Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[Kris5902]

Thanks for all the hugs. I know she was a meat bird and Yes, things happen, but it had been going so well with them I had fairly high hopes. I will get more Ranger Chicks next Spring, maybe a later batch as well so they are a little younger going into winter?

We got the confirmation that we won’t be pouring tomorrow, and now the person who was brooding my chicks wants them gone ASAP to make room for his 5. I don’t know where I’m going to put them with my brooder full of Roostie and the CX gals for winter. I’m now thinking the hospital tractor can serve as a temporary brooder... it’s just going to be a challenge getting the electrical figured and dragging it into a position close enough to my battery bank that the line drop isn’t too bad. I’m sure I can get it figured in the next week or so.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Well I’m not sure exactly what happened last night, as all was well when I put everyone up, but this morning I found Big Red dead on her back at about the same place she normally sleeps. She is too large to bury here (there’s no way I can dig a large enough hole in this ground by hand) so we will be putting her in the pit with the other remains from the Abbatoir. I’m pretty down about it, as I was hinging my meat breeding primarily on her potential offspring.

I’ve decided to overwinter Roostie, Gobbler, and Shanti (the two remaining CX hens) in the barn. They won’t get as much exercise or light as I’d like, or pasture. But they will have dry and level ground at all times and nothing they can injure themselves on. I’ll put them in the brooder, and Sammy and his girls will continue to roost on the dog crate and the Freezer I use for feed storage. (They have little 2x2 roosts on legs)

To further add to the general unpleasant news, it’s looking like we won’t be getting the cement tomorrow either. I’m praying I’m wrong, but it has been consistently raining all day, and although it is supposed to let up a little tonight, it really doesn’t look like it. The contractor was out last night to our site and no, the shale FIL has spread on the road isn’t going to help him any more than it helps us in driving out. It turns into a greasy mud in the rain. We are still proceeding as though the pour will happen, but don’t have high hopes for it.

Aaah, that's just rotten. Sorry for your loss Kris and for the delay in the pour (though hopefully not for long)
At least FIL isn't there to blame you guys?

I'm so sorry: both about the pour & your hen. I've never got used to the way hens just up & die for seemingly no reason.

Ditto

 

[drumstick diva]

So very sorry Kris, hope some good comes along soon to balance out the sad.

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

So sorry about your loss and the delayed pour and the brooder situation

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

What a bummer. I really hate those days when nothing seems to go your way.

 

[Kris5902]

Well today is a new day, and I’m quite glad we aren’t getting the concrete today, because after a brief break in the rain last night it returned with a vengeance and has been fairly constant since 2 am. I’m going to be leery about Andrew driving the Jeep over to vote and drop off some scratch to my reluctant chick sitter, so the thought of a fully loaded cement truck on our road in this (shudders)? Nope! Not safe, smart, or in any way a good idea. It’s so wet out the chickens basically looked at me like I was crazy when I opened their doors this morning! They will have to venture forth into the covered runs for breakfast... it’s not bad enough yet to resort to hand feedings, but it’s starting to get close.

We will eventually get the concrete, and have a 14 day dry stretch coming up soon according to the weather reports. But until then, I have plans on hunkering down and staying as warm and dry as possible. We are having venison chili tonight, which should help to warm us up a little. I don’t really mind the rain, but the soggy chickens hiding under my trailer sure do, and it’s no fun to have to work outside in for any length of time.

 

[BlueBaby]

@Kris5902 Sorry that you have to wait so long to get thing's done around there, and sorry that you lost that hen.

It's 69-F. here now at 11:06 AM. Fall is definitely here. I see them getting the property behind me ready for those Canadian snowbird's that come down for the winter. I'll know when they are due to come in when the cattle and horses show up.

I've been sitting out there by my coop and pen for longer period's now, as it is cool enough to do so. My flock is looking good, so I'm happy for that. My girls are getting done with the molting, and starting to lay egg's again, and I got a third egg yesterday from a newly laying pullet.

 

[Kris5902]

@Kris5902 Sorry that you have to wait so long to get thing's done around there, and sorry that you lost that hen.

It's 69-F. here now at 11:06 AM. Fall is definitely here. I see them getting the property behind me ready for those Canadian snowbird's that come down for the winter. I'll know when they are due to come in when the cattle and horses show up.

I've been sitting out there by my coop and pen for longer period's now, as it is cool enough to do so. My flock is looking good, so I'm happy for that. My girls are getting done with the molting, and starting to lay egg's again, and I got a third egg yesterday from a newly laying pullet.

That’s awesome! Looking at another Canadian Winter, I envy those snowbirds... (if it wasn’t for the chickens and the Cats, I’d be sorely tempted to roll this RV down to a warmer climate this season!) I’m seeing lots of feathers coming back in on my molting girls as well. And today, we finally have sun again! So, once I get done with coffee I plan on spending some quality time chicken watching as well. Hopefully while working on another laying tractor if I can find and hand bomb enough soggy lumber up to my tools!

Last night when I put the girls, up I had to drag Andrew out with me in the downpour to re-tarp one of the meat tractors. It was raining so hard it was going right through the tarp on meat tractor #1 (about 6 months old and with a flat white tarp roof, so the tarp has aged a little more quickly than desired). The poor girls and Bob were actually looking Soggy! Everyone is ok this morning, but it was a rough night for me fretting over them!

We are Hoping for a Thursday Pour on the cement. And tomorrow I’m going to be figuring out a feed run

 

[BlueBaby]

That’s awesome! Looking at another Canadian Winter, I envy those snowbirds... (if it wasn’t for the chickens and the Cats, I’d be sorely tempted to roll this RV down to a warmer climate this season!) I’m seeing lots of feathers coming back in on my molting girls as well. And today, we finally have sun again! So, once I get done with coffee I plan on spending some quality time chicken watching as well. Hopefully while working on another laying tractor if I can find and hand bomb enough soggy lumber up to my tools!

Last night when I put the girls, up I had to drag Andrew out with me in the downpour to re-tarp one of the meat tractors. It was raining so hard it was going right through the tarp on meat tractor #1 (about 6 months old and with a flat white tarp roof, so the tarp has aged a little more quickly than desired). The poor girls and Bob were actually looking Soggy! Everyone is ok this morning, but it was a rough night for me fretting over them!

We are Hoping for a Thursday Pour on the cement. And tomorrow I’m going to be figuring out a feed run

I'm glad that you are able to enjoy yourself with a nice sunny day today!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

We are Hoping for a Thursday Pour on the cement