Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[LSzajko]

One more hatched, and the other died..hatching ducks seem alot harder than chickens...but I have heard muscovy eggs are hard to get right! So I got 2 little buggers, that seem pretty healthy and happy!

As for cleaning the coop, I clean it really well right before it get super cold...and then all winter I dont touch it lol. Besides packing tons of hay in there of course!...the only thing you have to worry about is the moisture build up, it can give your girls frostbite! But it does keep it slightly warmer. I dont have electric out to my coop but it seems to stay alittle above the outside temp.I have all good hardy breeds, so they tend to do better in winter than others

ConQUACKulations!

OK one more question:: How do I avoid excess moisture build up? Ventilation? Can I use wood shavings instead of hay? Well duh...that was 2 questions.....!

 

[LSzajko]

My chickens are 7 months too! I have 6 hens that are Rhode Island Red and 6 leghorns 2 hens and 4 roosters. I do have the roosters on craigslist, I even posted them on Facebook. As of right now their not too bad, at the beginning they used to torment the hens and we really wanted to do something with them. I guess time will tell.

I hope you find a good home for them very soon. My DH's co-worker has a couple of chickens. I'll see if he's interested in a rooster.

 

[LSzajko]

they have been engaged for 2 years. august 2, I think is the date they have finally settled on. they have been together for 6 years(wow, I was shocked when I figured that out) and have 2 children already 31/2years old son and 4 month old girl. it is wonderful being a grandparent--soooo much fun!!!-------is anything ever normal now a days??????

I gave up on trying to figure out "normal" ~ Chaos seems to be our normal lately LOL
And congratulations~ ! Time flies doesn't it?

 

[Coupe]

ConQUACKulations!

OK one more question:: How do I avoid excess moisture build up? Ventilation? Can I use wood shavings instead of hay? Well duh...that was 2 questions.....!

That was too cute!!! And thanks! I would put a layer of DE down on the floor of the coop, then shavings with hay on top.with another layer of DE.keeping doing that when it gets dirty. Ventilation is key! You dont want it too stuffy in there.

 

[carousel86]

That would be great! Thank you!

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
Uh oh~ I put some PDZ down first...then a thick layer each of hay and woodshavings (in that order). Do you think that'll be ok? I also sprinkled some DE over the hay and shavings as well as in the nesting boxes which I filled with fresh hay, lavender, pineapple sage and rosemary sprigs for some aromatherapy (rolling your eyes yet...? lol) SO as the winter drags on, how often should I add more hay and wood shavings? I think there's plenty of ventilation....too much maybe. There are 2 windows on one side of the coop, a big window over the nesting boxes and a window over the door in the run. They all close and lock, but air will get in through the small gaps when they're closed which will provide some air circulation but not too much of a draft (I hope). I still have to figure out how to create some kind of wine (lol WIND!!! lol) break for the run....no trees to help block the wind. The good thing is that the run gets direct sun all day which was uncomfortable in the summer but it should be pretty nice for them in the winter. How are the ducklings?

 

[LSzajko]

Quote:
You're welcome I'll let you know what he says tonight

 

[Coupe]

Quote:
Uh oh~ I put some PDZ down first...then a thick layer each of hay and woodshavings (in that order). Do you think that'll be ok? I also sprinkled some DE over the hay and shavings as well as in the nesting boxes which I filled with fresh hay, lavender, pineapple sage and rosemary sprigs for some aromatherapy (rolling your eyes yet...? lol) SO as the winter drags on, how often should I add more hay and wood shavings? I think there's plenty of ventilation....too much maybe. There are 2 windows on one side of the coop, a big window over the nesting boxes and a window over the door in the run. They all close and lock, but air will get in through the small gaps when they're closed which will provide some air circulation but not too much of a draft (I hope). I still have to figure out how to create some kind of wine (lol WIND!!! lol) break for the run....no trees to help block the wind. The good thing is that the run gets direct sun all day which was uncomfortable in the summer but it should be pretty nice for them in the winter. How are the ducklings?

Pdz should be fine...and I would just add hay and shavings as the top gets dirty..just remember youll have ALOT of cleaning in the spring! And tons of compost for your garden! As for ventilation, it sounds like youll be fine..I leave my pop door open all winter and have cracks and gaps around the doors. But I have a feeling this winter is going to be very very cold! So ill be sealing the coop up a bit. Do yoy have anyone near you who sells hay or mulch hay? This year I am using old bales of hay around the outside of the run to break the wind..you can find mulch hay for pretty cheap on Craigslist somtimes. The ducklings are great! They are so much smarter than chickens lmao! I am trying to prepare myself to having the 2 inside most of the winter..I cant just stick them out in the duck coops in tye middle of winter after they have been use to being in a 70 degree house .

 

[LSzajko]

Good Evening Everybody~ Hope it has been a good week so far.

Had to cull our first girl the other day....the EE with the cross beak met Murphy (the puppy). He wanted to play and pounced on her. We separated them quickly and she walked away and seemed fine, but I found her the following morning in one of the nesting boxes barely alive. No blood or puncture wounds so I'm assuming she had some internal injuries?? She was really frail. She always came running when I went outside with treats knowing I had some mushy stuff just for her although she still had a really hard time eating. Ugh...haven't stopped thinking about her. Anyway, what's up for this weekend? Is anyone doing anything exciting? Saturday is my son's 8th birthday...doing the family party thing Saturday night. I'm going to need wine....lots and lots of wine.... Happy Friday!

 

[Coupe]

sorry to hear about your hen!! Sounds like she had internal injuries. Its always hard having to cull..I might have to cull my muscovy hen with the bad leg..she still dosnt walk on it. She eats and hops around the yard..but I just get so sad watching her.
I didnt didnt really do anything this weekend..helped my sister move to her boyfriends house, but that was it lol