Maine

[Clover Run]

Yeah - I will be watching to see if you win - I am rooting fro you!!!! and Rufus!!!!

I'm taking pictures for an Online Cochins International Show. Each bird has to have six pictures submitted of various poses and "parts" ( head, wing, feet)

This is one of my buff pullets (she came from Bob Hawes). I Just named her "Marilyn", because she is very difficult to direct at a photo shoot.



And of course, you all know "Rufus". He's so jaded about having his picture taken. I swear he just poses and yawns

I'm proud to be a Mainer with cochins

 

[Keric]

Rufus is amazing!

 

[CoopChick719]

Hello fellow Mainers!

Welcome littlechick!!

 

[CoopChick719]

and she's really a sizzle not a silkie.

Thanks hoppy! I didn't catch that.

 

[CoopChick719]

I'm taking pictures for an Online Cochins International Show. Each bird has to have six pictures submitted of various poses and "parts" ( head, wing, feet)

This is one of my buff pullets (she came from Bob Hawes). I Just named her "Marilyn", because she is very difficult to direct at a photo shoot.



And of course, you all know "Rufus". He's so jaded about having his picture taken. I swear he just poses and yawns

I'm proud to be a Mainer with cochins

They're both beautiful, Joanie!

 

[farmerfogg]

I'm taking pictures for an Online Cochins International Show. Each bird has to have six pictures submitted of various poses and "parts" ( head, wing, feet) This is one of my buff pullets (she came from Bob Hawes). I Just named her "Marilyn", because she is very difficult to direct at a photo shoot. And of course, you all know "Rufus". He's so jaded about having his picture taken. I swear he just poses and yawns I'm proud to be a Mainer with cochins e

Very sweet looking!

 

[Chambertin]

Good luck with the contest! Nice looking birds.

(read somewhere that straw/hay can be a nice habitat for other mites and things when not feeding on your birds, so no reason to stick with it especially when shavings are cheaper by the week).

Read that and completely support the idea.
People I know who used straw as a foundation had more problems over time than those who didnt.

I think the bottom line is if you use something that is hollow you will have infintely many more problems with moisture and other pests because you have the heavy wicking action with a great place for water to sit without being exposed to air. Other materials may wick better, but they have a better surface for drying.
Stir them up and as long as its not still raining it should dry pretty fast.

I really love my concrete and sand, if I can afford it that will be my coop forever. Only place for anything to stay is the roosts and a quick clean or just laquer the cracks and there's no problem.

Some straw in the nest boxes would be ok, but I agree that its no good for long term litter material.

Workign with concrete also taught me to wear a mask whenever you have a good ammount of dust in the air. Those little bits of powder even if not harmful will get studk deep in the lungs and take a long time to come back out. Easier to just make it hard for them to get in.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

thanks. given your background, you would know!!!

I still wouldn't ever sell them to anyone until the 14 day mark, just in case, but I don't have a problem eating them, personally.

 

[annabananaandfamily]

I have used shavings in mine since i got them and havent ever had the desire to switch to anything else. This winter with the frigid cold that has come through i did end up getting a bale of hay and adding some to varius sections of the coop, for some added insulation. You would have thought my chickens had stumbled upon something wonderous the way they play woth it! Its like the greatest discovery of all time to them. I plan on completely emptying the coop come spring and starting with fresh shaving again, but for now they get their hay.

Did i see someone post from Poland? Nice to see others from my neck of the woods! We arent too far away, in Raymond.

Chamberin, when are you looking to be back in the states? We have been talking about having a local meet and greet, would be great if we could coordinate and do it when you would be around.

 

[Chambertin]

Right now I'm not sure.
I'm working hard on getting this guy a good gig (and me a nice agent fee) so it could be anytime between may and ...
Before this I planned to get back around February, March timeframe. Now it’s all up in the air, have to get in touch with hotels, shows, maybe even contact some people in Vegas.
I'll make sure to post a link to his performance once I get the basics worked out. (and a copyright application in)

Right now thats the big thing because Chinese and US copyrights don’t have reciprocity, so anyone can take the basic idea and beat us to the market. Plus we cant just jump into the fray and hope for the best. I'm not gambling my farm money on him being famous.
Gonna take it slow and see where it goes, great opportunity and another unique chance to learn a hell of a lot.

So I'm thinking summer, every time I know more I'll share it.
Please dont make the schedule around me, because my year is going to be a very simple one or an extremely complex one depending on how fast I can get all this submitted and if anyone is interested in trying this performance without a proven fan base in the US.

Just so amazing how the "Great Communist Machine" protects the rights of artists (who are Chinese) in country, but the US Law is 100% for the corporate enterprise. If you even submit a video to any online agency you are giving away everything.
If you do 5 mins on TV you get 15,000 RMB + covered expenses (about 2,500 USD) and in the US you might get a plane ticket and hotel room, then the parent company of the show OWNS you.
Ellen, Oprah, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Letterman, EVERYONE has a big wall of disclaimers saying that they now own everything you submit, will never compensate you and if you upload someone elses property you will be sued for them not checking.
Its nuts, you dont give them the privilege to use your material, you give them unending and complete control even a full transfer of copyright just for clicking submit.
GLAD I never really cared about facebook etc.

The other crazy thing is if you want to join SAG-AFTRA they want over 3,000 USD just to apply and wont really help protect you or get you paid (that I can find out). Plus they want 250 USD to review your show and see if you qualify for a visa to perform in the US. Dont trust them for that!
Crazy *** world out there, no wonder every show is a reality or video clip show, practically free for them and huge revenue. Who cares about quality when its this easy baby!

Seriously I just thought I'd have to navigate a couple contracts, get a visa in order and protect him from the scavengers that dwell in the shadows. Turns out the biggest scavengers are the entertainment companies themselves. No wonder they poured so much money into obummer...

/rant off