Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

I went to Orschelyn's today & bought one of the 5 gallon heated buckets they have on sale for my goats. I have been having trouble keeping up with their water freezing so I saw these on sale & thought I had better get one before the cold comes back in full force. We're supposed to have a little break for a few days at least. They're really heavy duty buckets & have the cord storage in the bottom so you can really use it year round it you want to. I have the big rubber 30 gallon pan I use for them in warm weather & that works fine, but it's too big for winter use. I also had to fix some places on the livestock panel right next to the goat's hay feeder where they had pushed out the chicken wire I had over it since they were little & have been getting their heads stuck in there. I found Patches laying down this morning with her head stuck through the fence, I guess she still didn't learn her lesson. The bad thing about goats is when you try to get their head out they push against you & it's a pushing contest to get their head back through with horns involved as well, not fun. I found some pieces of hardware cloth I had left over, I never throw away even small scraps of that, it seems like it always comes in handy somewhere. I used cable ties & put them over the spots they had been putting their heads through, so hopefully they can't get them through in those places any more. It seems like it's always something. The only reason I can even figure out they were putting their head through there was there was a small amount of hay that had fallen through from their feeder over there, but they still had plenty in the feeder, go figure.

I was so glad today to not have to deal with frozen water pans, that was a plus.

 

[HEChicken]

Trish, I did the same for my goats and sheep except I only got the 2-gallon instead of the 5-gallon. I figure even if I have to refill it every day, that’s no big deal because I’m out there every day anyway and the well spigot is right next to the electric outlet I have to plug it into so I can leave it plugged in while I fill it. So far, even with 8 of them drinking from it, they’ve never drunk more than about half the bucket in a day.

There must have been some kind of warm front that came through overnight. It was 29 outside when I went to bed but it was up to 37 by the time I woke up! In anticipation of the warmer night/morning, I filled up not just the chickens’ heated water bowl, but their rubber bowl last night so they would have water first thing, and with that temperature, it means I won’t have to break ice this morning – yay!!! Even Mama Hen and chick will have water.

My Silkie indicated yesterday that she “made a huge mistake”. Apparently she didn’t realize it was December and had a sudden epiphany that it is the wrong time of year to raise chicks. When I went to check her feed/water in the 3-season room, all she was interested in doing was busting out of there, so I carried her down to the chicken yard and for the rest of the day she was out and about. I can’t say I’m disappointed not to hatch this time of year, especially since the Aloha eggs weren’t fertile and I was hatching a couple of mutts for her to raise. That leaves me with a dilemma though, since I set 3 mutt eggs on Tuesday evening. I hate to just turn the incubator off but I certainly don’t want to raise them myself and if the Silkie really isn’t going to brood…..I think I’ll give her through the day today and see how she’s doing. If she’s still unbroody, I’ll turn off the incubator and call it good.

 

[chicken danz]

It's right at freezing here but the forecast is awful. We are supposed to get freezing rain and snow then more freezing rain and snow tonight. Tomorrow is supposed to be bitterly cold again. I wish when they gave our forecast they'd give the Wichita area forecast as well so I could see what is going on for the rest of you. It's drizzling here right now. If I were smart I'd run out and let all the birds out before it gets colder out.
Yesterday was a nice break from the cold. I just wish it would have lasted a few days. I think it is supposed to get back above freezing on Sunday though.
HeChicken I would have trouble culling those eggs if that were me. However I have trashed a few that were maybe 5 days in that some broody hens were sitting on. If I don't look then it's easier for me to deal with.
Trish I know exactly what you mean about the goats. The dumb things can get their head through the tiniest places then fight to the finish when you try to get their heads out. For as smart as they are they are sure dumb when it comes to their heads. I always thought if I had a big goat operation I would poll my goats.
I have a couple of those heated buckets. One 2 gallon and one 5 gallon. Sure are a lot heavier than the heated bowls.
I spent the late afternoon trying to fluff up my new Christmas tree, then started decorating. I ordered a slim tree so it wouldn't take up so much space and it does present decorating challenges. It just kind of changes the perspective of every thing. If I weren't so darned picky it would help!
I got a small tree but also have a couple of really huge boxes for certain gifts. I need to figure out where on earth those boxes are going to go. I also have to get my sons to bring their SUVs some how rather than their normal cars so they'll be able to take their big gifts home. It's never simple for sure. I know they won't have a clue what they are getting but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag either. They are both super sleuths when it comes to tracking my activities on line. They were like that when they were kids too. Somehow they always figured out what they were getting and that was even before internet shopping started for me.
My birds are really on strike. Hardly an egg on the place these days and what I get have often been frozen. I think I'm ready for the winter solstice so the days will start getting longer. The girls have had a long enough break!!!

