Maine

[combatfuzzball]

Is anyone else getting sick of all this rain? really need to get my final coop built especially since my Easter Eggers are getting pretty big and the Black Australorps are finally starting to get out of the brooder in the basement. Looking like I have 3 roosters and 3 hens Australorps. The roosters out of that crew are either aggressive or just very curious. one especially walks up to my arm almost everytime I reach in to feed or water them. Trouble is when he walks over he usually pecks at my hand or arm. Not sure if he's just curious or an *******.
Guess with 3 pairs of these I'll be letting at least several of the roosters free range during the day. Would let the hens out but unsure about being able to find the eggs since I know how much they love to hide them.
Anyone have any pointers? Just hoping I can get the run built at least enough to keep weather and critters off the chicks.

 

[lazy gardener]

As long as you have your flock trained to the coop, it should not be much of an issue when they start laying. When my pullets get close to POL, I confine them to coop and run for a bit, especially if it's the first flock without any older hens to show them the way. This will train the pullets to the nest.

 

[lazy gardener]

Chicks should be coming off heat by the end of this week. Time to start picking the stayers and the goers! These guys are wusses when it comes to heat compared to previous clutches. They're also a bit slow at figuring out how to put themselves to bed without me being there to tuck them in at night.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I know BYC is about to "go dark" but my guineas just started laying.

Those of you interested in eggs, let me know. I have jumbo, regular purple and regular blue/grey. I have no idea who is a boy or who is a girl nor who lays what egg. I suspect the jumbo guineas lay the bigger eggs, but honestly I don't know. They will likely be mixed, but they will be just as guinea - loud, obnoxious, freaky.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

I just opened two bags of feed... they had been kept on a pallet for about a month. It smells overwhelmingly fermented. I shouldn't use this, right? I know some people use fermented feed, but I have no idea what caused this to go bad. Bummer, as I assume the store won't take it back.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not use it, and I doubt they will take it back since you've had it for a month. My rule of thumb is: never buy feed until just before I need a new bag. And then only buy what will be used up within 6 weeks of (or very close to that time frame) the mill date. After that 6 week time frame, the nutrients in the feed start to degrade rapidly. You also might want to consider keeping your feed in a covered barrel, which is kept up off the ground. That will help prevent the bag from absorbing moisture. I don't even trust the plastic tarp like bags to be left out of a barrel or tote.

 

[FarmerBon]

So sick of this rain too! I have been trying to get out and fix up my coop too but it's been so miserable I haven't had the motivation. Our last flock were massacred overnight by a fox so I really want to get out and secure it. My new girls are 4 weeks old and getting pretty stinky so I can't wait for the weather to clear up and get these ladies outside. On the plus side I did just plant grass before all this rain started

 

[enggass]

I know BYC is about to "go dark" but my guineas just started laying.

Those of you interested in eggs, let me know. I have jumbo, regular purple and regular blue/grey. I have no idea who is a boy or who is a girl nor who lays what egg. I suspect the jumbo guineas lay the bigger eggs, but honestly I don't know. They will likely be mixed, but they will be just as guinea - loud, obnoxious, freaky.

'Go Dark' ? AHHHHHHH.... Software Conversion.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Yay we're back up.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

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