Consolidated Kansas

[kublackbird]

Hello!

I don't post on here much--more of a lurker--but I'm from Lawrence and I have a small backyard flock. Along with a few friends, I'm trying to drum up some support to get the Lawrence chicken ordinance amended in response to the city shutting down chick sales at Orsch this year. While the city may be correct about the "black letter law" of the ordinance, enforcing it against feed stores is ridiculous. Further, as a chicken enthusiast (wow, I sound like a nerd now, yes?), it's a hassle to have to drive to another town to get chicks.

As I said, just trying to drum up support for an amendment (and perhaps, if needed, warm bodies to attend a city council meeting). If you are in the area and you're interested in helping, would you email me please? My email address is blackbird13(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks!

--Meryl

 

[Ivywoods]

Danz-So sorry you are so wiped out. Gosh. Take care of yourself. Don't go pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion and getting really sick or something.

Hawkeye-Glad you are feeling somewhat better.

I think I was on my feet a little longer yesterday than I should have been. My legs have hurt all day long. I get up and do a few things, then I make sure I rest them for a little while, then back at it.

Medawinks-CUTE chicks! It is SO easy to get hooked by the little guys!

I envy all you folks getting your gardens planted. I love to garden, but with all my projects and work I know I don't have time to keep a garden up. I did get my wagon wheel planter planted with flowers again, and it looks good. I'll have to get pictures again once the flowers get good and established in there. Some of you may remember it is made from the old steel wheels and axle that were under what is now my layer hen coop. It had originally been a horsedrawn blacksmith wagon. I have a lot of flowers blooming right now.... lots of peonies, iris, roses, climatis and a few others. I did get a "little" weeding done today!

I also managed to do a little more work on my cages. I got my silver duckwing old english that I am growing out moved into their new digs, and several of the large fowl I am growing out (ameraucanas, marans and some others). I still have some work to do on the cages, but I think they are working out great.

MY FIRST TWO ROYAL PALM TURKEYS HATCHED TODAY!!!

They hatched early and were still in the turning trays. They are so sweet. I noticed this evening when I put them in the brooder they felt SO SOFT and downy feeling.

Heavier than chicks of course, but softer feeling. Fortunately, no "flip over" problems so far.

 

[Ivywoods]

I'm not too close to Lawrence, but I fully support you in your efforts. If there is something I can do to help from "afar" please let me know. The latest action of the city against selling chicks within the city limits is simply absurd. I hope you can get a good number of people involved. I know there are several people on here regularly from Lawrence.

Best wishes for success in your efforts.. AND

and the Consolidated Kansas thred. Please do keep us posted of any progress, or anything else you might want to share!

 

[Ivywoods]

While I was in the barn I noticed my two wheaten ameraucana hens that hatched 8 chicks. I sold 4 of the chicks, but they still have the other 4. I am surprised they haven't lost any, but they are the busiest little hens. Poor things, those chicks run in and out of the pen and drive those hens nuts. I think I'm going to have to take them away pretty soon. Those little chicks are getting pretty brave, and I'm afraid they are going to make it all the way out of the barn and somehow meet their demise. There are 2 whean ameraucan pullets, one wheaten cockerell and one black of undetermined gender. They are really healthy and robust chicks!

 

[sapphireblu76]

Well, I've had my excitement for the day. I was just waking up and I heard the guineas start to make a racket. That's not unusual. Then I heard a bunch of the chickens join in, which made me wonder. I looked out the bedroom window and couldn't see anything. The turkeys, guineas and chickens were ALL putting up a heck of a racket. I went to the bathroom window and I could see all of my DH's goats in a huddle with the babies in the middle...... and there in the pen with them, not 30 feet from them was a HUGE coyote trying to decide which one to take.

I hollered at Mike and ran and grabbed the .223 When I got to the patio door with the gun I couldn't see the coyote. I stepped out on the deck and I could just barely see his head peeking around a ledge. As soon as I saw him, he saw me, and started to run, but I managed to nail him.

Now the question is how the heck did he get in there? Well, Brittany, the GP pup was locked in the barn. She's still too young to be out with the number of predators we have, and Buddy and Runt cannot get into the pen due to the electric fence. They generally patrol the border of the fence. Buddy is gunshy, (I think someone shot at him before he became our dog) so he took off as soon as I shot, and Runt probably with him.

