Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

They look healthy enough - I wouldn't worry about it. I'm more worried about the snake hanging outside the brooder

I see lots of shavings in the feeder. I have started putting my feeders up on bricks to keep bedding from getting in the feed. The little chicks jump up and stand on the end of the brick to eat - the larger ones reach directly from the ground to eat. Either way, they don't get the feeder all messy. I don't know if silkies could jump up onto a brick though? They aren't as agile as other breeds.

 

[tweetysvoice]

LOL.. Yeah, this was before the cleaning. That feeder gets cleaned out at least twice a day. I tried putting a frisbee under the feeder, like I did with the other chicks, but they refused to go onto it - i guess it was because of the "slippery" feeling, so i resorted to just cleaning it out. I sware that the bottom half of the brooder is all food too. They scratch like crazy and dig wallows everywhere in the shavings.

 

[HEChicken]

I am brooding keets and muscovy ducklings together right now and I swear, the keets are the absolute worst I have ever seen for billing feed out of the feeder. I put in new feed and its like their goal is "Hey everyone, quick - how fast can we get it all out this time?" and they immediately surround it and all start billing it like crazy. The muscovies, bless their little hearts, are the clean up crew, coming along behind and gradually picking up what was billed out. I just don't refill the feeder until its all picked up. Tough love tee-hee.

 

[Ivywoods]

I was just looking at Premier Farm and Home on Google maps. It looks like they have equipment and inventory all around the perimeter of the place. I've never been there before. Does anyone know where they have you park, or where would be the best area to head for when I get there?

 

[Hawkeye95]

Hawkeye - finally took a pic, It's not the greatest, but it has the feeder in it so you can reference it for size. They are still in the small chinchilla cage right now. They'll be 6 weeks on Monday. Amber is the tiniest of them all, she's the one that had the spray leg. I hope they aren't too small. I don't know what i'd do to make them grow bigger. hehe

They look about right for 6 weeks. Or at least, the other two do. The little one, Amber, she's definitely on the small side. But they are feathering in and look fine. I wouldn't be worried. Very cute, they are! They are really growing in!

 

[Deerfield Acres]

The kids and I have worked our buns off today. We cleaned house, weeded the garden, watered, brought the little ducks in for a warm bath and some taming time, and processed 20 birds. DH came home and avoided us as much as possible by making supper, which I thought was the sweetest thing ever! ALL of the kids helped with the processing -- surprised me because they had a choice. It was a productive day, sure wish I had my full energy back.

Now the best thing of all about today is that Chopper finally decided I'm his buddy! I'm just so thrilled and happy. I've not forced myself on him but talk to him everyday. Today, all the big ducks had been at the pond for half the day when Chopper came looking for me all by himself. I had been out weeding and watering all morning. He can't see me from the pond unless he comes up the bank. He came walking across the yard talking to me. I had DS run get the mealworm treats while I sat on the ground and talked to Chopper. Chopper took his time getting to me and by the time he was really close, I had the mealworms waiting. I held out my hand and Chopper just walked right up and enjoyed his treat. Yay!!!! Once he'd had plenty of treat he let me pet him. Then he started chattering and walked back to the pond. I was so happy that he is finally feeling at home with me and then here he came back with all the other big ducks and they were talking amongst themselves. Chopper took them to the fence, which I took to mean they would like to go back in for food and sleep. So the kids opened the fence and they took the long way round but went right in. I think Chopper was trying to tell me they were hungry when he came looking for me. They all had some lunch and then napped in the shade. It was just so cute!

Okay, I'm beat. I have read up on everyone just too beat to reply. You guys have fun tomorrow!!! Those traveling this weekend, be safe!

 

[chicken danz]

Ivy, the best place to park is along the North side of the parking lot as close to the East as you can get.
I am about to cry. I came in and one of my little turkeys looks like his guts are coming out his naval. He is obviously going to bleed to death and there isn't anything I can do. I tried. I've never seen this happen before, He was a perfectly healthy chick. The forth one that hatched is laying on it's back. I gave it some Vitamin E but he doesn't act like he is doing very well. I have no idea how this guy feeds these things but I am sure upset that they are in bad shape. I thought about trying to push the guts back in but he is so weak I am afraid I will kill him. Any advice please bring it on. I tried to stop the bleeding. I tried to vet wrap him but that made him immobile. I thought about tying it off with dental floss but I don't know what is what. Some of it looks like intestines. I just feel like the most helpless being on earth. I didn't have this problem with any of the other turkeys I hatched.
I am exhausted. I tried to divide my Serama pen so I could sort them but it was so hot and muggy I could just barely chug along. I got the divider built and the wire up but ran out of time to build a door. I guess I'll have to rush home and get that done and sort the birds before this guy gets here.
I got the Polish loaded. Ivy, do you have a cage or something you can transport them in? There are 9 of them. Maybe I can sell a couple of them so there won't be so many.
I have some guineas in a cage and I still have to load ducks and chicks in the morning.
I might have to give up on bringing some of this.

 

[chicken danz]

Karen your post came in while I was writing. That bit of news about Chopper put the smile back on. I guess I can smile while I have a tear running down my face for the turkeys. I do miss Chopper talking to me. He used to wait to hear my feet hit the floor first thing in the morning then would start yelling at me and head for the kitchen to get some cat food. I do miss the little guy but he has a much better home now with all the kids and you around him. I was so worried he would feel like I deserted him. Now I'm just happy for him.
I feel so silly sitting here crying for some turkeys. How many thousands of birds have I hatched and how many do I loose?. Yet these silly little guys are breaking my heart.
One of my gold laced polish chicks died today. I had some people come over and buy a handful of birds and I found him. It was super hot in the brooder so he might have gotten too warm. I will have to be sure to get the windows open when I get home tomorrow so it doesn't get so hot tomorrow.

 

[Silkie Chick]

Hi All,

If anyone is going to be in Topeka, KS tomorrow, I shall be at the Premiere Farm and Home swap meet tomorrow from 7am -noon. Premiere Farm and Home is located on University BLVD, off of S. Topeka Blvd. We are bringing some chickens [bantam and standard, with a few home-hatched mixes]. They are completely healthy, and the only reason we are selling is because we are trying to change the composition of our flock. All of them have been fed natural home-mixed food since they hatched.

Thanks for reading,
S.C.

 

[WichitaKidd]

David - Here are some picks of my BA pullet.

This is Sage at 12 weeks.


Here is Sage (BA) and her sis Paprika (NH Red) at 12 weeks.


Both of their combs are just now starting to turn red. Also, notice on the BA the lack of saddle feathers and very short tail feathers. Most of the roos I have had would have had gi-normous combs that were very red at about 7 weeks. At least you can have something to compare your birds to.

Yup. Looks like I have a pair of roos.

Thanks for sharing you pics. It helps having something to compare them to. Know anyone who would want them?