Consolidated Kansas

[sapphireblu76]

Trish, pictures are never boring ^_^ your pups are getting so big!

I feel you on the MIL visit Josie. Mine lives very close and has habit of randomly dropping in and just has that look when she sees the house. I am a stay at home mom and have no real excuse for the dishes in the sink or dust on the tv, but my kids are so small right now I would rather take them places or do outside things with them. When they start school I will have plenty of time to wash baseboards or dust ceiling fans, right?

I was going to say the same things as Chickies-duckies-etc. ^_^ I have the poem and posted it below.

Babies and house work. I think there is a poem out there somewhere about that. But. in reality, kids are little for such a short while and they need all the attention you can give them. The dust bunnies and cobwebs will patiently wait their turn. Enjoy your kids while they are little, middle size and big.

Song For a Fith Child, by Ruth Hamilton. 1958
Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
and out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
but I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.​

Hi, Just found this thread for Kansas. I live about 30 minutes south of Topeka. After a hiatus of about 20 years I finally got some more chickens, guineas and 2 ducks last summer. I had a tick disease and was in the hospital for 4 days last June so it was time to get more guineas!! We live on a farm so we free range our birds most of the time. I love chickens which is why I didn't stop after I got the guineas -- just saw some chickens and couldn't help myself. Then I saw a couple of cute Ancona ducks and hubby likes them too! Just recently bought a Cornish banty hen in hopes that she will go broody and hatch out some guinea eggs for me.

Look forward to meeting you all,
Kare

Well today we got 2 sides on the coop of the paneling we are using for the outside. Two more and I get to paint the coop!!! I put 2 ft tall poultry netting at the base of my fence around the garden to keep the rodents out and the chickens from getting out through the slats. I also picked up pvc pipe so I can do hoops over my raised bed boxes and then cloak those in the soft poultry netting. I also got a good pint of mulberries off my trees, We have lived here for 6 years now and I just found out we have mulberry trees. Only two, but thats enough for me! As soon as we fixed up the garden so we could put the chickens in and not have them escape, I put Chicklet and Susan B Anthony out there. They loved it, I finally got ahold of Leroy and put him out, he managed to escape when the kids were playing with our make shift gate, and our dog was having a blast playing with him. Casey loves the chickens, he has been so good with them from the get go. He is the one that Leroy used to ride around on when he was a little tiny chick. Well once I was ready to get the chickens out and back in there coop, Casey just came right in and herded them into my arms. My "hunting" dog found his true calling as a chicken herder! But the good news is the girls were so into the weeds between all the raised beds, they didn't even pay attention to the great greens in side the beds.


OHand Helen Keller started crowing today! So now he is Herman. I think.


I try to keep up with all the posts so I can respond and make real conversation, but my brain is completely fried after this semester. I had Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Bioethics and Statistics. Managed to pass somehow, but that was seriously the hardest semester I have ever had!

LOL! I got the boys home yesterday, and while I was finishing their "apartments", Leroy started crowing. Soon my roos in the back yard were crowing, then...Helen/Herman crowed

OMgoodness it was the most hilarious thing I think hubby and I have ever heard! He sounds like his batteries are dying!

Happy Mother's Day all you mothers out there!

Prairie, welcome to the board. It's been a tremendous help to me, and not just with chickens. We welcome lots of pictures.

I have nothing much planned today except some sorting of stuff inside the house. I'll probably also cut some arugula and basil. This morning I heard voices calling "Here chick chick chick" and when I looked outside, I saw a neighbor with her two little grandchildren crouched down in the alley along the back fence. They were feeding grass to the chickens and having a great time watching them. So sweet!

That's so nice that people walking by enjoy your chickens ^_^

Ok, here are some pictures of the garden/coop/big girls. We got A LOT accomplished this weekend! I got all my baskets up around the fence, 8 of them have strawberrys and I am going to put various herbs in the other 8


Here is Susan B Anthony and Chicklet all grown up. Well not really, they are still just youngins, but they have gotten so big. They love the freedom of the garden!



DH got 3 out of 4 sides finished and the 2 side windows and doors are done.

WOW! That is so pretty!

