Maine

[lazy gardener]

Hubby suggested that that salamander should have been processed with a SaladMaster!

 

[quailtrail]

Hubby suggested that that salamander should have been processed with a SaladMaster!

lol!!!!!!!

 

[CoopChick719]

The feed store gives me trouble every time I ask for non-medicated multi-flock (tells me my girls should be on layer-plus) and they also tell me that my girls should be eating pellets instead of crumble. No and no. For some reason they just do better on the multi-flock and they refuse to eat pellets! I suppose the workers are trying to help, but enough is enough.

I just smile and say Thanks but I need some xxxxxx.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who is dealing with feed store issues. Even if an employee does happen to have a few chickens at home, that doesn't mean that "their way" is the only and right way. My girls would have literally starved to death last winter if I hadn't switched them to multi-flock. They would not eat the layer feed, no matter what I did to it. Just my opinion, but I think that the feed formulations are the "bare minimum" to get a chicken to lay eggs or to grow. And when a chicken refuses to eat the standard formulation, there's something drastically wrong with it.

I just bought my girls some layer because I've had some soft shelled eggs. The girls have said a resounding NO! "We don't like it dry, wet, fermented, or mixed w/pretty much anything. We WILL dig it out of the feeder to look for anything edible at the bottom!"

I had a moment of brilliance or perhaps lunacy at 0:dark-thirty this morning. Rolling around the ways to easily come up with a chicken tractor... after spending many hours working on the panels of my newest creation. And I came up with an idea that would be easy, great at re-purposing materials, and provide a one-of-a-kind chicken tractor. The frame would be an old bed frame. The legs could be put on 2 x 4 skids, it could be painted for weather proofing. Add a bit of framing for the roof and doors, wrap in chicken wire, and it would be good to go. The angle iron side supports would be perfect for supporting a couple of 2 x 4 roosts. You could even name it "The Bed and Breakfast"!

LG!!! Are you sure we aren't sisters?! I saw a couch & chair on the side of the road the other day and thought to myself, ""Self--you could use that frame as a chicken tractor!" Did not voice those thoughts to DH who was with me. That's something I'd have to just bring home and have it half done by the time he got home!!

 

[lazy gardener]

Hubby hasn't been able to put the car in the garage for the past 3 weeks because of my ongoing construction project. I'll be glad to get it finished... if only so I can start something else. There should be an extra gold star awarded to the men in our lives who tolerate the upheaval caused by livestock.

 

[ashandvine]

I finally put carrot seeds in the garden. If only I could get this fencing up! I did find that a local store is selling 150' of 4' high wire for 40$ which seems to be a good price. I would like to get some 6' because these chickens are learning to fly over and the geese were going over the four foot this winter on account of the snow accumulation being so high. I have decided to use what is already outside to redo the pens in the barn. I keep having to tack down or block off parts where my partner built them on the quick to ensure pure breed eggs and minimize fights. The ducks seem to get along with everyone. If only all the cocks were that way. The truck load of sawdust is lasting quite a long time and we finally have fertile eggs from our Sultans, Polish and Cochins. The first of our goslings and the Saxony ducks are due next week while I am attending my grandfather's graveside service. I will cross my fingers for a nice long hatch so that I can come home to some little pippers saying, "wawawawawa" in their eggs at me.

 

[The100AcreWood]

Last night was the first night I let my chicks stay out in the coop all night. I had been bringing them indoors where it's been chilly. They did wonderfully, and I tried not to get up and constantly check on them! These are my first chickens (they are about 6 weeks) and I'm utterly addicted and already have a few more breeds I'd love to add to the flock. Who knew I'd fall this hard for chickens so quickly.

 

[Branch Chickens]

Afternoon all!
I have a chick question for you. All of my little ladies are running around, acting healthy and inquisitive, except one. My little Blue Cochin seemed to have the beginnings of pasty butt yesterday, so I cleaned her up with warm water and soap and dried her off. She also seems to be breathing very hard (and was before, as well), and her entire body moves quite strongly with each breath. I've tried watching her to see her poop (fun, right?), but I haven't seen it yet. Is there a chance that she is blocked inside? The vent and area immediately surrounding it looks good now, but I don't know if that pasting could go in further.
I'll post this in another thread as well.

 

[The100AcreWood]

Just got in touch with the blue seal in Bangor and they are expecting guinea keets today or tomorrow as well as various chicks. Anxious to pick up some keets. Any tips a first time guinea Mom? )

 

[buckabucka]

Afternoon all!
I have a chick question for you. All of my little ladies are running around, acting healthy and inquisitive, except one. My little Blue Cochin seemed to have the beginnings of pasty butt yesterday, so I cleaned her up with warm water and soap and dried her off. She also seems to be breathing very hard (and was before, as well), and her entire body moves quite strongly with each breath. I've tried watching her to see her poop (fun, right?), but I haven't seen it yet. Is there a chance that she is blocked inside? The vent and area immediately surrounding it looks good now, but I don't know if that pasting could go in further.
I'll post this in another thread as well.

I imagine if you cleaned her off, pasting up is not the issue, although I would keep an eye on her. As far as the breathing goes, maybe something is wrong, but it could also be nothing (sorry, I guess that isn't that helpful). I had a chick with the same issue (the heaving with each breath) and she always did this, but otherwise was healthy. She died of leg issues, but she was three years old by then.

 

[quailtrail]

Ughhh ... appears they have mites with all the "scratching" motions. Trying the natural way first. They were dust bathing today, lots of garlic, wood ash ready for tomorrow and plan on scrubbing coop Saturday. ..amd treatment for birds with garlicjuice, water, tree tea oil and lavender oil mix. Hope I'm not wasting my time? ?? Thoughts???

On another note chicks are growing quick. The silkies are going on 3 weeks, and our 1 hatching chick is going on 2 weeks. Soooo cute!

And I have a broody hen again. Lets see how it goes this time....