 

[Ralph Moyer]

If grass is greener on the other side of the fence, than the hay must be sweeter on the other side of the fence.LOL

 

[HEChicken]

What a big difference in the weather between here and there Danz! It turns out it rained here overnight , about ½” which meant the laundry I had hung out on the line yesterday afternoon got an extra rinse. But today it is breezy and the clothes already dried enough to bring them in. Our forecast high was 42 but it has already reached 47.

My doorbell rang this morning and it was my neighbor from the other side of the hedge, whom I’ve only met once before. She showed me a picture on her phone and asked “is this yours?” Well it is. It is one of my muscovies who apparently went for a fly this morning and cleared the hedge, landed and is now lost. Grrr. They are not friendly enough that I can just walk up and pick them up so I told the lady I’d hope she takes to the air again and finds her way back home. Just now I couldn’t stand it any more though so I walked over there to find her at their pond along with about 300 geese. The geese all took off when I approached but the duck stayed put, letting me get within 3’ of her before she also took to the air and landed in the middle of their pond. I have a feeling I’ll never see her again because she is a sitting duck out there. Pun intended. My only hope at this point is that she does get high enough in the air to spot familiar territory.

 

[Trish44]

It's right at freezing here but the forecast is awful. We are supposed to get freezing rain and snow then more freezing rain and snow tonight. Tomorrow is supposed to be bitterly cold again. I wish when they gave our forecast they'd give the Wichita area forecast as well so I could see what is going on for the rest of you. It's drizzling here right now. If I were smart I'd run out and let all the birds out before it gets colder out.
Yesterday was a nice break from the cold. I just wish it would have lasted a few days. I think it is supposed to get back above freezing on Sunday though.
HeChicken I would have trouble culling those eggs if that were me. However I have trashed a few that were maybe 5 days in that some broody hens were sitting on. If I don't look then it's easier for me to deal with.
Trish I know exactly what you mean about the goats. The dumb things can get their head through the tiniest places then fight to the finish when you try to get their heads out. For as smart as they are they are sure dumb when it comes to their heads. I always thought if I had a big goat operation I would poll my goats.
I have a couple of those heated buckets. One 2 gallon and one 5 gallon. Sure are a lot heavier than the heated bowls.
I spent the late afternoon trying to fluff up my new Christmas tree, then started decorating. I ordered a slim tree so it wouldn't take up so much space and it does present decorating challenges. It just kind of changes the perspective of every thing. If I weren't so darned picky it would help!
I got a small tree but also have a couple of really huge boxes for certain gifts. I need to figure out where on earth those boxes are going to go. I also have to get my sons to bring their SUVs some how rather than their normal cars so they'll be able to take their big gifts home. It's never simple for sure. I know they won't have a clue what they are getting but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag either. They are both super sleuths when it comes to tracking my activities on line. They were like that when they were kids too. Somehow they always figured out what they were getting and that was even before internet shopping started for me.
My birds are really on strike. Hardly an egg on the place these days and what I get have often been frozen. I think I'm ready for the winter solstice so the days will start getting longer. The girls have had a long enough break!!!

