Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

Here is a brief list of what I have to sell ASAP
.Lemon cuckoo orpingtons. Adult and chicks.
Red star hens. Some 18 months old and still laying every day and some that are just about 8 months old.
Swedish flower hens. 6 hens 5 roosters. A few babies and partially grown ones.
Many Marans. Blue copper and a few black copper.
White rocks that are about 8 months old. Also a couple top quality New Hampshire roosters that I raised to breed with the white rocks for producing my own red stars.
Avery nice black LF cochin and several hens. I don't have a count yet.
Some mixed hens of various ages. All good layers and many of them tend to be broody.
2 pair and one trio of red golden pheasant. They are all molting right now getting ready to put on fall colors so they don't look real pretty.
One trio of Lady Amhurst pheasants.
One trio of Blue slate turkeys. Still laying right now. Have hatched several babies.
A pair of 2013 Mandarin ducklings. Plus one single male. I have a few other pairs of last years Mandarins but they are in molt. All of them laid this year.
Tons and tons of ducks. Baby to full grown size. Mostly Cayuga and Pekin. Some breeders. A few Ancona. I want to keep what few ancona breeders I have.
Adult and baby guinea fowl.
I also have some of this years peafowl chicks for sale. They are all young and new hatches.
Forgot a few. I also have some sussex and some Sabastopol geese to sell. I have some male Sabastopols that are proven breeders as well as some of this years babies. I haven't been able to sex the babies . They are full grown size but this springs hatches.
On a brighter note one of my Mandarins just hatched 6 more babies two days ago.
I also have gobs of chicks for sale. Some are from Frank Reese's eggs and appear to be cornish game birds. I was just raising them for meat or layers but need to move them.

 

[Trish44]

The whole pasture has been fenced since you were here so it is a little different now. We've been talking about the pros and cons of another LGD all morning. Here's where we're at:

Pros:

• can live in the pasture with the sheep and keep them safe. Con: need two since it seems mean to have one live alone except for the company of the sheep. Comments?

Cons:

• another "dependent" that needs to be fed daily (the last one we had ate as much as our two smaller dogs put together. If we got two, they would add significantly to the feed bill and therefore add significantly to the cost of raising sheep.
• Dogs need to be fed twice daily (unlike a donkey that at least part of the year would feed itself) adding to the time and difficulty traveling (i.e., one more thing for a pet sitter to do)
• Dogs need things like flea/tick/heartworm meds/shots, again adding to the expense

Pros of a donkey:

• Can live in the pasture and eat same food as sheep at least part of the year

Cons of a donkey:

• Needs feet trimmed regularly
• Needs fed over winter, adding to expense.
• Getting it here (transport)
• Another thing for a pet sitter to have to care for and/or us to care for during the months that are the most uncomfortable to be outside

On the other hand, the other option is mechanical.
Cons:

• Have to wait around to see it to get in a shot

Pros:

• Doesn't require regular feeding
• Once its done its job, the problem is gone

Hmmm...I just talked myself into hoping that last one works

I have to think that the dogs would be better in the long run than the donkey. You have to buy expensive hay in the winter for it to feed it & grain. I know people who have them & they don't do as good of a job with predators as some think. I know one in particular that has lost all of her ducks & most of her chickens due to coyotes & she has a donkey. Shooting the coyote is all right if you want to sit out there every night & watch for them, but the one night you don't is when they'll come again. There is not just one, they run in packs. You have to have someone feed your chickens, ducks, & sheep anyway when you leave so you might as well have an LGD or two to watch over things. It's not any more trouble to feed them than to feed the other stock. They can stay out in the winter & not mind it at all, most of the breeds are bred to be out in all weather. You do have to give them shade & I give mine a baby pool to wade in when they're hot. They do seek the shady places when it's the heat of the day, but they still listen & bark when they hear anything even then. I know for a fact I would have much worse problems here with losing my birds if I didn't have the two I have. Yes, they have had a few issues over time, but they are older now & better at their jobs. I personally don't think for as big of dogs as they are that my GPs eat a lot of food. We buy a 50# bag of food about once a month for the two of them & once they get grown they only eat once a day. I chose the GPs over other LGD breeds because they aren't people aggressive like some of the other breeds. I didn't want a people aggressive dog here when I have a young granddaughter who comes here to visit. They are cautious about people they don't know & I want them to be, but they stay back & bark instead of coming near the people. I think if I truly was in danger from someone they would defend me, but only in that kind of circumstance.

