I Built A Bridge!

[tommysgirl]

Howdy Bridge Club

Liz I hear ya! This gender determination and rehoming is stressful!

I love the pictures and Cindy looks and sounds like a real sweetie. Bit sad about Frankie probably being a boy. I agree with MM and cannot believe how big they are getting!

MM I so hope you get the predator situation sorted out and everyone gets to free range soon.

I spent some time with the beans during the week. They both have black (or very dark) skin and while Spot is looking very Silkie-like (not pure), Gloria is definitely Frizzle. Spot has a single comb similar to Tina's, Gloria has what looks like a rose comb. Still got no idea if they are boys or girls and they have me scratching my head as to just what they are going to turn out like

Blondie's Chicos (as they are affectionately known) are feathering out but not enough to get a good idea of what they are going to look like either.

Barnyard mixes are fun but also very frustrating!

Yesterday I spent the day trying to integrate Tina back into the flock on free range as she appears to have now officially cut the cord on her 5 week old bubs and was demanding to be let out. I am not integrating the two bubs at this stage as no point putting them through the pecking order trauma so young if not required. I was hoping to integrate them while Tina was still protecting them but she cut the cord sooner than I expected. She laid another egg yesterday.

Anyways, it went sort of OK, but I was exhausted by the end of the day. Spent the majority of the day scalding Cilla or Dusty and have no idea how many times I had to say “play nice”. Even Tina had had enough by 4pm and was asking to go back in the mini-run with the beans! She slept with them last night also. Now to do it all again today .. oh joy! Lol

And, the best bit, I get to do it all again in a few weeks when Blondie cuts the cord and needs integrating back in! And, yet again with one of the chicks I am keeping (if any).

I know it is natural and their way of life but the pecking order sucks!

I am looking forward to just having one happy, contented flock again and for now, sworn off any more hatches!

so sorry integration is going as roughly as it is and I know what you mean about hatch fatigue and swearing off...but I will act as bookie and take bets that you relent once the sting of this one has worn off

You know how I hatch sex links right? Well there is a flaw in my system for sure. The General being Red and Barred Blanche are supposed to create jet black boys with head spots who grow to be barred and girls with red heads and black bodies from hatch. Well that is NOT what happened. Little black red headed Wanda is most definitely Juan! I had my suspicions. Even with the red head and neck he was getting what looked like cuckoo/ barring but at least the comb was still small and yellow


Until this week:






Sigh...I am totally confused about his parentage. I know he came from a white egg which I can assume was Blanche because he has kind of a gold and black cuckoo pattern. The General is a hatchery quality boy so maybe this is a throwback to something? Or maybe the father is Cosmo in which case all bets would be off. But he was still pretty young when I set these eggs I don't even remember that he was crowing but he must have been since he started doing that in August but I had never observed him sealing the deal so I figured no way. Regardless., , true to form this hatch was 3/1 with Posie being my only pullet.

I really would love to hatch just Blanche's babies and see what I get. I want to raise a pullet of hers to POL so that I can tell people what they will be like..egg color, temperament etc but that's not happening soon or apparently ever. I sure hope the ones I sold as pullets last spring turned out to be.

Hi everyone! gotta run and get to the store and get my shopping done early!

Go GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MistyMountain]

Teila, I forgot to comment a while back when you mentioned Tina was laying again. MJ started laying between 3 and 4 weeks. We got home when the chicks were 4 weeks old, but my neighbors told us she started laying again while we were still gone. I don't want to say she quit mothering them at that point though. It is tough to say. They were in the school house and run. She has such a nice laid back temperament, that I think they just became their own little "flock." She is not at the top of the pecking order nor is she at the bottom in the big flock. She just does her own thing, not picking on anyone and in turn not getting picked on herself.

TG, while your system has been broken by this little guy, he sure is cute! How long between the no red comb and bright red comb pictures? If I would have been on top of things on Sunday, I might have echoed your Giants cheer with Go Pack Go! (and oh boy… they did not go the right direction Sunday!)

