Maine

[IZZYBELLA]

Welcome to BYC, sparrowsnest! I am quite new at this, too, so am still learning from everyone here. My only advice on the location of roosts is to not do ladders or any other set-up where the birds can poop on each other at night. I inherited a coop that had ladders for roosts and the poor girls who were always on the bottom rungs always got dirty! I had to change it.

Jazor - that Got Pests website you linked to is fantastic! It identifies so many of the bugs and weeds I have in my yard that I've always wondered about. Thanks again!

 

[lazy gardener]

Izzy, I don't think that's poison ivy, but I'd avoid contact. I don't recall poison ivy having the serrations that those leaves have. they are shiny, and in groups of 3, appears to be in the ivy family. Hairy on the under sides of the leaves and stems? As I recall, poison ivy is completely fuzzless. I do hope you gloved, even gloved for handling a suspicious plant.

Jazor. Thanks for the suggestion re: goats. I love goats, however, Hubby can't stand them. He says they have evil eyes.

I had a very frustrating chicken related experience today. Moved the new 6 x 7 tractor down to the garage. That was an interesting but totally doable feat with the help of my 3 - 3" x 10' PVC rollers. I was able to move it out of the garage, and about 100' including 3 90 degree turns and down a steep grade. Then, being the impulsive knucklehead that I am, I decided to put the chicks into it, in spite of the fact that it has yet to have a roof on it, and I did not have completed "chunnels" to link the small tractor to the new tractor. So, I rigged a roof with cattle panel, cloth, tarp, bungee cords, and jerry-rigged some chicken wire to "direct them" into the new tractor. They were having none of that, and kept escaping out through the sides where I didn't have it secured. It took 1/2 hour to get them all inside and settled down. By then, it was 2:20 pm, just enough time to eat lunch, take a shower, but not enough time to put the chicks back into their small predator proof tractor, before leaving for 12 y.o.'s baseball game in Glenburn. No sweat, I figured that the 7 y.o. could help me when she got home at 2:45. It really shouldn't take that long with the 2 of us, right? Wrong. Every time we'd get 2 moved into the small tractor, 3 more would escape. Finally, I was crawling around on my hands and knees trying to move them out of the big tractor, 7 y.o. was trying to usher them into the little tractor, but she'd get excited and start flapping her hands, so they'd run the other way and succeed in weaseling through the few places that weren't secure. Of course the Doms and RCBL were the most successful at that. Eventually, I was inside, covered with poo... after my shower and clean clothes... chicks were milling around in the enclosure between the 2 tractors, 7 y.o. was still "trying to help", and there were half a dozen chicks running around the outside of the tractor, screaming at the tops of their lungs. Along comes my "big hunter" cat. I expected him to join the games. Thankfully, he chose to sit on the steps and watch the entertainment. By the time all was secure, it was 3:30, and I still had a 45 minute drive to the game... that started at 3:30! I need a clone or 2! If my experience with the leghorns is any indication, those little ones will be just about as predator proof as a chicken can get!

 

[CoopChick719]

That's quite an adventure LG!!

I have a problem-- a 3 week old meaty who isn't standing. Looks normal no obvious symptoms. poop is normal. Should I separate him from others? What can I do for him? Vitamins? Molasses? Calcium?

 

[lazy gardener]

How long has he been like this? Is he eating/drinking? You might try the vitamins. Is he a C x R? They're prone to leg issues. Since you're only growing him to eat him, you might let him go as long as possible, as long as he doesn't appear to be suffering... Then you can cull him and eat him first. Good luck. Even if he is young, he'll still be very tasty!!

 

[quailtrail]

Izzy, I don't think that's poison ivy, but I'd avoid contact.  I don't recall poison ivy having the serrations that those leaves have.  they are shiny, and in groups of 3, appears to be in the ivy family.  Hairy on the under sides of the leaves and stems?  As I recall, poison ivy is completely fuzzless.  I do hope you gloved, even gloved for handling a suspicious plant.

Jazor.  Thanks for the suggestion re: goats.  I love goats, however, Hubby can't stand them.  He says they have evil eyes. 

