IA here

[Tiramisu]

Woke up around 9 today, it was cold in the house. The oil in the tank had gelled up so the heat wasn't coming on. Also the bator temp went to 86

so I covered it with a blanket and put the space heater on it and it warmed back up. It was able to keep stable with just a blanket on it after that. And about an hour ago after doing stuff it finally started to come back on - the pipes are frozen now though so we have to wait for them to unfreeze too. I don't like winter now lol

Eric, didn't you say something about some vorwerks you hatched coming out a weird color? Did you get something special?

 

[mrandmrschicken]

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Hope your eggs are okay, they can be resilient. Yes, 2 of the 4 Vorwerks did not have the normal color pattern that I have been used to seeing for the past 3 + years. They are more blond with very little black on them.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I just started feeling better today, so I missed out on the visit from Jason, his daughter and Troy.. I think came also? If I stirred out of bed, I got sick, so didn't come out of my room. My friend Liz came to my rescue and did chores for me. She's the bestest!

Kari, I'm with Eric. Your bucket 'o splash is adorable.

Got up in the 20's today, talk about a heat wave! I still turned on the heater in the barn for a while today and again tonight before I came in from giving my chickens their evening drink. Some of my birds didn't fare so well with this last arctic blast.

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Your flu bug brings back horrible memories.. When will the world warm up? Were you able to get together with Jason before being bugged?

The sil and bil arrived in Islamorada yesterday and had to call a rub in the wonders and WARMTH of it all. Lora begged, pleading for an answer to her question about the water and it's incredible blueness. And yes, it's still beautiful blue.....

lora, went to mil and fil's yesterday, it has been before Thanksgiving since mil has been out o9f the house. They are still intent on having a puppy. Supposedly have a plan and a new oxygen bottle, a portable one, on the way. The 6 million dollar dog.

It is warm enough that I kicked all the girl chickens outside today. Even the ones that have never been out! They were not to thrilled at first but I think lots of good dirt to eat under the deck will make them warm and happy. The boys are hating it. Crowing up a storm! They want their women folk back! Send out the cavalry!!!

 

[pbjmaker]

Trish - that sounds like exactly what I had about 3-4 weeks ago. It was HORRIBLE!

Kari - is that a splash cochin? Very pretty! I miss my little splash girl, but she was a horrible biter when she was broody and I had too many broodies at the time.

Eric - speaking of crowing. Big Blue Emu doesn't crow yet and he is by far the biggest roo out there. It is him, a silkie roo and the little EE sweetheart. He is now taller than my full grown maran hens but not as broad or filled out. He likes to peek at me from over the edge of the coop window thing (its really more like a dutch style door).

SO Eric - what kind of puppy are they getting?

 

[mrandmrschicken]

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Is your emu a nice bird? Is he interested in girls? Some will not crow if they are not the boss or alpha rooster. If he chooses not to crow it is due to two reasons. I taught them respect for their elders and, only to crow in the event of the most imminent danger or suffering. That tells me he feels very safe and secure at your city-ranch. (I am sure you're not buying this.) The Orloffs did enough crowing for all of them when they were young! I should think it's a nice trait? Hows his color? You should try and get a pic of him next to another IA Blue. Does anyone have an Iowa Blue that is crowing? Maybe he will grow up then out??
Jack i think was a Welsh, but he looked like a wire fox. Even though his name was Jack, he was not a Jack Russel. I'd have to ask my wife for sure what her brother, (and yes, she hates that) actually was. Because he was so fat, the mil said the vet told them it was due to inbreeding cause he put on weight quickly. I don't buy that foir a New York minute! I think the fil just told the mil that so she would not feel so bad when he was put down. He really was the size of a footstool thats why we called it... "the end of the Ottoman Empire". I know he was their baby but he was obnoxious, he would sit in the middle of their table, yes dinning table, stand and bark constantly at anyone, had no manners, and it was their fault, it is the breeds nature. More than one person including grandchildren had been bitten by that dog! Enough about dogs...
Almost had a catastrophe last night! Naughty Snow White did not come in from under the deck when most of the other girls came in... I was frantic, I could not see her. The two Sussex girls did not want to come in either. The Sussex could have handled a night under the deck but my little Naughty, I don't think so. Told my son I'd pay him 5.00 if he crawled under there and got them out. It was getting dark so he took a flashlight and found Naughty all nestled in between some bricks on an old back step under the deck. The Sussex just moved closer to the garage light as he pushed them along. After a while they were all back in their proper places and son had his 5.00, he earned that! Keeping in mind the deck is 24X16 and it was army crawl most of the way. Hoping tomorrow will be a good egg day! One of the Sussex dropped an egg just outside the garage door. The last batch of Sussex eggs are not looking fertile at all, think I got a bad roo. I will probably try to sell one pullet and the rooster and keep one girl for show.

 

[pbjmaker]

I will try and get a picture of him next to the full grown maran girls, one of the better IB pullets and the stunted IB pullet. Might be a few days. I worked yesterday and today for sure along with Friday. By the time I get home, take care of the human cry babies and the dogs and feed everyone it is usually dark.

The MIL came home from the hospital yesterday. She is 1000% better.

 

[karimw]

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Oh no! I hope everyone is OK.

 

[mrandmrschicken]

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What was mil's issues?
I double checked with Lora, and Jack was a Welsh Terrier, with odd coloring like a Russel.
Had coffee with the farmers this AM and all were a twitter about the new gun concealment and acquisition laws enacted here in Iowa and the fact that the cities and counties cannot legally prohibit or ban them on public/city/community property w/o being in direct violation of or conflict with State law. It is also my understanding that any sign posted, can be ignored w/o penalty and any carrier of a weapon must be told verbally to remove their weapons.
IMO they should have never taken away the discretion of Sheriffs to decide who may have or carry a concealed weapon. There are alot of people out there who are shall I say are not good candidates for a gun permit just because they are not a known felon or have been guilty of a serious misdemeanor but may be known to be reckless in their behavior to the point of concern.
Oh well enough about that. Time to move birds around so I have to formulate a master plan. Now I am getting a headache! And re-do my resume....

I forgot Steph........... they are getting the swame kind of dog as before.

 

[karimw]

My 3 younger Iowa Blue roos are crowing up a storm and of course the Senior IA roo is unhappy about it. He spends much of the day keeping them away from the girls. They aren't very smart about it though. I tossed some scratch to them last night and one of the little roos snuggled up next to the Boss as if by keeping close to him he might not notice. He did eventually and got a good hold of the scalawags comb. Oh the screetching!

Boss is very big compared to the others and jumps on them pretty hard. He tries to mate the little pullets too. I wonder if it might be best to separate him for a while?
It occurs to me that might be what happened to the little roo I lost. Is it possible the big boss injured the littler one by jumping on him?

 

[karimw]

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Yes, Pearl is a splash Cochin - one of Trish's chicks from last March. She gives a pretty good nip too, though I figured surrounded by hooligans most of the day she needs to be on her guard. Looks like she needs a bath too

Trish, that young Cochin roo is turning into a real pest

He's as bad as the cats constantly under my feet so I keep tripping over him! Real nice boy.