Illinois...

[Faraday40]

Did you bring 3 chicks home???

What about Ducks????

You know me so well!

This time I was joking. I didn't actually buy anything that peeps, squeaks, or quacks. Just food.

 

[Faraday40]

I got a letter today about the Avian Influenza from the IL Dept of Ag. Recommendation to lock up birds for biosecurity. We have a premise ID because the kids are in 4H and sometimes may show chickens. The other reason is for times like this so we can be alerted to possible dangers. I'm glad they followed through and sent it. I was feeling left out because other poultry people got their letters last week. I was beginning to feel like they didn't care about the people with small backyard flocks.

 

[Molpet]

@BReeder!

https://jolietpark.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs

 

[SnootyHen]

Charlotte laid an egg today! I have to think that's a good sign. She's still pretty gory but I splinted her toe and cleaned all her wounds again. She's walking, flying a little (trying to get out of the bath tub) and eating/drinking so I was glad to see she laid too. Still going to keep her int he house a bit longer -- especially since she lost so many feathers and it's going to be cold tomorrow. But I think my girl is going to make it!

 

[Molpet]

Charlotte laid an egg today! I have to think that's a good sign. She's still pretty gory but I splinted her toe and cleaned all her wounds again. She's walking, flying a little (trying to get out of the bath tub) and eating/drinking so I was glad to see she laid too. Still going to keep her int he house a bit longer -- especially since she lost so many feathers and it's going to be cold tomorrow. But I think my girl is going to make it!

Glad she doing well

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Charlotte laid an egg today! I have to think that's a good sign. She's still pretty gory but I splinted her toe and cleaned all her wounds again. She's walking, flying a little (trying to get out of the bath tub) and eating/drinking so I was glad to see she laid too. Still going to keep her int he house a bit longer -- especially since she lost so many feathers and it's going to be cold tomorrow. But I think my girl is going to make it!

Good to hear!

I sold 4 of my ducks today. I had 3 gold phase welsh harlequin hens and 1 silver phase drake. The buyer took all 4.

My orp pasture is a muddy mess and I need to concentrate on getting some grass to grow this spring. It's one less coop I'll have to clean in the morning which will alleviate some of the severe stress I'm having. I still have the 5 silver phase harlequins in the spitz pasture. One of the girls has laid an egg 2 days in a row, so I'll be inundated with duck eggs soon.

 

[BReeder!]

I've not been on since Wednesday I think. Oops! It's been crazy here.

A knucklehead general contractor related to my uncle screwed up a bunch of things in my passed paternal grandmother's house we are renovating. I spent several hours removing his work and then redoing it the right way. I also got into a good telling match that nearly escalated too far with the dummy.
My sister is pregnant and did a gender reveal. It looks like I'm having a new nephew!
We celebrated my maternal grandmother's birthday.
I recieved the promotion at work I've been working towards for the past 2 years (4 years really, but 2 years of training program and interviews).

So, yea... a busy few days...

Chickens are laying well. Ducks are occasionally laying, not yet into their nesting habit when they lay daily for weeks.
My garden starts are failing due to a fungal outbreak. I'll be starting over once I get certain seeds again and new coco coir or peat moss. I think some old dirt and peat moss were the cause of the outbreak - my own faulty.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

For anyone living near St. Louis who might be interested, I have chicken classes coming up the next 3 months at St. Louis Community College, Meramec campus.

Backyard Chickens For Beginners
Have you thought about keeping chickens in your city or suburban backyard? Learn local ordinances and where to find more information for your area. Hear about the benefits of keeping chickens, appropriate housing and feeding, and different ways to keep your chickens healthy and happy. Instructor has years of personal and professional experience, and is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable healthy-chicken farmer. Course meets curriculum requirements for Master Naturalist program. Cost for individuals 60 and older: $29. Registration closes three business days prior to class start. Class location: MC-SS 108.
ECOL-705 | 1 session | $29 AGE 60+ | $39 REG
P01 Sa 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Guy Niere
Mar 12 | MC-SS 108

Backyard Chickens for the Experienced
If you've been keeping chickens for a while and are looking for answers to your specific questions, this class is for you! Gain in-depth knowledge of: diseases, parasites and treatments; chicken anatomy and egg development; incubation and broody hatching; culling and processing; breed characteristics, showing, and judging for standards of perfection, supporting heritage breeds; and changing ordinances. This is an intermediate level class and will not include introductory information covered in Backyard Chickens for the Beginner. Course meets curriculum requirements for Master Naturalist program. Cost for individuals 60 and older: $23. Registration closes three business days prior to class start. Class location: MC-SS 108.
ECOL-705 | 1 session | $23 AGE 60+ | $29 REG
P02 Sa 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Guy Niere
Apr 9 | MC-SS 108

Incubating Bird Eggs
Learn about successful incubation of all species of birds with emphasis on chickens as well as other species of poultry and waterfowl. Additional information will be provided for brooding chicks, poults, ducklings and goslings. Course meets curriculum requirements for Master Naturalist program. Cost for individuals 60 and older: $26. Registration closes three business days prior to class start. Class location: MC-SS 108.
ECOL-705 | 1 session | $26 AGE 60+ | $35 REG
P03 Sa 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Guy Niere
Apr 30 | MC-SS 108

For registration:
https://applications.stlcc.edu/Continuing-Education/classes/index.asp?Cat=XGAR

 

[Molpet]

Just seen on the news Lombard is allowing 2 to 6 hens with a permit. Only 50 permits the first year.

 

[SnootyHen]

Still have Charlotte in the house. Her vent blew out after she laid that egg on Sunday. I've soaked her, cleaned her and put it back in but she's still missing so many feathers to be out in this cold. Plus her wounds are still pretty prevalent and I'm afraid way too peckable. She's so bored though!!! She wants to go back out there. I considered bringing a friend in to hang with her but I'm afraid not only would her friend possibly peck but then I'd have 2 bored chickens and one of them very able-bodied. Really hoping I can get her back out in the next few days.