Consolidated Kansas

[Deerfield Acres]

Hey Trish44,

I don't get the mag either. You can see the other pages at the Aloha site, if you're interested. ashncarson, said they are only using the pen while they are outside with the birds, so it should work fine for that purpose.


DD is having a time with her tonsillectomy. She's 17 so she's no spring chicken, as far as tonsillectomies go.

Anyway, poor kid has asthma so can't take the prescription Ibuprofen. The Lortab has made her itchy all over so now she's reduced to just Tylenol. I called the Drs office and they said try children's Motrin at 100 mg and see how the asthma tolerates it and get prescription numbing popsicles. Who knew they had numbing popsicles on offer? This is our 4th tonsillectomy in our family and only now discovering numbing popsicles. Bummer. It would have been nice to have them from the get go. I've been spritzing her throat with Chloraseptic when she has to take medication. It helps keep it from stinging so badly. Anyway, it appears the low dose ibuprofen is helping immensely, so that's a relief. Poor kid.

It's raining again! My pond is going to be filled for sure by the time this week is up. Glad I was able to pull as many weeds as I did -- would hate to see them all thriving on my organic fertilizer with all this rain. Gourmet-fest for weeds!

 

[sharol]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Grain Gypsy

@sharol , well, I'm not sure what the CSA coop is, but we do Bountiful Baskets, which I am guessing is probably the same idea. I'm with @chicken danz , in that I love fresh produce that is organic, but it is not a must for me. Bountiful Baskets offers completely organic choices, but I opt for getting the less-expensive non-organic offerings. We do a vegetable garden alongside our strawberry bed, but this year's garden is getting a VERY slow start because of the rain. @ashncarson , when it stops raining, I'll get a picture of our strawberry bed for you.

Our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture I think) is near Americus. They are Shepherd's Valley. They are completely organic and provide all sorts of vegetables, eggs, and poultry (sometimes). A share for summer (half share -- enough for a couple) is about $300. They deliver to a central location and then you pick up your box of produce each week. We really loved the quality of the produce, but it overlapped what I was growing myself. I may re-subscribe next year. For now I'm trying to buy locally instead through the farmers' market. We will see how that works out. We loved the variety, but the time of pickup was really inconvenient for us last year.

 

[Trish44]

Hey Trish44,

I don't get the mag either. You can see the other pages at the Aloha site, if you're interested. ashncarson, said they are only using the pen while they are outside with the birds, so it should work fine for that purpose.


DD is having a time with her tonsillectomy. She's 17 so she's no spring chicken, as far as tonsillectomies go.

Anyway, poor kid has asthma so can't take the prescription Ibuprofen. The Lortab has made her itchy all over so now she's reduced to just Tylenol. I called the Drs office and they said try children's Motrin at 100 mg and see how the asthma tolerates it and get prescription numbing popsicles. Who knew they had numbing popsicles on offer? This is our 4th tonsillectomy in our family and only now discovering numbing popsicles. Bummer. It would have been nice to have them from the get go. I've been spritzing her throat with Chloraseptic when she has to take medication. It helps keep it from stinging so badly. Anyway, it appears the low dose ibuprofen is helping immensely, so that's a relief. Poor kid.

It's raining again! My pond is going to be filled for sure by the time this week is up. Glad I was able to pull as many weeds as I did -- would hate to see them all thriving on my organic fertilizer with all this rain. Gourmet-fest for weeds!

I had my tonsils out as an adult so I think it would be much better to do it earlier. I had so many sore throats as a kid but they didn't take tonsils out then like they do now. When I finally had the surgery they asked me why I had waited so long! Hopefully her pain will subside soon.

Yeah we could have had two ponds filled by now as much as it's rained.

 

[ashncarson]

Ashncarson I agree with Deerfield after seeing those latest pics, that looks like a pullet with those neck feathers. That is a rose comb & looks like a Wyandotte. I have several of those in different colors in my laying flock, they're good layers. If that netting is plastic I wouldn't trust it to keep dogs out of that pen unless you're out there watching when the birds are in it.

Thanks for your input on the chick, I will hold on to that one for now.

The pen is just to be used when we are out with them or when the dogs are inside with us! Thanks!

The Aloha chickens made Backyard Poultry -- 3 page spread. Check it out on Aloha Chicken Project Thread, for pics only or pick up a copy of the mag! Cool!

I just got my free first issue copy of the this mag and really loved it! I think I might even pay for more!

 

[Grain Gypsy]

Besides that if you're showing, the hatcheries don't really have true breeds most of the time. They mix them with this or that to make them better layers.

I can't speak for other hatcheries, but My Pet Chicken sells only pure breeds, with the exception of their Easter Eggers (which is a mixed-breed bird by nature). They are NPIP and breed toward the APA standards, while also keeping utility in mind. I am guessing you are right, Trish, that the shipping on the started pullets might be exorbitant. I pay $40 for express shipping when I order my chicks, so I can get them to the warmth of the brooder with access to food and water ASAP. The chicks I have ordered from there leave the hatchery Monday and are waiting for us at the post office Tuesday morning first thing. We have (probably only by God's grace) never lost a chick during shipment. Here is the link to My Pet Chicken that talks about their breeding goals/practices. http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/Are-your-birds-show-quality-H20.aspx

@Deerfield Acres prayers for a speedy recovery for your daughter!

