Maine

[CoopChick719]

The little chicks are doing fine. Brooding in the garage... which is under the house... has been a wonderful solution. I can open up the overhead door during the warm part of the day to give them some sun. With the lamp turned off, and the sun shining in, it got up to 100 degrees in there 2 days ago! It also allows for good air exchange to cut down on the dust.

I am brooding in the garage too this year as opposed to the pellet stove room off the kitchen. They are near 2 windows for natural sunlight. I also don't have to worry about the cat paws reaching into the brooder aka wire dog crate. The Maine Coon absolutely loves feather toys. I know full well what she'd do with ones that run!

Sad news. The goat that was attacked passed away during the night.

She appeared fine last night but must have had internal injuries.

Widget, I am so very sorry about your goat.

Far as boxes go, we've got 6 boxes for 17 birds; however, one is a silkie who probably needs a box close to the ground. I just don't have on in there, because I'm pretty sure it's easier to pick up one tiny egg from the ground than it will be to collect 16 eggs a day from yet another box that they will squawk about. They use all 6 of the boxes, but there are three favorites that get the most eggs and the most amount of squawking over whose turn it is.

Hi Jazor, I have 2 Sizzles who use the big girl nesting boxes just fine. I also have a ramp up to the boxes but they will fly up too.

I scored a pair of old worn out snow skis at the Winterport Mall this weekend. My poor husband doesn't even ask any more... He just shakes his head and says, "Chickens, right?"

They'll be screwed onto the bottom of the new tractor, and i'll use a pair of old lawn mower wheels (an other mall find) on the opposite end to make it into a "push-me-pull-you"

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! I got 8 meat birds this year and am thinking about a tractor for them. Was thinking about possibly covering an old swing set w/hardwire then wheels stuck into the four legs. Will have to plant the seed now for DH to stew over this idea.

On the husband front, I picked up garlic & cayenne pepper at the Dollar Tree yesterday. DH says, "What is that for? No...wait...don't tell me, it's for the chickens! But why do the chickens need them?" I said, "Garlic for general health & well being and cayenne for worm preventative."

 

[lazy gardener]

I've also heard that cayenne will rev up a reluctant layer... Perhaps I need to give some to my reluctant EE.

My new tractor has changed sizes about 4 times. Initially, it was going to be 6 x 3 to match the other one and for ease of storage, portability, use in the garden. After trashing a 2 x 4 to make the cross pieces, I got to thinking that it would be better to make it larger... perhaps big enough to use 1/2 of a cattle panel for the top... (4 x 7). Last night, I figured, why stop there, so it will be about 7 x 7 with 1' tails on the back for the tires. The sides will be made of panels that can be hooked together with bolts and nuts, so I can break it down for storage. Still thinking about the top... how to make it strong structurally, but easy to disassemble. I'm open to ideas.

Perhaps I can still use the cattle panel on the top, leaving a +/- 3' space to be filled with a door. But, that would add quite a bit to the weight. With these chicks almost 2 weeks old, I don't have a lot of time to play around.

Coop Chick... you and I think alike regarding swing set use. I can't wait until my 7 y.o. outgrows hers. She still uses it quite a bit. I use one in the garden left over from when my own kids were little. It's about 35 years old, and has been painted once with an oil based paint. Has not required any maintenance, and the heavy S hooks are perfect for supporting twine for pole beans... or any other climbers.

Perhaps, our husbands could use a support group. "Spouses of Crazy Chicken People Who Like to Pick Dumps and Do Other Embarrassing Stuff In Public Places."

 

[anyasmifya]

Good Morning Chicken Enthusiasts!

What a morning it's been here. Lots of flooding going on all around me. My husband had to park in the neighbors driveway last night and walk the rest of the way home because the road was flooded over. This morning our neighbors driveway was washed out! We had to get a flatbed tow truck to get the little car out! Luckily my house and chickens are not in harms way. So, last week as you all know Bart died from the stupid raccoon then two days later another chicken mysteriously dies! I went to the coop in the morning to let them out and laying on the floor is a dead bird! I have no idea why she died. My vet neighbor said it's probably from a stuck egg (not actual name all I can think of) She seemed fine all day out roaming about with the other birds. Some good news BigBird actually laid an egg! I can't believe it, I thought she would never lay! She must be like 10 months old now!

Sorry to hear about your goat Widget. That's so sad. Goats are like dogs or cats.