Ivy and lizzyGSR, I'm so sorry you won't be able to be here. Some here expressed interest in coming to see my set up and so I just threw this together. It wasn't initially a planned statewide event, but some are traveling to be here. I will be happy to put together something at a later time for everyone to meet as centrally as possible so that the group will have the opportunity on a weekend to participate and meet. I'm thinking something early fall and we can decide in the meantime where to meet, so I'm open to ideas. I'm really sorry guys. I sure didn't intend to leave anyone out. Right now I just can't do a weekend with all the projects I'm trying to get accomplished before the heat arrives, since so many of the projects require DH's help. For those of you who cannot be here, forgive me, please?

Danz, I can't see your pics but can tell they are supposed to be there. I'm working on figuring out what to do about that.

I wish I could make it, too. Thanks for inviting everyone out, that is so great of you! Maybe next time, if you have another 'field day'.
Since my oldest son has a summer birthday, his teacher offered to let him have his party on the 16th. I thought that was nice of her I'm baking cupcakes for the class.

 

[Trish44]

Danz, those Mandarins are so cute & I love the pic of them all swimming in the pond, adorable! I'm so glad you got your peahen back in with her mate & in their new pen, yay! That peacock is beautiful all displayed like that, wow! I want some so bad.

This was kind of a last minute thing on Weds. but I think it would be great if we could do a fall get together in a central location where more could come. I think we have talked about that before, but nothing was decided. Maybe we could have a potluck thing where everyone brought a dish & we could have a picnic or something somewhere. We just need to do it when it's not too hot. At any rate, I'm looking forward to meeting those who can make it on Weds. & seeing those I have already met again.

rvroman, your coop is looking great so far & I'll bet your chicks are loving it & I love your garden too!

IVY, it sounds like you had a really busy weekend, but I'll bet a good one. That's good to know about the wheaten Ameraucanas, I really think I do have two pair because they're showing real differences on coloring already & the two darker ones are quite a bit bigger than the other two. What were the chances of that happening? I guess now I'll have to keep them all & see which ones turn out the best. I may sell the extra roo later on after I see which is going to be the nicest.

Well I've got my two hutches apart & all ready to start putting new wire on today. I have put a new floor in the main one, the old one is giving out, make a divider, & then close in the front where they took off the wire to connect the two hutches, then that one will be done & ready for rabbits. Then the other one I have to close in the end where the two were together & figure out how to make doors on the top after I make dividers. I'm dividing that one into 3 cages, it's long. I was going to just make one long roof that hinged, but now I'm thinking I don't have any wood long enough & it may be easier to just make an individual door on each cage, so I'll have to run & get more hinges when I get to that point. It sure has turned into more of a project than I planned. Then when I get this all done & get rabbits moved I've got to get on building my grow out pen for the chicks because they're growing like weeds. They will be outgrowing their brooder before I know it & then I'll be rushing to get something put together.

 

[sapphireblu76]

Well it's the little seed ticks that tend to be the carriers of disease. These things are tiny. I once lost a cocker spaniel to them. They had embedded in the webs between her toes. She had so many she lost too much blood and died. I swear there was a bout 30 of those tiny things between each toe. The vet had to search for them because none of us could figure out what was wrong with her. She had them no where else. She had a flea/tick collar on but apparently it didn't help her feet.
There is actually some kind of vaccine you can take for ticks. I had an acquaintance in North Caroline who hunted all the time. Those woods are full of ticks. Anyway he got this shot once a year for ticks. It was my understanding it kept the ticks off of him but maybe it was to fight the diseases they carry. I am sure an internet search could yield more info on that.
It's been an exciting morning so far. Praise the Lord! I went out to feed and water and Patty, the peahen was sitting near the pen where the others were. I just slowly walked toward her then circled around and she walked right into my set up pen. I opened the door and she went in with the others. Success! It was effortless. Well Pete, the peacock got really excited and immediately started courting her. So I snapped a couple pictures. They lighting isn't right but he is so pretty.
Then I snapped a couple pic of the baby Mandarin ducks.
Ivy if you want to go to Karens, you can meet me and I'll drive the rest of the way. It would be fun even though it would be a good solid 5 hours on the road for you each way. Isn't it amazing how large Kansas is when you get down to it???
So here are the pics:
This is Pete the peacock.


Here are the Mandarin babies and mama


And here is the whole family

So glad you were able to get your peahen back!!!!
Those Mandarin ducks are gorgeous!!!! I love your pond set up!

 

[JosieChick]

Danz- That peacock is awesome. So glad you caught that hen again! That pen looks really nice too. I would love to drive down together but I have to haul the trailer down and pick a bunch of stuff up from the in laws and haul it back up with me. I am sure I will have to stay for dinner too so unless you wan't to meet the MIL you probably don't want to ride with me!