 

[chicken danz]

The problem here is that Hechicken needs a protector now. She would almost have to get a LGD that is working to do her any good right away. In my world nothing is more valuable for me than the GPs. I was thinking more on the short turn around of things.

 

[Trish44]

Well HEChicken if you want a donkey watch Craigslist because I have even seen free ones. Of course you're going to have to have some way to transport it.

 

[cherwill]

70 posts behind! I try to read carefully, but end up skimming when I'm this far behind. I'm sorry if I missed anything important; I don't mean to leave anyone out. I'm sorry to hear people are still losing birds (and a sheep!) to heat and predators. I guess it never really ends, does it?

I haven't been on in a while and need to catch up on post 427 pages behind. I've been very busy and stressed out

. DH last day in active duty is tomorrow he will be medically retired which is good but they told us that it could take 90-120 days before he gets retirement pay which has stressed us both out. So started a night job and walmart but he can't keep doing it it's just taken too much out of him. I've started looking for work but with daycare cost i think my whole paycheck will go to daycare price i got for 2 kids was 1000 a month. He finished his chemo and radiation last friday but will have to start chemo up again next month. He is doing so good this time around very tired and has been in pain so im taking him back in today to see whats going on. I sorry that im writing this here i just don't have family close and my friend here in Kansas is 2 hrs away which they have helped us so much already. I just needed to vent. Please keep us in your prayers
Thank you.

I almost for got i have a 12 wk pullet that has sour crop any one have any cures for me?

You're not the first person I've heard of who found it almost costs money to have a job if your kids are young. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your DH. Please don't feel bad about venting here. I like that we all share more than just chicken talk. We can be here for someone having a rough time, and they will be here for us when we're the ones having a rough time.

No, it isn't dead.



I woke up at 3 a.m. this morning and checked on the chicks. I about had a heart attack. I opened the window in the incubator and the squeak of the styro woke her up and she jumped up and started running around. This morning, she was sleeping on her back again and I took the picture before she woke up. This can't be a good sign, is it? Though in all other ways, this chick is quite active.

I have to admit it was really cute, and she looked really comfortable.

Those babies are darling! I would have panicked too, if I'd come in and seen one on its back like that!

Michael Jordan is growing up! We love this little guy. So far, he's really nice & friendly but he's just 3 months old.

He's really pretty.

Hey I need a favor...,
My wonderful GF finally joined, but she said she was going to stay off of this thread because this is my place??
So could everyone say Hi and welcome Babsaroo to the thread.
Someone tell her I love her, she is my world and I want her to share in "my" fun.

Babsaroo, I see you're posting now. Good! He wouldn't have encouraged you to join in the fun if he didn't want you here. Welcome! I looked up Dorkings -- they're gorgeous.

I'm back to having internet. AT&T u-verse is working awesome right now, it is running close to 6 mbps downstream so I'm happy as a clam. I'll be catching up on posts and emails this weekend!!

I'm glad it worked out so well, despite the initial problems. I love how they always assume your time is worth nothing but theirs is valuable.

The other day I asked DS to clean out our mud room. Later he told his sister he had been "brooming" (i.e. sweeping with a broom). It made me wonder why we do that in this weird language of ours that makes no sense. I mean, why do we sweep with a broom instead of brooming with a broom or sweeping with a sweep?

My head just came dangerously close to exploding ...

I have an emergency going on and have to get rid of almost all of my birds. Anyone want to buy breeders or chicks from what I have please notify me. I need to move them fast!!!

I'm so sorry to hear that.

I wish I had room for more birds. I hope things get better for you quickly.

I've been enjoying the weather very much. I have NOT been enjoying the fireworks. They've been going on since Friday night, although it isn't legal to shoot them off until today. My poor Gypsy; I hate having to drug her and it seems like I have to do it more days every year.

Has anyone seen watermelon radishes before? I never have, but my SIL wanted me to plant some because she'd had them in Hawaii and loved them. The first batch was all top and no radish. This second batch looks like it's going to be good. They're much bigger than regular radishes, and it's supposed to be green and red like watermelon. I'll take a picture.

