Consolidated Kansas

[cherwill]

Spring is new life and renewal! I hope this growing season brings back your peace. I know that there is nothing better than gardening and watering and tending to the plants. It puts me back in harmony with nature again. I am really missing that this year. I would have bought and planted trees by now and be well on my way to my watering regimine. As it is, I am going to plant my little garden plot with my favorite veggies and call it good. (we might be moving out of state, so it's tough to know what to do) No problem about trying to catch up, as you know, you just need to jump back in and it's all good.

I really look forward to planting and growing season. I have a tougher time in winter and like you said, it puts us back in harmony. It always makes me feel more hopeful about, well, everything! What a tough time for you to be in limbo about where you're going to live and how much gardening you should take on.

Cherwill welcome back. Nope you haven't been forgotten. I thought of you quite recently when I took a trip out to Frank Reese's farm. I thought if I knew how to contact you I should stop and see you on my way back. I am sorry for all the tragedy and problems. I can't imagine loosing a spouse so early in life.
Just jump in and resume.

It would have been fun to meet you in person.

I took Fluff to Garnett to be neutered this morning. He has never minded riding in a car but he was panting and hyper and really really nervous the entire way. And every time a vehicle would be headed toward us going the opposite direction he would panic and try to jump. I think it's pretty obvious he was chased for some distance by the same truck that the guy killed Cloud from. I think I may have to have him medicated to bring him back home. If DH hadn't been available he would have for sure caused a car wreck.
I'm going to clean up the big puppy house and put down some fleece blankets he really likes in there so he has a nice place to recoop for a few days. They suggested keeping him quiet for 10-14 days. That may be a chore. I am exploring the cost etc of keeping the dogs maintained on the property. I just haven't figured out how to divide it so I can make it affordable and functional without interrupting the flow for the tractors and combine to farm my ground.
One more thing happened yesterday that at the time almost made me throw my hands in the air and give up. The guy that farms the ground across the road has an old dog that rides in the back of his pickup. The highlight of Marshmallows day is when she sees him coming. That dog and Marshmallow have a "bark out" every time he goes by. She will see his truck a half mile down the road and crouch down to get read to run along the ditch and bark at the dog. Well yesterday he came by and he was driving slow because he was looking at my bird pens and watching the geese. Marshmallow apparently had her timing off by his reduced speed and hit his bumper or visa versa and went for a roll. He turned around and came back and she was okay. I am watching her very carefully for signs of pain but she seems to be doing okay. I was so scared. I don't think I could have stood it had she been killed.
Well then the neighbor decided to come look at the birds and one of my sebbies had gotten tangled in the electric poultry netting wire and was almost dead. He had it wrapped around and around his neck. I had to go find sissors and cut it all up to get him out. Luckily after resting for an hour or so and catching it's breath it appeared to be okay.
So I am wondering what else can happen?
Well as some of you older people probably remember I have a very compromised immune system. I have had shingles many times which is normally just a one time thing. Very painful! I take L-lysine to prevent it but they can be brought on by stress. I hadn't had a case of shingles since 2 years ago last Thanksgiving when my children had a big blow up amongst themselves over insurance money from their deceased father. I was very upset that my kids were fighting.
Well yesterday I discovered a new case of shingles flaring up. Today it is full blown and a constant reminder it is there. I was so worried about the chickens I forgot to take the prescription meds I have for it. I won't be forgetting now. You really need to catch this at first sign to get it under control or it becomes extremely painful and hard to clear. Duh!
I can't wait to hear about the shower yesterday and see pictures. Come on ladies! I am waiting.

I am so sorry about all the problems you're having. Surely it has to let up now. After reading this, I went back a little way to see what you were talking. How awful to lose Cloud like that. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Fluff is having a reaction to it.