We have an indian summer going on right now. High today is going to be around 80* F. We are nearly going to jump straight to winter with a high of 49*F on Saturday. I'm going to have to bundle up for the Halloween party! Speaking of Halloween, I have loaded down on discounted pumpkins for the chickens. I have some happy happy birds out there!!

I got a wild hair today and decided it is time for Daphne, Chloe and Velma to join the big flock. I grabbed them out of the school house this morning and put them in the run with the grown ups. That was more work than I planned! They are quite wild! Blackbeard was not too happy with me, but he has the triplets. These accommodations will be much more comfortable for winter. I am officially at my MAX in the big coop now with 22. The three newbies were chased a bit, but interest in them was mostly lost after about ten minutes. They all have mingled before so this is nothing super new to them. I'll be headed out to collect eggs in about ten minutes. Fingers crossed that they continued to get along!!!

Oh, game cam news. Not much activity. One raccoon and one cat. Everyone is still on lockdown until the afternoon, but will stay in today while the three newbies figure out sleeping arrangements.

Liz, I also wanted to mention that I had to switch back to layer feed from the grower that I was feeding to help the molting girls. Curly the leghorn laid a completely shell-less egg on evening before lock down. That was her second egg of the day. She took a break the next day and then laid a jumbo rubber egg. Poor girl. I just don't think they like the oyster shell!! Now that everyone is of age, I do not feel bad about offering layer feed to everyone. The molters are getting extra BOSS and snacks for more protein.

Off to the coop! Have a great day all!

 

[MistyMountain]

Posting while I think of it… my trusty leghorns, who have been laying large-jumbo eggs almost daily since January, have BOTH taken the day off. This is after I witnessed BOTH of them in the nest boxes this morning. One singing loudly before entering the box, the other in the box with her head tucked under her wing asleep. Crazy chickens. This is the first day that I did not get a single egg from my original flock. Three pullet eggs today. Maude is a super star layer and Wendy is not too shabby herself!

I feel a bit guilty tonight. At lock down the newbies were still in and out of the coop. I could not convince them to get up on the 4+ feet of empty roost. They would get up. Settle. Jump down. Last I saw, one of them was checking out the nesting box. I couldn't sit and wait for them as it was causing the rest of the flock to get restless with my flashlight dimmed. I had to go the tough love route and just close the doors. It won't be cold tonight, anyhow. Hopefully they have settled down a bit. I did see Velma standing up to Cielo today and Chloe was chasing some of the others around. I think they will do just fine. I hope.

 

[lizgarf]

Hi everyone,
I filed brief 2 of 3 yesterday, in my crazy 3 briefs in 3 weeks schedule of the moment. Just, wanted to say a quick howdy before starting brief 3. (edited: not quick!)

Yep, Teila, integration is tough! But, except in the case of Frankie (who survived!) in my experience it always looks worse than it is. I'm surprised by how well everyone is doing now. They're definitely a bit crowded, and they have their three factions, and the boys spar (and the girls too, a bit less), but there's not much actual battling. A typical scenario is more like this one, which played out yesterday: Madeline is dusting herself in a really nice spot she worked out in the yard. Bettina (who had just jumped off my lap, having previously come over to greet me as I sat down, exhausted, having just met my brief deadline - love that girl!) sauntered over to Madeline, gave her a peck on her head, and took over the lovely bathing spot. About a half-hour later, Marsha wandered over, gave Bettina a peck on the head, and took over the spot! I don't think that was the only good bathing spot in the yard, but it was getting the last of the afternoon sun.

@tommysgirl , if you're taking bets, I'll place them on another hatch in Bambrook! I distinctly remember Teila saying she was done after finding Tommy a home last year!
And, if 3/4 boys is your typical ratio, maybe I shouldn't feel terrible if mine turns out 6/9, which is the worst it could be at this point. I'm still hoping for 5/9, and I think I have enough information about dark brahmas that Norma should be a girl, but she's definitely not letting me get too confident about it!

MM, at least you're still getting eggs! Those leghorns need a break! Jan and Bettina have slowed down even more, if that were possible, but I don't think they've stopped completely yet - they're still red-combed and interested in the nest. I have reason to think that Lucy and Marsha might be returning to laying soon. Let's hope! As you know, my broodies have not proven interested in returning to laying quickly. I can only hope this year will be different, but so far they're all still inseparable from their bubbies.

