Consolidated Kansas

[Chickies-duckies-etc]

I'd love to have the seeds chickies-duckies. Maybe if you want a few ducks this year I could trade you a duckling for postage.

PM me your address and give me an idea how many seeds you want. Each pod has bunches of seed and the last I paid attention to it there are still lots of pods unopened. Some of the last wind storms did take some pods off the tree. I will start grabbing what I can get to.

Does anyone know anything about the feed Sutherlands or TSC sells? I only have enough for today and those are the only stores I am aware of that sell any. Do they have any of the grain only? That is what I feed the most of, but anything they will eat will have to do this time. I am still trying to get my car out.

 

[sarajoy]

Hi all. Chickendanz - your computer problems are icky. I'm afraid we may have some of that at the new place - no good way to get broadband without paying huge bucks, which we're probably not going to do... sigh.... Hope you are able to get out and about today - we're supposed to get up to 50ish today here, so everything should finish melting off, but they are saying rain all day tomorrow, turning to freezing rain and then blizzarding snow in the evening - 6-8 inches. Sigh...

Chickies-duckies I would LOVE some catalpa seeds. Send me a note privately about where to send postage and how much (to 67341) and I'll respond with my PO address. I could send the payment paypal.

I had an adventure yesterday. I'm quite certain now that both my (supposedly standard, though the breeder also told me they were pullets, which they aren't) Buff Brahma are roos. I put an ad for one of them on the buy and sell forum. I got a response from a woman not too far from me who I had already been in contact with (through creig's list) for young layers - she is growing out 50 for me since I don't have space here for that many, but will have the room at the new place with the new coop. So they are getting a head start. She had bought a single Buff Brahma pullet at the feed store or someplace like that, ten months old now, and wanted to exchange one of my roo's for some (hopefully) resulting chicks. So I went over to her place with "Ernie the Roo" (was Erna when I thought he was a she). Her (son's) hen is ten months old but is HUGE. She has the buff coloration, but is way more feathered out at the bottom end than are even my adult Light Brahma. And she has a substantial single comb, with 5 zags in it. Her hen looks to be twice the size of Ernie. I'm guessing a lot of that is the extra fluffy bottom she has, but still... Theresa thought my Ernie must be a bantam. From pictures and utube videos I have seen of 6 month old BB standard roos, I don't think she is right, but who knows. When I did search on 10 month BB pullets, none of them looked like hers. When I did further research on Asiatics, I'm guessing she may have a Buff Cochin. Its a gorgeous bird, and I wouldn't mind finding what little Ernie and her hen can produce. Has anyone experimented with that combo?

Need to get off to the new house. Have masking tape on the woodwork, from interior painting, that has been on too long. We were going to go on Thursday, but decided we shouldn't with the storm warnings. I hope its not permanently affixed at this point. We need to redo some of the woodwork, windowsill ledges and such that look like they got rained on - but would prefer not to redo it all.

Here's hoping things stay warmer than they think, and we have a lot of rain but no more ice or snow! Sara

 

[checoukan]

Sarajoy, Buff Cochins are espcially breeder-show bred, or out of show lines are absolutly HUGE!! They are some of the largest chickens at the shows. I could not imaging feeding a flock of those chickens.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Oh man people are talking blizzard conditions and 12 inches or more of snow... Goodness, will we ever dig ourselves out? I hope everyone is staying warm. I am going to make a huge pot of chili and stay indoors.

 

[medawinks]

Our Internet is working here, but I can't seem to find time to post..... Read in flashes. I love the baby goat pics!

Congrats on the new grand baby momma hen!

We have one show dog- senior standard poodle in pic below... 11 yrs old and the rest are rescued. I was glad to read that yours is doing better Karen. My metal knees ache in this cold, so I can empathize.

All this talk of baby chicks..... makes me eager to have some here to raise even if I cant keep them Is there such a thing as a bantam brahma? I am looking for another wheaten Ameracauna for our little group and maybe a bantam Cochin if there isn't . I bought a 6-7 egg Brinsea advance and want to be brave to try incubating a few eggs at school. If I mess it up and they die.... That part is holding me up.:-/

Is this a Sussex or??? Whatever she is- She is my absolute favorite bird

"What???? We are cooped up together because of more snow????"

