Maine

[MEMama3]

I have heard of the Egyptian onions and almost got some a couple years ago. A co-worker was moving and giving away most of his plants. Unfortunately I missed out since I was off that day. . I havent seen them anywhere for sale though except mail order. Would love to have some at some point.

Now I am just waiting for the coop run to dry so I can try and get some gravel and stone dust type material down to help prevent mud. There is one spot that is guaranteed to become two-three inches of mud when it rains. The storm from the other night made a nice mess. My white birds were a bit tan. The kiddie pool went from sparkling clear this morning to dark brown within five minutes once the ducks discovered it. Nothing like watching eight ducks and two geese splash around and argue over who gets to go in next.

Broke down and ordered a polar fleece coat for the Ibizan. She is already shivering on these chilly mornings. Heck we had frost the other day. She has an outdoor coat that her previous owner sent with her but needs one for indoors. Poor baby. She has lived in Georgia the past two years so she is not used to our seasons.

While I was at it I also ordered a new turnout blanket for one of the horses. His old one was worn and even though he grows a really thick coat I would rather have a blanket on hand for him. I do not want him to lose any of the 70 pounds he has put on this summer. He is looking good but I would still like another 50-70 pounds on him. If anyone is looking for nice, functional dog coats for their dog I recommend sstack.com The coats are designed like horse blankets and are only about $20-25. Even the horse blankets are fairly inexpensive. Both are also well made. Not sure if they sell any chicken coats though. Not even naked neck neck warmers.

My friend knitted neck warmers for her turkens. I was cracking up about how she babies them until she mentioned the animal print aprons a few of my hens wore this summer.

 

[CoopChick719]

Thanks Coop chick! Since my last post I did put her nest into a cat carrier.... much to her dismay.. but she came around. I didn't move it into the coop as she was pretty hesitant to even get in the carrier and I was afraid she would abandon it all together. So now I lock her in at night only and let her out in the morning. She runs right out does her business, gets some yum yums and a drink of water and back to the nest she goes! Mother nature is SO COOL! I candled them at day 5 and all 15 looked viable so I am very impatiently waiting until day 10 to candle again and see which ones gave up so I can take some away from my hard workin Mama... hoping for some babies on our maiden hatch

Thanks for all your help everyone! I will post some chick pics if we have any success!

Sounds like she knows what she's doing!

Can't wait for the pics!! Let the waiting begin...

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Windy Bay, where in Nova Scotia are you?

Hi MC... I am in Yarmouth.... On the southwestern tip of the province

 

[lazy gardener]

I think poor Dorothy Zbornchick is feeling left out. Her hatchmates (Sophia Pecktrillo, Rose Egglund and Blanche Nevercreaux) are all laying. Actually EVERYONE except her is laying. All morning she has been hovering outside the box and singing with her hatchmates when they exit. She isn't going in, but she's joining in with the songs. Too cute!

One of my EE loves to climb into the nest box and cuddle with the egg left by the previous tenant. I think she's trying to take credit where credit is not due. I have a feeling that if any of my girls go broody in the spring, it will be her.

 

[lazy gardener]

Lazy you inspired me today. I just came in from ripping out the san marzano tomatoes. Why did I plant so many? I probably got another 30lbs of ripe tomatoes, now I have to can them. And hundreds of pounds of green ones. Ahhhh. I heard my gold laced polish try and crow! I think she is a girl though, no waddles or anything. Now I am confused. Do hens try to crow sometimes? Last thing I need is another roo!!!!

Are you sure that polish is not actually trying to sing an egg song??

 

[MEMama3]

Are you sure that polish is not actually trying to sing an egg song??

I have a hen that crows. It sounds nothing like the egg song. She does it maybe once or twice a week. She also struts sometimes.

 

[MustardTiger]

Hey guys - quick worming question. I know there has been a lot of talk about this but....what is the reason for worming with Wazine first? I know it only kills adult worms but why not go right to ivermectin. Is it just to strong? Will it hurt them? I have not ever wormed these guys before. I have not had any issues and see no problems with my birds right now but I figure it is time.

 

[MEMama3]

I just doubled my run size in under and hour and it cost me nothing. I felt bad that I had to stop free ranging. One girl figured out how to lift the perimeter fence and escape (no biggie since my neighbor thinks she's precious), but the others must have finally caught on because the other day there were 8 chickens in my neighbors yard. Anyways, I had 4'x8' sections of lattice propped up to camouflage this really trashy trailer next door. I took that down and made an 8'x8' run off the original lattice hoop run. I just drove long stakes into the ground and then secured the lattice to the stakes. They are loving it! Question though: I put bird netting over the top in case of hawks. How do you think it will do with the snow? Light snow I imagine will fall right through, but I fear the wet heavy stuff will accumulate. Any suggestions???

 

[lazy gardener]

I think you'll be ok with the bird netting and the snow. As long as the lattice holds up. Plastic lattice??? I'm dreading the winter weather and the restriction on my girl's life style. They're now ranging in the garden, with electric net fencing around it, and they're having a blast, but I'll have to pull the electric fencing before the ground freezes. I may put up a basic small chicken wire run for them. UGH!!!

 

[Jazor]

I just doubled my run size in under and hour and it cost me nothing. I felt bad that I had to stop free ranging. One girl figured out how to lift the perimeter fence and escape (no biggie since my neighbor thinks she's precious), but the others must have finally caught on because the other day there were 8 chickens in my neighbors yard. Anyways, I had 4'x8' sections of lattice propped up to camouflage this really trashy trailer next door. I took that down and made an 8'x8' run off the original lattice hoop run. I just drove long stakes into the ground and then secured the lattice to the stakes. They are loving it! Question though: I put bird netting over the top in case of hawks. How do you think it will do with the snow? Light snow I imagine will fall right through, but I fear the wet heavy stuff will accumulate. Any suggestions???

I used the poultry fencing to go over the top of my run. Check it out on "my coop" if you want a visual. It's nowhere near fancy, but it's pretty secure and easy enough to work with.

I think you'll be ok with the bird netting and the snow. As long as the lattice holds up. Plastic lattice??? I'm dreading the winter weather and the restriction on my girl's life style. They're now ranging in the garden, with electric net fencing around it, and they're having a blast, but I'll have to pull the electric fencing before the ground freezes. I may put up a basic small chicken wire run for them. UGH!!!

Smart move. I know you want to give them "the best" but you gotta think that a safer environment is better than a bigger less secure environment. You're doin the right thing--for the right reason.