Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

RoosterLew, stick with this crowd & you will learn about chicken match quick. I just got about 30 new chicks in the last few days, those are my laying flock. I have new breeding stock coming next month of two different breeds & 25 broiler chicks too.

 

[sarajoy]

Quote: There are about 70 evergreens I put in last year, when we still planned on living here, scattered through the field in front of where we were going to build, as a wind break and privacy screen. Without being here to water/tend them they'll die before the place is sold - and likely a new owner will be haying that field, and they'd just be chopped off. They may not survive the transplant, but at least they'll have a chance this way. I'll be putting them along the front of the property and along the north side (outside the fence) of my chicken run. I also have some smallish mulberries, some peaches, and some pecan trees - all smallish. I have one pink lady apple as tall as I am, planted 3 years ago, instead of a year ago like the rest. I'm tempted to attempt that one, but probably shouldn't. The rest are time intensive, but not difficult. That one would need a huge hole dug all around it - probably at least a yard across at least, and would likely need to go as deep - and it still might damage the root structure too badly for it to recover. SO that one may be there for the next folks. I'll probably at least take along some cuttings and see if I can get something going that way. Hard to tend something carefully and then leave it behind... But I will be bringing along some roses that have been with me for over twenty years, across four homes up to this one, where I thought we'd be living out our lives. But they'll come along again. And some potted lilacs that also came from years back, have left some of those every place I've been, and just started new ones from starts to take along.

I found a pattern that just let me cut holes/slits (since I couldn't find enough elastic). Tried one like that, and it won't stay on for anything. So as soon as roads allow I'll go pick up some elastic and try a more finished one. I saw the ad also in "everything else" forum, and have ordered a couple to back me up - as I'm sure I'll have use for a few of these over the years, and in case what I make doesn't work, at least these will be on the way. I also like the idea of the little blinders folks have been mentioning - when I start reintroducing my hurt roo back with his agemates, I'm concerned there may be pecking, think I'll order some of those to have on hand "in case of". Hopefully not needed right now, but sooner or later likely they'll come in handy. With an influx of 50 started hens in the new coop, when moving day arrives - there are bound to be some adjustment issues! Sara

 

[sarajoy]

>Then I had gotten a dog coat on clearance last night & put it on her to help keep her warm, she is still small & gets cold."

I'm getting nigerian dwarf goats at my new place, so have been reading up on goats. There is a breeder of meat goats not far from my place, and she says she uses legs from old sweat pants to make into coats for the little ones - it was her mentioning that that made me think about making a little coat for my hens with overused backs. That was before I knew there was such a thing as a chicken apron. The apron makes more sense for the hen - using a length of the lower leg as a sleeve over her back but under her wings would just be too constraining, and would work for now in the cold, but would soon be too hot. But my goat friend's kids are warm and happy in their little coats. Glad you got a bargain on your dog coat, but just thought I'd mention her tip in case it might be helpful in the future. Sara

 

[Trish44]

>Then I had gotten a dog coat on clearance last night & put it on her to help keep her warm, she is still small & gets cold."

I'm getting nigerian dwarf goats at my new place, so have been reading up on goats. There is a breeder of meat goats not far from my place, and she says she uses legs from old sweat pants to make into coats for the little ones - it was her mentioning that that made me think about making a little coat for my hens with overused backs. That was before I knew there was such a thing as a chicken apron. The apron makes more sense for the hen - using a length of the lower leg as a sleeve over her back but under her wings would just be too constraining, and would work for now in the cold, but would soon be too hot. But my goat friend's kids are warm and happy in their little coats. Glad you got a bargain on your dog coat, but just thought I'd mention her tip in case it might be helpful in the future. Sara

Thanks for the tip, but this one will be fine once she grows a little more. The other one is bigger & older so she is doing OK in the cold. So unless we get more later I won't be needing any, but I will file that somewhere just in case.

Is there a reason you chose the Nigerians, just curious? I have heard they are much harder to confine because they can jump so high. I have a friend who has some & she says they really are jumpers. I chose the boers because they're heavier & don't tend to jump so much. The dwarf goats are cute though.

 

[sarajoy]

Quote: Vetericyn is what I did find at Orscheln's and have been using - but only the spray. Wish I had seen/gotten some gel, as it would stay put longer on the eye. I'll have to do some more research on the wound sealer I had heard about before, just "in case of". This whole incident has made me very aware I need to be building up my chicken first aid supplies better than I have been. Colloidal silver works like an antibiotic, without building up immunity. And I make it myself (use it myself as well) so its very inexpensive. I use it with my cat and dogs as well when there is a need.

