Maine

[annabananaandfamily]

Hello All-

I am back after taking some time away to take care of some family stuff around here. Man, did I miss you guys and the chicken chatter! Did I miss much here? Fill me in!!!

 

[Carrie54452002]

the top one appears that it will be silver laced, 2nd probably partridge colored, 3rd could be gold laced and the yellow, probably will change to white. as far as breed, no idea. what are the combs like?

Here are their combs I swear I am not holding them tight hahaha, after looking at the pics I was thinking geesh looks like I'm squeezing the poor things! You think #4 might be a mille sebright... do those exist? And any idea on the sex of my mille fleur? Thanks everyone!

Oh and they are about 2 1/2 weeks old if that helps at all

 

[ducklucky]

Answer to yogurt question, our method...

Start with a gallon of whole RAW milk, unpasteurized. Use a good heavy pot and slowly bring it to a boil, stirring to prevent the bottom burning, turn it way down and just let it pasteurize. The idea is to kill off all bacteria, this will not work with milk that has already been processed. Give it about a half hour, and stir that bottom, very low heat. Remove from heat and let it get to room temp.
At this point I like to put mine in a big bowl so there is more surface area. For each cup of milk, then add 1 tablespoon of organic Greek yogurt, more or less. Just make sure that milk is at room temp or you will not get yogurt, the heat will kill off the yogurt bacteria. Anyway, appx 1 tablespoon yogurt to one cup milk. Give it a good stir, put some saran over it, put it in the back of the oven closest to the light, close the door, leave the light on.
Usually do this overnight, perfect by morning. You will have very thin yogurt. Then take a clean white cloth, like a muslin dishtowel, white pillow case, even a clean white T shirt. Put the fabric over another large bowl and dump the thin yogurt in. Make sure you have enough fabric around the edges to be able to tie it all up.
Gather the edges and as tight as you can get it, tie up all the edges so you have a big ball of goo. I just recycle old hay bale tie ups, knot it well and lift it from bowl, letting some liquid drain out (which is buttermilk by the way). If you have a sturdy cabinet knob on your upper cabinets, tie it to one with the bowl under and let it drain. You can give it a little squeeze to help it along every now and then, but not necessary. Give it a couple hours and voila, you have Greek yogurt. Save the liquid for baking or give it to your birds. If it's too thick for your taste, just add some of the liquid back in.
That's the finished plain yogurt and at that point you can add any fruit you want, like to cook my fruits just a bit so they are a little syrupy, let the fruit cool before adding. Store mine in one pound or 8 ounce plastic recycled containers. This method works like a charm every single time and so super easy.
NO, you do not need a machine!!! Also use the yogurt to make yogurt popsicles, you can buy the little plastic popsicle forms in any dollar store or reny's, they come with reusable little handles. Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[ducklucky]

Have one of those black sex link hens too, they are truly ugly ducklings when babies, but their feathers are very iridescent in the sun, like a rainbow. We named ours Seven because when we did our count at night, you couldn't see her in the coop so black! Would count 1-6 and always took a flashlight to find Seven ;]

 

[ducklucky]

So sorry blue, it's always a heartbreaker. Sounds like a fox to me too, they just grab and run without a trace. A hawk would have a little battle to carry it off, so there would be feathers. A few years back lost a hen every other day and had to pen them up for a few weeks until the fox kits had grown and left town. You have to remember that all the wild critters are having their young right now and chickens are such an easy meal. But did hear they will feed every other day. Usually penning up the birds for a couple of weeks solves the problem, the fox will move to greener pastures, but this is early so you may have to watch come July for second litters. Poor little chickens, they don't stand a chance...

 

[Mainechick168]

Does anyone have any interesting in having my handsome

rooster? I'm going to post him on craigslist if no one is interested here- The uncle that gave him to me said he was a barred rock, but he looks like he's got a little something else mixed in.

 

[Dita Von Cluck]

Anyone ever had an issue with turkey buzzards? My buffs are only 6 weeks old so still little enough for me to be a worry wart whenever I see one. And I feel like I've been noticing more now that they're outside...paranoia is a strong influence lol

 

[ashandvine]

The turkey is finally broody. Between her and the duck I might have some poults (FINALLY) in about three weeks. I feel bad. People keep wanting them and I only have the one pair. I might have been all set if Jake hadn't busted out. He is in a medium security facility now, not quite like Buckas but the idea is there.

Does anyone else have Javas??

 

[Mainechick168]

Anyone ever had an issue with turkey buzzards? My buffs are only 6 weeks old so still little enough for me to be a worry wart whenever I see one. And I feel like I've been noticing more now that they're outside...paranoia is a strong influence lol

Vultures don't eat live prey- they are scavengers, and eat what is already dead, so you shouldn't have to worry about them!

 

[Dita Von Cluck]

Vultures don't eat live prey- they are scavengers, and eat what is already dead, so you shouldn't have to worry about them!

Thanks!