Dixie Chicks

[ApiaryandAviary]

I understand why you would want to get your numbers down. I am internally in turmoil over getting my numbers down. I am
Attached to so many emotionally. But to be fair I really dont want to go into this mountain winter weather with so many. I have sold some of the hutches/houses. And I changed the building from 8 runs to 4 runs. Less breeds, less varieties of a breed. More elbow room for the varieties I am keeping. Maybe I am a fickle person? When I go outside they see me and come running. Not just one or two but all that are free ranging. Right now Only half free range one day and the other half free range the next day. They want out. They really want to roam. But we have predators. And we have talked to hunters about the coyotes, fox, hawk, bear, etc.

I had thought we got the predator situation under control during the summer. Obviously we did not.

I understand the barn fell in on you(them). I pray all works out for you.

Does your TSC run their animal swap Once a month or every Saturday? Does it end when the weather turns cold? Does it go year round?

I gave some away that were project English Orpingtons. I had spent 3 years trying to create Blue Laced Red Eng Orps. Close, but when my third year, third generation came out looking exactly like the second generation and I waited til the 4th month to see how they were feathering they were all given away. I gave up. Even though English Orps are slow to feather,...
Know when to fold and know when to hold.
No more giving away project birds. It has proven expensive.
No more project birds. Too expensive.

I want to make sure all is well and I am certain, certain chickens I can let go of. I have held on too long for some and it is causing me heartbreak.

I must get my numbers under two dozen and my sons numbers under two dozen for rhe cost of the feed alone through the l-o-n-g

 

[Outpost JWB]

I am sorry I have been so quiet. It's been just crazy. My 2nd barn with birds collapsed recently and now everyone is overcrowded and the rain this week has made the outside runs a mess. I'm selling everything but my ancona, a trio of snowy calls, my isabel/brown leghorns, English orps, mandarin duck pair, Swedish flowers. I may keep a trio of black ohiki.

This sucks but I'm overwhelmed and the birds are too overcrowded now. I can't wait till I am down in numbers. I can't believe I am saying that.

I honestly miss spending my time with the horses. I was always a top contender with my my minis. Now I am lucky to have the time to keep stalls clean and horses fed. I want to be able to be a contender again. I have a horse that could go to nationals and win easy if I had the time to train him and work him. This has been coming for the past year and it's finally hit hard when that barn fell.

I totally understand! The weather has been so HORRIBLE in Ohio for almost a YEAR! Too much rain, too much snow, too cold, too hot.

Yesterday was the 1st day in a LONG time I have got to work on our coop. Was suppose to get a new coop

, but because someone rear ended and totaled our suv, we had to get a new car. Just don't have any more money on that money tree for now, so the terrible repurposed lean to has to last another winter. Here are pics from last year. The lean to on the left is leaning worse now. About to fall any day. The one on the right is our main coop. The one on the left has 2 cages of birds. (Roosters)


There is ALOT of work that has to be done before winter. Yesterday DD and I ripped out the boards that were dividing the right side. I made sure they were not load bearing and ripped them out. That will make life a bit easier. Before we added 2 doors, we had to "climb thru the hobbit hole". It was terrible. LOL! I should've got pics. I will try when I get home from work today.

Lost another pullet yesterday and others seem sick last night. I've got to get an accurate count. I'd bet I've lost over 30 this summer. Gotta go to work. @minihorse927 , we are suppose to have one week of good weather FINALLY! Except for rain on Friday-nothing new. Have a great day everyone.

 

[vehve]

Hey guys,

Been a bit busy lately, but checking in again.

Recap:

New puppy, this little guy is named Myrkky (Poison).


Chickens are doing well, we've got 5 girls and 2 boys at the moment.


Eggs are coming in nicely, just got our 900th egg yesterday.


Bunnies are good too. Along with Hilma, we've got two left from the first litter, they went on a romantic date on Friday. From the second batch, we processed 3 yesterday, and are probably going to do the rest next weekend. I gotta tell you, processing bunnies is so much easier than chickens, if you want to raise something for meat, that's the go to species. And this colony type cage has been working great for us. It will be interesting to see how it does in the winter.