My birds like their porch "coop" but as you can see, they are ready to be out in the run!!

Personally, another day home with my kids and critters will be fine with me. I bet we have school tomorrow though:-(. If it snows slowly enough for street crews to keep up with main streets, we will prob have it Tuesday too.

Stay warm and healthy!!

 

[chicken danz]

This *)&*(*%(&_+*&^ internet connection thing is making me mad. I get service after taking everything apart for a half second.
Chickies Duckies I did get your message and will try to PM you when it comes back up. I am just typing off line right now. Why is it when I have things I have to check on line that this thing bellies up?
I think Sutherlands sells a Kansas made feed. I've never used it. It seemed a little lower in protein than what I looked at before. TSC does carry Purina and one other brand.
Medawinks I was hoping you guys could make it down. This weather is awful. I really need to go car shopping and can't because of the conditions.
NOTE: I am looking for anyone who will be traveling from near Pittsburg to up to this area or near by. I need a small duck delivered. I'd be willing to meet anyone coming this way. (Burlington or Waverly area)

 

[sarajoy]

Thanks for the input. I'm guessing that is what she has, though she thought it was a Buff Brahma - think that is what she was told. The chicks she is growing out for me are a mix of white egg layers, including leghorns and such. I was wanting at least one pullet for my remaining BB roo, so when she suggested using my Ernie with her pullet to hopefully produce some chicks for us both, I was delighted at the idea. Not so much at a cochin/BB mix, but maybe I'll see what happens with that as a laying sideline. From what I've read about the cochins they don't lay well, but do a significant amount of their laying during the winter months, so having one or two hens in the mix wouldn't be a bad thing. I won't keep them bred. I'm going to mostly go each year with young leghorns or sexlinks pullets as layers, grow them in the spring, keep them laying through that first winter and the following summer while I'm growing out another new batch for the next winter. I will be focusing my breeding attempts on light brahma and buff brahma. Just because I really really like them and want to continue those lines. I still want to get another BB pullet for Bert (my remaining BB roo), I won't be mating him with any chocin/BB mix pullets. Sara

> Buff Cochins are espcially breeder-show bred, or out of show lines are absolutly HUGE!! They are some of the largest chickens at the shows. I could not imaging feeding a flock of those chickens. >

 

[Trish44]

Well I got out & had my DH help me with getting the remaining snow & ice off the tops of my pens. I was especially worried about the turkey pen since it has netting over the top & tarps over that, it was really sagging down with the weight & had bent one of the poles I had up there for support. That pen was the hardest to get cleaned off because of the weight, it's just not the ideal situation, but it was what I could come up with at the time. At least now we don't have to have additional snow & weight added to what was already there. I went out & let the Salmon Faverolles out into their pen & they're not crazy about coming out in the snow. The one hen did come out for a bit, the the other one & the rooster just peeked out the door & stayed in. I also cleaned off the tops of all of my rabbit hutches, I figured the weight wasn't that good for them either. Things are melting a lot around here right now, but I know it will all change later. I think I'm going to go back out after while because it's not that bad out there now & maybe work on trying to get at least one more pen covered with the chicken wire. I figure anything I can get done is a plus since with this new snow it will be awhile before I can get back out & do anything again.

I have 4 eggs in the incubator now again, but no pips as of yet. I hope I get a few more chicks for you Karen, keep your fingers crossed. After these 4 I only have 2 more eggs in the incubator & then who knows for sure when that hen will lay again. The Ameraucanas don't seem to like the winter all that much. My lavender hens haven't laid in months, they did seem to lay well in warmer weather though. Maybe they're just one of the breeds who aren't that hep on winter, I don't blame them.

I'm so frustrated that we're getting more snow, I just feel like I need to be out there working on projects & I can't if we have a foot of snow on the ground. I want to get my little goat home as soon as I can, my friend is being great about taking care of her, but I hate to leave her there too long. I want her to get used to me too instead of her & then when I get her here & have the pen & shelter & all I need to find her a friend since her sister died. I read that goats are very social animals & need company to do well.