Oh, here's a question for anyone who's been keeping hens for awhile: do subsequent molts get better over time? Grace and Bettina both had hard molts last year, but so far their signs of molting have been more subtle (except Bettina's still-bare back from Desi). Any thoughts on this? I'm trying to predict if and when another great egg drought will hit, instead of just the current egg slump.

For rehoming, I had the depressing thought that I should probably wait until after Halloween to look for homes for the boys. And, that lets me finish all these briefs first. So, next week I begin the search.

Anyone know a good home, for this sweet boy? He might even have the frizzle gene! (copper bits coming in.)


Rou and her roos:

 

[MistyMountain]

@liz, yup.. I am lucky to still be getting eggs! I got a bit worried there for a minute! My MIL called yesterday asking about eggs. I'll admit, I have been hoarding. The leghorn gals are back at it today, and Dar, Mable, Elsa, and Wendy contributed as well.
Today's haul:

The big flock newbies fitting in much better today. L to R Daphne, Chloe, Velma:

 

[tommysgirl]

TG, while your system has been broken by this little guy, he sure is cute! How long between the no red comb and bright red comb pictures? If I would have been on top of things on Sunday, I might have echoed your Giants cheer with Go Pack Go! (and oh boy… they did not go the right direction Sunday!)

We have an indian summer going on right now. High today is going to be around 80* F. We are nearly going to jump straight to winter with a high of 49*F on Saturday. I'm going to have to bundle up for the Halloween party! Speaking of Halloween, I have loaded down on discounted pumpkins for the chickens. I have some happy happy birds out there!!

I got a wild hair today and decided it is time for Daphne, Chloe and Velma to join the big flock. I grabbed them out of the school house this morning and put them in the run with the grown ups. That was more work than I planned! They are quite wild! Blackbeard was not too happy with me, but he has the triplets. These accommodations will be much more comfortable for winter. I am officially at my MAX in the big coop now with 22. The three newbies were chased a bit, but interest in them was mostly lost after about ten minutes. They all have mingled before so this is nothing super new to them. I'll be headed out to collect eggs in about ten minutes. Fingers crossed that they continued to get along!!!


Liz, I also wanted to mention that I had to switch back to layer feed from the grower that I was feeding to help the molting girls. Curly the leghorn laid a completely shell-less egg on evening before lock down. That was her second egg of the day. She took a break the next day and then laid a jumbo rubber egg. Poor girl. I just don't think they like the oyster shell!! Now that everyone is of age, I do not feel bad about offering layer feed to everyone. The molters are getting extra BOSS and snacks for more protein.

Off to the coop! Have a great day all!

Hi there @MistyMountain He really is cute...I am hoping we can keep him. I recounted today and I have 31 hens/pullets so we NEED additional roosters right?

Glad that your integration efforts are going as well as they are. I had to rehome a problem layer last spring because her frequent shelless eggs were encouraging egg eating but she seems to have rallied and is reportedly doing well now.

@lizgarf and @MistyMountain I have read that rooster can become read that come sick from too much calcium in laying mash. This is a quote from here on BYC
"High amounts of Calcium (Ca) in any non-laying poultry's diet can cause health problems like ureter, kidney impaction resulting in nephrosis and in some cases Avian Urolithiasis (Gout).
Layer feed is best fed to laying fowl, that is fowl that is laying eggs at the time you are feeding a layer type feed. Chicks, Roosters and even Hen that are not laying can inherit calcium toxicity from eating a high calcium diet."

And this one came from Natural Chicken Keeping:
"If a chicken is not laying and using excess calcium to produce egg shell, the kidney must filter out the excess calcium. Over time this can cause kidney failure.
Too much calcium, or Hypercalcaemia, can also result in calcification of the soft tissues and organs (including the liver and heart), pancreatitis, egg binding, dry skin, appetite loss, lethargy, confusion, depression, slowed growth in pullets and cockerels, dehydration, diarrhea or constipation, and even death."

