Maine

[Widget]

The temperature didn't make it above 5 today. Brrrrrrr. Everyone seemed fine though. Plenty of food, some fresh hay in the shelter and ice free water delivered a few times. At least it was ice free for about five minutes. No eggs though but I will forgive them until the weather warms up a bit. The goats came out long enough to eat and then went right back into their shelter to bed down out of the wind. The horses didn't seem to notice the weather. They did their normal routine. Eat some hay, stand in the sun, get a drink and go back to the hay.

Took two of the dogs with me to run some errands. They loved getting out of the house. And the truck was certainly warm enough with the heat on high. If it weren't for the price of gas I could have driven around all day just to stay nice and warm. Had to go to Home Depot to pick up guards for the bathroom fan and light switch. The two dogs who went with me normally spend the day in the bathroom when I am not home. They have decided that turning on the fan and light is now a fun thing to do. I disagree so now they will have to come up with something else. Of course when I got home the Pyr that had stayed home decided to open the cabinet with all the baking supplies. I had flour and salt all over the kitchen floor.

So now I have to get a lock for that cabinet.

 

[MustardTiger]

Clover, I am not, in general, a fan of fuzzy tufted birds (ducks and hides from all the evil glares) but those last pics are pretty **** cute.


I will check out the brooding thread.

Thanks to whoever recommended the BYC University thread regarding standards. It was really helpful to read through for a total newb to get an idea of what to look for and how birds are judged.

 

[Widget]

Still waiting on the job interview results to see if I can order/hatch out some chicks this year. Interview went well but who knows. One other person who applied for the job has some experience that I don't. But I certainly had some glowing recommendations from my current boss and a co-worker. And I was invited to try out the job if I had the chance before the decision is made next week. Based on that I think I am still under consideration.

If I do get the job I know for certain I will be looking for some Silkies or even some of the Muppet chickens. I'm on a list for some Icelandic eggs and have a source for some Midget White turkeys and some Saxony ducks if all goes well. I hate not being able to commit to anything right now. It would be so much easier if I could plan on what I want and can actually have instead of just wishing and hoping.

 

[buckabucka]

Clover, I am not, in general, a fan of fuzzy tufted birds (ducks and hides from all the evil glares) but those last pics are pretty **** cute. 


I will check out the brooding thread. 

Thanks to whoever recommended the BYC University thread regarding standards. It was really helpful to read through for a total newb to get an idea of what to look for and how birds are judged. 

You mean Chicken State University, where I am a student

I agree on the silkies. Not something I am after, but that photo of the gray one that hatched today is ridiculously cute!

 

[lazy gardener]

Hatched this morning - Little Splash Silkie - something to smile about in this ridiculously cold weather!

Too much cuteness wrapped up in such a small package.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

For the person who asked about the broody hen, I have a couple things for you to think of to help make your decision:

1. Are you able to separate them out easily/safely?
Either bring momma and her babies into the house (garage/basement, etc), bring the babies in alone, or leave them in the coop but separate them from the rest of the flock? I know you said the coop was small, but you may be able to build a small brooding box until the babies get big enough. I ask that because I have found that chicks do better when separated from the regular flock for at least the first week. I've had a few losses/injuries from chicks (or ducklings being raised by a banty hen) when they're not separated out. Plus if you have a momma you don't need a heat lamp. Here's one of mine that I keep in the coop:



2. If you leave them in the coop are you willing to come out at least twice a day and replace their (frozen) water?
3. The broody hen will most likely kick the food/water over, causing a giant mess which will then freeze and not be able to be cleaned up until spring thaw. One of my cages actually froze to the ground and I bent it badly trying to get it up in March.
4. If you don't separate them out, will you be switching everyone's food to small crumbles for the babies to eat? They struggle with pellets, even though mom will break them up for them the first few days. If you have crumbles for the babies, you'd better believe your flock will eat that preferentially (they're jerks like that) and potentially be bossy over who gets the food. Some people put up bars/cage that only the chicks can get through to get to the food on the other side, and get to safety. Might be able to do that, too.


I raise my chicks either indoors in a brooder (with a mom if they were hatched by one) or in the coop in a cage like the one above with mom. They get let out when I can supervise, but I have one hen (The Sheriff) who takes it upon herself to seek out all intruders and get rid of them. She's put some nasty gashes in small chicks/ducklings, so I have to make sure they're big enough and smart enough to get away/survive.

 

[buckabucka]

Lazy gardener, it sounds like if you can wait a bit, you will find your hatching eggs. If you only want 6 birds and I only want 5, we would need more people for a group order, which would mean more complications with dates, hatcheries, etc.
Just today, I contacted the woman I bought my eggs from and asked if I can up my order to 30 eggs (she has a new ad offering this). So if she is able to send me that many and the hatch goes well, I may only be looking for 2 or 3 white layers to add this spring. I need more chicken pens and a bigger freezer!

One thing I can say about hatcheries, if you start reading reviews, there are always people who say how great certain hatcheries are, and always a few people who have a horrible experience. You hardly ever read about one that everyone loves. And I think some of it depends on what breeds you order, too.

 

[lazy gardener]

The temperature didn't make it above 5 today. Brrrrrrr. Everyone seemed fine though. Plenty of food, some fresh hay in the shelter and ice free water delivered a few times. At least it was ice free for about five minutes. No eggs though but I will forgive them until the weather warms up a bit. The goats came out long enough to eat and then went right back into their shelter to bed down out of the wind. The horses didn't seem to notice the weather. They did their normal routine. Eat some hay, stand in the sun, get a drink and go back to the hay.

Took two of the dogs with me to run some errands. They loved getting out of the house. And the truck was certainly warm enough with the heat on high. If it weren't for the price of gas I could have driven around all day just to stay nice and warm. Had to go to Home Depot to pick up guards for the bathroom fan and light switch. The two dogs who went with me normally spend the day in the bathroom when I am not home. They have decided that turning on the fan and light is now a fun thing to do. I disagree so now they will have to come up with something else. Of course when I got home the Pyr that had stayed home decided to open the cabinet with all the baking supplies. I had flour and salt all over the kitchen floor.

So now I have to get a lock for that cabinet.

Your dogs get in as much trouble as the average toddler!!! Too bad he didn't bake a cake while you were out. 48 hours, 10%.

 

[Widget]

Your dogs get in as much trouble as the average toddler!!! Too bad he didn't bake a cake while you were out. 48 hours, 10%.

Well she has tried to open the oven door before. And she has opened the toaster oven door to get at some rolls that I had stored inside to try and keep them safe from the counter surfers. Thank goodness the microwave is above the stove. So far that is the safest food storage area. It would be one thing if the Pyrs were puppies but they will turn 8 next month and they still find new ways to get into trouble.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Well she has tried to open the oven door before. And she has opened the toaster oven door to get at some rolls that I had stored inside to try and keep them safe from the counter surfers. Thank goodness the microwave is above the stove. So far that is the safest food storage area. It would be one thing if the Pyrs were puppies but they will turn 8 next month and they still find new ways to get into trouble.

It sounds like your stomach is the safest place for food storage.

My cat likes to remove drains (bathroom sinks are her favorite, but she will go for the tub or kitchen sink if she must) and she'll stuff her toys down there, too, if we don't catch her in time. Smart and dextrous are a bad combo. She's been a bit better since we got her a companion to keep her busy - she didn't like him at first and locked him in a closet upstairs one of the first days he was here. They are exactly like children sometimes.