The compost is doing well too, I've got about a cubic yard of soil waiting for next year at the moment.

And lastly, Karin and I are good too. I think that about covers it. What's up with you guys?

 

[BriardChickens]

I am sorry I have been so quiet. It's been just crazy. My 2nd barn with birds collapsed recently and now everyone is overcrowded and the rain this week has made the outside runs a mess. I'm selling everything but my ancona, a trio of snowy calls, my isabel/brown leghorns, English orps, mandarin duck pair, Swedish flowers. I may keep a trio of black ohiki.

This sucks but I'm overwhelmed and the birds are too overcrowded now. I can't wait till I am down in numbers. I can't believe I am saying that.

I honestly miss spending my time with the horses. I was always a top contender with my my minis. Now I am lucky to have the time to keep stalls clean and horses fed. I want to be able to be a contender again. I have a horse that could go to nationals and win easy if I had the time to train him and work him. This has been coming for the past year and it's finally hit hard when that barn fell.

Oh man, I am so sorry to hear that...

What about those portable sheds? You know, those yellow car ones that most home hardware stores sell for $150? Put a few pallets across the floor with some thin plywood sheets across. Just a thought, but I am sure you have lots of ideas already.

I really want to sell them all but that's just stress talking and I know I'll regret it. If I can get down to where I've got less than 30 or so birds, I'll be ok

30 birds is still a good amount of birds and nice foundation to start fresh with. Stay positive through all of this.

Hey guys,

Been a bit busy lately, but checking in again.

Recap:

New puppy, this little guy is named Myrkky (Poison).


Chickens are doing well, we've got 5 girls and 2 boys at the moment.


Eggs are coming in nicely, just got our 900th egg yesterday.


Bunnies are good too. Along with Hilma, we've got two left from the first litter, they went on a romantic date on Friday. From the second batch, we processed 3 yesterday, and are probably going to do the rest next weekend. I gotta tell you, processing bunnies is so much easier than chickens, if you want to raise something for meat, that's the go to species. And this colony type cage has been working great for us. It will be interesting to see how it does in the winter.


The compost is doing well too, I've got about a cubic yard of soil waiting for next year at the moment.

And lastly, Karin and I are good too. I think that about covers it. What's up with you guys?

Vehve!! Long time no see! About time you checked in

Cute puppies and rabbits, glad to hear your project is coming along well!

Congrats on the 900th egg!

 

[vehve]

BC, yup, everything is well here. How are things in Canuckia?

 

[BriardChickens]

Cold already... -4C at my house this morning but saw -7C on my way into work. None of that white s%!^ yet though. For some reason I am really dreading winter this year and I used to love snow and winter....

 

[BriardChickens]

Birds are doing well though, I have a new layer flock of Cayuga ducks now, I plan to put a few of them together with my own line of Cayugas for breeding next spring.. and then work on my Ancona ducks too.

 

[Cold Canadian]

Good Morning , getting colder here , temps dropping to the minus's , daytime temps still good , a lot of sun and finally no more rain . Piggy's are gaining weight so we'll see what they look like in December , might just butcher them all , less hassle ? Butchered my four white turkeys ...43 KG or 95lbs so a lot of meat , but costly to raise and process so doubtful that I'll do that again . But getting ready for the cold to come , firewood is home for the most part , should be good to go there , got about three to four cords to cut up on the mill for timbers so there will be slabs coming yet .

 

[hennible]

Hi Felix!
Good to read you. We are good here too. Got a new coop and a crazy roof and studio room built over my deck. I think you'd like the roof line it's really cool. Got some muscovy ducks added to my flock with my others. Finnally cooked a duck right and they are good. Only one chicken at the moment, a partridge Cochin rooster.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Felix!!!

Lovely pup and good looking bunnies you have going there... bet they love your bunny palace, lol...