Consolidated Kansas

[Grain Gypsy]

@milomac , I cannot believe I didn't think to look around for a hiding spot. The way our coop is set up in the old grain silo, is that you walk into the silo and there is a platform to stand on before you walk down stairs. The platform is hollow underneath, and so is part of the stairs. We did put some chicken wire around the nest boxes to discourage the girls from getting behind them to lay eggs, because we found a hidden nest under the stairs and behind the nest boxes when we mucked the coop out after our first flood this year. We thought our Blue Ameraucana, Cheeky, hadn't started laying yet, but we found a huge, secret nest of her beautiful, turquoise eggs under the stairs when we pulled out the nest boxes. I'm wondering if they've found a way to get back in there again.

@Anderson Lowe , I can be no help to you in determining the sex of chickens, but I am thinking back to a comment you made about the Rhode Island Red who's gender was in question. You mentioned it being mean. When I was ordering chickens from My Pet Chicken, I told the lady on the phone that I would like a Rhode Island Red roo. She asked, "Do you have children?" I said, "Yes." She asked, "Will they be feeding and watering and interacting with the chickens?" I said, "Yes." She said, "Rhode Island Reds make very good, protective Roos, but on the same token they can be very mean." I asked her for a recommendation of a nice and kid-friendly breed, and she gave me a couple options. I chose a PBR, instead. I think it is very interesting how whole chicken breeds have little quirks and differing dispositions, as a whole. Of course, individual chickens can and will be an exception to the generalization rule. The flightiest chicken I have right now is a Buckeye. The thing carries on squawking and running and just making a fuss all the time. Crazy thing.

 

[Grain Gypsy]

@chicken danz , I almost forgot to tell you. The sweet little Barred Plymouth Rock that was holding her head funny has really improved since I last updated on her. She has balance again, appears healthy, and I haven't seen any of that weird head-down-backward-walking thing going on. Thanks for all your suggestions on how to treat her. I somehow think chickens that have these fluke issues have a way of finding me!

 

[thndrdancr]

Hey all,
Need to update, just read thru all my lapsed pages, you all have been chatty!

these are my yearlings from last year, they are a trip and so funny. We have a skylight in our bathroom and when we are in there we get peeping peas! It's disconcerting and they give you no privacy! Lol. I need to sell them before I can't tell the dif between my Petey, he was my first peacock.

Anyhow been busy hatching baby peas. Haven't had a lot of luck, weird freak accidents keep happening! . You all sound like u been getting rain, it is dry here now and keeps going around us, the earth cracked and poor birdies are panting already this morn. Will be lucky if I don't lose some, some my big old senior girls are broody in the coop and it's miserable in there. I had a fan but they kept knocking it over so it bit the dust.

Stay cool everyone!

 

[chicken danz]

Is anyone familiar with Cackle Hatchery in Lebanon MO?

Since I seem to have lots of roosters and minimal hens i am going to have to revamp my counts.

Figured I would use the hatchery since I need a few different breeds.

Additionally the better half wants me to find out everyones input on Roo or not, I say its a Roo just because of how my luck is going





I did also secure an area outside of the City Limits I can use, its going to take lots of prep work before I can even start thinking about fencing. I can access electric out there but for now I will have to shuttle my water around and make a temp. coop as I am not able to put a permanent structure out there (I don't own it so I would have made a permeant one anyways) Planning on adding some meaters with my Roos out there so when I do go to process for meat I can make it worth my while and I can keep the hens and as the wife puts it "the cute ones" here in town.

Thanks everyone
Andy

That looks like a pullet to me. Especially looking at her back end and the shape. I have to discourage you from ordering chicks if you are doing it now. It's too hot to ship them and they will die on the way to you. Plus the postal service will sometimes refuse to ship them in weather. But that is more local hubs. I am sure they will do it for Cackle cause they are used to a year round practice. What breeds are you looking for. You can't get a true meaty from an individual and would have to get them from a hatchery. But most breeds you would be better off getting them from a local breeder.
Cackle hatchery is a good hatchery as far as hatcheries go. But there are others that are cheaper. Most of the hatcheries buy their hatching eggs from all over the U.S., have them shipped in and hatch them there.
Originally Posted by Grain Gypsy
I really believe it was from the heat. It was just too hot that day. I've seen too many birds with that over the years in hot weather.
I sold some birds yesterday but had them ready before the people got here. I did the choosing. Chasing birds in the heat is just awful on them.
@thndrdancr I have hatched peafowl for a few years with excellent success. I've had the worst year ever with hatching success. I am starting to believe it has more to do with the weather extremes this year than anything. The laying period was off and the poults just don't seem as healthy if they do hatch. I know I didn't get totally stupid since last year. I've not been trying to sell any peafowl yet. I technically sold some of last years... when they get picked up. But other than India Blues I may just hang onto some of these for a while to check colors before I sell them. I've hatched several whites but I noticed this morning at least one of those is a black shoulder. Hopefully I'll be getting in my new peafowl pen soon and then I'll have a place to put the other breeders so they are all together. I may use one of my old chicken pens/houses for babies with a little revamping and cleaning later on.
I was up all night coughing non-stop. I propped my pillows up in hopes it would stop but it didn't. I feel like I've been beaten up. I am on the fence about whether to go to the doctor or not. I really don't get along with antibiotics but this has got to stop.
I've got to deliver some pheasant this morning and get some blood work done etc. Then I have to get back home as quick as I can to make sure the birds stay cool enough. DH will be here but he doesn't tend to notice signs of stress in the birds.

