Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

HEChicken, that sounds great for a get-together the week of Sept. 24th, I don't see anything on my calender for that week at all, so any day would work for me. I think that week would probably be better weather-wise than in Oct. You can start getting some really rainy cold days sometimes then. October probably will be a very busy month for me too getting everything arranged to go on vacation, getting rabbits moved inside, just lots of details to tend to. If anyone from down this way would want to carpool with me to Heather's place, let me know & we'll work it out.

I'll have to go out after while & get some pics of the new peacock, he seems pretty comfortable in the pen with the two peahens, so that's good. I was wondering how they would react to each other, but I haven't seen any problems. He's just a tiny bit smaller than my peahens, so maybe he's just a bit younger, but he will catch up. My peahens have really been filling out lately & getting some nice color, I'm really pleased with the way they're developing.

The three little guineas I got last night at Atwoods didn't fare too well. It wasn't that cold last night when I put them in the pen with the other babies, but during the night they got chilled. Two of the darned little things escaped the pen, I just can't believe the cracks they can get through. Anyway, the little white one was killed by the chickens & the pied one was hiding under the pallet for the water buckets. The pearl one was the only one left in the pen & both that lived were really chilled, so I picked them up & took them into my garage & put them in one of my brooders with the light on. They were starting to recover a little when I came in for my coffee. I hope my others out there in that pen will be OK, they have feathers & have been outside this whole time, so hopefully they will be OK. I had put a board up to block the wind from the north, so that should help. I may get another one & put it back on the top of the pen just to give them some more shelter. The only bad thing about that is that the chickens just walk all over it & poop on it, so it kind of gets nasty.

My two pullets I got from Joe the Birdman in Arkansas City are doing great. They have been in quarantine almost two weeks, so I think I will let them out with my general flock in a couple of days. They're really nice healthy looking pullets & are about to point of lay, so I should get eggs from them soon. He had said that some of that group were already laying. I need some layers here because I have some free-loaders here right now that aren't laying. Some could be molting, but some have been on a very long break. I may be getting rid of a few of the ones that aren't the best layers as soon as my young ones start laying. They should start laying in the next month or so hopefully. I imagine while I'm on vacation they will all start laying & overwhelming the pet sitter with eggs like crazy, that would be my luck since I told her she could have all the eggs she finds.

Hawkeye, I really think this Sulmet has kicked this stuff better than the other two antibiotics I tried. It seemed like the Denagard didn't do much at all for them & the Tylan helped some, but not enough. The Sulmet is cheaper by far than the Tylan or Denagard too, go figure. HEChicken, I think it was you that asked me, yes it's a liquid you put in the water & it actually is listed on label for chickens unlike some other ones. I'm going to have to figure out after vacation where to put all of this chicken stuff I have & get it all organized, I don't have any sort of place set up for all of this chicken pharmacy or the extra equipment I have sitting around. I've got to get out in the garage & do a major cleanout now that it's getting cooler & try to figure out some kind of shelving to put in there to put my stuff on. I have things in the wood shed right now that my DH says have to come out so he can load it up with wood. My temporary little pen that I have used for turkeys, peacocks, & now two pullets also has to be moved to give him access to the wood shed. I haven't quite figured out yet where that is going to go, but I will find a place for it.

Well the lady who was supposed to come get rabbits sent me a message on FB saying she couldn't make it today & postponed until tomorrow, I sure hope she comes because I would love to sell those two rabbits she's coming to see. That would be two less big rabbits to have to move into the garage. I'm hoping to only have two Chinchilla rabbits left to overwinter, the rest will be small Mini Rex & Netherland Dwarfs that don't need big cages. They also eat a lot less.

 

[tazcat70]

Hello all! I have arrived back on planet Earth, well actually on planet BYC. It has been an extremely crazy Spring and Summer, and hoping for a nice calm fall.

I have moved from Wichita to the small town of Potwin (between Newton and El Dorado) and am thrilled that they allow roosters in the town limits. I am right on the edge and absolutely thrilled about it.