Good morning everyone - hope you all got some rain overnight. We had clearly had some when I went out this morning but the rain gauge was not registering much so I don't think it was much more than enough to wet the ground. It looks like there is potentially more to come this week though. My weather forecast even contains that dreaded four letter word: SNOW. Good grief. I hope they are wrong about that.

No rain here. We had thunder last night. Then this morning it spit out about a dozen tiny drops of water on the windshield and that was it. I want moisture, because I have some seeds planted, but I don't want snow!

Miss Silkie ran to greet me this morning. She was on her broody break and seemed to enjoy being picked up and loved on for a few minutes. Then I set her down and started to walk towards the coop and.....kicked a bird halfway across the yard [exaggerating] and it was poor Miss Silkie. I guess she decided to run after me and managed to get in front of my big, galomphing boots. She was SO mad about it and ran screaming around the yard, running from me when I tried to get close enough to make amends. Finally she stopped and allowed me to pick her up and apologize profusely and sincerely. Apparently she forgave me because as soon as I set her down, there she was doing her best to get kicked again. Sigh.

That's hilarious. I can just picture her yelling at you!

Over and out from Broody Haven (they're dropping like flies now.....)

Things have been rough here lately. I am having a down day and the pain and fatigue is killing me. I am going to look for a support group. I need a group of people to talk with. I sure hope this flare up ends soon I really want to get out and garden. It would be good for me, mentally and physically. Thank you to all who have sent well wishes and support it helps more than I can explain.

I'm sorry, I don't know what's been going on with you. But I do know pain can really bring you down in every way. I hope you can find a group quickly to help you get through it. I find that it's hard for a lot of people to understand if they haven't experienced something like it. And if you pretty much look healthy, it's even harder. What I've been learning the last two years is not to give up. I did that for a few years, and it's made the recovery even harder.

I've asked myself a few times the last couple days if it is worth it. If I got rid of all the birds and the dogs and I wouldn't have to worry. But I would be so miserable! I am so hoping I don't loose any more. I really really believe they are worth it!!!

I think it's worth it, too. I haven't had so many bird problems, but I don't have many birds. I think living in town makes some things a lot safer for them, too. I do know every time I've lost a dog, even to old age, it's so heartbreaking I can't imagine going through it again. Eventually I remember the joy I had in my time with them, and then I can't imagine life without a dog, even though I know my heart will break again someday.

 

[sunflowerparrot]

Danz - you mentioned your sebbie getting tangled in the electric poultry net. I am glad you found it in time to rescue it. I will use this as a time to give an extra warning for anyone that has geese - WATCH OUT FOR ANY KIND OF NETTNG OR FENCING. Those long necks can get tangled in the fencing as well as other body parts.

I have heard that too about the netting/fencing. I looked at the electric netting when I went to do my fence and was geared away from it by the salesman too; he said chickens can get easily tangled. I had a chicken once get her foot caught in the regular chicken wire fence! She was dangling upsidedown... It looked like her toe got twisted when jumping - thankfully, she was ok. It was during the fall so she was a little chilled (I guess I'd be chilled hanging upsidedown for awhile too!) I brought her in the house for a few hours to make sure she was eating/drinking; She did great.

 

[chicken danz]

Danz- I hope you are feeling better. I know the situation you are in is eating you alive and it can really make you ill fast. Please take care of yourself. I am a true believer in karma and he will get whats coming to him. I wish I could do more to help.

Things have been rough here lately. I am having a down day and the pain and fatigue is killing me. I am going to look for a support group. I need a group of people to talk with. I sure hope this flare up ends soon I really want to get out and garden. It would be good for me, mentally and physically. Thank you to all who have sent well wishes and support it helps more than I can explain.

I am sure there are several support groups for Lupus. At least now you can find a group who knows what you are experiencing. I am so sorry. Being able to get outside even if you don't do anything will help your spirits. I think one of the most wonderful things to do is to sit on the porch and just watch nature. this time of year. It amazes me how things bloom and green up it seems over night. My birds are so much happier too. They are out working that dirt finding stuff.
Originally Posted by cherwill
The multis aren't working here. I am sure I will be headed back to Franks one of these days. If you stick around I'll try to let you know when and see if you'll be around. I've been to McPherson like maybe 3 times in my life. Maybe we could go get a coffee or something.

