BayouPoules, how did the planting turn out? I have already tilled, put in the rabbit fertilizer and made the rows. This week is planting. I know the apple pie was delicious. You must be tired from all of the festivals. Did Olivia complete the playpen for the chicks? I know you made an A+ using those patience skills with Olivia.
New2TheCoop, if you dont want to spend a lot of money on leg bands, you can use a substitute. Lowes sells these zip ties that work just the same. You can get a pack of 100 (different sizes) for about $10.00. I will be picking some up this week, so that I can ID my animals. Try going to Lowe's.
amylou22, how was the festival? Did you have any strawberry beer? Does it really taste like strawberries? Deep fried strawberries sounds delicious. I would Love to try some of those. Do you know how to make them? If your chicks are 4 weeks old, they should be ok outside. I move my baby turkeys outside for the first time last night. They are 4 weeks old also. They did just fine. It was a nice night out last night.
kingsfarm . You are right down the road from me. I live in Opelousas but I work in Lafayette on Eraste Landry Road. Congratulations on being a first time chicken owner. As far as breeds. I must say that I love my Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orpingtons, New Hampshire Reds and Black Australops. Those are my Top 5. And they are great layers. As far as turkeys, in my opinion, the Bourbon Reds are the best all around. They are dual purpose turkeys. Midget Whites are 2nd as far as a good tasting meat bird. Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys are raised for meat. In 4 - 6 months, they are ready for slaughther. It would difficult to keep them around as a pet. They are kinda like the Cornish Meaties.
Bourbon Red turkey hens are great layers and mothers. For some reason (wink wink) the Bourbon Reds are THE most popular and hardest to find breed in Louisiana. EVERYONE loves and wants this breed. Because Louisiana is a warm state, my Bourbon Reds lay year round. People on the turkey thread here on BYC all say that their turkeys only lay during a certain time of the year. My girls never stop laying and its all because of our temps. The turkey eggs are delicious. I like turkey eggs better than chicken eggs. If you get enough turkey hens, your girls can lay enough eggs and hatch enough turkey poults to provide you with both meat for your family and new poults to replace those turkeys that you chose to slaughther for food. One turkey hen can lay up to 18 eggs before she sets and hatches. If you have a good blood line male turkey, you can be assured that all of the eggs will be fertile. I have 4 turkey hens to 1 male. I had 2 males but 1 of the younger males started breeding with the chickens, so he was re-homed (sold) in less than 48 hours. Your turkeys can also bring in a few dollars. You can sell your eggs for hatching for $5.00 each, baby turkeys for $10.00 - $12.00 and female and male turkeys for up $100.00 if not more for a pair. The person buying a Bourbon Red knows exactly the quality they are getting, so they are willing to pay. One last thing to remember is, if you get turkeys, make sure to change out your male every 3 years or so. You want to make sure you keep that strong bloodline. You don't want too much father/daughter, brother/mother, etc. breeding. The down side about turkeys is of course and you can tell from my posts...........the respiratory problems. Believe it or not, you are destined to have this problem. It's just part of having turkeys. You just have to pay close attention to what your birds are telling you. If you decide to get turkeys, I don't mind helping you with any questions that you have. You could also come over to my place and see my turkeys and how I have them set up.
grambysfarm, congrats on the cabinet incubator. I learned a lot talking with the vet at the clinic in Lake Charles. When I live in Lake Charles, I took my dog to another vet at this same Clinic many years ago before my dog died and the vet was great!!! When my dog died about 7 years ago, this same clinic made a donation in my dogs name to an organization that provides care to animals. I had no idea that this Clinic did this. I was shocked when I received a letter in the mail from this organization that received the donation from University Animal Clinic.
Paisaneaux, congrats on the puppies. And yes one can smell a bad egg that is not cracked. I smelled some yesterday when I was on patrol in the chicken house. You dont want that thing to explode. It will be a mess and stink up the entire area!!! Dont feel bad about not checking them. I have had a few bad eggs myself. It was an awful smell. Sending good vibes your way. I LOVE YOUR VIDEO!!! I really like that setup.
Baralak, YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA on setting those duck eggs. What kind of duck eggs did you set? My ducklings are beginning to hatch. I tried to take a pic on yesterday but this is all that I could get. This duck hen hatched only 8. Currently I have both solid white and white and emerald green muscovys. Now I want to try getting the other colors. I really like the chocolate muscovys. So, next year's plan is to try to move out the whites and get more colors. Speaking of duck eggs, for breakfast I cracked open a duck egg and for the first time EVER, I had a double yoker Duck egg. I have had several double yoker chicken eggs but never a double yoker duck egg.
Double Yoker Duck Egg
Cajun_Magnolia, good luck with your dog and your little chicks. I hope that all goes well with them. Sounds like he is a good dog. I wish that you could come over and train my neighbors dog not to get in my chicken yard. This is a pic from 8:00 AM this morning when I was out in the chicken yard. This is the LAST warning for the neighbor. The next call is Animal Control.
BlakesWife, what city do you live in?
Barred Babies, how is everything going on your end? How are all of the new babies? Thos meaties are toooooooooo cute. They are so big. All of your babies are cute!!! Sorry to hear that you dropped the flashlight on the eggs. Great idea on putting wax on the cracked eggs. I will have to make a note of that.
Terri, I can just imagine your bill from LSU Vet school. Scary.
Youre right about those ducks being messy. TOO TOO MESSY!!!
hcarr1234, hi and
. Try going to G& H Feed store in Eunice 457-2862 or B & L Feed and Supply 457-1724. They should have some there. If not, let me know.
Well, I'm off to do a little work in the yard and to get Mr. Turkey's feeder and water station set up. The weather seems very nice outside. I hope that everyone has a great day today !!!