I had a very frustrating chicken related experience today.  Moved the new 6 x 7 tractor down to the garage.  That was an interesting but totally doable feat with the help of my 3 - 3" x 10' PVC rollers.  I was able to move it out of the garage, and about 100' including 3 90 degree turns and down a steep grade.  Then, being the impulsive knucklehead that I am, I decided to put the chicks into it, in spite of the fact that it has yet to have a roof on it, and I did not have completed "chunnels" to link the small tractor to the new tractor.  So, I rigged a roof with cattle panel, cloth, tarp, bungee cords, and jerry-rigged some chicken wire to "direct them" into the new tractor.  They were having none of that, and kept escaping out through the sides where I didn't have it secured.  It took 1/2 hour to get them all inside and settled down.  By then, it was 2:20 pm, just enough time to eat lunch, take a shower, but not enough time to put the chicks back into their small predator proof tractor, before leaving for 12 y.o.'s baseball game in Glenburn.  No sweat, I figured that the 7 y.o. could help me when she got home at 2:45.  It really shouldn't take that long with the 2 of us, right?  Wrong.   Every time we'd get 2 moved into the small tractor, 3 more would escape.  Finally, I was crawling around on my hands and knees trying to move them out of the big tractor, 7 y.o. was trying to usher them into the little tractor, but she'd get excited and start flapping her hands, so they'd run the other way and succeed in weaseling through the few places that weren't secure.  Of course the Doms and RCBL were the most successful at that.  Eventually, I was inside, covered with poo... after my shower and clean clothes... chicks were milling around in the enclosure between the 2 tractors, 7 y.o. was still "trying to help",  and there were half a dozen chicks running around the outside of the tractor, screaming at the tops of their lungs.  Along comes my "big hunter" cat.  I expected him to join the games.  Thankfully, he chose to sit on the steps and watch the entertainment.  By the time all was secure, it was 3:30, and I still had a 45 minute drive to the game... that started at 3:30!  I need a clone or 2!   If my experience with the leghorns is any indication, those little ones will be just about as predator proof as a chicken can get!

wow!!!! I can only imagine that experience! !!

 

[CoopChick719]

How long has he been like this?  Is he eating/drinking?  You might try the vitamins.  Is he a C x R?  They're prone to leg issues.  Since you're only growing him to eat him, you might let him go as long as possible, as long as he doesn't appear to be suffering... Then you can cull him and eat him first.  Good luck.  Even if he is young, he'll still be very tasty!!

I noticed him this a.m. Yes a CrX. He is not eating. I dipped his beak In some ACV laced water. He had a small liquid poop while I was making him drink. I blended up some liver & feed but he didn't eat any. I gave some to everyone they were meh about it but went nuts when I cracked a silkie egg over it. I checked him all over. I see no bugs & no boo boos. I'll keep trying to feed him & making him drink water. Maybe I can make him a chick smoothie.

 

[ashandvine]

I found this online.
www.livestockconservancy.org/index.php/.../conservation-priority-list
Just wondering how accurate you guys think this is. I've decided that it want to start breeding one or two rare breeds and this is a very interesting list. I like that it shows ones that are threatened as well as some that are recovering.

Livestock Conservancy is the new name of the American Livestock and Breed Conservation Association. It was too long a name apparently. Their lists for breeders are often not accurate but their intentions are good and until someone else comes up with a better way to track breed populations they are the go to for information. I will say that the Society for Poultry Antiquities is another good one that isn't known about so much. I think there is one more too but it isn't coming to mind. Once you see the lists the LC has you can certainly research the breed more by looking up the breed's individual page, talking to the APA/ABA and even just asking about in here in the breed thread.
I would like to get a little 'preachy' for a second: Please, if you are interested in a breed, don't just buy any old one. And please, try not to go with fad birds as that is often one of the worst things for the breed. Consider your families needs and then ask yourself which of those rare breeds might fit into your family, environment and habits the best. Its my belief that if one is to CONSERVE a breed then they are going to have to keep them for a long while and the best way to make that happen is to be sure you breed toward a good standard representation of the breed and then maintain a small flock for yourself, sharing with those few people who look for them. I hate to keep saying, show your bird, but honestly one of the things I hate most is this cycle of "it isn't shown so no one sees them so no one shows them/no one shows them so there's no competition so no one shows them." I think you can all see how that isn't helpful but could easily be fixed. I am going to show a few birds that are not perfect because so many more children are getting into showing this year and last. Its my hope that folks will see these rare breeds and be taken with them. Most of what I raise very few people have seen at the shows and that's why I stick my neck out there and show birds that won't win anything. It costs me 3$ a bird to show up here and the gas and time so I am paying to show without any hope of winning anything to help make back my costs for showing or keeping birds but I believe in doing what I do. I am not a perfect keeper or breeder and some of what I have may not stay here forever as I had hoped ... still I do what I can in our environment and family needs. If you can do that, maybe you won't be THE Rare Breed Keeper but you could help or be a stop gap keeper to that child or person who does preserve for 30-40 years. Thank you for baring with me all.