Obviously if I could work out electric fencing for the back 20 acres it would be the easiest to get in place. I have a lot more learning to do about it though like how close it can be to a regular barbed wire fence. It's all fenced back there but nothing a dog can't go through. My dogs skim right through normal fencing. But it won't work for the yard part. I have to find a way to make that functional for all the things concerned. And I sure don't want to fry a chicken or a duck on a fence that is too hot, but I have to have enough power to fence around 20 acres. I have gotten so much conflicting information. It still seems all wrong to me that I have to protect my dogs from a predator on land they have permission to be on. It's not like they roam the country side. And until we can figure out how to get conductivity here we are out of luck.
I spent a couple hours out in the pen of sick chickens today. I lost another one, a white rock. I had a baby nose bulb thing and a bunch of warm salt water. I was spraying out their nostrils just like I would my own, then spraying their eyes with veterycin. Then I was taking a dropper and dropping water in their mouths. I have sugar in it to kill the taste of the antibiotic so they were getting at least a little nutrition. The problem with them is they just sit there cause their eyes crust shut and they don't eat or drink..so if the infection doesn't get them malnutrition and dehydration will. I've never had anything like this hit my chickens before. It's unbelievable. Lots of them however are sitting under the trailer where I can't get to them. And of course that is where I have found all the ones that have died. I sure hope this runs its course and it's over. I can't stand to see any animal suffer.

 

[SpooncreekJenn]

My goodness I don't know how you guys are keeping up with all the post and new members. Its such a busy time right now I havn't been able to keep up.
I have a question what do you guys think is the best for worming anyone ever try any of the natural methods. Also anybody doing a lot of hatching and what will have coming up I am looking for some breeds and can't remember who has what?

 

[HEChicken]

My goodness I don't know how you guys are keeping up with all the post and new members. Its such a busy time right now I havn't been able to keep up.
I have a question what do you guys think is the best for worming anyone ever try any of the natural methods. Also anybody doing a lot of hatching and what will have coming up I am looking for some breeds and can't remember who has what?

This is one of those questions that you will get a lot of different answers to you so just have to wade through it all and see what you think will work best in your situation. That said, here is MY response.

There are a number of different types of worms that chickens are susceptible to getting. Of them all, about the only one you will ever actually see, is roundworm. If there is a gutload, some live worms will be expelled in the poop and they are easy to see - anything that is white and moves around for about 5 minutes after the poop is expelled, is more than likely a roundworm. The other worms they can get are too microscopic to be seen in poop. So - if you see a roundworm you know they have those but if you see nothing it doesn't mean they don't have worms.

The most common (only?) wormer found in the chicken section of most feed stores is Wazine. This is effective ONLY against roundworm. It is easily administered, but I lean away from it because I know if they have anything in addition to the roundworm, it won't do a thing for them.

So, I went looking for a wormer that is broader spectrum and just as easily administered. I did find one that got excellent reviews because it kills every type of worm they could possibly have, but it has to be administered orally, and while that may be practical for a small backyard flock, if you have a lot of birds, it will get tricky to round them all up and give them the oral dose. I have birds that don't like to be handled, and I could just picture trying to get all of them dosed with that. Its name starts with "D" but I can't think of it right now.

In the end, after researching for hours, I read a blog in which a lady had used injectable Ivermectin, except instead of injecting, she put it in the water. She had figured up the dosage to be 4cc per gallon of water. But - she said to remove all other water sources and provide enough of the medicated water to last the flock 2-3 days straight.