I don't see where anyone cited studies or anything but to avoid any of the problems too much calcium might present I give everyone a non-GMO chick crumble and offer oyster shells as well as dried and crushed egg shells on the side. They prefer the egg shells but sometimes we don't eat enough eggs to keep up with their demand so they get the oyster shell. That way I can feed everyone from the littlest chicks to Ike the same thing.

Posting while I think of it… my trusty leghorns, who have been laying large-jumbo eggs almost daily since January, have BOTH taken the day off. This is after I witnessed BOTH of them in the nest boxes this morning. One singing loudly before entering the box, the other in the box with her head tucked under her wing asleep. Crazy chickens. This is the first day that I did not get a single egg from my original flock. Three pullet eggs today. Maude is a super star layer and Wendy is not too shabby herself!

I feel a bit guilty tonight. At lock down the newbies were still in and out of the coop. I could not convince them to get up on the 4+ feet of empty roost. They would get up. Settle. Jump down. Last I saw, one of them was checking out the nesting box. I couldn't sit and wait for them as it was causing the rest of the flock to get restless with my flashlight dimmed. I had to go the tough love route and just close the doors. It won't be cold tonight, anyhow. Hopefully they have settled down a bit. I did see Velma standing up to Cielo today and Chloe was chasing some of the others around. I think they will do just fine. I hope.

If they are in the coop they will be fine and it may encourage them to roost...says the woman who still has to pluck 5 or more pullets out of and off the tops of the nesting boxes at bed time after a month+

Hi everyone,
I filed brief 2 of 3 yesterday, in my crazy 3 briefs in 3 weeks schedule of the moment. Just, wanted to say a quick howdy before starting brief 3. (edited: not quick!)

Yep, Teila, integration is tough! But, except in the case of Frankie (who survived!) in my experience it always looks worse than it is. I'm surprised by how well everyone is doing now. They're definitely a bit crowded, and they have their three factions, and the boys spar (and the girls too, a bit less), but there's not much actual battling. A typical scenario is more like this one, which played out yesterday: Madeline is dusting herself in a really nice spot she worked out in the yard. Bettina (who had just jumped off my lap, having previously come over to greet me as I sat down, exhausted, having just met my brief deadline - love that girl!) sauntered over to Madeline, gave her a peck on her head, and took over the lovely bathing spot. About a half-hour later, Marsha wandered over, gave Bettina a peck on the head, and took over the spot! I don't think that was the only good bathing spot in the yard, but it was getting the last of the afternoon sun.

@tommysgirl , if you're taking bets, I'll place them on another hatch in Bambrook! I distinctly remember Teila saying she was done after finding Tommy a home last year!
And, if 3/4 boys is your typical ratio, maybe I shouldn't feel terrible if mine turns out 6/9, which is the worst it could be at this point. I'm still hoping for 5/9, and I think I have enough information about dark brahmas that Norma should be a girl, but she's definitely not letting me get too confident about it!

MM, at least you're still getting eggs! Those leghorns need a break! Jan and Bettina have slowed down even more, if that were possible, but I don't think they've stopped completely yet - they're still red-combed and interested in the nest. I have reason to think that Lucy and Marsha might be returning to laying soon. Let's hope! As you know, my broodies have not proven interested in returning to laying quickly. I can only hope this year will be different, but so far they're all still inseparable from their bubbies.

Oh, here's a question for anyone who's been keeping hens for awhile: do subsequent molts get better over time? Grace and Bettina both had hard molts last year, but so far their signs of molting have been more subtle (except Bettina's still-bare back from Desi). Any thoughts on this? I'm trying to predict if and when another great egg drought will hit, instead of just the current egg slump.

For rehoming, I had the depressing thought that I should probably wait until after Halloween to look for homes for the boys. And, that lets me finish all these briefs first. So, next week I begin the search.

Anyone know a good home, for this sweet boy? He might even have the frizzle gene! (copper bits coming in.)