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Our Internet is working here, but I can't seem to find time to post..... Read in flashes. I love the baby goat pics!

Congrats on the new grand baby momma hen!

We have one show dog- senior standard poodle in pic below... 11 yrs old and the rest are rescued. I was glad to read that yours is doing better Karen. My metal knees ache in this cold, so I can empathize.

All this talk of baby chicks..... makes me eager to have some here to raise even if I cant keep them Is there such a thing as a bantam brahma? I am looking for another wheaten Ameracauna for our little group and maybe a bantam Cochin if there isn't . I bought a 6-7 egg Brinsea advance and want to be brave to try incubating a few eggs at school. If I mess it up and they die.... That part is holding me up.:-/

Is this a Sussex or??? Whatever she is- She is my absolute favorite bird




"What???? We are cooped up together because of more snow????"

My birds like their porch "coop" but as you can see, they are ready to be out in the run!!

Personally, another day home with my kids and critters will be fine with me. I bet we have school tomorrow though:-(. If it snows slowly enough for street crews to keep up with main streets, we will prob have it Tuesday too.

Stay warm and healthy!!

Your hen looks like a new hampshire red. My new hamp is so sweet and follows me around and will scrape me with her beak to get me to turn around and pay attention to her, she is a great layer and holds her own. There are bantam brahmas I have a buff bantam brahma and she is adorable

 

[HEChicken]

I got mine for $386.95 total with shipping. I didn't think that was too bad really..

Ahhh okay, I was remembering the price of $365 but I guess that was the before shipping price. Mine wound up being even a little cheaper at $379 with free shipping. If anyone wants a link to where I got it, let me know.

So I guess the foot of snow has thrown a wrench in the fence building plans this weekend which is a total bummer. Does anyone want to try to reschedule for next Saturday March 2? Looks like the weather is supposed to be warmer (51!) Let me know if you are available and we will plan a day then. I was so excited to get the fencing up and get the horses moved down. DH thinks the chicken pens won't take much longer either so hoping to plan on moving the crew in two weeks.

I *think* I am free the 2nd so would be available to help. Hope the snow has melted by then....

Soooo, did you get it? Which one did you get??


Wow!! That was a GREAT deal!!! That is only a bit more than a fully loaded Brinsea 20! I'm going that route the next time I buy an incubator.

I got the Rcom Max 20. That was a tougher decision than I thought it would be. They have the Pro that is a little more automatic but they want a lot more for it. In the end it seemed ridiculous to spend about as much for a Pro that still only incubates 20 eggs, as you would spend for a cabinet 'bator. For not that much more than the Pro 20, you can get the Max 50, so then I decided as long as I was spending that much, I should just get the Max 50. But then it hit me that no way do I ever want to brood that many chicks! So I went back to thinking about the 20's and after talking to ChooksChick, she said not to bother with the Pro because the Max does such a great job so having narrowed my focus, I was thrilled to find it for $379 delivered. It would have arrived less than 24 hours after I ordered it if it hadn't been for the storm. As it was, they delivered it Friday morning, about 42 hours after I placed the order.

Just popping in to post a snow pic. Have never really noticed how "red" my coop was until all this snow.

You have the cutest coop! I'm sure the weather will be better by the time your chicks arrive.

Heard a baby goat cry, went out the the north goat barn, and behold not one baby but 3! Twins to one momma, a a single to anouther. All are doing well. I did not take them to the barn, they were up and nursing, took pictures on my phone, have to transfer to computer, I will post them later.

Congrats on the baby goats!

So, yesterday, DH was buzzing around here with the snow blower, just having a blast. A neighbor took his tractor and blade to the roads which was totally awesome of him. We're in great shape, except... DH was sick all night with the stomach bug. WTH? I, in my ear plugs and face mask, slept through all the action and he didn't bother to wake me since I already have this congestion in my chest. Bummer, for sure. DD had a tiny little tummy bug a couple days ago -- this is what happens to old parents with lots of kids. Poor hubs.

Oh how fun to have a snow blower! I was very fortunate that my neighbor came over with his bobcat and moved snow out of our driveway so we could get out.