Remember Old Sophia, my "fat" girl whose hind end is bald except for just after molting? Now both sides of her neck have lost most of the feathers. I'm going to have to keep an eye out and see if someone's picking on her or if she's just losing feathers. There are no injury marks, no blood or scratches, just bare skin.

 

[HEChicken]

Danz, I am so sorry to hear about your need to downsize so suddenly. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help. Unfortunately I am maxed out on birds right now and really have more than I have space for, so I don't think I can take any more.

Trish, I did a lot of reading on donkeys this afternoon and I'm not surprised your friend's wasn't effective if she was expecting it to guard poultry as they are not built for that. In fact, what I was reading said they aren't officially livestock guardians at all - it is more accidental than anything. They happen to hate dogs, coyotes and foxes, so will run them off, but they are not doing it to protect the herd they are running with. And, they are really only effective as guardians to goats and sheep because you put them out with those animals and they become a part of their herd and stick close to them. Then, when they see, hear or smell a canine type of animal, they charge, stomp or what have you, to get it to go away. But they wouldn't bond with a flock of poultry as they would a flock of sheep, and therefore wouldn't hang close to them and therefore wouldn't be effective at guarding them.

In the meantime, DH and I walked the fence line this evening and think we found where they were getting in. Actually there were two possibilities and one makes me kind of mad. When the fencing people put in the fence, they put in stretches at each end, and the fence was supposed to butt up to our lagoon fence. However the stretch they put in there is about 10" from the lagoon fence. I asked my dog - who is approximately coyote sized - to walk through there and she did so with ease, so a coyote could have just walked in there. I kind of feel like the fencing people are liable if that's where they got in. The other possibility is an area where water runs off in years we're not in drought and our pond overflows. The fence stretches over it, but doesn't touch the ground in the dip and an animal could have got down and crawled under it. I was able to block that area, and we put up a 10" board across the other opening so I'm really hoping that takes care of the problem.

 

[JosieChick]

Oh no!! That is just awful, poor thing. I hate coyotes.

Grrr. Coyotes got one of my sheep last night. All that is left this morning is the hide and 3 legs. I'm *so* upset and can't believe they went after a sheep instead of my birds who were right next to the sheep pen.

How tall is your fence? I have seen them pop right over some pretty tall fences. You might consider a string of hotwire along the very bottom and along the top? The galvanized wire packs a pretty darn good bite (I know from experience! ouch!) Be careful with your pups, I know people that have lost medium sized 50-60 pound dogs to a pack of coyotes. A friend of mine has a neighbor that watched a "lone" coyote lure his beagle mix out into the back of a field and it disappeared and when they went looking for it a pack of coyotes had killed and eaten it. Awful.

The way we have it set up now is we were able to open the gate of their temporary pen and give them access to a 7-acre pasture. The coyotes would have had to climb up and over the fence to get in, which my neighbor, who was with me when I found it, thought impossible. But I saw the fox do it last year so I know its possible. And clearly they did - either that or they're still out there, unable to leave. The grass is so long they would be hard to spot, which does make me worry, but yes, I do plan to be waiting for them this evening. I figure it was probably adults with multiple young at foot to clean the carcass as well as they did. I am still reeling - I didn't see THIS coming. I'm always concerned about losing birds - I didn't expect to lose sheep.

So now we're exploring our options. With the property fenced, we could keep in a livestock guardian in a way that we couldn't before. We have also talked about donkeys and llamas.

My dogs have done an awesome job to date of keeping my birds safe. But, in fencing off the area for the sheep, we also fenced it such that it is now more difficult for the dogs to get back to the pasture. Also, they are small, 40-lb'ish dogs who might be vulnerable themselves if set upon by a whole pack of coyotes. One of my dogs loves to chase solo coyotes but I've seen some that are bigger than her, so if they turned on her, I really worry about her safety.

Oh dear, I hope you are ok! I am so sorry to hear this.

I have an emergency going on and have to get rid of almost all of my birds. Anyone want to buy breeders or chicks from what I have please notify me. I need to move them fast!!!

She might have mites? There are some species of mites that isolate up around the neck feathers or in the ears of chickens that cause them to scratch like that. I had a silkie once that scratched half his neck feathers out on both sides of his neck before I realized what it was and treated him. I sprayed him with frontline spray all along his neck and that helped a lot.

