Consolidated Kansas

[Kansas Prairie]

I was able to get some dividers from the top of the 10ft coop walls up to the roof, we used some of that orange plastic snow fence. Got a couple of 50ft rolls on sale. My turkeys were flying around in the barn and making a mess on everything below. They have adjusted well to roosting on in their more restricted area.

I'm going to have to do something with the big RIR rooster before I can let my younger ones out with the group. I keep thinking he'll out grow his behavior but it only gets worse. I'm not afraid of him, but I'm getting tired of him coming at me. Lately none of the eggs are fertile, he seems to be a good protector, but he's pig and no one can eat until he's done, he attacks the girls to attempt to breed, and I just don't care for his disposition. I feel sorry for my girls, he has no manners. I had a Rooster that was some kind of game bread, beautiful bird, after he won Grand Champion at the local county fair, he was meaner than spit, at the time I had 3 little children, he didn't taste very good.

 

[HEChicken]

Trish, yes, Atwoods does carry the syringes and needles - I got some there recently.

I am so envious you are getting so many eggs. I've always staggered my chicks, adding a few new chicks each spring and sometimes in the fall as well. However this year didn't go so well. The fox got all but two of the spring chicks (they were 3-4 months old by then). Tory got one of the remaining two, so the only one left is the one I call a game hen. First she went broody. Then she decided to molt instead. She only hatched the beginning of March and I've never had one that young molt before but she is looking completely ridiculous right now, and hasn't laid an egg since before she went broody. Sigh. My only layers now are a couple of pullets I got from Karen after the fox attack, and a summer chick from LAST year who looks like she is molting but is also still laying. Between them I get 1-2 eggs a day and it was exciting to actually get 3 a few days ago

The frustrating part is that I am feeding 50 birds for those 1-2 eggs. Come spring I'll have eggs coming out my ears though as all of the chicks I hatched this Fall mature and start to lay.

Danz, I'm with Trish - I don't envy you raising new chicks in the winter. My youngest now are 6 1/2 weeks old and I can't wait until they are big enough to join the general population. As it is right now with chicks separated into several different pens, plus the main flock, keeping everyone in food and water seems to take long enough out in the cold each day. However I am somewhat tempted to consider the New Hamp/White Rock at some point in the future. I do like the idea of being able to make my own Red Sexlinks.

 

[HEChicken]

I'm going to have to do something with the big RIR rooster before I can let my younger ones out with the group. I keep thinking he'll out grow his behavior but it only gets worse. I'm not afraid of him, but I'm getting tired of him coming at me. Lately none of the eggs are fertile, he seems to be a good protector, but he's pig and no one can eat until he's done, he attacks the girls to attempt to breed, and I just don't care for his disposition. I feel sorry for my girls, he has no manners. I had a Rooster that was some kind of game bread, beautiful bird, after he won Grand Champion at the local county fair, he was meaner than spit, at the time I had 3 little children, he didn't taste very good.

Oh goodness, I would definitely eat your RIR rooster and I'm not just saying that because I had to make this very decision yesterday. What made my decision harder was that in every respect apart from his attitude to me, mine was the perfect rooster. He was good to the hens, seeking permission before mating and not one of them has ever had any sign of wear as a result of his attentions. Yet, when I tried to hatch some of his eggs I got 100% development and on one occasion a 100% hatch, so apparently he was getting enough action. He continually sought out treats for them and called them over to get them and really impressed my mum when she visited because he refused to eat any treats himself, saving them instead for his hens. And, when I put out feed, he would call them over then stand back and wait until they had eaten their fill before going in to eat himself. Plus, he was constantly watching the sky for aerial predators and didn't miss a thing that happened in the chicken yard. I used to sometimes try to sneak in so I could spend time with the flock without looking over my shoulder but I never could get in without him being aware of me, which at least made me feel confident he would also be aware of other dangers. If he would only have left me alone - actually if he would have even limited his attacks to once a week instead of daily - I probably would have continued to put up with him just because he was so good as a rooster. But in your case I'm not hearing any redeeming qualities, which would at least make the decision easier.

