Maine

[ejcimd]

Well my Buckeye's are doing great about three out of twelve of my ladies are laying (my best guess). Since they are 7 months old and typically slow to start producing I'm pleased.

My OEG Bantams; well none of my three ladies has a laid an egg in months. I really don't mind as I really treat these as pets and just love to have them around.

Both pairs of Roosters are getting along with each other so that is nice.

One convenient thing about our lack of snow; it's real simple swapping out water morning and night. I don't let them free range unless the weather is nicer. I can keep the walk out door closed and it keeps my eggs from freezing (usually)...

My coop is near my raised garden and of course the mint is still growing. I really enjoy going through my seeds and planning spring gardening plots.

I really would like to add some turkeys for this year. But not sure I want to deal with making a seperate area for them or not just yet.

Ah the desires of a wanna be farm girl just don't match with my less countrified husband (but he is coming around SLOWLY....)

 

[Widget]

I have come to the conclusion that I can never have enough 8 qt feed buckets. I think I am up to 12 now. TSC has a four pack for $16.99. One bucket is usually $4.99 but today they were selling them 3 for $10. So naturally I had to pick up another three. Great for my three horses to get their grain, a nice size to water the two goats (I just bring one out in the morning during winter and replace it at night when I get home) and grabbing some sand from the town's sand pile for my driveway. And they also had some 6 gal pails with lids 2 for $10. Great for storing cat food, bird seed and plenty of other things.

I also picked up a bag of Purina Flock Raiser. Figured I might as well start grabbing a bag when I can just to get ready for the little fuzzies coming in April. I'm sure they will go through a few 50 lb. bags and better to have it on hand than to find it is on back order.

 

[Egiroux]

Is flock raiser ok for chicks or do you have to start them on the medicated chick feed?

 

[Widget]

Quote:
I don't feed medicated feed and since I tend to have ducklings and turkeys along with the chicks the Flock Raiser is perfect. All have done great on it. If I only have chicks I usually feed Poulin Chick Starter which seems to be one of the few non-medicated chick starters.

 

[Coldweatherbirds]

I used the medicated chick starter because I have free range adult hens that mix with wild birds and figured they would be exposed to a lot. I didn't lose any chicks to illness last spring. Normally I am against medicated anything... I guess it depends on your chicks' situation.

 

[kinsey228]

I rescued 5 Buff Orpington/RIR crosses and 2 Guineas today. One of the chickens has a very swollen abdomen. After I brought her home, I gave her a long warm bath, thinking that maybe she was egg bound. No change yet. Any ideas on what might be wrong with her ?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Probably internal layer. I had one like that that lasted for about a year, then she started looking more like a penguin and less like a chicken. She had a good life until the end.

May also have worms?

 

[kinsey228]

The people we rescued her from said they love the chickens, but didn't notice this ? Anyways, the poor girl is slowly walking around and it looks like she is trying to push something out. The feathers don't look good either, and they're not old enough to molt. Hopefully they will be alright.

 

[MKandtheforce]

Quote:
I live in Lincoln county (my town is so small that I don't like giving it out publicly, heh). Are you anywhere near it? I'd love to "help"/observe! Thanks!

I haven't been on for a few days, mostly because I just got a new job (!!!) and it WIPES me out, lol. It's nice that we got a little bit of snow. Too bad it didn't stick around!

 

[hoppy]

Quote:
I live in Lincoln county (my town is so small that I don't like giving it out publicly, heh). Are you anywhere near it? I'd love to "help"/observe! Thanks!

I haven't been on for a few days, mostly because I just got a new job (!!!) and it WIPES me out, lol. It's nice that we got a little bit of snow. Too bad it didn't stick around!

my chickens and me are very glad we don't have much snow. looking forward to getting my new roo. still have the lavender for sale.