I am sooo super frustrated at the moment! I ordered 40+ hatching eggs for my incubator. They were scheduled to arrive yesterday morning (yes, I know, of all days!). They show departing the Kansas City terminal in the early morning yesterday - probably about the time the blizzard of oz was starting. Well, you guessed it - they are still not here!!! And no, heat packs were not used. Didn't think I would need them for a two day priority trip. Bought from a reputable person on many sites and all I keep getting is disclaimer (not my responsibility) replies when I let said person know that the eggs are still not here. I fully realize it is not said person's responsibility!!! Grrr....

Bummer about the shipping eggs - so sorry - I hope they weren't too expensive. I haven't had good luck with shipped eggs so have pretty much sworn off them now.

My birds worry me a little. I have all the water bowls outside to help keep the coops dry. But the birds aren't wanting to come out at all. How in the world are they going to survive if they don't drink?
Surely they will come out won't they? I've never had them act so stubborn before. Some of them used to act like they enjoyed the snow. They're eating plenty for sure. Just not wanting to go outside to drink. I'm not about to shovel out pens!!

That's what worries me too. I just can't keep water in the coop because the ducks will for sure splash it everywhere, so I have to hope they'll step outside when they need to. I have noticed that any time I walk into the coop, they are very interested in pecking the snow off my boots. I just want to tell them - "Hey, there's plenty more of that outside - just step out and help yourself".

Well I just bit the bullet & ordered an Ecoglow 50 so I'll have it for my broiler chicks in April. I have two Ecoglow 20s, but they're not big enough for a big bunch of chicks for sure. Brinsea has the 50 on sale right now on their web site $20 off & you can get another 10% off if you sign up for their newsletter on their FB page. I just used my other email address & signed up so I could get the discount. I was going to get another 20 at first until I saw that the 50 was on sale. It would take two of the smaller ones for a group of 25 chicks. I sure like them better than worrying about a heat lamp, especially in the house where I have to have chicks right now. I'm so glad I got the two I got for the smaller brooders, they will be great. I have one in the crate with the chicks right now. I have heard some people complain that they don't think the chicks are warm enough, but the ones in there right now are running in & out of there, running around the crate, so they don't look uncomfortable at all. I have it at an angle so if they get too warm under the one end they can move to the higher side. I raised those other two bigger ones with the other one & just weaned them off of it recently, they don't have any heat on them now, they're fully feathered & in the house so they're fine.

Congrats on the Ecoglow! I had ordered 2 of the small ones from Amazon over a month ago and they've been on a hold as they were out of stock. I just got notified a little while ago that they are in and will be shipping soon. It turned out to be no big deal that they were on back order as I didn't need them yet anyway, and it looks like they will arrive in plenty of time.

I know we had this conversation last year.... but in light of all the snow, etc... I'm looking for waterproof winter gloves. Doesn't have to be super thick, in fact, I'd like something that does not look like ski gloves, but something I can work in. I thought someone said they had bought neoprene gloves, or did I imagine that??

Last year I got a pair of gloves at Atwoods when they were clearing them out after winter. They were 75% off so I only paid about $6 for a really good quality pair of gloves. I've worn them all winter this year and have never had cold hands with them on, so I'm pretty happy with them. I don't remember the brand, but we are getting close to that time of year again when they will be discounting stuff, so that might be an option for you.

Does anyone know anything about the feed Sutherlands or TSC sells? I only have enough for today and those are the only stores I am aware of that sell any. Do they have any of the grain only? That is what I feed the most of, but anything they will eat will have to do this time. I am still trying to get my car out.

I didn't even know Sutherlands sells feed! TSC sells Purina brand and also DuMor which is the TSC store brand. I'm told that DuMor is mixed and bagged at Purina so it is actually a Purina feed but if you look at the ingredients list and nutritional info it is not identical to Purina so I guess it is what they make out of the cheaper ingredients that don't go into Purina. I've bought it in the past but now pretty much stick to Nutrena or Purina because I do believe they are higher in quality.

A lot of drama going on for me - will fill you in when I can.