KarenS- I am sending you a PM!

Roman- The chicken yard/garden is awesome!!

Our Sunday went pretty well. The MIL didn't complain about much, in fact she was quite pleasant. She did grumble to DH when I wasn't in the room about the growing population of chickens outside but he told her it was better than a growing population of cats inside! (We have an undisclosed large number of house cats who are all well loved and spoiled and shedding!) He doesn't care how many chickens I have, which is good because we have a fair sized crew right now.

Our barn kitty, Lily, went missing last night. I was a basket case. She is like a dog and I call her in for the evening because we have so many coyotes that I don't like her out at night. She hangs out in the garage for the night and then has a kitty door for the daytime. But I called and called last night and she never came. I was out until midnight with a flash light calling for her and finally gave up. I put her whisker lickins in her food bowl and left the kitty door open for her. I went out this morning to feed and checked her bowl and the whisker lickins were still there which mean't she hadn't come into the garage overnight. I called her a bunch more and she didn't come.

I was pretty sure something had gotten her but when I went out to let the dogs out for their morning walk (still recovering from their spays) there she was!! I don't know where she was hiding but she was pretty freaked out so I think something must have chased her last night and maybe she spent the night up a tree. I was so glad she was ok so she got a whole bunch more whisker lickins and some lunch meat to celebrate her safe return!!!!

 

[chicken danz]

Thanks. Hey I forgot to say RVROMAN your yard looks so fantastic, You and your DH have a wonderful talent for putting things together to look nice.

 

[averytds]

Forgot to multi quote, but probably would mix things up anyways. Here goes....

for everyone new.


Can't make the get together. Have to go to Wichita next week and with the trip last week and gas prices, well

Okay, so confused on the BSLs. Why would the sex be questionable? That's the whole point, sex-able at hatch. BSL w/no spot on head=pullet, BSL with spot on head=cockerel, right?

No matter the mix, that's how everyone of our BSLs has been 100% off the time. I'm sure I missed something, but for now I'm just confused.


I'm hopeful on the Wheaten Marans from the other day. I had him fish me out 6 chicks, 1 roo and 5 pullets. He's an experienced breeder and seemed confident in his picks so

Definite color difference between 1 and the other 5. He's in corner, can see at least 3 of the girls.

I kind of slacked off on watering my pallet strawberries, so I have lost a few. Most seem okay. I got sidetracked with other stuff. Gorgeous garden pics.

New recruits.


Eye candy. No real use for him, just really liked him.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I have a hen that lays the occasional soft shelled egg. Yesterday, she laid it on the patio and the girls (and the roo) all dived in to eat it. I got the shell away from them, so I don't really think that they know it is an "egg" but that happens fairly often. I'll find the soft shell on the floor of the coop in the morning when I go out to clean, and there won't be any sign of the innards of the egg. They don't try to eat the hard eggs, though.

Maybe you have a soft egg laid somewhere.

sharol

Yeah, I could! I hope it was a fluke.

I had a busy weekend. We were on the road all weekend it seems. Oldest son graduated from KSU Saturday, then DH picked up a new buck at Chanute and we went on to Columbus to spend Mother's Day with my sis, Checoukan. Got home late. I'm beat. I just called to cancel my PT until tomorrow.

This tick thing is interesting. I've been outdoors all my life. Grew up on a farm, have hunted all my life and I've lost track of the number of times I've pulled a tick off myself, and several times they have been there for at least a day before I find them. I've never had any problems after being bit. I still despise the little boogers. Why is it some folks get so sick and some don't? Is it just luck or lack thereof? The tick lottery that you DON'T want to win? I wonder if they are worse this year due to the mild winter we had. I do think using some kind of repellent does help, and different ticks access you in different ways. I know when I am out in the woods often time they way they get on me is they drop or blow down off the trees. Others , like some of the teeny tiny ones crawl up onto your shoes and socks from the ground.

I we do treat our dogs and other animals for fleas and ticks. I think that helps as much as anything for keeping them controlled in the yard.

Sounds like you had a lot of fun, Ivy! I use the Deep Woods Off when I'm outside, I wonder if it repels ticks?? I'll have to look at the label. I use the tick stuff on my dogs-- the kind that you squeeze out of a tube and rub it down their back. I don't know if it repels or kills... you know? I suppose the tick can still get on and bite and then maybe die afterwards from the meds in the blood?? No idea.