 

[Trish44]

Anderson Lowe I have heard awful things about Cackle this year. The TSC stores ordered from them this year & they lost a lot of chicks for some reason. That's the first time I had heard that but I would be cautious. Also, I agree with Danz, I would not get any chicks right now to be shipped in the heat & I have read the same that the postal service won't allow them to be shipped when it's over 85 I believe. I agree on the Buff, it looks like a pullet to me.

thunderdncr that's a pretty bird!

Danz you need to go get some antibiotics so you can get well. I know you hate to take them & I do too but there is a point where you have to give up & do it. You sure don't want to end up in the hospital with pneumonia, that's the last thing you need.

I'm worried about my birds & animals today & tomorrow with this heat. I'm going to have to go out & spray them down to cool them off. I haven't frozen water bottles yet but I'm thinking I better get some in the freezer to get them going because I worry about my rabbits in their cages out there. They have shade but it's still hot even then.

 

[chicken danz]

I was gone most of the afternoon and I'm convinced I need to go see the doctor. I was taking decongestants about every 3 hours cause I would start coughing again and I could feel myself running a fever. I really don't have time to be sick.
I had one chicken down today but DH had been out with the hose trying to give them water. I wouldn't be surprised to loose a few more before the day is over. They are all very stressed right now. This one is back on her feet but can't stand yet. I hope she pulls through. I just put her in the breeding pen a day or two ago. It's always the ones you want to keep for yourself!!!
I sure hope it cools down tomorrow. I haven't seen the forecast. This weather is hard on all of us.

 

[Anderson Lowe]

@chicken danz Thanks for the input on the Pullet. In regards to the other I wasn't planning on shipping but ordering and doing a pickup with a day trip with my boys since they were within 6 hours of me. Please get better soon....I have also been icing the chickens water every few hours to keep it cool, fans and shade as well.

@Trish44 The heat is horrible today...hope everyone keeps the birds cool

 

[sharol]

I was gone most of the afternoon and I'm convinced I need to go see the doctor. I was taking decongestants about every 3 hours cause I would start coughing again and I could feel myself running a fever. I really don't have time to be sick.
I had one chicken down today but DH had been out with the hose trying to give them water. I wouldn't be surprised to loose a few more before the day is over. They are all very stressed right now. This one is back on her feet but can't stand yet. I hope she pulls through. I just put her in the breeding pen a day or two ago. It's always the ones you want to keep for yourself!!!
I sure hope it cools down tomorrow. I haven't seen the forecast. This weather is hard on all of us.

It is hideous out there. between the 110% humidity and the 95 degrees, it is miserable for everyone. Bronchitis is nasty. When I start coughing with that, it kicks in my asthma, and just gets worse.` I hope your chickens come out of the heat without too many problems.

 

[chicken danz]

Yeah Sharol I have asthma as well. I tried using my inhaler during the night in hopes it would lesson some of the coughing but it didn't seem to help. DH had some cough drops which I never use, but I tried one of those and it tasted great but didn't help either. As it gets later in the evening I am coughing more. I have a feeling tonight is going to be another lousy night.
IF it is I'm going to break down and call the doctor.
I just went out and rewatered some birds. I guess I'll try feeding them early tomorrow. I don't like feeding chickens when it's hot cause it raises their core temperature.

 

[chicken danz]

The weather last night said the heat index was 119 yesterday. I can believe it. Not one of those days I care to repeat often. I was hoping it would cool down substantially but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. Plus it's sprinkling this morning here so that means the humidity is going to be extra high.
I'm just not at all happy these days. Between being sick and insane heat things sure aren't getting done around here. I was hoping at least the heat would dry up the puddles and mud but it's got to quit precipitating first.