The reason I was worming was that I had several hens I knew had roundworm because I was seeing them expelled. Incidentally, I also had a very sick turkey at the time. He was listless, lethargic, had watery poop and was clearly not thriving. I didn't know what was wrong with him, so I had multiple things to worry about. I dealt with the one I could - the worms - while pondering what to do with the turkey. I mixed up enough Ivermectin in their 5-gallon waterer and removed all other water, so they had no choice but to drink it. Within 24 hours, the turkey had perked up and started eating like there would be no tomorrow. He has never looked back and that was around October of last year. I had no idea his symptoms were the result of worms but I can draw no other conclusion given the timing of it all. Meanwhile, I stopped seeing roundworms expelled in the poop of my hens, and they have never returned.

There is a 2-week withdrawal period. As it turned out, due to the time of year and molt, I didn't have to discard too many eggs.

Now, you asked about natural methods. I love to use natural methods as much as possible. However this is one of the things for which I am unlikely to rely solely on natural methods, because unless I do a fecal on each and every bird, I wouldn't have any way to know how effective it had really been. A lot of people advocate pumpkin seeds as a preventative and I see no reason not to offer them pumpkin seeds since they can't do any harm and *might* help to prevent worms. But - there is no natural product that I would truly trust to remove worms once they are established.

 

[sunflowerparrot]

Marty

it is good to see you back here! Check in more often.....

I have not done broilers yet - DH and I keep talking about it and would like to in the future but haven't quite got there yet. Now that I have the plucker, it will be easier. He still wants to set up an outdoor kitchen and that would be awesome as right now when we do 2-4 birds at a time we just do them in the kitchen but its not ideal. Sunflower, where did you order yours from?

I have a good friend and she places the order and we get a deal on shipping - then I just pay her. She usually orders from McMurrey - but I know she didn't this year. They have an awesome setup for butchering. A plucker, water, tables, and an old freezer filled with ice and water is used to store the cleaned birds. There is also a bagging system that use for bagging the chickens when we're done - we do a heat seal - tried a vacuum seal last year and it worked well, but the heat seal is much tighter. I have pictures of the whole setup on my facebook.

 

[cherwill]

Originally Posted by cherwill
The multis aren't working here. I am sure I will be headed back to Franks one of these days. If you stick around I'll try to let you know when and see if you'll be around. I've been to McPherson like maybe 3 times in my life. Maybe we could go get a coffee or something.

Yes, let me know. It would be fun.

We planted peas and some of the early spring things (carrots, radishes, beets) at the community garden and a couple of things are starting to come up. Hopefully it won't get too cold and freeze them. We knew it was a risk, but felt like taking the chance anyway. We don't have the bonus garden this year. Unfortunately, the man who let us use it is one of the ones who died. I think it made him happy knowing someone was using that wonderful garden space. My chickens have been hanging out in the shade. If they already think they're hot, I hate to tell them what's coming in July! We haven't planted anything at home yet, so we let them out to free range in the back yard in the evenings. They rototilled all the weeds out of the asparagus bed and they're very busy in my raised beds. There shouldn't be any grubs left, but I'm afraid there won't be any worms left, either.

 

[HEChicken]

My chickens have been hanging out in the shade. If they already think they're hot, I hate to tell them what's coming in July!

I've seen a few holding their wings out to the side like they're hot too. I think they are acclimatized to the cold weather and will gradually get used to the hot weather as it warms up. Plus, they probably still have some of their winter fluff to lose. I hope.

 

[123casper]

Does any one on here know how to make fodder?

 

[michelleml]

Good morning everyone we have been busy tilling, cleaning flower beds. Looks like everyone has been busy. My shipped eggs hatched yesterday 6 out of 7 not bad. Mrs broody pants has the other six under her they still haven't hatched maybe another day or two. I candle them yesterday they still look goood except one. I have her seperated in a small coop next to main coop. Can she have medicated chick feed or or unmedicated?

Danzsorry all of this is going on and that you doing better today. Sending lots of hugs.

Maiden- how are you today? Hope you are feeling better