Maine

[bwockbwock]

Yesterday I sold my young male gander att he swap, my yard is so quiet today with just the pair again After buying two Americana pullets and three water gadgets from Hoppi I was only one dollar short of what i went to the swap with, a first for me, LOL.
When adding to one flock I have found it works pretty well to keep the new birds in a cage or pen where the existing fock can get used to them but not get at them. After a few days of getting to know each other from a safe distance it seems to ease the transition to all being together.
On a totally separate note, and totally off topic. Do anyone of you have any experience with inflammation that comes and goes in relatively short cycles? It seems something has set off a bout of arthritis in the lower half of my body, probably between the broken ankle and sprained knee. I can be moving fairly well one day, and in significant pain and spasm the next day, and barely able to move. I am using things like Turmeric, MSM, & sea vegetables, as well as a daily dose of vinegar. If you have any thoughts, ideas or experience please PM me with your wisdom.
There are days I would probably not move if it was not for needing to care for the poultry, can I write them off for health care costs? Two legged therapists with feathers.

Thanks

 

[ashandvine]

and then you look back on this moment and say, where is the camera???

Oh I know!! I thought this at the time but I have to admit I could walk around with a camera in hand all the time. Of course, I wouldn't get anything done because Aleyna still occupies one hand often. We take Verbena (the gosling) out at least once a day and today looks like another good day to stage this repeated.

There's a lot of dust bathing going on out there today. I couldn't turn the bator off. I just couldn't. I keep seeing these eggs and ... now I have a new little 'project'.... oh boy

Watching the bator...

 

[gracejr]

the rule is they have to be 8 weeks old to be sold as single birds,otherwise you have to sell them in lots of 6. if you don't know the age, they should be fully feathered out by 8 weeks. you can kind of guage them by how mature they are compared to the ones you hatched or check pictures online. if selling from your house, they can be any age and you can sell just one if you'd like.

I use lime to keep down the flys and clean out the coop.

Thanks! We do deep litter, cleaned the whole thing out only a couple weeks ago so it shouldn't be dirty. I will try some lime. Can you get it right at blue seal/tractor supply? Still debating if I want to try selling them at a swap or just do a CL ad. Not sure the logistics of managing a swap with all 3 kiddos underfoot, especially the baby. All she wants to do is nurse 24/7! lol It would be nice to meet some more of you though.

Oh I know!!  I thought this at the time but I have to admit I could walk around with a camera in hand all the time.  Of course, I wouldn't get anything done because Aleyna still occupies one hand often.  We take Verbena (the gosling) out at least once a day and today looks like another good day to stage this repeated.

There's a lot of dust bathing going on out there today.  I couldn't turn the bator off.  I just couldn't.  I keep seeing these eggs and ... now I have a new little 'project'.... oh boy  Watching the bator...

I was THIS close to setting another batch, but I managed to find some self control and am waiting until I can get a new thermometer. I think mine is off, but m not positive. Another bonus by waiting, I should have it timed so there is only one brooder going at a time instead of having two or three. Tons f dust bathing here too, SOO nice out today! You'd think the kids would be all over playing in the sun, but nope, practically have to lock them outside to keep them out there! Crazy!! I bought a new camera earlier this year, I forgot how tricky it is trying to take pictures one handed. lol At least the phone is easy to use, though the pics aren't nearly as nice.

Okay. Safety in numbers. The only birds that might not go in with the others are the lavender Ameraucanas. They are all smallish, but one is only surviving, not really thriving, and she is still the size of a ping pong ball.

Good luck! Most of my older ones went out today, except a few that are only half feathered right now.

 

[Widget]

Just combined the two brooders so I have about thirty birds ranging from 2 weeks - 5 weeks together. Plenty of room for everyone and a bit easier on me not having to deal with two brooders for a bit. Also managed to plant some stuff in the garden. Peas, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower are now in the ground. I really think that weekends should be three days and not two so I could get more stuff done.