So glad for cool weather, I lost a few birds from the summer heat, all 3 of my silkie hens, and a Violet Laced Wyandotte hen. I just could not break them of being broody.

I will try to keep up better.


Tonya

 

[chicken danz]

Welcome back, Taz. It's been a long time. Congrats on the move. Hope you like your new town.
I've been out absolutely freezing trying to rig up some instant shelters. It is only 55 degrees here now and it started raining on me while I was out there. I cut up parts of an old swimming pool liner and tried to use it on top of a bent piece of hog panel for a shelter. It was so old and stiff I had the heat gun out there trying to smooth it some but the wind and rain was working against me.But at least it cuts the wind and rain. I hung some plastic in one corner of my turkey pen in hopes they would use it for shelter but they are afraid of it and standing in the rain! I may run out and put up a temporary tarp after I warm up. DH told me he had a couple tarps in the truck but they must be in the truck he took to work cause they aren't there.
I put a 100 gallon stock tank on edge in the blue slate turkey pen just to block the wind. They outgrew their shelter as well. They probably won't use it but if they stand in front of it it might block some rain and wind. Then I put a big rubbermaid bin in the makeshift guinea pen I am using right now to keep them out of the wind and rain and threw another piece of the swimming pool liner on top on one end. I just have scraps of that liner left. It would be really handy if it weren't so brittle and heavy. I cut the middle out of the liner some time ago and used it for something but have no clue what on earth it was.
I'm ready for hot chocolate or some hot spiced cider. It feels like fall out there for sure.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Unfortunately I don't have a trailer so I am at the mercy of my sister (who does) and can only go on the trail rides if she is going. I would love to go to Kanopolis with you sometime if we can arrange it. The group we ride with goes to Kanopolis from time to time so next time we are going, I'll let you know and if it works out, perhaps you can join us the same day!

Where do you buy the Baytril? That's something I've thought would be good to keep in my pharmacy but I haven't seen it for sale at any of the feed stores, unless I'm just looking in the wrong places.

OH, I would love to go with your group if they plan a trip to the lake!! Just let me know! It would be far more fun to ride with lots of other ladies than just with a couple of us. I love big trail rides! I always manage to get myself into trouble, too, so big groups are good. I mean, I'm not stupid and run my horse or do dumb things-- but I swear, things just HAPPEN to me!! LOL If anything, I can provide you all with comic relief when my horse decides to do a belly flop in the water crossing. He LOVES water, and I have to use all my might to spur him through it instead of rolling in it.

I bought my Baytril from my vet! I keep the pill form on hand for my dogs. It's a safe go-to drug for them. I just call him up and tell him that I ran out and need more. With the chickens, I called him and told him I needed the liquid, and they had a bottle that was half way full and I bought that off of them. They even threw in syringes. My vet is great about just letting me buy drugs from him for my animals.

Okay everyone, do you think it might be time for another get-together? I would like to propose a pot-luck at my place. The date is flexible so I thought I'd see what works best so that as many people as possible can make it. A two-week lead time might help for people who have to rearrange a schedule to come so let's plan on one day the week starting either Sept 24th, or Oct 1st. If everyone can either reply or PM me with a couple of choices of day that works better for them, I will try to narrow it down to the day where the most people are able to come.

I am located northeast of Wichita, between Augusta and Towanda, if you want to look at Google Maps to get an idea of distance. I am hoping that will be doable both for people coming from Wichita and surrounds, who will be driving north-east, and for people north and east of me, who will drive south-west.

Let me know your thoughts?

YES!!! Anytime is going to work for me. I will bring your girls! I'm excited about seeing your place and I love pot-lucks!

