Maine

[CoopChick719]

Hello from Westbrook

Welcome profamily!!

 

[dowgirl71]

Saw fox tracks going by my coop, this AM.

It was a straight line, though-didn't seem to stop and sniff around. Probably the smells had been washed away with all this wet weather we've had. So, I took my dogs down this morning and tonight to "use the bathroom" and reminded my boys that they need to "help" keep the fox away.

 

[hoppy]

glad you found the rotten egg, I usually just use my nose. rotten eggs are NOT clear.
as far as flipping the egg over, I've done it. I don't think my egg hatched. I've heard of leg issues, beak issues. might as well at least let it try to hatch, nothing to lose.

Welcome profamily to byc!!

I have hatching questions for anyone with experience.

First, I have an egg that incubated upside down until now (day 14). The egg does not have a pointy end, and it was labeled WM for wheaten Marans. The label is written on the side, and reads WM both upside down and right side up. Today I saw the air cell for the first time and it was on the bottom of the egg. I thought this was a quitter, but then thought I saw movement, so I put it back in with the air cell up. Will this screw up the egg somehow, to suddenly flip it over?

 

[hoppy]

chatter is starting to happen regarding swaps. thinking maybe, if mother nature co-operates, end of march can be the first one in augusta. it's when we started last yr. I'll give the store a call and see what they think.

 

[buckabucka]

Thanks. I'm not sure if the upside down egg (now right side up) is a quitter. I usually leave everything in there just in case, but now that I've had that rotten egg.....

I'll definitely be candling the eggs again before lockdown.

Of my 29 eggs (one cracked in transit), 10 show movement, 5 have developed but I couldn't see in there very well, and 1 is the upside down egg.

 

[Clover Run]

I have seen these in person at Kinsey's and they are very cool - I love them and showed a pic to my husband - we may do it this spring - love that you can take out the buckets and spray them down and pop back in !

I just thought that I would show everyone what my husband and I did for nesting boxes. The chickens love them and they are so easy to clean.

 

[Clover Run]

What are the chances someone would want to help (get paid) me get four geese here? I know this is a long shot but if I ask SO he is going to say no and these are such a deal. I almost bought some of these geese last year, twice, but didn't. I know why.... the man has offered me the breeding group of four for free because he wants them to live on a farm and be bred which is what I wanted them for too! You might recall I TRIED getting geese but the man sold me crosses at a terrible rip off price and so they were returned. They were sweet, but.... Anyway. I have a dog carrier but no truck or van to do the actual moving anymore. An, again, I know this is a long shot, but I had to try.

I did get the best Marans egg so far today which tickles me. Its only a strong five but nice size. The Favs are laying too and the cockerel in there does the shuffle My Blue Am cockerel was heard by me crowing for the first two times yesterday (a funny strangled sound with all the promise of hormones) an so now... if only the Orloff hadn't died. The pullets and hens are laying so well in there!

You know, crosses can be fun. I have one here who is a Brabanter Orloff cross and she is lovely. I don't want to part with her just for that reason. She is small and doesn't quite fit in but her lovely self is a delight to my eye.

Goodluck with your hatchings. I hope at least something hatches here. A lot of turkeys would be good. Folks keep asking me for them

Ash - I will help you - PM me the details - I will use the mini van and I have large carriers - travel hutches etc.

 

[Clover Run]

Anyone interested in a trio of swedish flower hens? Free?!?!

Are you NPIP? - is so I would be interested in adding them to my laying flock - the are pretty - would add some eye candy. How old are they?

 

[ashandvine]

Wow. I didn't expect this much in the way of support. Huh. Thank you so much all.
Also, I was thinking that now that eggs are coming from most of my/our birds we could talk again about that egg party. I know a lot of us aren't that 'social' but I think we could make it work. Are folks still interested?

 

[Widget]

Okay now that I have again joined the ranks of the full-time employee

I want to go ahead and get some Saxony ducklings. I know last December a couple of you were interested in splitting a duck order from Holderreads. So if anyone is still interested let me know and we can work out the details.

As for an egg party I don't have anything right now but hopefully the girls will start laying soon. I do have some seedlings started and if all goes well will have way more than I need. Right now I have plenty of herbs that are sprouting and will start some of the veggies later this month.

Saw a sure sign of Spring yesterday. The local roads have those wonderful orange posted signs up.

And the frost heaves are also rising. Now if the snow showers would just stop. The airport has been way too busy for the past week. Removing frost from a plane is one thing but an inch of icy and/or wet heavy snow is a whole other ballgame. And it never fails. If there are no planes on the ground it doesn't snow but as soon as one lands it snows and we have to clean it off before it takes off again. However it does keep us busy there and busy means money and job security. If anyone is looking for a part-time seasonal job they are hiring a couple more people to finish out the season and to work next winter.