 

[Widget]

On a happy note my thin horse has gained about 70 pounds

He is looking good. Well with all the shedding going on he looks a bit ragged but the weight gain is noticeable. Trails are drying out nicely too. All are posted (by the ATV club) for no use until I think May 15th. At least that is usually the date since I haven't had the chance to look yet. I'm sure I could still go out with the horses since they don't cause the damage the ATVs do but I would rather follow the rules and still be able to use the trails.

 

[buckabucka]

Just combined the two brooders so I have about thirty birds ranging from 2 weeks - 5 weeks together. Plenty of room for everyone and a bit easier on me not having to deal with two brooders for a bit. Also managed to plant some stuff in the garden. Peas, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower are now in the ground. I really think that weekends should be three days and not two so I could get more stuff done.

Oh, I totally agree about the weekend! I did get peas in last week and this weekend put in the onions, but I haven't started brassicas. I took the winter wind-block plastic off one of the coop runs, but still need to do that on the hoop coop. Today I wrestled hardware cloth overhead on the jail. I made good progress, but didn't finish. And I'm trying to dig blackberry canes out of my asparagus patch. I love blackberries, but I think I'm going to have to destroy them all to keep their spreading under control.
Congratulations on your horse!

Ashandvine, you do need a photo of Verbena following Aleyna around!

 

[hoppy]

check your pms

On a totally separate note, and totally off topic. Do anyone of you have any experience with inflammation that comes and goes in relatively short cycles? It seems something has set off a bout of arthritis in the lower half of my body, probably between the broken ankle and sprained knee. I can be moving fairly well one day, and in significant pain and spasm the next day, and barely able to move. I am using things like Turmeric, MSM, & sea vegetables, as well as a daily dose of vinegar. If you have any thoughts, ideas or experience please PM me with your wisdom.
There are days I would probably not move if it was not for needing to care for the poultry, can I write them off for health care costs? Two legged therapists with feathers.

Thanks

 

[blueseal]

got a coop setup today put a door on a old 8x8 shed put fencing up got the roosts in hung the feeders went and got my pullets from my brothers I bought 3weeks ago now they are home in there own coop and run finally. took the whole day but got it done this is just a get me by coop until I get money saved up for a nicer shed.

 

[CoopChick719]

Thanks for all the good interview mojo! He starts Monday, the pay is CRAP but it's a company he can believe in (unlike Crapplebee's), and hell have regular hours so i can start looking for work without having to get a second car. Some things are worth more than money...like having my husband home for dinner, and not hating his life because of work!

Wonderful news Echo! I can empathize with the hating life because of the job. My last job was like that! You are absolutely right about things worth more than money! My current boss--who is a great guy--keeps asking me if I want to work full time because he'd love to have me there. I've told him No for the past 3 years. He said maybe he'd just have to throw a bunch of money at me. I told him it's not about the money. It's about my sanity and my family's quality of life.

On a happy note my thin horse has gained about 70 pounds

He is looking good. Well with all the shedding going on he looks a bit ragged but the weight gain is noticeable. Trails are drying out nicely too. All are posted (by the ATV club) for no use until I think May 15th. At least that is usually the date since I haven't had the chance to look yet. I'm sure I could still go out with the horses since they don't cause the damage the ATVs do but I would rather follow the rules and still be able to use the trails.

Congrats on your horse's healthy weight gain!! We all want our furry & feathered friends to be healthy.

 

[Mainechick168]

Well, last night was the first night I have left the bedroom window open all night, and I learned that the rooster crows at about 5:15am....but then he stops, so it theory I could have gone back to sleep.....


Also, finally got the garden tilled and fenced yesterday! I'll plant a little today, but I'll spend most of the day doing homework ( 2 more weeks until the semester is over!) and studying for the Praxis - just a little 4 and a half hour test I have to pass to get my teaching certificate.. I'm taking in in Farmington tomorrow morning and I am not looking forward to it!

Question- does anyone who free ranges have an issue with the flock going really far away?? We have about 2.5 acres here, but apparently that is not enough for 8 hens and a rooster....they went almost all the way across the back of one neighbors property and were headed for the neighbor of that neighbors property!