I keep wondering how many times I repeat myself on here. I think all the time over and over about this and that but have no idea whether I have already posted it a million times or never. I'm too lazy to go back and read my old posts to see.
I went to Topeka yesterday in spite of the heat and really didn't buy much for my granddaughters for their birthdays. Got them each a little baby doll set. One has a grocery cart and groceries and the other has a little bassinet, bottles, bibs, teether, baby dish spoon and fork and they each have a baby doll with them. I really wanted to buy them some big things like a complete baby doll nursery with a bed and high chair and chest, and a complete kitchen for the other one. But I am sure both sets of parents would have been very unhappy with me for buying large items that take a lot of space. I still think of the things I always wished I had when I was little.
Then I went to Kohl's and bought them each a new outfit with really soft curduroy looking jeans and different but matching tops. They were purple...my signature color. I also bought myself a top I fell in love with this spring. It was finally marked down enough I decided I could afford it. I never even tried it on. You know how you see something and fall in love with it? It was one of those. I may hate it now that I own it. But I just hate trying on clothes in stores.
I bought myself a cheap pair of shoes to slip on around the house. I like shoes I can slip on and off easily especially in winter so every time I go in and out I don't have to stop and tie them.
I can't ever find any that aren't black unless they are those flats with the tiny toe area. I hate those. These were black but I liked them anyway.

Wow! When I went out to let the chickens out first thing this morning I swear it felt like winter out there. Unbelievable after yesterday.
I was hoping DH would have set some more posts last night after work but he didn't. I am getting really stressed about getting things done and having shelter for my birds. Now he says he has to dig out the post holes cause they aren't straight. Duh! That was why he didn't want me to drill them ... cause he didn't think I would get them straight! He just doesn't hurry with much of anything.
I need to go out and hang some plastic on a couple of pens before the rain comes in. I don't want any more casualties if we get another heavy storm. If we get rain, that is.

Danz, you are so darned sweet! Sounds like you got really fantastic gifts for your granddaughters! Love it! I also know what you mean about the shirt, but I usually try them on, anyway. LOL Glad you got a couple things for yourself. It IS cold out there! I'm debating bringing my silkies in, it's raining and they are looking kind of wet. I'm worried it might make them ill. Unfortunately, these silkies are a lot of trouble in bad weather-- they don't fare as well. If it's going to keep raining, I need to get them moved out to the barn and put them all in a horse stall to run around in. But even so-- I'm VERY thankful for the rain!! Bring it on!!!

So, sounds like everyone has been busy. Ivy is in the process of moving some things. But she is going thru and sorting EVERYTHING, and some stuff comes to Oswego, and some stays for the auction they plan to have. They went ahead and turned the internet off, so until she gets settled in the new home you will not here from her, unless she gets on my computor.
Every thing is going well here, I have had some trouble with resp. problems in the chickens, but I think it was because everything was so dry, and dusty.

Trying to get every thing together to finish out the 4H year, and get my yearly turned in to the extention office.

The first Saturday in october, is Columbus days. They have a big Hot air ballon show, and this year down at the fairgrounds, they are having old Timers day. Have team horse demonstrations, antique tractors and implements, and they contacted me to have a free poultry swap. So if you are looking for something to do, come to Columbus and join in on the fun. I think they have around 21, or 22 hot air balloons, it is something when they have the balloon glow Friday evening, and then when they all lift off Saturday morning ( weather permitting) very pretty site.

Thanks trish, I will get over to KPS.
Hope all is well. Ivy and I are doing just fine. Just super busy!

OH wow, the hotair balloons sound great! I'm sorry about the resp problems. I've had it too. Just some sneezing-- no drainage. But it's enough to send me over the edge in worry!! I'm so glad that Ivy is doing well and that she is able to take the time to sort her stuff for the new house. I think you guys are going to have so much fun living closer to each other! I'm happy for you both!

I'm in the same boat as you are, but I'm worried about getting the barn for the horses done. It's a 13'WX45'L pole barn, and so far we only have the ground leveled and the holes dig, and we are supposed to be moving the horses out here by/in November. Plus, we have a carpenter friend who is helping us with it, and we've had lots of problems with conflicting schedules.

Congrats on the barn! Sounds like it will shelter them well! I hope you get it put up before winter! I wonder if we'll actually have a 'real' winter this year. Last year was so mild, makes me wonder if we'll have a super hard winter this year. I have all of my horse coats all cleaned and zippered up in plastic carriers... I'm ready for it!! I got them out this summer to look them over and check for wear and cleaned them down and rolled them up and put them in the clear vinyl cases.