That coyote must have found a way intot he pen from the bottom.

I hate coyotes. Savage .223 with an accutrigger=sweet revenge.

If you still have the body, I would love to have the pelt, if it isn't claimed. My sis tans them

I have enjoyed reading about the new chicks, crowing hens, new puppies and reading that I am definitely not alone in pushing myself to exhaustion
I guess it would help if I introduce myself so you know who has been reading your news. I am a SpEd teacher , a single mom with 3 kids - I bio and 2 added by choice from China with special needs. We live with a housemate ( fellow SpEd teacher) who has 2 kids, 2 standard poodles, and 3 papipoos plus our expanding chicken family of 2 BCM, 3EE, 1 blue/ lavender true Ameracauna, 1 white rock, 3 silkies, 2 belgian D'uccles and now, hopefully, 2 new Polish < wk old chicks
We also have a cuckoo Marans, a Salmon Favarolle and a Cochin -cockerels, who need new homes. None of our pullets are old enough to lay. The oldest is 13 weeks. We originally wanted just 5-6 pullets. Chicken math struck though... We discovered that chickens aren't just chickens.
I particularly enjoy them and find it very therapeutic after a long day to just watch them gobble up their feed or yogurt etc... They all are so comical and have such unique personalities . I thought I might be losing my mind until I found this board

So we had a mini mothers day photo shoot of my boys yesterday, this is the first finished fully edited one I have seen, I love it. I just wanted to share this with you guys!!!!!! This is my almost 4 year old James, the chicken whisperer.


She just added this one, this is James and Brandon my 2 1/2 year old!

Beautiful pics, lady! You are so blessed

Headed out to the coop this morning to check on the chicks....and I heard it. Yup...one of my birds was crowing. I think I know which one it was, but am not 100% sure. He only did it twice & it wasn't very loud. Haven't heard him again today anyway. Will see what happens tomorrow. Once I figure out which one it is I'll start looking for a new home for him.

Aww, I wish y'all could have roos. They are so much fun. Some of my loviest chooks are the roos. If you need a home for him, send me a PM. I'm a sucker with room to spare. (No, they won't be eaten)

Yes.... our chicken math is awful!! Had a cute little coop and run built,with the coop inside of my sun porch, kids painted it and decorated it. Used an old dresser, with the bottom drawers for eggs. We are now adding to the run, which is a 6 ft privacy fence with gutter gardens hanging in 2 rows around it. Will have to add another coop, and hide it in the privacy fence, since while my neighborhood association will allow chickens, they do not allow sheds of any kind. They do allow gardens..... so we have an extra fancy chicken garden!! Havent figured out the new portion of the coop yet. At first I hated the thought of having to go out to take care of chickens on top of everything else that is needy in this house, and did not want to have to go all the way outside. Thankfully, now, going out to clean and feed is something I actually enjoy. And yes, my kids love the chickens. Our latest two were their request, since I had sworn that no matter what the feed store had in there, I was JUST getting chicken feed..... Nope, my 7 yr old read Polish PULLETS and screamed for the whole store to hear ,," Mom, these will be girls! We HAVE to have bed heads!!"...... Oh well... we now have 2 bedheads who are absolutely adorable!!

Hope you are feeling better!

Your indoor coop sounds wonderful. I would love to see pics. I love your idea of hiding the new one in privacy fence. I wonder if your idea is what I have pictured in my mind. Cute pics of the chicks, too!

Hello!

I don't post on here much--more of a lurker--but I'm from Lawrence and I have a small backyard flock. Along with a few friends, I'm trying to drum up some support to get the Lawrence chicken ordinance amended in response to the city shutting down chick sales at Orsch this year. While the city may be correct about the "black letter law" of the ordinance, enforcing it against feed stores is ridiculous. Further, as a chicken enthusiast (wow, I sound like a nerd now, yes?), it's a hassle to have to drive to another town to get chicks.

As I said, just trying to drum up support for an amendment (and perhaps, if needed, warm bodies to attend a city council meeting). If you are in the area and you're interested in helping, would you email me please? My email address is blackbird13(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks!

--Meryl

I wish I could lend my support from way over here in Hutch. I think that's stupid that they are making the feed stores follow residential rules. Especially since they are only a vendor, a temporary holder of the young poultry.