 

[PrairieChickens]

HEchicken: We have a rooster like that... Milton. The only reason he's still alive is because it's just so much work to get everything set up for just one chicken, but I did finally have enough of his crap and one night when he was roosting, I grabbed him and stuck him in a separate pen. We've moved him a few times since then, but he's been imprisoned ever since. He can still interact with the other chickens, and we feed and water him, but I no longer have to look over my shoulder constantly to make sure he isn't going to come at me. Fortunately, Mars has already taken over the duties of head rooster, and he's much more polite towards me than Milton was. The only one I have to watch out for now is Elvis, and I just don't think he's as aggressive as Milton is. After a few months, he should settle down.

 

[mommahen10]

HEChicken, I'm so sorry it came to this. I know you didn't want to, but you did the right thing. What are you canning this time of year? You're canning stock? I haven't been able to find anything to can in a while now.

 

[HEChicken]

HEchicken: We have a rooster like that... Milton. The only reason he's still alive is because it's just so much work to get everything set up for just one chicken, but I did finally have enough of his crap and one night when he was roosting, I grabbed him and stuck him in a separate pen. We've moved him a few times since then, but he's been imprisoned ever since. He can still interact with the other chickens, and we feed and water him, but I no longer have to look over my shoulder constantly to make sure he isn't going to come at me. Fortunately, Mars has already taken over the duties of head rooster, and he's much more polite towards me than Milton was. The only one I have to watch out for now is Elvis, and I just don't think he's as aggressive as Milton is. After a few months, he should settle down.

Oh how funny - I had a Milton too. He was Mildred when I thought he was a pullet (Silkie) and as you know silkies are notoriously difficult to tell boys from girls. He was given to me at 10 weeks old and the breeder thought he was a girl so I happily called her Mildred and had a ball with her and her "sister", June-Bug. June-Bug had been looking a little masculine so when I heard a crow one morning I assumed that's where it came from and looked out the window to see "Mildred". "June-Bug" joined in and my two girls became Milton and JB from that day on.

HEChicken, I'm so sorry it came to this. I know you didn't want to, but you did the right thing. What are you canning this time of year? You're canning stock? I haven't been able to find anything to can in a while now.

Yes, I canned stock that I made from the Thanksgiving turkeys. I love to have stock on hand but it takes up so much room in the freezer and when I need it, I have to wait for it to thaw in order to use it. If I put it in canning jars, they can sit practically indefinitely on the shelves in my pantry and when I need them, they're ready to go. I love to can and can't wait for my garden next year. I wasn't able to do much this year because we were in the middle of moving at the time I would have been growing. Couldn't start a garden at the old place because we wouldn't be there to harvest but couldn't start one at the new place because we moved in too late to get it established. I'm already working on my beds for next year so I'll be good to go in the spring.

 

[PrairieChickens]

Oh how funny - I had a Milton too. He was Mildred when I thought he was a pullet (Silkie) and as you know silkies are notoriously difficult to tell boys from girls. He was given to me at 10 weeks old and the breeder thought he was a girl so I happily called her Mildred and had a ball with her and her "sister", June-Bug. June-Bug had been looking a little masculine so when I heard a crow one morning I assumed that's where it came from and looked out the window to see "Mildred". "June-Bug" joined in and my two girls became Milton and JB from that day on.

Ok, get ready for this... Milton was originally Mildred too! He's a Barred Rock, though. If he'd been a silkie, that would have been too trippy. XD

 

[HEChicken]

Ok, get ready for this... Milton was originally Mildred too! He's a Barred Rock, though. If he'd been a silkie, that would have been too trippy. XD

 

[JosieChick]

