Consolidated Kansas

[cherwill]

HEChicken I honestly don't think it was you that said what I was referring to. I believe it was one of the newer people. I didn't go back and scan posts. I just felt a need to explain that I am not feeding food that I need to feed my family to the birds. And honestly if I knew other people who need it it would go to them. I don't want anyone thinking I am superficial....because I don't believe I am.

I don't believe you are superficial; I'm sure no one here does.

There are only two of us humans in my house, and DH is not here about a third of time because he works 24 hour shifts. I try not to buy large amounts of perishable food, but sometimes we still don't get things used quickly enough. We also have the feast or famine thing that happens with the garden -- there's either way too much that needs to be used NOW, or none at all. We give as much extra away as we can, to my parents, DH's parents, the neighbors, anyone at the garden when we're harvesting. I try to be as creative as possible in using up what we take home, but there are times I still have a lot leftover. Like right now, I'm up to my ears in greens. My fridge is full of other produce that needs to be used. I just go out and cut some of the greens every day and give it to the chickens. Maybe when they grow back, I'll be in a position to use them myself. Maybe not; maybe they'll continue to contribute to healthier, nutrient-filled eggs. I have three bins in the kitchen, for vegetable trimmings and whatever produce we can't use in time or give away -- chickens, dogs, and compost.

I also grow some things, like kale, specifically because I know the chickens love it. We eat it, too, but it's something I might or might not grow if I didn't have the chickens.

Now collard greens ... I haven't tried growing those yet. I probably should, because DH and I both love them.

HEchicken, it was me who asked for the recipe. It sounds delicious and refreshing. Thanks!

More rain last night; it's not looking good for being able to work on that extra garden plot.

 

[HEChicken]

Yesterday we had quite a day with the livestock. The goat pen gate somehow came open. I noticed the buckling was out in the pasture with the sheep and the doeling at that time was still in the goat pen. I made a conscious decision not to rush to put them back up and within minutes both goats had walked through the main gate and we in our backyard. They were having such a good time eating stuff they don't have access to normally that I just left them out. The doeling then found a little platform to play on and it was fun watching her running around bucking and jumping on and off the platform. I was going to let them stay out until dusk but a short time later DH came in to say they had discovered the veggie garden and he'd had quite a job getting them out, so I had to go out and get some grain and lure them back to their pen. Unfortunately, their pen is accessed by first going into the pasture where the sheep free-range, so on opening the gate to lead the goats back through, the sheep all galloped out in great excitement. I got the goats put up, and decided the sheep were also having such a great time eating the grass in the backyard that they may as well have their turn out.

Several hours later I heard a ruckus and went to investigate the noise and found the sheep IN the 3-season room. Grrrr. They even pooped in their. Silly animals - you give them a chance to get in some good grazing and they decide to come in the house. Only three were in there when I checked so I decided it was time to put them back in, and lured them in with grain while looking around for the other three. I felt like an idiot when I realized what I'd done. The chicken yard gate was also open since the birds free-range most of the day these days, and the sheep remembered that the chickens get grain and...were in the coop emptying the feeder. So DH had to come and shoo them out of there while I encouraged them to return to their pen/pasture with yet more grain. It was an expensive day for animal feed when all was said and done, and I don't think I'll be letting any of them out again at a time when the chicken yard gate is open and I don't yet have my veggie garden fully fenced.

I thought we had ONE mouse in the house and was quite exultant when I caught it in the Victor trap and fed it to the chickens. We've since discovered....more than one. This afternoon I carried mouse #4 down to be consumed by the birds (who are becoming excellent mousers) and had only been back inside a few minutes when DH told me he has one in his office and a short time after that DD told me she'd seen one in her bedroom. Sigh.

 

[sharol]

Some days are like that. Get one fire under control and another one breaks out. It doesn't help when I've brought most of it on myself. Tomorrow is another day.

