Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[Kris5902]

Last night, in the twilight while I was putting the layer tractors up I remembered I had intended to move the young pullets a second time in the afternoon because they had a 6” gap at the bottom on the tractor. I covered it up with the red transport crates instead. If we had chick eating sized snakes here I’d really be in trouble!

 

[BY Bob]

Well, I gave in and started the propane heater... the fur balls are content for now. I’ll snag a picture tomorrow for you @Aussie-Chookmum of the ramp and maybe someone can advise me on making it more approachable or comfortable for them. I propped it up with a 2x4 to make it even more gentle a slope. Tonight Roostie settled down with them right beside it. He’s trying to bring them in at night... this is only day 3 of showing them into the roosting box, so maybe they are just slow learners?

As to the house completion I would love even a guess on when I can call the engineer to ok the second pour for the foundation. I’ve resigned myself to another winter in the trailer, and have a winterizing checklist to hopefully make it more comfortable for the cats and us. I would love a wood stove or fireplace at this point...

Without even seeing it I might suggest steps instead. Can they step up? Sometimes that is easier than a steep slope.

 

[aart]

the pics I was going to take of the intimidating hospital tractor ramp,

Without even seeing it I might suggest steps instead. Can they step up? Sometimes that is easier than a step slope.

Ramp looks fine to me, angle is not too steep...cleats may be be a bit too tall.
Not sure why they won't use it.

 

[BY Bob]

Ramp looks fine to me, angle is not too steep...cleats may be be a bit too tall.
Not sure why they won't use it.

I agree. It does not seem too steep in the photo. I wonder what is bothering them.

 

[rjohns39]

I agree. It does not seem too steep in the photo. I wonder what is bothering them.

Kris, how well do they walk about. It could just be their weight is the problem. I've never tried to get one to use a ramp before so I really don't know

 

[BlueBaby]

@Kris5902 I thought that you might find this video of butchering 200 chicken's (1,400 pound's) in one day interesting? Now, that's a lot of chicken!

 

[aart]

video of butchering

Great gutting technique!

 

[Kris5902]

@Kris5902 I thought that you might find this video of butchering 200 chicken's (1,400 pound's) in one day interesting? Now, that's a lot of chicken!

Love it! That’s a lot of work... I have only managed 4 at a time so far, but that’s also because we needed to do other chores and have really limited time in the morning. I don’t know if I could get that many done in one day! I definitely now have scalder, plucker, and tractor envy lol. Plus all that handy child labor.

 

[BlueBaby]

Love it! That’s a lot of work... I have only managed 4 at a time so far, but that’s also because we needed to do other chores and have really limited time in the morning. I don’t know if I could get that many done in one day! I definitely now have scalder, plucker, and tractor envy lol. Plus all that handy child labor.

I'm subscribed to thier newsletter, and that is how I knew about that new video of their's. They also do home gardening, and canning.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

This morning Andrew and I got up for him to take the early ferry in with my mother to the “real” mainland... Vancouver! They are going in to pay up the storage locker and transfer it into my mothers name (just in case of the financial troubles I feel looming in the near future). He walked up to the half finished window and skylight a said “wow, it really did work!” The many joys of the dollar store. Now if only I could figure out a good solution for the condensation on the metal frames. (Open to suggestions!)

About halfway through my morning chicken chores I remembered the pics I was going to take of the intimidating hospital tractor ramp, and I went back in for my phone. Feeding and watering 8 groups of birds, Goose’s morning check, and Moving 5 of the Tractors took me about 1 1/2 hours. A good portion of that was trying to catch one escaped cockerel.

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We have some delicate fall grass growing in, so I’m going back to daily moves to protect itView attachment 1911496

I finally picked up an egg collection basket at Walmart for $.98 (Happy Halloween!) while we were in town, but so far have forgotten it every time I’ve gone out to collect eggs since! @Ribh you May have started a theme here! Also, does anyone have experience with feathered feet? I’m not sure if this is normal for my Mr Marans? I think his ladies have been pecking at his foot feathers, and today one was broken and bleeding. But his outside toe looks Fat and rough even on the non broken feather foot, and no he wasn’t thrilled at the photo op!

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Here’s a little Video of my plans for moving my Chickens this Fall, and yes Sammy spends maybe 1/3 of his day “entertaining” his ladies, and the other 2/3rds running back and forth between all the Tractors trying to stir up the other boys! I got two good clips of that, but am having troubles uploading because of my internet connection this morning! There’s also a short rosebush I spotted in the field that will be good for my next attempt at chickens vs. rosebush, if I can get them over it before it gets too big.

And a little bit of not so great news, one of Chickie Hawks ladies laid a lash egg, and a fairly sizable one at that. One of the main reasons I’m not fond of the Production Red Hybrids, they are just going on 2 years old now I think, and already showing terminal illnesses. It’s gross, but also kind of interesting.

Spoiler: Icky lash egg

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Thanks again @rjohns39 for telling us how to do the spoiler thing, so no one else’s breakfast is spoiled!

I was looking at the picture of your hospital tractor. Honestly, the coop door doesn't seem that far off the ground to me. Have you tried taking the ramp away entirely and just putting the 2x4 in front of it as a step?