Josie, that's a great idea to cook an extra bird, especially considering that I have such a big family. That's so sweet that she packed so much for you. I love to share what we have, it makes me happy. I was handing out togo boxes not even thinking about not having so much left over. We made 11 or 12 pies, they're all gone. The turkey is all gone, I still have a couple of pieces of ham left I'll put in the eggs tomorrow morning. I'm back to cooking again for sure. Toby is in his new coop tonight. He loves the roost, he's so cute. We went out to check on him and there was really no reason to because he had it all under control.
As a child I always thought it was standard practice to cook two turkeys!!! I didn't realize until I was a teenager that she did that so we could all take a bunch of food home with us! We used to eat left overs for a week.
Such a spoiled boy! If you decide to get into breeding lavenders let me know and I will find the name of the breeder he is from. People like to know lineage when they buy chicks and it also helps to keep your birds unrelated.
HEChicken, our opening is probably lower to the ground, the sides are quite low and it's not very tall. Also, it's old wood and it's rough so I think something with claws could climb up it. There is also a big tree in there, I think that it would be possible for something to fly into the tree and then onto the roof and into the coop, but not now because it's all covered up, yay!

Josie, that's terrible. I'm sorry you aren't feeling well and then the dog getting hurt and the goose too. Do you think you'll be able to figure out what happened?
It is hard to say. I would imagine it is whatever was eating my ducks and got a hold of a couple pullets until we re hooked up the hotwire. The geese are getting hot wire too now!

The look like decent birds. I would ask if they know what breeder they are from just so you have that info for your records. I might even consider depending on how much space you have maybe buying 3 and then buying a couple more in the spring so you have diverse genetics. I was so excited when I saw cochins on that listing but of course they are poor quality. Oh well!

Hey, my dh keeps tempting me with these lavender orps, any input???
http://seks.craigslist.org/grd/3381623933.html

I think you gave Cyrus more than a fair shot at behaving himself. I wouldn't have put up with that. I have one flogger right now who is isolation and is going to be butchered next weekend. I hate going in that pen. He goes after me every stinkin time I am in there and I can't ever let my guard down. He got DH in the leg good the other day and DH was mad!

Well, I had to take care of Cyrus yesterday. I gave him every possible chance because he really was a great rooster to his flock - I felt safe with him around because he was so vigilant in looking for danger. Unfortunately, he considered me to be the most dangerous foe out there and it got to the point I couldn't go down to the coop without being attacked. He literally followed me around looking for an opportunity. The strange thing was, he never bothered anyone BUT me - DH, DD and DS could go down there and wander around all day and he didn't see them as a threat but as soon as I arrived, it was on.

Several weeks ago I booted him in the butt and then chased him around the yard and that kept him at bay for about three weeks. He not only didn't attack me but actually ran from me for awhile and kept his distance. Then a couple of weeks ago, as I was leaving the coop, he jumped me from behind and since then it has been worse than ever. Yesterday morning he attacked my arm as I was dumping feed into their bowl. So I got out a broom and every time I went down there yesterday, I carried the broom so I could keep him a broom-length distance from me. That worked fine except its really hard to do a lot of chores with a broom in one hand. Still, I put off making the fateful decision.

But last night I went to collect The Egg (laying has been so poor lately most days I only get 1-2) and he actually followed me into the coop (or at least, he went in the chicken door after observing me go in the people door) and attacked me very aggressively IN the coop. I put up my booted foot as a barrier between us and he attacked my foot so thoroughly that my ankle is quite bruised and sore. He then kind of sniffed and went to exit and I just grabbed him and thought "now is the time". I had been canning all day so my big canning pot was not only out but already had hot water in it to assist with plucking.

To be honest, I've had regrets already. Just yesterday - not an hour before this - I saw a hawk circling and didn't worry because I knew Cyrus would warn the flock to take cover. And, I don't exactly have a replacement for him yet. I have a little Welsummer cockerel who is about 5 months old but he doesn't seem ready yet to assume flock leadership. He hasn't even crowed yet - are Wellies typically slow to mature? - but perhaps Cyrus intimidated him and now that he is the biggest and oldest rooster there, he will start to crow. The funny thing is, those little 10-week-old Silchins are all crowing and have little crow-a-thons every morning in their screechy little voices that you can't hear unless you are close. But the much larger and older cockerels (Welsummer plus two 3 1/2 month old Cyrus offspring) are completely silent.