MY FIRST TWO ROYAL PALM TURKEYS HATCHED TODAY!!!

They hatched early and were still in the turning trays. They are so sweet. I noticed this evening when I put them in the brooder they felt SO SOFT and downy feeling.

Heavier than chicks of course, but softer feeling. Fortunately, no "flip over" problems so far.

Congratulations!!!!!! I live vicariously through those of you who have turkeys. I REEEEEAAAAALY want some, but I'm going to have to wait, at least, until next year. PICTURES!!!

 

[rvroman]

Leroy just decided he needed to crow for 10 minutes straight, at 1 in the morning. I thought the boys only crowed during the day. I am so confused by chickens.

 

[sapphireblu76]

I didn't get squat done, chicken related, today. Hubby got the pop cans and food cans (about 30 grocery bags full) separated, crushed and re-bagged today; to go to the metal buyer tomorrow. Yay! Gas money!

I spent some quality time with the chicks out in the pen today. They were so excited to see me, they came out of the pen as soon as I opened the door. I didn't have to worry, though, they were right on my heels, following the bucket back in, lol! It amazes me how fast these kids learn. Sarge started barking at my hubby, when he came out to get some wood for the grill, tonight. The chicks paid no mind. Then Sarge sounded his alarm bark and all the chicks (they aren't even in the same pen as him) stopped talking, looked and ran for cover. I was just astonished that they have figured out the 'rules' from a far within only these few days they've been outside. I'm so proud of ALL my babies, canine and feathered. I have so much confidence in this big little dog, I know when we get a partner for him, he will teach it well. Verna, you have given me a great gift in this pup!

On the down side, I think Sarge ate all my eggs today. I will know for sure tomorrow. Any idea how to break him of this? I have upped his food, he's well-fed, so I don't know what the deal is. The only idea I have is to put the shock collar on him and bait him with eggs. Then, hide and not say a word and just shock him when he goes for them. Hopefully, I can get this darn coop finished soon, then it won't be a problem, because he won't be able to get in. But for now, if he is eating them, he's costing me money and food that needs to go on the table (I only have 5 hens that lay 4-5 eggs/day right now).

I'm excited to be going to the swap in McPherson next Sunday. Anyone else from here going? I won't have a lot for sale this time, but hope to sell what I bring. I have some rabbit/ferret accessories and chicken/rabbit carriers that I built to sell this time. I might bring some mutt hatching eggs if anyone is interested in just egg-layers or test eggs for incubators.

Have a great night everyone! All who are recovering/hurting, get better soon!

 

[sapphireblu76]

While I was in the barn I noticed my two wheaten ameraucana hens that hatched 8 chicks. I sold 4 of the chicks, but they still have the other 4. I am surprised they haven't lost any, but they are the busiest little hens. Poor things, those chicks run in and out of the pen and drive those hens nuts. I think I'm going to have to take them away pretty soon. Those little chicks are getting pretty brave, and I'm afraid they are going to make it all the way out of the barn and somehow meet their demise. There are 2 whean ameraucan pullets, one wheaten cockerell and one black of undetermined gender. They are really healthy and robust chicks!

 

[sapphireblu76]

RVRoman-
Oh man! I hope the neighbors don't complain too much before I can get him

 

[rvroman]

RVRoman-
Oh man! I hope the neighbors don't complain too much before I can get him

He still seems quieter then full grown roos I have heard, he didn't wake me up and we keep our window open at night so I could hear him.

I'm not TOO worried about the neighbors complaining yet, but I do have one that I think will complain at anything I do. I was on bed rest for the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy. My husband was deployed at the time and we already had a 1 year old. Well I had to go stay with my best friend until DH got sent home via red cross. Anywho, my best friends DH (or my DH2) came to take care of my dogs and the neighbor was complaining about them barking. Charlie told him I was staying with them, there was nobody at the house the dogs were inside the garage with AC and access to the backyard and thats the best we could do. The neighbor was all "Well there has to be SOMETHING you can do, just keep them inside."

Right thats what my babies needed, they were already freaked out because me and my son were gone, and they were worried about us (2 of them I had for 9 years), oh and I am sick, and you just want me to lock the dogs inside with no where to go potty or run around. ARGH, that guy really irritates me and DH!!! But alas, I am venting again.

I just heard thunder

, maybe i won't have to water my garden again this week!!!

Goodnight!!!