Rou and her roos:

liz I would make the same bet

For anyone laying money on when Stella would go broody...she has become one of my BEST as well as my tiniest layer. She has laid three days straight and was in the box this morning making me another. Or maybe going broody

I have had the same situation as you liz. The molt is seemingly much easier on them all this year. There are bunches of feathers around but no one has obvious bald patches so far. Willa and Julie, two of the broody triplets have no tails but no one is running around with a nekked butt like last year

Rou and the roos remind me of Norma and the boys....the pullet in that clutch, Topaz, separated herself weeks before those silly cockerels did.

You want me to share your sweet boy's pic on my Chicken FB page? Give me a little more info about him and I will do what I can.

@liz, yup.. I am lucky to still be getting eggs! I got a bit worried there for a minute! My MIL called yesterday asking about eggs. I'll admit, I have been hoarding. The leghorn gals are back at it today, and Dar, Mable, Elsa, and Wendy contributed as well.
Today's haul:

The big flock newbies fitting in much better today. L to R Daphne, Chloe, Velma:

Lovely girls...I stress about running out of eggs too. It's why I now have 31 girl birds that are or eventually will be giving me eggs Though the last few days I have been lucky to get 6 out of my 14 to produce.

Beautiful egg basket MM

Speaking of the symptoms of egg addiction: I used to be able to ID who was laying what egg with the exception of the two Dorkings who lay virtually identical white ones. Then things got crazier and there was all the broodiness and I totally lost track. So on Saturday I started cataloging descriptions of who laid what. I think that my Speckled Sussex may have never started laying again since she was broody last June With only 8 potential brown egg layers, 4 of whom lay a very distinct egg I now feel like I can figure out who and how often and the truth about Sweet T's laying habits.

I would like to say though that my mixed breeds are my top notch layers right now. Norma, Cass, have laid 3/4 like Stella and like I said Stella was sitting on the nest this morning...either laying another egg or fixing to go broody.

 

[lizgarf]

@lizgarf and @MistyMountain I have read that rooster can become read that come sick from too much calcium in laying mash. This is a quote from here on BYC
"High amounts of Calcium (Ca) in any non-laying poultry's diet can cause health problems like ureter, kidney impaction resulting in nephrosis and in some cases Avian Urolithiasis (Gout).
Layer feed is best fed to laying fowl, that is fowl that is laying eggs at the time you are feeding a layer type feed. Chicks, Roosters and even Hen that are not laying can inherit calcium toxicity from eating a high calcium diet."


You want me to share your sweet boy's pic on my Chicken FB page? Give me a little more info about him and I will do what I can.

Thanks, TG! I'm planning to take a bunch of pictures next week for my re-homing search, and when I do, I'd LOVE to get your help spreading them around.

Yeah, I've avoided giving them all layer feed all the time since keeping Desi. Right now we're transitioning to finisher (grower), and then when the pullets are POL, I'll probably alternate between layer & finisher, so Desi and broodies don't get over-calciumed, but the layers don't get under-calciumed either. I've only ever had one rubber egg in the coop, so I don't think the girls have trouble finding the oyster shells.

 

[Teila]

Howdy Bridge Club

Just a quick one; work has been frantic here also; maybe it is the heat but we sure have had our fair share of issues the last couple of weeks

Lolz at you gals taking bets; I will have a piece of that action … I bet I break also!

Bad day here today, I lost my 5 year old gold pond fish to a type of Heron. I am going to miss him/her. He/she had gotten very big, it’s gold friend is going to miss it also

Now I am on Heron alert in case it comes back. Luckily the gals let me know when it is lurking but I think it may have gotten breakfast early before everyone was fully awake.

Not much other news from here. Cilla is having another attempt at being broody and I am having another attempt at breaking her

While I do confess that my "sworn off hatches, for now" comment is weak at best, it is a definite "No" to Cilla on this occasion!

Integration of Tina is going a lot better now, patience and baby steps has got us to the stage that she is not getting picked on anywhere near as much as she was.

The beans are coming up for 6 weeks old and the chicos are just over 2 weeks old; all doing very well and growing. Still no definites on gender ... I have penciled in a photo day for Saturday; just warning you

Can't wait to share some new pictures of 'Spot' who, if I can say so myself, is gorgeous!