 

[dlynne1123]

I'm enxcited to try my very own project (husband less) for a pallet coop. We have a small scrap wood coop we made for six birds but it's so addicting, and I enjoy variety so now at 14 birds (4 rescued free rangers) I need a bigger coop! I've found some great ideas on line, but has anyone done this personally? Going for a 4x8 coop, and keeping my smaller one for smaller chicks during transition. So excited!

Also, I purchased some EE eggs online, hoping for a good turnout, but only need a few for my breeding plans, so I will have extras for sale. If anyone is interested! (Kennebunk)

I'm sorry for the loss of your goat! As for dogs and farm animals/birds, it can be tricky, I've rescued and fostered in the past and in the short term we simply manage dogs from birds. I know that was your plan, so having a back up, emergency plan is ideal to save your goats and birds. But for my personal pups, everyone has been successfully trained to leave the birds alone, terrier or not. My friends bird dog keeps trying to retrieve them! (His chickens) so now off to help him train his pup to point, not retrieve! Some breeds are definitely not ideal but they also can be individuals. So treat and train them that way. We are not a LG home. With less than 1 acre, and our travel schedule, our mutts and pit bull mix have worked out just fine, but it did take extensive training, desensitization and a close eye during the exposure times. I don't think you can cure them all, but it's certainly worth a try given the pups weasel into your hearts. Over 5 years we've had good luck with 4 pit bull type dogs (the rescue I was part of) a Belgian malinois and 3 boxers (one is still in training) leaving the birds alone. (But I am a trainer and have the time to work with them.) my biggest pointer is to prevent the chase while exposing to each other. Keep the exposure positive, and set up everyone to succeed!

Happy Spring!

Boston Strong!

 

[CoopChick719]

I've also heard that cayenne will rev up a reluctant layer...  Perhaps I need to give some to my reluctant EE.  

My new tractor has changed sizes about 4 times. 

Coop Chick... you and I think alike regarding swing set use.  I use one in the garden left over from when my own kids were little.  It's about 35 years old, and has been painted once with an oil based paint.  Has not required any maintenance, and the heavy S hooks are perfect for supporting twine for pole beans... or any other climbers.

Perhaps, our husbands could use a support group.  "Spouses of Crazy Chicken People Who Like to Pick Dumps and Do Other Embarrassing Stuff In Public Places."

LG, would love to see pics when you finish your tractor!!

You got me thinking if my old swing set was still at my folks house. Dad doesn't throw away anything!!

BAAHAHAHAAAA!!!! Support group for the husbands. LOVE the name!! DH & my mother commiserate on their spouses who are thrifty!! Yeah...that's it thrifty!! However I've never known either one of them to pass up a good deal.

I'm enxcited to try my very own project (husband less) for a pallet coop. but it's so addicting, and I enjoy variety so now at 14 birds (4 rescued free rangers) I need a bigger coop! I've found some great ideas on line, but has anyone done this personally?
Happy Spring!

Boston Strong!

Thank you dlynne for reminding me that we have a pile of pallets in the backyard just waiting to be repurposed!!

"Well I love that dirty water aww Boston you're my home" ok maybe 20 minutes South of Boston but still close enough <3.

 

[CoopChick719]

Baby fuzzy butts

 

[lazy gardener]

Dlynne1123: If this old broad pushing 60 can build a tractor and a coop, and a hoop green house, I'm sure you can do it!

 

[CoopChick719]

You

Dlynne1123:  If this old broad pushing 60 can build a tractor and a coop, and a hoop green house, I'm sure you can do it!

You go girl!!

 

[Cknldy]

As for dogs and chickens-hey, if anyone wants a chick eating/killing dog you are welcome to the one I am trying to give away!! Beautiful day meant putting 4 and 6 week old chicks in large dog cage on the grass. Only two little dogs were out. Took a friend home and returned to some dead chicks and some traumatized chicks blood splattered! I didn't even want to continue to the cage to see how many were dead but dh didn't know how to get the survivors into the brooder since he never messes with my chickens. Needless to say I held my madness at the dogs in check to stop dh from immediately shooting the instigator culprit on the spot in order to spare dd's feelings. I'm trying to find it a home without chickens ASAP!!

On using pallets- I've used them after picking them up for free. Hard as all get out to get some nails in, screws are eadier but you have to have the right type or they'll break off. I found it to be more aggravating to use them unless it is for main frame ups.

 

[chickengirl987]

hello mainers!1