....or should be when they are grown. My quality birds are all still growing. They take a long time to get full sized.
I still haven't been outside. I got my new washer hooked up and tested and am now attempting to wash the first load. I guess I'll see how it goes.
I've got my stupid headache back again today.
I finally cooked some egg yolk and a little water and gave it to the olandsk chicks. I also ground up some of the chick starter and kind of sprinkled it amoung the egg. They still aren't drinking unless I dip their beaks. Dumb birds!!! It will be interesting to see how they turn out. RIght now they just look like little mutt chicks.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I have general hatchery quality buff orps and I think they are great. But they are not near the size of the exhibition strain. I would love to get some. I don't think mine are bad at all just a lot smaller than the exhibition types. Since I'm not into showing these are just egg layers and for normal production. But my English breeds are exceptional. I have these white orpingtons which are top of the line for American breeding....or should be when they are grown. My quality birds are all still growing. They take a long time to get full sized.
I still haven't been outside. I got my new washer hooked up and tested and am now attempting to wash the first load. I guess I'll see how it goes.
I've got my stupid headache back again today.
I finally cooked some egg yolk and a little water and gave it to the olandsk chicks. I also ground up some of the chick starter and kind of sprinkled it amoung the egg. They still aren't drinking unless I dip their beaks. Dumb birds!!! It will be interesting to see how they turn out. RIght now they just look like little mutt chicks.

I need to quit stalling and get to work on the house! Eeks! I have my mom and dad flying in on Saturday and I want a super clean house. They are staying with us for 2 weeks. I didn't know you had BO's! Seriously, the ones I saw at the show-- I think a small kid could have ridden one! LOL Checoukan and I were joking how much food it would take to sustain just ONE of those giants. I'm so glad you got your washer hooked up! You'll have to let us know how much you love it after you've done some washing in it! I hope your chicks come around and start eating! OKay, I really better get off and go clean. UGH.

(not what I want to do right now)

 

[chicken danz]

I finally made it outside and of course there were problems. I lost probably my prettiest little Swedish flower hen. She was right under the heat lamp and I am sure she just got sufficated. They had only been out in that house and pen a couple weeks. I have the new Olandsk in there in a kennel so I had the heat lamp kind of aimed their direction. And of course the water bowls in that house were frozen.
Then in the brooder I had 3 dead Marans cause they were all snuggled under a heat lamp too. It felt very warm in there to me but the drafts must have chilled them. I had the south window open about 2 inches to allow air to flow and it is over their bin. So I closed it and moved the heater a little further south. I have so much money invested in that brooder right now I'd hate to loose very many chicks.
Anyway everyone is fed and watered.
I never made it to town like I planned today. The day just went way too fast.
Yeah I've seen those monster buff orps. I would love to have some of them. I think the whites should end up that big because I bought them directly from Jody Hinkle. (hinkjc) They are bred to have the perfect form, leg color etc.

 

[Trish44]

Danz, I'm sorry about your SFH chick, that's a bummer & the marans too. I let my big black copper marans hen out of the crate today & she still doesn't act quite right, I guess we'll see what happens. She went outside & just sat under bushes & didn't move around that much. I wouldn't be surprised if she isn't around much longer. I just haven't been that impressed with those hens. They hardly ever lay & they just haven't been really hardy birds like the rest I have. I have 3 Welsummer pullets that I hope will lay me some dark eggs & maybe they'll do better for me than the marans have. I'm fixing to do some culling in the spring of the birds I really don't feel lay well enough for my general laying flock & replace them with some better producing ones. I read that the california whites outlay the leghorns, I was thinking of trying some of those & getting some new young barred rocks too, those are my best layers. I have two crazy hens right now that want to go broody in this weather, I have never had hens do that in the winter. Has anybody else seen their egg production drop drastically with this cold snap? I was getting a dozen eggs a day a few days ago & now the last two days have gotten 8.

I forgot to say earlier Hawkeye that I hope you guys get to stay in the area, we would all miss you if you had to leave. I know you would like to stay too.

We just found out they're changing our health insurance company at the first of the year again. It's probably not a good thing either, it seems like every time they do that we end up paying more out of pocket with not as good coverage. They just froze our funds for the rest of the year too on our health care account so now we can't even use our money until after the first of the year. I have medicines that I will have to get before then so we'll have to pay them out of pocket & wait until Jan. to get paid back.

 

[tweetysvoice]

We just found out they're changing our health insurance company at the first of the year again. It's probably not a good thing either, it seems like every time they do that we end up paying more out of pocket with not as good coverage. They just froze our funds for the rest of the year too on our health care account so now we can't even use our money until after the first of the year. I have medicines that I will have to get before then so we'll have to pay them out of pocket & wait until Jan. to get paid back.

They are doing that to us this year as well.. and those are the same fears that I have!

Well, I forgot to mention yesterday that mama pushed both the other unhatched eggs away, so I broke them open. One was only half developed, but the other looked like it was fully grown. Don't know what happened, but it must not have been able to get out of the egg. So sad. At least I have two baby chickies. They are doing fine!

Danz, I'm sorry you lost all those birds as well

 

[ChicknBaron]

Hey guys, its been awhile since i've been on here due to how busy ive been with school and junk lately but the city council fiiiinally voted on the new chicken ordinance and despite our thinking they were in our favor one that we thought we had on our side turned at the last minute and the ordinance was turned down.Soooo I hate to break it to myself but i'm really in a sticky situation right now because i have to find a new home for them and i have vacation and 2 family Christmas' coming up so if i could find a new home for them before all that takes place that would be great. So if anyone is interested please just send me a Personal Message. FYI: if you want them they're free but you'll have to drive to Marysville, Kansas to get them. There are 4 barred plymouth rock hens (1 years old going on 2 in the coming spring) 1 EE (black, and 2 years going on 3 in the spring) and 1 RIR hen (in mid-moult right now but other wise she's been a great hen) soooo If ive left anything out please just let me know via Personal Message (because, I hate to say it but, i honestly don't have time to scroll through all the pages to see what anyone has said. Sorry! Oh, i also have 3 chicks that hatched around the beginning of october (2 hens 1 Roo). I already have someone that thinks they'll take the roo and now that i know i have to get rid of all of them i'll ask them if he wants the to pullets to BUT if he defers And you might be interested please let me know and i'll ask him. Any feed back would be FANTASTIC and the sooner the better. Again if i have left out any important details JUST Personal message me. My email is [email protected] or PM me for my cell phone #. The reason i don't have a price is not only due to the fact that i don't know how to reasonably price chickens but I REALLY need to get these guys moving before the INSANELY busy holidays begin. (Free will donation would be accepted of course. I REALLY want these guys to go to a good home and have a happy rest of their lives. WEEELLLLLLLL for now this is farewell. I hope to hear back from anyone SOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Very Much Appreciated, -- "The ChicknBaron"