Yesterday we had quite a day with the livestock. The goat pen gate somehow came open. I noticed the buckling was out in the pasture with the sheep and the doeling at that time was still in the goat pen. I made a conscious decision not to rush to put them back up and within minutes both goats had walked through the main gate and we in our backyard. They were having such a good time eating stuff they don't have access to normally that I just left them out. The doeling then found a little platform to play on and it was fun watching her running around bucking and jumping on and off the platform. I was going to let them stay out until dusk but a short time later DH came in to say they had discovered the veggie garden and he'd had quite a job getting them out, so I had to go out and get some grain and lure them back to their pen. Unfortunately, their pen is accessed by first going into the pasture where the sheep free-range, so on opening the gate to lead the goats back through, the sheep all galloped out in great excitement. I got the goats put up, and decided the sheep were also having such a great time eating the grass in the backyard that they may as well have their turn out.

Several hours later I heard a ruckus and went to investigate the noise and found the sheep IN the 3-season room. Grrrr. They even pooped in their. Silly animals - you give them a chance to get in some good grazing and they decide to come in the house. Only three were in there when I checked so I decided it was time to put them back in, and lured them in with grain while looking around for the other three. I felt like an idiot when I realized what I'd done. The chicken yard gate was also open since the birds free-range most of the day these days, and the sheep remembered that the chickens get grain and...were in the coop emptying the feeder. So DH had to come and shoo them out of there while I encouraged them to return to their pen/pasture with yet more grain. It was an expensive day for animal feed when all was said and done, and I don't think I'll be letting any of them out again at a time when the chicken yard gate is open and I don't yet have my veggie garden fully fenced.

I thought we had ONE mouse in the house and was quite exultant when I caught it in the Victor trap and fed it to the chickens. We've since discovered....more than one. This afternoon I carried mouse #4 down to be consumed by the birds (who are becoming excellent mousers) and had only been back inside a few minutes when DH told me he has one in his office and a short time after that DD told me she'd seen one in her bedroom. Sigh.

 

[Trish44]

Yesterday we had quite a day with the livestock. The goat pen gate somehow came open. I noticed the buckling was out in the pasture with the sheep and the doeling at that time was still in the goat pen. I made a conscious decision not to rush to put them back up and within minutes both goats had walked through the main gate and we in our backyard. They were having such a good time eating stuff they don't have access to normally that I just left them out. The doeling then found a little platform to play on and it was fun watching her running around bucking and jumping on and off the platform. I was going to let them stay out until dusk but a short time later DH came in to say they had discovered the veggie garden and he'd had quite a job getting them out, so I had to go out and get some grain and lure them back to their pen. Unfortunately, their pen is accessed by first going into the pasture where the sheep free-range, so on opening the gate to lead the goats back through, the sheep all galloped out in great excitement. I got the goats put up, and decided the sheep were also having such a great time eating the grass in the backyard that they may as well have their turn out.

Several hours later I heard a ruckus and went to investigate the noise and found the sheep IN the 3-season room. Grrrr. They even pooped in their. Silly animals - you give them a chance to get in some good grazing and they decide to come in the house. Only three were in there when I checked so I decided it was time to put them back in, and lured them in with grain while looking around for the other three. I felt like an idiot when I realized what I'd done. The chicken yard gate was also open since the birds free-range most of the day these days, and the sheep remembered that the chickens get grain and...were in the coop emptying the feeder. So DH had to come and shoo them out of there while I encouraged them to return to their pen/pasture with yet more grain. It was an expensive day for animal feed when all was said and done, and I don't think I'll be letting any of them out again at a time when the chicken yard gate is open and I don't yet have my veggie garden fully fenced.

I thought we had ONE mouse in the house and was quite exultant when I caught it in the Victor trap and fed it to the chickens. We've since discovered....more than one. This afternoon I carried mouse #4 down to be consumed by the birds (who are becoming excellent mousers) and had only been back inside a few minutes when DH told me he has one in his office and a short time after that DD told me she'd seen one in her bedroom. Sigh.

