Fermenting Feed for Meat Birds

[Triple Willow]

You know, it really wasn't... I miss the people I worked with. And I miss sushi dinners. But, the rest of it - not so much.

All of our friends and co-workers in Dallas think we're nuts... But we've adopted the Green Acres theme song (I've threatened to put it on a loop blaring through outdoor speakers), and I've fully embraced my new identity as the 31 yr old crazy chicken lady.

It's kind of amusing when people think your crazy or even pity you in a way for the lifestyle you choose to live. I have family that even live in the country but are as "city" as anybody. lol We are sooo different. They think I'm crazy, I know they are! lol I like the old ways, they are tried and true! I bet if your friends were to spend a little time with you and your family at your place they would give their lives a second thought. Some wouldn't, but I bet a lot of them would.

I bet a family could make a living with a sort of "bed and breakfast" set up where people could come and live the simple life for a weekend. Fresh eggs, fresh milk, real home cooking (including game), veggies from the garden, fruit from an orchard including homemade preserves, homemade ice cream, etc. And let them in on the chores to see how it's all done. You could even take them fishing and hunting when season is in. Shoot I'd like to go somewhere like that because I sure don't do all of that!

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Mine are losing loads of feathers to and Bee told me they were shedding their baby feathers. 

Hi Rose ! After I did a bit more research I learned that juvenile molting is a normal thing !

 

[RoseMarie1]

Is it normal for the chicks to be messing with their feathers alot? I am seeing them what I THINK is grooming a lot all of a sudden and wondering if they have just gotten some critters or something. I've tried checking them but can't see anything for all these new feathers coming n. Maybe that's bothering them, the new feathers coming in? Still going to slap some sulfur in their run where there is dirt so they can dust in that and been putting it on their roost to.

 

[foreverlearning]

Anyone know what kind this is? The fatness is a couple of my chicks.

 

[wlhtx]

Where are you located? The coloring looks like a Texas Rat Snake. Google it and look at pics.

 

[foreverlearning]

Where are you located? The coloring looks like a Texas Rat Snake. Google it and look at pics.

Southwest Louisiana, about 15 min from the Texas border.

 

[Triple Willow]

Where are you located? The coloring looks like a Texas Rat Snake. Google it and look at pics.

I think you're right.

Check out the pictures at this link of one climbing a chain link fence and the one trying to get in a door. LOL
http://www.texassnakes.net/TexasRat.htm

They are pretty much harmless except to eggs and smaller animals like chicks and when they scare you to death. lol

 

[foreverlearning]

I think you're right.

Check out the pictures at this link of one climbing a chain link fence and the one trying to get in a door. LOL
http://www.texassnakes.net/TexasRat.htm

They are pretty much harmless except to eggs and smaller animals like chicks and when they scare you to death. lol

I was just looking at that link that I found while looking it up like you suggested. Thank you it looks like the female one they have on there. It makes me feel better knowing that I don't have to worry with the kids. Do they go after grown chickens? I have one that is a really small breed but she is really flighty. I finished the head count and it was 4 like I thought.

 

[Triple Willow]

I was just looking at that link that I found while looking it up like you suggested. Thank you it looks like the female one they have on there. It makes me feel better knowing that I don't have to worry with the kids. Do they go after grown chickens? I have one that is a really small breed but she is really flighty. I finished the head count and it was 4 like I thought.

Dang I'm sorry it got your chicks! You're not having a very good couple days! I believe a big one could kill a grown chicken (because they are constrictors) but you don't hear of it very often. They usually go for eggs or smaller chicks. Sometimes they will kill a bigger chick and try to eat it then when it is too big to get down they spit it back out. You find those bigger chicks dead with a wet/slimmy head and neck. No they shouldn't be any threat to your kids. The worst that could happen would be if one bit somebody and the sight of the bite were to get infected. It is important to clean it well and maybe go to the doctor to be sure it didn't leave some of its little boney teeth in your skin. I'm sure they would want to give antibiotics but I wouldn't take them. I have been out and about around snakes all my life and have a bunch at my place now but so far I have never been bit. They are more of an asset than any danger... until they start eating all your eggs and chicks. But you can snake proof your coop/run with hardware cloth. But venomous snakes are a whole different story! They have to die at my place! It's good to learn all your local snakes so you always know what your dealing with.

 

[Triple Willow]

I was just looking at that link that I found while looking it up like you suggested. Thank you it looks like the female one they have on there. It makes me feel better knowing that I don't have to worry with the kids. Do they go after grown chickens? I have one that is a really small breed but she is really flighty. I finished the head count and it was 4 like I thought.

Dang I'm sorry it got your chicks! You're not having a very good couple days! I believe a big one could kill a grown chicken (because they are constrictors) but you don't hear of it very often. They usually go for eggs or smaller chicks. Sometimes they will kill a bigger chick and try to eat it then when it is too big to get down they spit it back out. You find those bigger chicks dead with a wet/slimmy head and neck. No they shouldn't be any threat to your kids. The worst that could happen would be if one bit somebody and the sight of the bite were to get infected. It is important to clean it well and maybe go to the doctor to be sure it didn't leave some of its little boney teeth in your skin. I'm sure they would want to give antibiotics but I wouldn't take them. I have been out and about around snakes all my life and have a bunch at my place now but so far I have never been bit. They are more of an asset than any danger... until they start eating all your eggs and chicks. But you can snake proof your coop/run with hardware cloth. But venomous snakes are a whole different story! They have to die at my place! It's good to learn all your local snakes so you always know what your dealing with.