Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[LSzajko]

Quote:
Not sure. Someone mentioned it on the Southern NY Dutchess County & Below thread a few weeks ago and I kept it in mind in case we're not busy that day (surprise surprise, we're not!) I checked out the website of the farm where it's being held and it looks like it will be a fun way to spend an afternoon. We've been so cooped up all winter, we're dying to get out and do something chicken-related lol. I was wondering/hoping some Hudson Valley/Southern NY Dutchess people from BYC were going. It's always fun to put a face to the posts. Edited to add:: I asked newchick 203 to post the flyer in this thread. I can't seem to figure out how to post it here.

 

[carousel86]

I have a problem with my chicks as they are drying their eyes are being glue closes! They are still in the incubator not sure when to take them out?

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
Maybe a wet cottonball with some warm water will help? Or more humidity in the incubator? Are the chicks dry?

 

[new chick 203]

This is coming fast, and I hope people can come!

What can you bring to swap or sell? Chickens, hatching eggs, other poultry, supplies, crafts
For those bringing poultry, please make sure to bring a tarp for caged birds, or bring a folding table (no contact with the ground). We want to keep the ground clean and keep the birds from picking up anything off the ground to carry home. All birds should be checked several weeks ahead of time for evidence of mites/lice, and treated appropriately. (Our intention is not to offend, we just want this to be as clean as possible for all involved.) If you plan to swap/buy, bring extra boxes or crates. (well try to bring a few extra boxes.). Also, we recommend that you bring a bottle of hand sanitizer for use between handling birds again, just a safety precaution.

We will have music and raffles and fun for all!

 

[carousel86]

Three are dry and two are wet. Wet cottonball sound good thank you.

 

[acire67]

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Ours was busy, but good. We have 3 kids, and there were parties, sleepovers, Girl Scout meetings, & dance classes going on. Sometimes my chickens are the only things keeping me sane. Lisa, glad to hear your EE is back & safe. What are you hatching? I'm at the end of my first staggered hatch. Last Monday, 10 chicks hatched. Wednesday & Thursday, 13 hatched. Duck eggs are due to hatch the day after tomorrow. I'm a little addicted to hatching. Carousel86, sounds like you had a great hatch! 6 babies! Hope you'll post some pics. Erica

 

[Coupe]

Anyone else see its going to be 71 degrees on sunday?!?!?!?!?!!!

 

[charlie14]

My babies are due on the 12th too -and I'm sure you know more about this than I do LS

 

[JerseyHen]

OHHH NOOOOO!!!

I'm scared. My biggest concern/question is WHAT to do with all the dirty bedding?
What did you do with yours?

Our deep litter w straw is going to be tilled straight into the garden. I will not be harvesting anything from that garden til Summer.

Question to the public...Where do you get your organic mash?

We tilled ours straight into the garden (900 square ft garden, 75 cubic feet of deep litter). The soil just keeps looking better and better. I didn't bother to compost it since we needed the "fluff" created by the left over flake and it was pretty close to composted anyway (I haven't cleaned out the coop since October). It seems to really help with the heavy soil. I am not too worried about picking up and cooties from it since I would guess I would be sick from it by now given how much of it ends up in my nose/mouth/eyes, etc working with them on a daily basis and cleaning. I am not worried about it "burning" anything since it will rain a few times between now and when I get the plants going, so no ammonia salts concentrating around the roots.

I gave up on composting when the chickens spread out my huge pile last summer. No way I am raking that all back up. So I put dirt over it and put a wildflower area in...

 

[charlie14]

The rain will help, but the ph my still be off. If your soil does not have the right balance plants will have a hard time absorbing available nutrients, their roots could burn, or you could have a nasty insect invasion. You always want to mix regular old dirt to a manure.