It's been an exciting morning so far. Praise the Lord! I went out to feed and water and Patty, the peahen was sitting near the pen where the others were. I just slowly walked toward her then circled around and she walked right into my set up pen. I opened the door and she went in with the others. Success! It was effortless. Well Pete, the peacock got really excited and immediately started courting her. So I snapped a couple pictures. They lighting isn't right but he is so pretty.
Then I snapped a couple pic of the baby Mandarin ducks.

So here are the pics:
This is Pete the peacock.


Here are the Mandarin babies and mama


And here is the whole family

Danz, these are fantastic pictures!!! Those ducks are incredible! Just stunning! I'm soooo glad your peahen came home!! Woot!!!

What a great day it turned out to be!

I've been doing laundry, cleaning and getting chores done around here. Got a new Flock Block put out in my layer coop for the girls (and boys) and threw out more Oyster shell, and cleaned out their water, etc... Just the usual stuff. I never did get around to mowing like i was supposed to. I hurt myself in the coop this morning and pulled a muscle in my neck and nearly cramped up in pain on the ground. Sheesh. My neck/shoulder is still sore, but I'm feeling better. Tonight is our last night for Piano this summer! I'm soooo glad. We didn't take a break last summer, so it's been 2 years solid of piano and I'm ready to not drive kids to lessons for a while. Whew. It's an extended night with the other classmates coming-- so no private lessons tonight. They do that every 2 months-- get all the kids in the same level to show up for a "Group Play" and they play games (play flash cards on the piano) and a board game where they have to play little things on the piano... it's really fun to watch them. Colter's group is really small, they only have 6 or 7 kids in his level. Just as well, since it's easier to get to know everyone.

 

[Hawkeye95]

I called her a bunch more and she didn't come.

I was pretty sure something had gotten her but when I went out to let the dogs out for their morning walk (still recovering from their spays) there she was!! I don't know where she was hiding but she was pretty freaked out so I think something must have chased her last night and maybe she spent the night up a tree. I was so glad she was ok so she got a whole bunch more whisker lickins and some lunch meat to celebrate her safe return!!!!

Soooo glad your kitty came home! Wow, yeah, I bet something did go after her. Poor thing. Sounds like she's a smart cat, though. Whew!

New recruits.


Eye candy. No real use for him, just really liked him.

Beautiful birds!! Love your silkied, too!! What would you call the one in the middle? Something like a buff partridge? Pretty color! What are the ones with the muffs on their faces? Those are really neat looking birds!

 

[averytds]

The ones with the muffs are blue and black Ameraucanas. That center boy was the one I was talking about. Some breeders are calling them frosted Silkies and the others something else, but can't remember at the moment. Have a friend with a pullet, and he sure is "purty", so thought what the heck and bought him.

Can try for better pics another time. Not brown or reddish, must be the camera. It's gray, silver and black tips.

Some of the little ones who apparently don't know they're supposed to snub me & give me only butt pics.



More cold shoulder. And to think I trimmed up their tree today and let them keep the trimmings to rifle through along with a whole bag of grass clippings.

 

[Hawkeye95]

The ones with the muffs are blue and black Ameraucanas. That center boy was the one I was talking about. Some breeders are calling them frosted Silkies and the others something else, but can't remember at the moment. Have a friend with a pullet, and he sure is "purty", so thought what the heck and bought him.

Can try for better pics another time. Not brown or reddish, must be the camera. It's gray, silver and black tips.

Some of the little ones who apparently don't know they're supposed to snub me & give me only butt pics.



More cold shoulder. And to think I trimmed up their tree today and let them keep the trimmings to rifle through along with a whole bag of grass clippings.

SOOO funny!! The cold shoulder! ha! OKay, well your Ameraucanas are really pretty! Great colors!! That silkie rooster really threw me! He looks buff in the picture! Try him again in the sunlight I guess-- he's got a great crest, I'd love to see what he looks like. He still kind of reminds me of a partridge-- or a light Columbian-- except he has no color on his hackles to be columbian. Is he from a project color?? I REALLY, REALLy want to work with the Columbians when I get a better grasp of color genetics! I've been trying to read up, and still find myself confused. I get the base colors, but I'm not getting the "soup" concept when you start throwing in two parent base colors and then adding in all the expressed and hidden colors.

They need a course in color genetics 101.