I would very much like more information on the research you did on the available models, and also would be interested in which one you chose. Mike is not thrilled about the idea of the expense of an automatic door, and of course, saving money is good where/when possible, and sometimes necessary. But this experience has made me very aware that this needs to be a priority. And not only will it give me peace of mind "in case of" being late at some point - but it also will let me sleep in a little later in the morning when the night has been rough. I have a special needs adult son who doesn't sleep well, and though Mike is up with him at night, when Nathan is having a rough time I still have a hard time sleeping. Its great I don't have to get up and tend to him, but sometimes I can't get back to sleep. Plus I have various health issues as well. So, though I generally like to be up at dawn, it is sometimes a really rough thing to HAVE to be up then. Others might be interested in your research as well, if you want to post it here, or feel free to send me a PM if you prefer. Thank you! Sara

 

[sarajoy]

Fermenting chicken food..

I've been buying organic milled chicken feed from a local small mill in Thayer. It took my chickens awhile to adjust, but they now love it. I could buy the same mix, or any mix I choose, unmilled as well. Could anyone tell me what recipes they are using for fermented chicken feed? Do you ferment with just water - like sprouting. Or use whey? I make kefir, so could use kefir whey. I like the idea of this. I do give them a little kefir for probiotics. They don't particularly seem fond of it, though will eat a bit, especially if I sprinkle sunflower seeds on top! Anyways, I'd love to hear from any of you who are feeding fermented chicken food about what your recipes are. Thanks, Sara

 

[sarajoy]

Is there a reason you chose the Nigerians, just curious? I have heard they are much harder to confine because they can jump so high. I have a friend who has some & she says they really are jumpers. I chose the boers because they're heavier & don't tend to jump so much. The dwarf goats are cute though.

I am getting goats for the milk primarily. Nigerians, per pound, put out more milk than most goats. An average is 2 quarts a day (1 quart at each milking). And its richer milk than most of the large dairy goats (8-10 per cent fat content). And it takes much less to feed them than a larger goat. Boers are great for meat. The drawback of a Nigerian for a milker is smaller teats, that on aging hands can be difficult if you are milking by hand. But I'm going to give it a try. They are jumpers, but if you have a good fence you do okay. Plus, I will have my LGD (a pyrenees) in with them, and he'll keep them in line - or rather "in fence". Sara

 

[sharol]

The gel comes in a spray bottle just like the liquid. In fact they look too much alike if you want one or the other. Bluestem keeps both in stock. The stuff works well to help heal "post surgery" bumblefoot, too. We used it for a while on my little EE. I had cut on her several times, and I just couldn't do it again. Her feet and legs were swollen and hot, and I was out of ideas. I started spraying her feet at night after she got up on the roost, and the bumblefoot got under control. I'm not sure it is really gone, but there are no scabs and no swelling or excessive heat. That was a year and a half ago.

It also works on psoriasis on my DD who got into the mist from it when she was spraying Lily's feet. Go figure.

Vetericyn is what I did find at Orscheln's and have been using - but only the spray. Wish I had seen/gotten some gel, as it would stay put longer on the eye. I'll have to do some more research on the wound sealer I had heard about before, just "in case of". This whole incident has made me very aware I need to be building up my chicken first aid supplies better than I have been. Colloidal silver works like an antibiotic, without building up immunity. And I make it myself (use it myself as well) so its very inexpensive. I use it with my cat and dogs as well when there is a need.

 

[pikeman94]

Hello all!

Newbie to BYC & "chickeneering", as I like to call it

My chicks (Buff Orpingtons & Dominiques) & keets (Pearl) arrive 3rd week in April. Busy getting the coop and brooder ready

The discussion on "pocket omelettes" cracked (no pun intended) me up because I'm such a likely candidate, ah!

Look forward to keeping up with you all!

Kendra

Welcome to the club! You are in for a fun ride!

 

[pikeman94]

I hope everyone is staying warm. Not sure how much snow we got sense its blowing like crazy but we do have drifts at least 3-4 feet tall. Went out to check on my crew and everyone is doing good.

I noticed my black star pullet who is a new layer was making I'm guessing her nest. She would take bedding and place around her then tuck her one egg in the center. Is this what they always do or is she starting to get broody?

When can you tell what sex the chicks will be? mine are almost 3 wks and i think i may have 3 cockerel and 2 pullets.

Stay warm everyone
Michelle

7 weeks always seems to be the magic time for me. It becomes real easy though because the roos will have nice well defined red combs when the pullets aren't even red yet. Of course I am sure there are breeds that defy this rule of thumb or in this case comb.