That is completely true, but still funny!


LOL, we're constantly giving our chickens the eye and trying to determine if something is a problem or not. I think I mentioned the bumblefoot incident -- after everyone here was talking about it, I mentioned to DH that we should check our birds. 20 minutes later he came back in and said they were all fine. He'd gone right out and turned ten chickens upside down to examine their feet!


I'm glad to hear they're improving.


That sounds like a pretty good day, and a productive one too.

So glad you didn't see any bumblefoot!! YAY! You must be doing something right!

The three little guineas I got last night at Atwoods didn't fare too well. It wasn't that cold last night when I put them in the pen with the other babies, but during the night they got chilled. Two of the darned little things escaped the pen, I just can't believe the cracks they can get through. Anyway, the little white one was killed by the chickens & the pied one was hiding under the pallet for the water buckets. The pearl one was the only one left in the pen & both that lived were really chilled, so I picked them up & took them into my garage & put them in one of my brooders with the light on. They were starting to recover a little when I came in for my coffee. I hope my others out there in that pen will be OK, they have feathers & have been outside this whole time, so hopefully they will be OK. I had put a board up to block the wind from the north, so that should help. I may get another one & put it back on the top of the pen just to give them some more shelter. The only bad thing about that is that the chickens just walk all over it & poop on it, so it kind of gets nasty.


Hawkeye, I really think this Sulmet has kicked this stuff better than the other two antibiotics I tried. It seemed like the Denagard didn't do much at all for them & the Tylan helped some, but not enough. The Sulmet is cheaper by far than the Tylan or Denagard too, go figure. HEChicken, I think it was you that asked me, yes it's a liquid you put in the water & it actually is listed on label for chickens unlike some other ones. I'm going to have to figure out after vacation where to put all of this chicken stuff I have & get it all organized, I don't have any sort of place set up for all of this chicken pharmacy or the extra equipment I have sitting around. I've got to get out in the garage & do a major cleanout now that it's getting cooler & try to figure out some kind of shelving to put in there to put my stuff on. I have things in the wood shed right now that my DH says have to come out so he can load it up with wood. My temporary little pen that I have used for turkeys, peacocks, & now two pullets also has to be moved to give him access to the wood shed. I haven't quite figured out yet where that is going to go, but I will find a place for it.

Well the lady who was supposed to come get rabbits sent me a message on FB saying she couldn't make it today & postponed until tomorrow, I sure hope she comes because I would love to sell those two rabbits she's coming to see. That would be two less big rabbits to have to move into the garage. I'm hoping to only have two Chinchilla rabbits left to overwinter, the rest will be small Mini Rex & Netherland Dwarfs that don't need big cages. They also eat a lot less.

OH no-- so sorry about your little white guinea! Now you have to get another white one, right????? Right???? Okay, I must buy Sulmet now, it sounds great. Where did you buy it? I was the one who asked if it were powder or liquid, but either way, I'm glad you can put it in water, that way it's much easier to dose and get everyone on it! Ih ope your rabbit buyer comes tomorrow!

Hello all! I have arrived back on planet Earth, well actually on planet BYC. It has been an extremely crazy Spring and Summer, and hoping for a nice calm fall.

I have moved from Wichita to the small town of Potwin (between Newton and El Dorado) and am thrilled that they allow roosters in the town limits. I am right on the edge and absolutely thrilled about it.

So glad for cool weather, I lost a few birds from the summer heat, all 3 of my silkie hens, and a Violet Laced Wyandotte hen. I just could not break them of being broody.

I will try to keep up better.


Tonya

YAY, Tonya, so glad to see you back!!!! Hey, that is great that you have moved and can legally have a rooster now! I'm really sorry about the heat getting your birds. So sad you lost the silkies! They just don't do well in the heat, for sure. I hooked up a water mister over my silkie pen and had it misting them constantly this summer! It was bad!