Up to the end he continued to be a good rooster - to his flock - but I reached the point I just couldn't take the constant attacks and literally looking over my shoulder every time I heard the patter of feet behind me to be sure it wasn't him launching himself at me.

I love my lavenders. They are beautiful birds. That add says those are spring birds so they should be near point of lay. If they are pure lavender orpingtons at 5 or so months old I think $20 each would be a reasonable price. If you want to wait I know at least Trish and myself will have babies in the spring. I don't have any laying age yet. They seem to be rather slow growing.
Trish I am so envious of you. I have nothing for Christmas yet. My middle son and wife have given me a couple of things but together they are more than I wanted to spend. I was really planning to cut back. I really wouldn't mind spending that much it's just that the other kids would need just as much.
I have some birds I need to move out of the brooder but don't have housing for them. I swear it seems like I work non-stop and never quite get to the point I need to be! I wish it was warm out again for a few more days. I just don't like the idea of working outside in this weather.
Josie I am so glad whatever got your goose didn't kill it. Do you think it was a coyote? Lucy is such a good girl. It sure would be nice if Lucy was well to help out as well. When are you getting your new pup?
I am glad it didn't too! He is still pretty sore today but seems to be hanging in there. Whatever it was bit right behind his head because he has two canine holes on top and bottom of his neck where it bit around his neck. At first I assumed coyote but the canines are pretty close together, like 3/4" at most apart which makes me wonder if it wasn't fox or racoon because that seems like really small teeth for a coyote. We had something coming around that was eating ducks before we got the hotwire back up and running. I can't wait for Lucie to get better and get her butt out there! Poor Molly has her hands full. I knew something was wrong when she was laying out in the pasture watching because she never lays out there. New pup won't be here until next August but Lucie should be able to go back to work by February so that will be nice.
I've spent another few hours on line looking at stuff. Funny I can find all kinds of things I want to buy for myself while they are on sale but nothing for other people on my list.
I'm a bit disgusted with Sears and Home Depot. They have stuff advertised but when you want to buy it, it is either out of stock or you aren't in the service area so they don't let you. That really bites. Home Depot is within range of me but because of my zip code it won't me request delivery and it is stuff that is only shipped and can't pick up at the store. Doesn't make sense to me. If it isn't coming to the store and is getting shipped why would my zip code make a difference?

Good job Molly!!! I hope she will be okay. She didn't break a leg or something?? Poor gander, I hope he will be okay. Definitely a GOOD dog you have there. You're really lucky you have her, since it seems like most of those LGD's don't turn out to be what people hope they are. She deserved her steak dinner! I hope you are feeling better after your bad-food day. That is miserable! I hate food poisoning!
Oh no! No broken bones. I think she probably strained something when she chased whatever it was. When they take off after something they don't pay any attention to where they are going they are just hot on the path and that is it. I am sure she probably stumbled and pulled a muscle. She is better this morning. Ugh, the bad food day was awful, I felt so bad too because I kept feeling the baby kick and I kept trying to eat and drink and it just kept coming back up! Yuck.


What is this "extra eggs" you are talking about???? LOL! My girls are still on strike. However I have noticed most of them do have their tails starting to come back in! Every one of them lost their tail. It's nice to see birds with tails again. Looks like they still have some growing to do, though. I'm with you on the xmas. My DH and I will do that when we save up during the year for something we've wanted. Last year we got the nice lenses for the camera we bought the year before. Since we wanted to use it for xmas, we didn't bother to wrap it. And we didn't do big gifts for each other since we both agreed to it. I'm totally okay with it. We usually come up with one big thing we want and just do it that way. I enjoy watching the kids open gits, though.


Danz... I thought I had gotten one or two of your posts. Ah well, I noticed you said you worked out in the cold and wind to work on the housing for your birds. NOT FUN. I really hate the cold. I mean HATE. I HATE winter. HATE it. I don't like being cold and it makes everything so much more difficult. UGH. I know you're a summer girl like me, so I felt really bad for you out there doing all the chores, plus the building and everything else. Maybe you need to downsize for real and make it a bit easier on you?

