Maine

[lazy gardener]

My chicks are now going through 2 quarts of FF and 1 qt of dry crumble/day. Such little pigs! Big girls are not eating very much feed due to foraging.

I got the first panel of the new tractor built today. The remaining 3 panels should go together much quicker. They will be hooked together with slotted angle iron, so they can be knocked down for easy storage, or if I don't need the 6' width in the future, I can substitute a 3 or 4' panel. The 6' panels can also be used in the new coop for separating birds on an as needed basis.

Hubby has been busy designing the new coop. Still a mental work in progress, but looks like it will be 10 x 12, with standard roof, 4' storage/work room across one end, electric to chicken and work room. Gutter for rain water collection, 2' x 6' clean out under the perches. 6 nest boxes with access into the storage room. Dutch door between the storage and coop. 2 south facing windows in coop, smaller window in storage room. Pop door with car antenna automatic opener. Suggestions for improvements welcome. What do you wish you had added to your coop design?

 

[buckabucka]

Wait, I missed Widget's story.....

I always start with medicated feed, gradually mixing in flock raiser. I put a clump of sod in the brooder, so they will be exposed to whatever is in my soil first thing.

I do think everyone's experience is different. I tried having a broody raise her chick in the coop. It worked for a few days, and then someone decided to give the chick a big gash in his chest. He survived, and is now the same flock's rooster, "Lucky".

Glad to hear your fertility issues are working out, ash.
Day 13 now for my hatch. I will candle tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will try to move the coop hoop off the garden (huge project). It has to go before we can plant peas, and I think the ground has finally thawed enough to get them out there.

 

[buckabucka]

Lazy gardener, the main thing I wished we had worked into our coop design is a separate chicken room. We have one now, but it was added later and not ideal. Right now, I leave the door to the "back section" open, so all space is utilized, but the back section is used frequently: injured bird, broody, chicks that will be integrated (they are only separated by chicken wire).

In our hoop coop, there are two separate halves, but I wish there were four! I ended out with two different flocks in there, and usually hang deer fence for integrating chicks.

 

[Widget]

Wait, I missed Widget's story.....

I always start with medicated feed, gradually mixing in flock raiser. I put a clump of sod in the brooder, so they will be exposed to whatever is in my soil first thing.

I do think everyone's experience is different. I tried having a broody raise her chick in the coop. It worked for a few days, and then someone decided to give the chick a big gash in his chest. He survived, and is now the same flock's rooster, "Lucky".

Glad to hear your fertility issues are working out, ash.
Day 13 now for my hatch. I will candle tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will try to move the coop hoop off the garden (huge project). It has to go before we can plant peas, and I think the ground has finally thawed enough to get them out there.

Post 13397 is the story behind why Sinipso is part of the name of my little farm.

 

[dowgirl71]

That's one guess. If you have chicks in the heat for any length of time you'll know that medicated does help keep the cocci in check but clean brooders that are large enough for all your chicks helps too. Yours didn't die of sickness I am betting. Its just failure to thrive. It happens. I am sure we all would like to fix those things but some just aren't meant for fixing.

Fertility in the Marans is finally starting an upturn. Phew.

Anyone planning on being at the Windsor show next month? I plan to show a trio of Orloffs [come see them they are awesome and so rare] probably my Mottled Java since they are also pretty unseen up here [but she isn't that great for sop] and my son will certainly be showing his cochins and my daughter wants to try showing our little Polish Cap bantam hen. You know, horses are pretty quick to be thought of when we think of therapy for kids-- or dogs of course, but there are other species that can help a child accomplish the same growth in confidence or empathy or social skills or a combination. I believe growing up with animals has benefits that aren't widely discussed but I am sure those of you who see your kids with your birds and for your kids who see you doing the work of caring for something they are growing in ways children without are not. Soap box sliding back under the bed now.

I'm planning on coming to the Windsor show, next month. We tried to make it to the show, last fall, but the "check engine" light came on when we were about a half an hour from home. So, we turned around.

My son thinks he wants to try showing. I'd like to get him involved in something like that or maybe 4-H. I did the horse science project with the Hancock County 4-H program when I was a kid. Loved it!

 

[buckabucka]

Thanks, Widget! Somehow I missed that post (although I remember reading the post above it). Funny story.

 

[ashandvine]

Its a good idea to go to a show before you show if only because you can see what its like to have your bird in a cage and what folks need to bring etc. CMBF has a big juniors and showing event that is coming up. Its good for getting kids the basics of what to bring and how to prepare. Maybe talk to someone else who shows? Wash your bird early and get it in a cage early so its used to the cage instead of freaking out like some do. Its tough to judge a bird that isn't standing in there but instead trying to jump between each and every opening between the barns. It reminds me of this scene which is apt from Bee Movie; "this time... maybe this time... no this time..."

There is something rather satisfying about tasting your own maple syrup. We boil it down in small batches on our wood stove. Over home made yogurt... mmmmm

 

[anyasmifya]

Widget- I know what zoo you worked at! I lived around there when I was a kid! I don't really remember the zoo, just that I found it sad. I have never really been fond of zoos. I always want the animals to be free! I also lived next door to the Bronx Zoo. Didn't like that place much either.

 

[lazy gardener]

Thanks Bucka.

 

[dowgirl71]

...

Its a good idea to go to a show before you show if only because you can see what its like to have your bird in a cage and what folks need to bring etc.  CMBF has a big juniors and showing event that is coming up.  Its good for getting kids the basics of what to bring and how to prepare.  Maybe talk to someone else who shows?  Wash your bird early and get it in a cage early so its used to the cage instead of freaking out like some do.  Its tough to judge a bird that isn't standing in there but instead trying to jump between each and every opening between the barns.  It reminds me of this scene which is apt from Bee Movie; "this time... maybe this time... no this time..."

There is something rather satisfying about tasting your own maple syrup.  We boil it down in small batches on our wood stove.  Over home made yogurt... mmmmm

Ash, where could we find a cage to use at a show to start practicing with our chicks? Should I wait until chicks are feathered out before we do a first bath?