Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[acire67]

Don't worry too much, it gets easier as you get more experience. I am doing a staggered hatch for the first time and things are going pretty well. Several mornings my humidity was down to 16, but most of the babies were fine. 69 sounds good, humidity can be tricky with the Little Giants. I started with one, now have a Hova-Bator. Easier to maintain temp and humidity.

 

[Coupe]

Just got a new Lavender Orp Roo and Hen! After careful inspection first of course! They seem healthy and are mite/lice free! I put them in the pen next to my Lav Orp flock. as I was cleaning the flocks coop ,I heard them figting...looked over and the new hen was laying next to the fence...I thought OMG they killed her through the fencing! Went on the otherside and picked her up and she was fine! Lol she did this acouple of times when the girls would peck at her through the fence! Anyone ever have a chicken play dead before?

 

[Coupe]

Would just like to add...I am NEVER ever ever ever, doing deep litter again! Cleaning it is a PITA <-- A is for Arms! And with 3 coops done and 1 large one to go..Im ready to shoot myself! My arms are so sore from raking and shoving, over and over again
I need a nice hot bath and a glass of wine!!!

 

[LSzajko]

Good Evening Everybody~

It felt like Spring took a break today. Spent most of the day cleaning the house...ran to Target for a lot of nothing. I did score some really nice copper herb markers for the garden on clearance. It's the little things....

Lexi~ Congrats on your new Lavender hen and roo!!! Where did you find them? Post pictures! I can't believe she was playing dead...smart girl! Orpingtons are my favorite breed so far. Mine are a little shy but friendly enough to waddle over when they see me with treats. I love how full-figured they are.

I was in the basement switching laundry this morning and saw something moving in the window and there was my missing EE. She wasn't broody though....just stuck! There are bushes covering the window well and she must have squeezed in there to check things out or possibly hide. My DD locked up the Nuggets for me last weekend and didn't do a headcount. Two girls from my other coop were left out also. The EE may have hid in the window well for the night and then couldn't get out. The poor thing was thirsty and starving but she was fine otherwise. AND!!! She laid (2) BLUE eggs while she was in captivity! I'd given up on getting blue eggs. Yay!

 

[LSzajko]

Would just like to add...I am NEVER ever ever ever, doing deep litter again! Cleaning it is a PITA <-- A is for Arms! And with 3 coops done and 1 large one to go..Im ready to shoot myself! My arms are so sore from raking and shoving, over and over again

I need a nice hot bath and a glass of wine!!!

OHHH NOOOOO!!!

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

 

[LSzajko]

I'm on day 19 on my hatch. Yesterday I took my automatic turner out. Add water in the reservoirs plus I put it terrycloth towel in a bowl in there and a sponge. Took out the vent plugs but now my humidity in low it's at 39 so I put one of the vent plug back in and now it's at 42. Can anybody can help with this, I don't know what to do?

Any pipping yet?

Keep us posted!

 

[LSzajko]

Don't worry too much, it gets easier as you get more experience. I am doing a staggered hatch for the first time and things are going pretty well. Several mornings my humidity was down to 16, but most of the babies were fine. 69 sounds good, humidity can be tricky with the Little Giants. I started with one, now have a Hova-Bator. Easier to maintain temp and humidity.

Good luck with your hatch acire67 !
When are they due to hatch?

 

[Coupe]

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

I started or am trying to start a compost pile...I dumped all the bedding back behind the coops. And sprinkled some DE all over it! Idk what else to do with it :/

 

[LSzajko]

I started or am trying to start a compost pile...I dumped all the bedding back behind the coops. And sprinkled some DE all over it! Idk what else to do with it

Check Pinterest for compost containers ideas. I've seen them made out of old pallets which you can usually get for free. Just mix some dirt, leaves, coffee grounds, straw and fruit/veggie peelings into the bedding; keep it moist and turn it every week or so. DH made a composter out of a car wash soap barrel. He drilled holes for air circulation and made a handle for turning it. It works really well. The compost we started Summer is ready to use. Once I clean out the coops I'm going to start another batch but there will be a massive amount of dirty bedding....way too much for the composter. Not sure where to store what doesn't fit in the barrel. I have nowhere to hide it! Will sprinkling it with DE cut down on the smell?

 

[Coupe]

Check Pinterest for compost containers ideas. I've seen them made out of old pallets which you can usually get for free. Just mix some dirt, leaves, coffee grounds, straw and fruit/veggie peelings into the bedding; keep it moist and turn it every week or so. DH made a composter out of a car wash soap barrel. He drilled holes for air circulation and made a handle for turning it. It works really well. The compost we started Summer is ready to use. Once I clean out the coops I'm going to start another batch but there will be a massive amount of dirty bedding....way too much for the composter. Not sure where to store what doesn't fit in the barrel. I have nowhere to hide it!  Will sprinkling it with DE cut down on the smell?

Ill have to check pinterest out! I asked the BF if I could have a compost bin near the garden and he said no because compost piles stink :/
So I guess ill just keep dumping it in the woods...I feel like its a waste of perfectly good poo lol
Maybe you could make a bin on the edge of your property some where? Or...another composter! Get the DH back to work on building another!