Time to get this work day started, please let it be a good one

Edited to Add: the heron came back for morning tea but luckily Joel spotted him striding past his office window and chased him off. Joel is on his way to buy me a critter cam which I can have set up on my desk

 

[MistyMountain]

TG, of course you need an extra rooster!! I think that has become my obsession lately. I gotta have an extra rooster just in case. That said, Blackbeard has finally started crowing and the trio can make for some interesting barnyard noises. Willie and Cielo each have distinguishable crows: Willie will hold the last note and kind or trail off like a kazoo. Cielo just sounds like he is shouting the whole thing. My neighbors can even tell the difference between the two. Blackbeard's crow is… just beautiful. It sounds just perfect! He has even started to call his sisters over for treats, something Cielo has yet to do with any of the girls in the big flock.

I have read about the extra calcium as well. I do worry about it for Willie and molters, but I also worry about those still laying and the POL girls. I know rubber eggs are difficult for them, and I am so afraid they will get something caught up in there. I guess watching Marge lay an egg with absolutely no shell really worried me. The free choice oyster shell is not a big hit at all and never has been. Like you, we don't eat enough eggs some times to offer the egg shells. My plan was like Liz, to rotate feed between the "meat maker" (my feed mill's name for the chick crumble in 50lb bags, also used for meat birds) and the layer pellets. I am also hoping that the free range option helps to even those levels out as well. Good news is that the feed prices just dropped again. The meat maker was starting to get up there in price. I can only assume the current price drop is due to lower fuel costs.

At lockdown last night 2/3 were on the roost. Velma was in the popular nest box. I scooped her up and put her next to her sisters. Chica was on the end of the roost on the other side, kind-of having her own little pity party. She looks pretty rough in her molt right now but for some reason is nice to the newbies. Normally she can be a real meanie to newbies.

I have also become quite fond of these mixed girls. I can not wait to see when and what they will lay. 18 weeks now! I go back and forth on what I want to do in the future. I adore the NH, both looks and temperament wise. If someone goes broody next summer I am thinking about ordering some German NH eggs. I don't want to over complicate things here, but I may dive into the world of purebred heritage chickens (yikes!). All tentative right now, anyhow. I am addicted.

Hi Teila!
I am so sorry about your fish!

. I hope you can encourage the heron to go fishing elsewhere.

I can't wait to see new pics from Bambrook Bantams!

Back to work for me as well. Busy Halloween weekend ahead!

Take care, all!

 

[tommysgirl]

TG, of course you need an extra rooster!! I think that has become my obsession lately. I gotta have an extra rooster just in case. That said, Blackbeard has finally started crowing and the trio can make for some interesting barnyard noises. Willie and Cielo each have distinguishable crows: Willie will hold the last note and kind or trail off like a kazoo. Cielo just sounds like he is shouting the whole thing. My neighbors can even tell the difference between the two. Blackbeard's crow is… just beautiful. It sounds just perfect! He has even started to call his sisters over for treats, something Cielo has yet to do with any of the girls in the big flock.

I have also become quite fond of these mixed girls. I can not wait to see when and what they will lay. 18 weeks now! I go back and forth on what I want to do in the future. I adore the NH, both looks and temperament wise. If someone goes broody next summer I am thinking about ordering some German NH eggs. I don't want to over complicate things here, but I may dive into the world of purebred heritage chickens (yikes!). All tentative right now, anyhow. I am addicted.

Hi Teila!
I am so sorry about your fish!

. I hope you can encourage the heron to go fishing elsewhere.

I can't wait to see new pics from Bambrook Bantams!


Take care, all!

Well that settles it then. I would like to change his name though. "Juan" is too generic...any thoughts? I was thinking about "Wally"??

If you decide you want the NH let me know and I will ship you hatching eggs when I get them. I only have the two girls though so if you want a dozen I will have to fill in with what other girl create.

X2 Teila. So sorry about your fish and your pictures of your lovely yard and beautiful flock are always on the must see list.

ETA: The pictures of Wanda/Juan were taken about two weeks apart but the comb seemed to grow overnight last week. Posie is becoming more skittish as she gets older and is getting similar coloring to Blondie but she lacks Blondie's curves

I am sure she is just going through a phase and will tame back down.