Welcome back, Taz. It's been a long time. Congrats on the move. Hope you like your new town.
I've been out absolutely freezing trying to rig up some instant shelters. It is only 55 degrees here now and it started raining on me while I was out there. I cut up parts of an old swimming pool liner and tried to use it on top of a bent piece of hog panel for a shelter. It was so old and stiff I had the heat gun out there trying to smooth it some but the wind and rain was working against me.But at least it cuts the wind and rain. I hung some plastic in one corner of my turkey pen in hopes they would use it for shelter but they are afraid of it and standing in the rain! I may run out and put up a temporary tarp after I warm up. DH told me he had a couple tarps in the truck but they must be in the truck he took to work cause they aren't there.
I put a 100 gallon stock tank on edge in the blue slate turkey pen just to block the wind. They outgrew their shelter as well. They probably won't use it but if they stand in front of it it might block some rain and wind. Then I put a big rubbermaid bin in the makeshift guinea pen I am using right now to keep them out of the wind and rain and threw another piece of the swimming pool liner on top on one end. I just have scraps of that liner left. It would be really handy if it weren't so brittle and heavy. I cut the middle out of the liner some time ago and used it for something but have no clue what on earth it was.
I'm ready for hot chocolate or some hot spiced cider. It feels like fall out there for sure.

Ooooh, I'll be right there for that hot spiced cider!! hehe!

Well, I ordered my shirt! I'm excited and it will be here in plenty of time for the Kansas Fall Classic Poultry Show in November!

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Anyone else read this yet. This is a good read.

MUSCOCVY DUCK AND THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule adding the muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) to the List of Migratory Birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). In addition, a final rule was published restricting certain activities with muscovy ducks and establishing a Control Order to manage feral populations. The final rules were published in the Federal Register on March 1, 2010 (Federal Register Volume 75, pages 9282-9322). The questions and answers below summarize how the regulatory changes affect activitieswith muscovy ducks. For more information, refer to the final rules at www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/index.html.

1. Why was the muscovy duck added to the List of Migratory Bird List? The muscovy duck is native to Mexico, Central and South America. However, it has recently expanded its range from Mexico to Hidalgo, Starr, and Zapata counties in south Texas. As a result of this natural expansion into the United States, the species is now considered native and has been added to the list of species protected under the MBTA (50 CFR 10.13).

2. The muscovy duck occurs in many areas outside of south Texas. Is it protected in these areas? Yes. The muscovy duck has been introduced through human intervention to many parts of the United States where it is an exotic species. Even though these feral muscovy ducks bear little physical resemblance to the muscovy duck in its native range, biologically they are still Cairina moschata and thus are accorded the protection of the MBTA.

3. Muscovy ducks are widely raised for food and maintained as pets and show ducks. Are these muscovies now protected? Yes, muscovy ducks are now subject to regulation wherever found in the United States and its territories, whether in the wild or in captivity.

4. Do I need a migratory bird permit to raise and sell muscovy ducks now? No. Although we amended the regulations at 50 CFR 21.14 and 21.25 to restrict possession and sale of muscovy ducks, we will not restrict possession or sale, or issue permits for this species at this time. As a result of information received since publication of the final rules, the Service has decided to revise the regulations.

5. What activities are now restricted? To reduce their spread, the revision to 50 CFR 21.14(g) prohibiting release of captive-bred muscovy ducks to the wild, including for hunting, will be implemented.

6. Will the new Control Order be implemented? Yes. Simultaneous to the listing, we published a Control Order at 50 CFR 21.54 that allows landowners, State, Federal and Tribal agencies, and others to remove or destroy muscovy ducks, their nests, and eggs, anywhere outside their natural range, without a federal migratory bird permit. Any muscovy duck removed live under this order must be placed with a facility where it will be maintained under conditions that will prevent escape to the wild, or it must be euthanized.

7. Do federally licensed migratory bird rehabilitators have to euthanize sick, injured or orphaned feral muscovy ducks brought to their facility? We discourage the return of feral muscovies back to the wild. We encourage rehabilitators to euthanize them, place them with a facility that will prevent their escape to the wild, or return them to the rescuer with advice that muscovy ducks are an invasive species and should not be returned to the wild.