Oh HEChicken I had to laugh because that sounds so much like my place. I have had quite a time getting these last few pullets integrated into the coop & am now working on getting the two who have been living with the turkeys in there too. The Australorp actually came in there by herself tonight, a first, but the EE just went in with the turkeys again so I had to wade the mud into the pen & pick her up off the roost after dark. I want them all to be used to going into the main coop & I'm getting ready to move the turkeys anyway. It rained here again today a couple of times & I had decided to make the goats just stay in the pen today. They weren't happy campers but they don't like the rain anyway & after Patches misbehaving the last two nights I decided to see how she would like it if she didn't get to come out. Maybe she will remember it, I don't know. I just wasn't in the mood tonight with fighting mud & all to fight goats too. My DH is on his way home, so he could have helped me, but I'm sure he'll be tired from driving & not want to mess with goats either. We still have rain forecast for the next 4 days, this really has to stop or we will all be buying or building boats or rafts & the chickens will have to live in tree houses. I was slipping & sliding in the mud & afraid I was going to fall several times, which isn't a good thing for me. My joints are so stiff from the arthritis that I usually hurt something when I fall.

Well I was out feeding & heard the guineas & there they were, all 9 of them. They were soaking wet, but all fine & hungry so I let them into the hoop coop & they all went without too much fuss & that's unusual. I did see my turkey for a few minutes, but when I went for feed for them she disappeared again & didn't come back out. I was so disappointed because I wanted to lure her to the pen with food & then keep her in there this time. Maybe she will come out again tomorrow since she didn't get to eat any feed. She was also soaking wet from being out in the rain.

 

[zigzag45]

Quick question - I just installed on Saturday my birds drinking system which (for now) uses poultry cups. I have two, which according to Cackle, should be fine for my 7 birds (Cackle says one cup can serve 20 birds). How do I make them start using it? I took their old water bottle out this morning, and I saw two of the girls looking and sniffing the cups. I played with the trigger in them so they are full of water right now. Do I assume they will find it and figure it out? I don't want to risk hurting them. But, I also want them using their new waterer as it makes management much easier for me.

 

[zigzag45]

I wanted to followup and thank those who responded regarding the automatic chicken door. I looked real hard at the one recommended and went with one that looked very similar, but seemed to have a bit better electronics/features. - Adorstore.com. After only having it functional for 48 hours, I'd say that I'm very happy. I'm going to post a review of it under their product page here on BYC after a few weeks of use. But, so far it's great. It was amazing last night not having to go out and shut their access door. This morning, when I looked out all the birds were out in their run and I could do out when I wanted to, to check feed and water.

 

[chicken danz]

zigzag If the other waterers have been removed and you have a little water in the cup they should learn to use them. I don't think I would fill the cup if it has a trigger mechanism cause they need to learn how to use it. If it is just a cup that fills to a certain level then I would let it fill. Let us know how you like them when they get used to them.
My morning began by chewing a guy out. A man from the water department showed up and forced the electric gate open. It could break the mechanism. What the H*** do they think I have that gate for in the first place??? I told him if the mechanism got broken from pushing it open I would file trespassing charges as well as take him to court to replace the gate opener. How dumb can a person be? All he had to do was leave his little test bottle on the gate with instructions ...no different than if someone were not here. All the meters are read electronically so there is no reason for any of these guys to come inside the gate. There's a bright orange sign on the gate that says trying to force the gate open can cause injury or death. It just really ticks me off that people think they can just come and go on other people's property without permission. Had I not been waiting for the metal buyer to show up I probably wouldn't have noticed him out there.
We suddenly have been overrun by mice in the house. I think all the moisture has caused them to come in. I set a trap and had one this morning within 15 minutes. I have company coming next weekend so now I have to clean out cabinets and drawers along with my other cleaning. I'll be a total be-atch all week because I hate cleaning and with all the mud it's going to be twice as bad.
Anyway I hope the rest of this metal gets moved this week. I'd really like to get started building a new place for my turkeys.
The peachicks are getting crowded and I would really like to get them moved to the bigger pen.
I keep my dog food in a large black storage box. I had almost 100 pounds in there and the storm night before last blew the lid open. so yesterday all the birds had dog food to eat. They thoroughly enjoyed it but it was a very expensive feed day. I don't have any dog food left so I guess I am going to have to cook them some until I can get somewhere to get some. I feel like I've been starving my birds anyway cause I haven't put out as much as usual. The rain keeps ruining it and it becomes worthless. I don't like to feed in the buildings because it attracts mice in there. I may have to if this rain continues much longer.