Goats are chemical free herbicide

And chemical free insanity too... chasing them into the fencing all the time isn't fun.

Ok... non-chicken related, but do any of you have experience with poison ivy? I didn't think the leaves were jagged, but someone told me this weekend that the plant in the photo below is PI. Anyone think it is? There is just one little plant of it growing in my front walk.

That is not poison ivy. It looks like Swamp Dewberry and some kind of succulant, but I would not be sure which. It could be an early Pearly Everlasting.

 

[suzMEchicks]

I give up.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Izzy, I don't think that's poison ivy, but I'd avoid contact. I don't recall poison ivy having the serrations that those leaves have. they are shiny, and in groups of 3, appears to be in the ivy family. Hairy on the under sides of the leaves and stems? As I recall, poison ivy is completely fuzzless. I do hope you gloved, even gloved for handling a suspicious plant.

Jazor. Thanks for the suggestion re: goats. I love goats, however, Hubby can't stand them. He says they have evil eyes.

I had a very frustrating chicken related experience today. Moved the new 6 x 7 tractor down to the garage. That was an interesting but totally doable feat with the help of my 3 - 3" x 10' PVC rollers. I was able to move it out of the garage, and about 100' including 3 90 degree turns and down a steep grade. Then, being the impulsive knucklehead that I am, I decided to put the chicks into it, in spite of the fact that it has yet to have a roof on it, and I did not have completed "chunnels" to link the small tractor to the new tractor. So, I rigged a roof with cattle panel, cloth, tarp, bungee cords, and jerry-rigged some chicken wire to "direct them" into the new tractor. They were having none of that, and kept escaping out through the sides where I didn't have it secured. It took 1/2 hour to get them all inside and settled down. By then, it was 2:20 pm, just enough time to eat lunch, take a shower, but not enough time to put the chicks back into their small predator proof tractor, before leaving for 12 y.o.'s baseball game in Glenburn. No sweat, I figured that the 7 y.o. could help me when she got home at 2:45. It really shouldn't take that long with the 2 of us, right? Wrong. Every time we'd get 2 moved into the small tractor, 3 more would escape. Finally, I was crawling around on my hands and knees trying to move them out of the big tractor, 7 y.o. was trying to usher them into the little tractor, but she'd get excited and start flapping her hands, so they'd run the other way and succeed in weaseling through the few places that weren't secure. Of course the Doms and RCBL were the most successful at that. Eventually, I was inside, covered with poo... after my shower and clean clothes... chicks were milling around in the enclosure between the 2 tractors, 7 y.o. was still "trying to help", and there were half a dozen chicks running around the outside of the tractor, screaming at the tops of their lungs. Along comes my "big hunter" cat. I expected him to join the games. Thankfully, he chose to sit on the steps and watch the entertainment. By the time all was secure, it was 3:30, and I still had a 45 minute drive to the game... that started at 3:30! I need a clone or 2! If my experience with the leghorns is any indication, those little ones will be just about as predator proof as a chicken can get!

Why is it when you're in a rush and have to get somewhere they decide not to cooperate?! I swear, most of the time mine will shoo or even follow me into where I want them pretty easily, but the minute I have something else to do/somewhere else to be/am in clean clothes, they end up every place but where I want them!

 

[Jazor]

Why is it when you're in a rush and have to get somewhere they decide not to cooperate?! I swear, most of the time mine will shoo or even follow me into where I want them pretty easily, but the minute I have something else to do/somewhere else to be/am in clean clothes, they end up every place but where I want them!

Chased one of the roosters around for 15 minutes Sunday before outsmarting him into the barn. Either that or he grew tired of outsmarting me. Glad I don't have neighbors that could see the antics.