Remember Old Sophia, my "fat" girl whose hind end is bald except for just after molting? Now both sides of her neck have lost most of the feathers. I'm going to have to keep an eye out and see if someone's picking on her or if she's just losing feathers. There are no injury marks, no blood or scratches, just bare skin.

Glad you got the holes all patched up. Good luck on your stake out!

In the meantime, DH and I walked the fence line this evening and think we found where they were getting in. Actually there were two possibilities and one makes me kind of mad. When the fencing people put in the fence, they put in stretches at each end, and the fence was supposed to butt up to our lagoon fence. However the stretch they put in there is about 10" from the lagoon fence. I asked my dog - who is approximately coyote sized - to walk through there and she did so with ease, so a coyote could have just walked in there. I kind of feel like the fencing people are liable if that's where they got in. The other possibility is an area where water runs off in years we're not in drought and our pond overflows. The fence stretches over it, but doesn't touch the ground in the dip and an animal could have got down and crawled under it. I was able to block that area, and we put up a 10" board across the other opening so I'm really hoping that takes care of the problem.

Does anyone who lives in and around Wichita either have a good pediatrician or family physician that they can recommend for our darling little girl? I have been to two already and am getting sick of being treated like an idiot. I would like someone who is a team member in her care not a dictator and I am tired of getting told how I am going to care for my baby's medical needs. I would like to have an honest, open discussion with her doctor and feel like my new mommy questions aren't stupid. If anyone has someone they really like or thinks might fit the bill send me a pm if you have a minute! Thanks so much!!!

 

[cleansquared]

I am new to chickens and new to byc i currently live in wichita ks with my five new chicks but we close in a couple months on a place with a little more room for the girls and i to range in moline ks here we go city girl from tampa florida living in the country land of oz i know im going to need alot of help and guidence so im glad i found this site...

 

[chicken danz]

Welcome Cleansquared. Ask away with any questions you have and feel free to join in the conversations. We have a great group and many of us are friends outside of this group. Lots of people live down your way...wish I did. Tell us more.
Hechicken you know more about donkeys than I do. I wasn't sure how they worked I just know several people with goats and sheep that have them for that purpose. It just makes me sick that the predators can kill and eat a domestic animal when there are so many wild things out there to eat. Easy prey I guess.
I would be contacting the fence company and raising heck. What good would they think a fence would do with a 10" gap??/ That is just nuts.
If you are still considering a protector and you feel the sheep are now safe it would be a nice time to consider a LGD just the same. Isn't it funny how you spend money to make one thing work and then have to spend more money to fix that thing? That's my life.
I did a quick count on chicks as I took them out of the incubator this morning. I had 87 birds hatch yesterday and still have a couple more pipped eggs. Plus a couple more peachicks. I am out of feed and chick starter too so I need to remedy that as soon as I can. I thought I had around 80 eggs in there but I guess I had a few more than that. Time to sell even more birds I guess.
Josie maybe you could contact Deerfield or Hawkeye? I'll bet they would both know someone good. I never had good luck with pediatricians. I felt the same way. Even after having several kids they treated me like an idiot and all seemed to have a know it all complex. I ended up switching from my pediatricians to a GP. I liked their down to earth advice and manner a lot better. It was just a better fit for me. Of course you could always ask all us old arm chair doctors here questions and probably get about 15 different answers to choose from.
I am still reeling today. I spent the entire day yesterday crying and feeling broken. My situation unfortunately isn't something that I can fix or change. I am having a pity party. I feel like everything I spent my life working for has been taken away.
I plan to keep some of my most expensive birds and hope I can actually end up making up some of the thousands and thousands I've spent on all these birds I am giving up. It seems so darned unfair. I don't like airing my personal life in public but this situation isn't something I can fix or change. It's going to have a very long lasting effect. I just have to prioritize what means the most to me. In this case keeping my house is top priority!!! I really had planned to sell a lot of my offspring in the fall sale at Gardner for some great profit but I have to move them now. Best laid plans. I love my birds and it is really hard deciding what to sell and what not to.

 

[22qZoo]

CLEANSQUARED-welcome to the Kansas thread ,nice folks in here.
DANZ - I feel for you,hope things get better soon.
About that getting something to help something else.... My sister calls it the" swallowed a fly farm". Get the horses and then the dogs and then chickens to eat bugs and then a goose to hang out with chickens and then the goose needs a friend and so on ..... "I don't know why she swallowed the fly"......