8. Why was the public not given an opportunity to comment on these regulations? The Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to add the muscovy duck to the list of migratory birds on August 24, 2006 (71 FR 50194) and proposed the Control Order and other regulatory changes specifically for muscovy duck on August 22, 2009 (73 FR 49626). Both proposals invited public comment, were featured on our website, and State wildlife agencies were advised. However, although any member of the public could have commented, we were unaware of the extent to which muscovies are maintained in captivity and did not know of any organization to inform about the proposed changes. Therefore, many muscovy duck owners likely were not aware of the proposal.

9. When do the new regulations take effect? The new regulations are effective March 31, 2010. However, regulations restricting possession and sale of muscovy ducks will not be administered and permits will not be available because we plan to amend those regulations in the near future.

10. Who can I contact if I have questions about the List or Control Orders? Contact your Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. Addresses and phone numbers are located at www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/mbpermits/Addresses.html.

(3/31/2010)

 

[HEChicken]

The three little guineas I got last night at Atwoods didn't fare too well. It wasn't that cold last night when I put them in the pen with the other babies, but during the night they got chilled. Two of the darned little things escaped the pen, I just can't believe the cracks they can get through. Anyway, the little white one was killed by the chickens & the pied one was hiding under the pallet for the water buckets. The pearl one was the only one left in the pen & both that lived were really chilled, so I picked them up & took them into my garage & put them in one of my brooders with the light on. They were starting to recover a little when I came in for my coffee. I hope my others out there in that pen will be OK, they have feathers & have been outside this whole time, so hopefully they will be OK.

Sorry the little keets didn't fare so well on their first night. Hopefully the two will recover well. Today is supposed to be the coldest day and then a little warmer for the next few days.

Hello all! I have arrived back on planet Earth, well actually on planet BYC. It has been an extremely crazy Spring and Summer, and hoping for a nice calm fall.

I have moved from Wichita to the small town of Potwin (between Newton and El Dorado) and am thrilled that they allow roosters in the town limits. I am right on the edge and absolutely thrilled about it.

Hey Tonya - I was wondering where you were! That is cool that you moved to where you can have roosters legally. I moved too, since we met in the Spring and am now able to have roosters too - I really do like that freedom. This morning I was sitting outside and my roo was crowing right behind me and I was just kind of tuning him out - so different from when I was in town and would have a young cockerel start to crow and every crow raised my stress level, wishing he would be quiet.

OH, I would love to go with your group if they plan a trip to the lake!! Just let me know! It would be far more fun to ride with lots of other ladies than just with a couple of us. I love big trail rides! I always manage to get myself into trouble, too, so big groups are good. I mean, I'm not stupid and run my horse or do dumb things-- but I swear, things just HAPPEN to me!! LOL If anything, I can provide you all with comic relief when my horse decides to do a belly flop in the water crossing. He LOVES water, and I have to use all my might to spur him through it instead of rolling in it.

Oh good, maybe you can take the pressure off me to provide the comic relief. One trail ride in the flint hills, my horse had a big 'ol horsefly on his butt and was trying to get it off with tail swishing but couldn't hit the spot. Finally as a last resort, he bucked - from a walk, mind you - and I was sitting so relaxed in my saddle, deep in conversation with the lady riding next to me that I popped right up out of the saddle, over the horn, and was left sitting on his neck!!! Everyone was laughing at me and I just couldn't blame them. Someone behind me swatted the horsefly and then I was able to push up on his neck high enough to get back over the horn and back into the saddle without having to dismount, so at least I didn't have to say he bucked me off at a walk

Anyone else read this yet. This is a good read.
MUSCOCVY DUCK AND THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
.... The new regulations are effective March 31, 2010.
(3/31/2010)

Thanks Darin. I seem to remember when that was published a couple of years ago as there was a lot of talk on the forum about it at that time. I didn't keep muscovies then and didn't pay that much attention, so all I remember is talk that keeping them domestically was to become illegal. I'm really glad that didn't transpire as I have enjoyed their addition to my flock.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Anyone else read this yet. This is a good read.
MUSCOCVY DUCK AND THE MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule adding the muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) to the List of Migratory Birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

Wow, I read through that, and I had no idea they were invasive birds! That sounds crazy! Do you have any muscovy ducks? I know you have lots of ducks!! So, now what?? Are they legal to shoot year round, or are they going to have a season for them?? Nice to see you around, Darren!