@ashncarson , I forgot to tell you that I LOVE YOUR CHICKEN TRACTOR!!

 

[Deerfield Acres]

Trish44, I had my dumb tonsils out a year ago March. Law that was horrible. Almost 56 years old is no time for tonsil removal. I wish they had taken mine out when I was a kid too. It would have saved me a lot of sickness and pain. You know what I mean. 17 years old is not exactly young but it's no 56 years old either! There's something about the roots of the tonsils that grow deeper into the tissues as you age and that's what causes it to be so painful for adults. One side of Kristine's looks like no big deal but the other side is what is giving her so much pain. It had a lot of infection that had to be cleaned out so it's a much larger area.

By the way, I use woodchips in my garden area and love it. It makes the best walking surface, stable but spongy. Wonderful! Then it breaks down into the best soil. Throw a little organic fertilizer and rock dust in there, just beautiful! Now if the weather would just cooperate I will have some wonderful tomatoes, beans, etc. I'm already enjoying strawberries -- yum! As it is I've pulled the healthiest weeds around!

The birds don't seem to mind the rain until it actually pours down on their little heads. I don't know why they don't just go on inside before they get wet. The ducks I understand standing out there like a bunch of... ducks, but the chickens, I don't get it.

 

[ashncarson]

@ashncarson , I forgot to tell you that I LOVE YOUR CHICKEN TRACTOR!!

I had a long reply typed up and the power went out long enough to turn the computer off

I am excited to use the tractor and am trying to decide if I want to toss momma hen and her babies in it to test it out. They are ready to be out of the brooder, they fly to the ledge each time I open it.

I am looking for some place to get fill dirt next week to build up the chicken run again, with me cleaning it and them digging it is under the fence line almost. I am not sure where to get dirt that is safe for chickens and if its top-soil or what it is....

 

[sharol]

I can't speak for other hatcheries, but My Pet Chicken sells only pure breeds, with the exception of their Easter Eggers (which is a mixed-breed bird by nature). They are NPIP and breed toward the APA standards, while also keeping utility in mind. I am guessing you are right, Trish, that the shipping on the started pullets might be exorbitant. I pay $40 for express shipping when I order my chicks, so I can get them to the warmth of the brooder with access to food and water ASAP. The chicks I have ordered from there leave the hatchery Monday and are waiting for us at the post office Tuesday morning first thing. We have (probably only by God's grace) never lost a chick during shipment. Here is the link to My Pet Chicken that talks about their breeding goals/practices. http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/Are-your-birds-show-quality-H20.aspx

I had good luck with the chicks I got from MPC back 5 years ago. That said, if you want show quality, you have to start with show quality, and MPC doesn't sell show quality birds. The markings aren't as distinct and the body type won't get past the judges, either. The top picture is Vic, my GLW (deceased). The bottom one is a GLW that is marked the way she should be. I loved Vic, and I didn't need a show bird, so it didn't matter that she had a straight comb and much less gold in her feathers.





You can do these comparisons all day, but if you want your birds to do well in competition, you have to start with good bloodlines from a legitimate breeder. Really. MPC sells healthy birds in my experience, they just aren't show quality.

 

[Deerfield Acres]

What beautiful birds, sharol! It is amazing the vast variety of beautiful feathers and colors there are in the chicken world. I have to agree, that if you want to show you really want to get something that won't embarrass you but you need to be prepared to pay the higher price for them. It takes so much to stay on top of a really good bird. You can wreck a line pretty fast by not properly culling.

I guess instead of pulling weeds, I should have been building an Ark! Sheesh. I should take some pics and show those of you who have been here the new creek that has sprung up between the basement and the pool that runs all the way down and through the chicken yard to the pond! I should. But, I won't because I'm really busy sitting on my posterior portion with a nice cup of coffee.

 

[sharol]

What beautiful birds, sharol! It is amazing the vast variety of beautiful feathers and colors there are in the chicken world. I have to agree, that if you want to show you really want to get something that won't embarrass you but you need to be prepared to pay the higher price for them. It takes so much to stay on top of a really good bird. You can wreck a line pretty fast by not properly culling.

I guess instead of pulling weeds, I should have been building an Ark! Sheesh. I should take some pics and show those of you who have been here the new creek that has sprung up between the basement and the pool that runs all the way down and through the chicken yard to the pond! I should. But, I won't because I'm really busy sitting on my posterior portion with a nice cup of coffee.

Thanks. The top one was my Vic. The other picture is from the Feather Site (I borrowed it). Vic was beautiful, but the standard goldens are gorgeous.

Yeah, 40 days and 40 nights are enough (shaking fist at heaven). My yard is a swamp, and we haven't gotten nearly the rain that some of you have. I'm glad we moved the hoop coop to the highest ground we have for the babies and their moms. They will have a place to be dry at least.