Danz, if you go to this website you can put in what city or cities you want the forecast for, I use it daily & it keeps your location: http://classic.wunderground.com. It's 43 here right now, the high for the day today, but it's windy & the wind is cold out there. It's supposed to only be 36 here tomorrow & then warm up for several days into the 50s, I sure can handle that. Maybe I can get a few things done outside I've been needing to do but it's been too cold.

The goats are dumb about some things that's for sure like getting their heads stuck. I didn't want to try to dehorn these two because sometimes if you don't get it done right the first time they will grow back & they grow in funny then. That happened to my friend who tried to dehorn her doe. She had one horn that looked stunted when it grew back in, so it just looked funny from then on out. They pushed past me when I was putting their new water bucket in the pen this morning, so now they're out running around & getting on the roof. Yeah they get on the old garage roof on the end of the house. I tried to put up a short fence to keep them off of there, but they pushed it over. It makes my DH mad for them to trot around on the roof & it makes me nervous because they get goofy & run back & forth up there. At the backyard it's only 2 ft off the ground at the edge but in the front it's like 12 ft. at the peak. I have seen them run & make a flying leap over the honeysuckle vine that grows on the end of the house, they're just crazy.

What a big difference in the weather between here and there Danz! It turns out it rained here overnight , about ½” which meant the laundry I had hung out on the line yesterday afternoon got an extra rinse. But today it is breezy and the clothes already dried enough to bring them in. Our forecast high was 42 but it has already reached 47.

My doorbell rang this morning and it was my neighbor from the other side of the hedge, whom I’ve only met once before. She showed me a picture on her phone and asked “is this yours?” Well it is. It is one of my muscovies who apparently went for a fly this morning and cleared the hedge, landed and is now lost. Grrr. They are not friendly enough that I can just walk up and pick them up so I told the lady I’d hope she takes to the air again and finds her way back home. Just now I couldn’t stand it any more though so I walked over there to find her at their pond along with about 300 geese. The geese all took off when I approached but the duck stayed put, letting me get within 3’ of her before she also took to the air and landed in the middle of their pond. I have a feeling I’ll never see her again because she is a sitting duck out there. Pun intended. My only hope at this point is that she does get high enough in the air to spot familiar territory.

I wasn't aware of any rain we got last night, so it just must have been up your way. I hope your duck comes back before something happens to her.

 

[ashncarson]

http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/13/news/economy/light-bulb-ban/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

I just read this article..when this happens and we can't buy the old bulbs anymore, will we be able to get the heat we need in the cookie tin warmers to keep water melted?

 

[chicken danz]

http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/13/news/economy/light-bulb-ban/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

I just read this article..when this happens and we can't buy the old bulbs anymore, will we be able to get the heat we need in the cookie tin warmers to keep water melted?

Ash, there is a loophole in that law. They can still make rough service bulbs just like they do with 100 wt bulbs now. Here's the rub though: Many rough service bulbs have a teflon coating on them. That coating can be toxic to birds. In Cookie tin heaters it should be okay though since it would be contained in the tin.

Danz, if you go to this website you can put in what city or cities you want the forecast for, I use it daily & it keeps your location: http://classic.wunderground.com. It's 43 here right now, the high for the day today, but it's windy & the wind is cold out there. It's supposed to only be 36 here tomorrow & then warm up for several days into the 50s, I sure can handle that. Maybe I can get a few things done outside I've been needing to do but it's been too cold.
We're supposed to have rain and snow mixed by 4:00 PM, snow during the night then a high of only 28 tomorrow. I feel cheated!! I imagine Sharol is getting about the same forecast.
The goats are dumb about some things that's for sure like getting their heads stuck. I didn't want to try to dehorn these two because sometimes if you don't get it done right the first time they will grow back & they grow in funny then. That happened to my friend who tried to dehorn her doe. She had one horn that looked stunted when it grew back in, so it just looked funny from then on out. They pushed past me when I was putting their new water bucket in the pen this morning, so now they're out running around & getting on the roof. Yeah they get on the old garage roof on the end of the house. I tried to put up a short fence to keep them off of there, but they pushed it over. It makes my DH mad for them to trot around on the roof & it makes me nervous because they get goofy & run back & forth up there. At the backyard it's only 2 ft off the ground at the edge but in the front it's like 12 ft. at the peak. I have seen them run & make a flying leap over the honeysuckle vine that grows on the end of the house, they're just crazy.
I think I remember from my goat days that you have to dehorn them withing three days or something similar for it to work right. You have to catch it when they first have their little buds for horns. It's been too long but I know it was when they were tiny. I wasn't aware of any rain we got last night, so it just must have been up your way. I hope your duck comes back before something happens to her.

