Consolidated Kansas

[rittert3]

I'm guessing the "shivering" is actually their heart it kind of feels like they are shivering when really little, but they have a really high heart rate so nothing to worry over. If they get cold they will let out loud single peeps or chirps a second or 2 apart and kind of look around or look at thier brooder. If they are playing they are fine. Also they might snuggle you to keep warm when you have them out which is fine just listen for that cheep that says "I'm cold put me back". I've never had full grown chickens but I've started alot of small bunches of chicks over the years and they are alot of fun to try to tame down. By 3 or 4 weeks you can tell which ones you've handled more. They will not resist being picked up at all and may even come to or jump in your hand, the rest will kind of run from your hand. If you don't want pets, lol, watch how tame they get I've had 1 or 2 that would jump out of the brooder and come looking for me at 6 or 7 weeks.

 

[Ivywoods]

Yes, it's really fun to play with the chicks. Another thing I do is put my hand in the brooder with my fingertips down, and the palm of my hand like a little "gazebo." I just hold my hand very still until they come over to check it out. They will learn to crawl in under your hand and use your hand like a little mother hen, or they will just play, coming in and out. It really is comforting to them to have a little "shelter" like your hand. This seems to get them used to your hand faster so you can reach in and out to take care of them without them freaking out and scattering to the corners.

 

[chicken danz]

I tend to tuck chicks under my chin. It gives them shelter and warmth. I think the shaking is fear. I've noticed that in several chicks.
If you want them to be pets the best way to do it is talk to them, hold them, and give them treats. Wait a few weeks to start the treats so they can eat better. Frozen peas (Warmed up by running water over them in a colander) or fresh broccoli are excellent chicken treats. I have some of my older hens which didn't get babied at all but come to the back step if I sit down there and eat out of my hand. They know it is going to be something special. Their favorite is honey roasted peanuts, but that gets a little pricey.
Also I've found that chickens like to be petted on under their beak and over their crop. Makes them sing sweet songs.

 

[rittert3]

So kind of an off topic vent/rant and I appologize. This morning I found out that I have to quit working all together or my rent gets boosted for me bringing in little to no income and I would have a chance of getting fired in the process anyway. Danz I can kind of relate to your health situation as I have something sort of similar going on and although not totally perminant (I hope) I have no way of getting it fixed and it keeps me from working much, which further prevents any repair. Income based living, my current health, and the current economy are turning out to be a very bad combination.

 

[chicken danz]

I'm so sorry. You look way too young to be going through that. Any way you can do some small stuff for unreported cash? I know it isn't honest but I know people do it all the time. It's people who don't need the help that take advantage of the system which cause those that do real hardship. (Perhaps you should change your name and become an illegal immigrant!

Also check your local hospitals and see if they have grants available for medical care that people can't afford. My daughter doesn't have insurance and broke both bones in her ankle. She trains dogs for a living so she had no income for about 8 weeks. Between agreeing to pay so much per month to the surgeon and a partial write off from the hospital she got her surgery.
If I didn't have such a ridiculous house payment I would have plenty to live on. Housing is so insane. And they can't figure out why there are so many homeless in the U.S.

 

[Ivywoods]

Quote:
So sorry to hear all this. I don't have any answers, but I hope you find a solution that works for you.

I didn't get as much work done on my cages as I wanted to yesterday. Hubby and I decided we had better build a feed bunk for the horses instead, so we did that. I'm going out to add a few things to my cages I am building, then I am going to paint. I want to get the painting done before I put the doors on, and hubby is going to have to help me build the doors. 45 degree angles and I are NOT friends, so these doors will be joined at butt-ends, then glued and screwed together. They will be secure and strong. I just don't have the right tools to hold them to do it myself or enough hands, so he will help me with the last 7 doors. I got one done yesterday and it looks pretty good. I'll get it painted today, and maybe installed, if the paint covers good enough and if it dries fast enough. I'm not holding my breath on that one. I'll work on everything I can until DH gets up. He worked all night, and if I go outside to work he sleeps pretty good, so he may not get out in time to help me with the doors.

Overall it is turning out pretty good. I am happy with it so far. It's going to take DH's skidsteer to move the thing! I'll try to get some pictures before and after I paint, but I'm sure the doors won't be on today.

 

[chicken danz]

I am so disgusted. These county accessors keep showing up on my property unannounced. I do so wish my dogs were mean!!!!
Anyway they are adding two more buildings. I had moved my little greenhouse in from my other house. It is actually sitting in my driveway! Not a secure permanent building at all. We had also added the brooder which is a moveable building since she was here a few months ago. Makes me wonder if I would pay less taxes if I would build one big poultry building and get rid of all my small buildings and pens. What irritates me are none of these buildings are state of the art and are made from recycled materials. It doesn't seem right I should have to pay additional taxes for recycling. I need to build a few more lean to's for winter but I'm almost afraid I'll be taxed for those too. It's like DH said. We are loosing money on these chickens anyway and then if we fork out additional taxes where does that put us? GRRRRR!
We are going to Wichita to get flagstone today. I got the wood cut for my duck nest boxes yesterday. Gee I wonder if they'll tax me on those too!

 

[chickmama1662]

I'm on the Missouri side, but in our county, they do charge for each individual building. You might be better off if you connected them all. I bet you could call the tax office for the county and see what the charge would be for one big building. Although that might be harder to build from recycled product. It would be interesting to know if you would be better off multiple vs. one when you compare the cost of building materials for new vs. the added taxes for add'l buildings. Don't forget to count the $$ for the enjoyment you get from the chickens and the added health benefits too!

 

[ChooksChick]

Hi, folks! I'm stuck in bed with bronchitis, but I have a friend taking my extra roos to Garnett to go to freezer camp tonight. I thought I'd post a quick list in case someone is in need of one of them, as a few are part of a project:

French Black Copper Marans- GIANT compared to other lines I've hatched. Grow much larger, faster. Eyes a bit dark, but otherwise, excellent...other than the fact that I hatched all roos this year. I sold most of my flock and hatched these for one last customer...but I kept a trio, so I'm not out of the game completely.

Gold-Laced/Isabel/Porcelain Orp Project- These are large Orps with incomplete lacing, carrying Lavender & possible Mottled genes. I have kept the ones I liked best and had several extras. Very sweet boys with great genes, just too many,

Bantam Salmon Faverolles carrying Lavender- Just one, and he looks like a normal banty salmon fav roo- lost all of my females when a caretaker neglected to let them out this summer during the heat, and he's the lone flock survivor from my Lav. Fav. project.

Blue Copper Marans- Hatched from another breeder's stock, not French-legged, not enormous...just normal, pretty, sweet.

South American crested- These are from a stewardship that has resulted (like everything this year) in way too many roos. They are a light-bodied, crested bird with slate legs and ruddy shoulders. Very self-sufficient and great watchdogs. Prefer to live in trees.

The ship heads out this evening for freezer-camp drop-off if you have a forever home for one.

 

[rittert3]

I was always under the impression that movable buildings were not taxable but who knows, the gov. is always looking to take you for another dollar. As far asd my problem I have a wrist injury from crazed cow hitting gates while I was holding on to them. I caused a sist which I was able to get drained once but it came right back. It makes my wrist cramp really bad if I support more than a pound or so of weight with it. They said any surgery will make it totally useless for 6 weeks and even then might not work.