Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[BY Bob]

If I wasn't over caffeinated I wouldn't function @ all!

Computers and coffee just go together!

 

[Kris5902]

I almost forgot here’s a picture from our third ferry ride yesterday. It was 5 ferries altogether, Saturna to Mayne, new ferry Mayne to Victoria, a quick 2k drive to turn around and get back to the same ferry terminal, a third ferry from Victoria to Saltspring where we dropped off the chickens, picked up a sheep and lamb, ferry back to Vancouver Island, the same fun turn around again, and a ferry back to Saturna (thankfully direct!) We had a parking spot with a view for this leg of the trip.

So today has been treating the bumblefoot (I think) and trimming my two newest additions beaks trying to fix the initial near de-beaking they had when we got them. Here’s a before... I didn’t get an after pic. I’m new to this so I’m going slowly.

I neglected to get a before of her foot, I was going to after soaking but started right away on removing the scab

I’ve wrapped it up with some triple antibiotic, gauze, and vet wrap... the wrap went well and is seeming to hold nicely. Goose had had the back of her neck/head pecked badly enough to draw blood, so one or two (I had two crowing this afternoon together) of my Rangers are about to join the Freezer Camp as well.

We will be picking up Hay this evening at one of the larger fields, wintercove. Andrew swathed this morning before catching the ferry to Victoria where he met his cousin who brought our chickens halfway for us... she works for the ferries so gets a free ride.

 

[Ribh]

I almost forgot here’s a picture from our third ferry ride yesterday. It was 5 ferries altogether, Saturna to Mayne, new ferry Mayne to Victoria, a quick 2k drive to turn around and get back to the same ferry terminal, a third ferry from Victoria to Saltspring where we dropped off the chickens, picked up a sheep and lamb, ferry back to Vancouver Island, the same fun turn around again, and a ferry back to Saturna (thankfully direct!) We had a parking spot with a view for this leg of the trip.
View attachment 1821056

So today has been treating the bumblefoot (I think) and trimming my two newest additions beaks trying to fix the initial near de-beaking they had when we got them. Here’s a before... I didn’t get an after pic. I’m new to this so I’m going slowly.
View attachment 1821057

I neglected to get a before of her foot, I was going to after soaking but started right away on removing the scab

View attachment 1821059

View attachment 1821060
I’ve wrapped it up with some triple antibiotic, gauze, and vet wrap... the wrap went well and is seeming to hold nicely. Goose had had the back of her neck/head pecked badly enough to draw blood, so one or two (I had two crowing this afternoon together) of my Rangers are about to join the Freezer Camp as well.

We will be picking up Hay this evening at one of the larger fields, wintercove. Andrew swathed this morning before catching the ferry to Victoria where he met his cousin who brought our chickens halfway for us... she works for the ferries so gets a free ride.

I like how things are different & yet the same. lol Back in the days ~ before the regulators freaked out~ our barges used to park the motor bikes & smaller cars on the drop down ramp. Ok in good weather. Dodgy when it got rough. Always better when you get a parking spot with a view. What I really hate is being parked beside the engine gangway. Both noise & no view. It sucks.
Sounds like things are ticking over nicely for you chickenwise. It will be so worth the hard yards when you hunker down for winter again.

 

[Kris5902]

Ok... I totally should have taken the chickens in a week or two ago they are huge. I have a 7 1/2lb dressed out chicken, it’s the size of a small turkey! I’m not sure how well the whole birds will sell, but the parts should move fairly well I’m hoping. Average size looks about 5-6 lbs.

Then it was a quick dinner and on to hay 6:30-10:30pm

Four trucks, three stackers in the barn, four loading in the fields... supposedly we have about another 1000 bales to go, I’m really hoping that that was an exaggeration.

Early morning BBQ prep for the market, then probably more hay.

 

[rjohns39]

Morning Kris

 

[Kris5902]

Morning Kris

Morning Bob

 

[WhoDatChick]

Question.. what is the purpose of de-beaking?

 

[rjohns39]

Question.. what is the purpose of de-beaking?

It's to keep chickens who live too close together from pecking each other. Think trimming your finger nails.

 

[aart]

Question.. what is the purpose of de-beaking?

It's done to factory farm birds so they don't eat each other in their crowded environment.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Oohhh, okay... so they trim them not actually remove them? .. I was wondering how that would work with eating and all.. sorry but I just had no idea.. I mean.. “de-beaking” .. so it’s not all that cruel.. or is it.