Oh good, maybe you can take the pressure off me to provide the comic relief. One trail ride in the flint hills, my horse had a big 'ol horsefly on his butt and was trying to get it off with tail swishing but couldn't hit the spot. Finally as a last resort, he bucked - from a walk, mind you - and I was sitting so relaxed in my saddle, deep in conversation with the lady riding next to me that I popped right up out of the saddle, over the horn, and was left sitting on his neck!!! Everyone was laughing at me and I just couldn't blame them. Someone behind me swatted the horsefly and then I was able to push up on his neck high enough to get back over the horn and back into the saddle without having to dismount, so at least I didn't have to say he bucked me off at a walk

Okay, that is exactly what I'm talking about!! That is so funny!! Yes, that is what would happen to me-- it's never anything too dangerous, but stuff does tend to happen to me. I have never been bucked off-- although I have ridden thru a VERY serious horse intent on bucking me off, but I have been yanked out of my saddle by tree limbs. I'm sure I told you stories of all of my craziness-- like hitting the log full of bees, just stuff like that. I quit riding with a group of people because they were getting too dangerous-- running their horses on trails and just doing stupid stuff. But like your horsefly that knocked you out of your seat-- I don't plan on any of it! LOL

 

[mommahen10]

Hi all! I'm reading and learning, and learning some more. By the time I go to post I don't remember who said what anymore. Just wanted to let you know that I'm following along.

hawkeye, I love your t-shirt. What program did you use to draw your image? I've never done that like that before. I like to play with images. Your shirt is adorable and I agree, you should deck out your family. It's awesome.

I have chicks hatching, they weren't supposed to start until Friday but it never fails I have a few early ones. The earliest are dated 8/24 and none of those hatched yet but 2 dated 8/25 hatched this afternoon. One looks great, it's up and around. But the other, I've never seen this before. Anyone know what this is or what I should do??????

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o299/mommyshome/Chickens/SAM_3151.jpg

Any input/help is appreciated.

Thanks, Treva

 

[HEChicken]

I have chicks hatching, they weren't supposed to start until Friday but it never fails I have a few early ones. The earliest are dated 8/24 and none of those hatched yet but 2 dated 8/25 hatched this afternoon. One looks great, it's up and around. But the other, I've never seen this before. Anyone know what this is or what I should do??????

It has not absorbed all of its yolk, and sadly, sometimes these little guys don't do so well. I would leave him in the incubator for the time being to see if he can finish absorbing the yolk. Hopefully he won't be joined by too many siblings, who might start to peck at it.

Josie, it was great to meet you this afternoon! Thank you for the chicks. DD was delighted to come home and find them. The brooder is set up in her room as she loves to tend to the little ones. She kind of loses interest as they get older so it works out great. Chicks are cute but I enjoy them more the older they get as their personalities start to come out. DD meanwhile finds them boring the older they get but loves to play with and handle the little chicks. So they get plenty of socialization at both stages of their lives.

Well....crap. I had to go into my turkey pen this afternoon and didn't notice the door swung open behind me. My male walked out the open door and is now loose in the chicken yard. He's hanging close to the turkey pen as it turns out he and the female have bonded over the last couple of weeks, and she was distraught if he wandered very far. The problem is, he's too wild for me to get close to him to pick him up but if I leave the door open and give him space to walk back in, the female eyes it like she's thinking of joining him. Hopefully later today I'll be able to get the kids to help me out with herding him back in while I stay in the pen to make sure Madge doesn't escape while the door is open.

We have enjoyed getting a little soaking rain this afternoon. So far only 1/4" but it would be nice if we got a little more before it quits.

 

[mommahen10]

Thanks HEChicken, he's still in the incubator and I can keep him separate from the others for as long as necessary. He/she can have it's own room. I hope it can absorb it and be okay.