I'm not feeling good. I came down with some severe congestion and sneezing and now am running a little fever. I suspect that I caught a bug while out the other day. All those ^&*#^* people I saw that were coughing and blowing. Why the heck don't they stay home when they are sick!? DH has some stuff going on too but he's not running a fever. I need to get out and get the birds taken care of but I really just want to go to bed. The weather isn't helping either.
I'm also irritated. The guy that was supposed to come get the turkeys today is suddenly working. He left me a voicemail but his reception was awful so I couldn't hear what all he said. I really need the pen space so now I've got to make some different plans. I have no idea what I will do instead.

 

[cherwill]

What a big difference in the weather between here and there Danz! It turns out it rained here overnight , about ½” which meant the laundry I had hung out on the line yesterday afternoon got an extra rinse. But today it is breezy and the clothes already dried enough to bring them in. Our forecast high was 42 but it has already reached 47.

My doorbell rang this morning and it was my neighbor from the other side of the hedge, whom I’ve only met once before. She showed me a picture on her phone and asked “is this yours?” Well it is. It is one of my muscovies who apparently went for a fly this morning and cleared the hedge, landed and is now lost. Grrr. They are not friendly enough that I can just walk up and pick them up so I told the lady I’d hope she takes to the air again and finds her way back home. Just now I couldn’t stand it any more though so I walked over there to find her at their pond along with about 300 geese. The geese all took off when I approached but the duck stayed put, letting me get within 3’ of her before she also took to the air and landed in the middle of their pond. I have a feeling I’ll never see her again because she is a sitting duck out there. Pun intended. My only hope at this point is that she does get high enough in the air to spot familiar territory.

That's nice that neighbor noticed the "odd duck" and came to you. I hope she finds her way home.

Ash, there is a loophole in that law. They can still make rough service bulbs just like they do with 100 wt bulbs now. Here's the rub though: Many rough service bulbs have a teflon coating on them. That coating can be toxic to birds. In Cookie tin heaters it should be okay though since it would be contained in the tin.
I'm not feeling good. I came down with some severe congestion and sneezing and now am running a little fever. I suspect that I caught a bug while out the other day. All those ^&*#^* people I saw that were coughing and blowing. Why the heck don't they stay home when they are sick!? DH has some stuff going on too but he's not running a fever. I need to get out and get the birds taken care of but I really just want to go to bed. The weather isn't helping either.
I'm also irritated. The guy that was supposed to come get the turkeys today is suddenly working. He left me a voicemail but his reception was awful so I couldn't hear what all he said. I really need the pen space so now I've got to make some different plans. I have no idea what I will do instead.

I hope you don't have my cold. It was miserable, but I guess I should be glad I got over the worst of it fairly quickly.

We have DH's shift party tonight. The guys wanted to go to The Scheme pizza place in Salina. Can you guess how thrilled I am? You know how I love to socialize ...

 

[chicken danz]

LOL cherwill. Just like I do.
I've got somebody's cold or something. I feel awful. Feeding and watering wasn't even pleasant today. So wet and cool.
My only 2103 white peachick I have left is not feeling good. I brought it in the house but it's unsteady on it's feet. The light had gotten unplugged and I would think it got chilled but it hasn't been that cold. (S)he doesn't seem interested in eating or drinking. I don't see anything particular wrong with it or I'd give it an antibiotic. This has just been the worst year for my birds.
I was ready to go to bed but realized I am still doing laundry and washed bedding today!