 

[zigzag45]

Danz - as always, thank you!

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Danz I agree this rain is a blessing but for goodness sake give it a rest. I also have not been putting out as much food.
The water guy pushing the gate open like that would have really ticked me off. I know what you mean about people think they can just come onto anyones property. That is how my turkey got killed. Just because you wear a uniform does not mean you have the right..
Here are a few pics of the hatchlings


The 2 in front I am thinking lemon cuckoo and the one in back I am not sure maybe Swedish flower?? It has white wings. It is a very faint silver on the top of its head and down its back


Swedish flower hens???

and of course lavenders. They are all so good looking.

 

[HEChicken]

We still have rain forecast for the next 4 days, this really has to stop or we will all be buying or building boats or rafts & the chickens will have to live in tree houses.

I wanted to followup and thank those who responded regarding the automatic chicken door. I looked real hard at the one recommended and went with one that looked very similar, but seemed to have a bit better electronics/features. - Adorstore.com. After only having it functional for 48 hours, I'd say that I'm very happy. I'm going to post a review of it under their product page here on BYC after a few weeks of use. But, so far it's great. It was amazing last night not having to go out and shut their access door. This morning, when I looked out all the birds were out in their run and I could do out when I wanted to, to check feed and water.

Yup - love my auto door. It IS really nice to not have to rush out first thing in the morning, and to be able to go out at night and know that all the birds will be locked in automatically while we're gone. We even went away for a few days one time. I was able to leave enough food and water for them, and they locked themselves in the coop every night, and the door let them out again next morning. It was great!

My morning began by chewing a guy out. A man from the water department showed up and forced the electric gate open. It could break the mechanism. What the H*** do they think I have that gate for in the first place??? I told him if the mechanism got broken from pushing it open I would file trespassing charges as well as take him to court to replace the gate opener. How dumb can a person be? All he had to do was leave his little test bottle on the gate with instructions ...no different than if someone were not here. All the meters are read electronically so there is no reason for any of these guys to come inside the gate. There's a bright orange sign on the gate that says trying to force the gate open can cause injury or death. It just really ticks me off that people think they can just come and go on other people's property without permission. Had I not been waiting for the metal buyer to show up I probably wouldn't have noticed him out there.

We suddenly have been overrun by mice in the house. I think all the moisture has caused them to come in. I set a trap and had one this morning within 15 minutes. I have company coming next weekend so now I have to clean out cabinets and drawers along with my other cleaning. I'll be a total be-atch all week because I hate cleaning and with all the mud it's going to be twice as bad.

I keep my dog food in a large black storage box. I had almost 100 pounds in there and the storm night before last blew the lid open. so yesterday all the birds had dog food to eat. They thoroughly enjoyed it but it was a very expensive feed day. I don't have any dog food left so I guess I am going to have to cook them some until I can get somewhere to get some. I feel like I've been starving my birds anyway cause I haven't put out as much as usual. The rain keeps ruining it and it becomes worthless. I don't like to feed in the buildings because it attracts mice in there. I may have to if this rain continues much longer.

Oh wow, I would have been mad about that too! We plan to eventually put in an electric gate and it does make me mad to think about someone breaking something that costs so much to buy and install. It does lead the question then about the meter reader. Do you send in your own reading now, or did you give him a code to get in?

We have mice too. At first I thought it was just one - the one that I had inadvertently let loose in here while trying to feed a snake. So when we caught it, I was happy but we've now caught 4 with two more confirmed sightings. I have all the traps set but its slow going. DH discovered this morning that one of those Victor traps isn't working. The door isn't fully going up after a mouse is in, so they can probably get back out again. He said he doesn't really like the design - he understands what they were going for, but thinks they made some errors in design so it doesn't work as well as it should and is also almost impossible to clean. Always the engineer. Hey - isn't there a joke about "building a better mouse trap?"