Today is my DH's birthday. I need to run to town in a while and I'm going to pick up stuff for dinner and since I totally spaced his birthday was on a MONDAY (I was thinking it was Wednesday--yeah, stupid!) I didn't have a cake planned. So going to pick up an ice-cream cake at Dairy Queen. Happy birthday to your DH! Brrr and yum to ice cream cake! Have you ever gotten a cake from Bagatelle bakery in Wichita? They have the BEST cakes. Now I want cake....

Mean roos are the worst. I had a RIR this summer that would hang from my pant leg. It got old real fast.

I was able to get some dividers from the top of the 10ft coop walls up to the roof, we used some of that orange plastic snow fence. Got a couple of 50ft rolls on sale. My turkeys were flying around in the barn and making a mess on everything below. They have adjusted well to roosting on in their more restricted area.

I'm going to have to do something with the big RIR rooster before I can let my younger ones out with the group. I keep thinking he'll out grow his behavior but it only gets worse. I'm not afraid of him, but I'm getting tired of him coming at me. Lately none of the eggs are fertile, he seems to be a good protector, but he's pig and no one can eat until he's done, he attacks the girls to attempt to breed, and I just don't care for his disposition. I feel sorry for my girls, he has no manners. I had a Rooster that was some kind of game bread, beautiful bird, after he won Grand Champion at the local county fair, he was meaner than spit, at the time I had 3 little children, he didn't taste very good.

Well I am so over predators in our yard. I went to let the house dogs out this morning and there was the mangiest, skinniest coyote just wandering around our front yard!!!! Wish I had known it was there before I let the dogs out because it was busy sniffing and would have been an easy target, 25 feet away from the front door!! UGH!!! Of course the dogs took off after it before I even knew what was going on and Molly came tearing up front barking like a nut job, poor girl, she really does have her hands full.

I am feeling better but short on calories today I think. I feel like I need to make up for yesterday. We got some good news on the house. The roof is going to be totaled and covered by the sellers insurance so we get a whole new roof! HEchicken, we are going to be neighbors!! I can't wait to get in there and get the flooring done and paint the nursery! I found an awesome carters bassinet on craigslist and picked it up last week so that will be nice for the first little while anyway.

I was working on our registry last night and trying to blunder through reviews on bottles and bottle warmers. We won't be using them much except maybe when I go back to work part time and DH or the MIL is home with the baby for the day. I think I have picked out a brand and only registered for a few because if the baby doesn't like them we won't have a ton to return or exchange. I was amazed at how many times the staff at Babies R Us reminded us of the importance of registering for diapers and formula was. I must have told 4 people that we were going to breast feed and cloth diaper and they all told me I was brave!!! Hahahaha. I just thought that is what people did. Makes a lot more sense to me, I mean why pay for formula if you don't have to? One of the girls my DH works with said she just registered for diapers and that is all she got at her shower. She never had to buy a single diaper because she just stocked up on them for the firs 2 1/2 years of her sons life.

Hawkeye- I am going to send you a PM on facebook because I have a few questions about reusable wipes etc.

 

[lizzyGSR]

I just got back from vacation yesterday. It was our Summer/Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's vacation. We FINALLY were able to bring my horses back with us! They are FINALLY on OUR property!!! This is a huge relief as we've worked VERY hard all summer and then some to get everything ready for them. However, it is also somewhat stressful as horses are a big responsibility. I went out to check on them multiple times last night before I went to bed. One of those times, I managed to not latch the gate and woke up early this morning (2AM) and remembered that I hadn't latched the gate. My DH was still awake (he's transitioning to start working midnight shift) and he went out and checked. Sure enough the gate wasn't latched. The chain was barely draped over the gate. That one was TOO close of a call for my comfort, and I had barely had the horses on the property for 6 hours... GRRR!!! Thankfully, the horses didn't notice, and everything is going well. Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures of my horses!!!

Here they are in the newly finished "barn" (a.k.a. run-in shed). Gabby is on the left, Montana is on the right.


Here they are begging for treats: Montana is in front, Gabby in back.