Maine

[Jazor]

Hi everyone! I am curious about insulating the coops. Would the pink insulation be toxic to my girls? Does anyone know? There will be a bit of chicken wire to hold them back from it, but otherwise I will need some type of insulation that will not be harmful. Any tips?

Is there any particular reason you're convinced you want to insulate? It's a hotly debated topic that seems to be argued over as much as how to raise one's children. I stand by the motto of "do what you think is right", and in my case that means I don't insulate.

My birds, however, live in the barn which is not insulated. I have it sectioned off into two different coops (one for the smalls/silkies--one for the larger birds) and throughout the winter they were fine. This was one of the longer and more bitter winters we've had lately, and my birds did well. One lost a toenail to frostbite, and one rooster got a frostbitten comb. I attribute both of these things to them getting water on themselves when drinking before going to roost. Of the 20 birds in there, those two incidents were all they dealt with all winter.

Just my $.02 but I certainly don't think insulating is necessary.

 

[Jazor]

ASH: I agree with you re: the work. Unfortunately, it goes with the territory of being female. We get to do it all... pregnancy, nursing, nurturing, bring home the bacon, and do our farming and construction projects!

Where is it you live where the men somehow do nothing? Is it some type of vacation resort? Are there vacancies?

I do have ventilation, so I suppose I will need to cover it up in the winter?

I believe she meant that in the context of "so long as there are no drafts--but you've got good ventilation". You don't want winter wind to be whipping through the coop on your birds--but you want air & moisture to be able to escape the coop. Ventilation is important so moisture doesn't build up, seeing as how it can lead to many issues--namely frostbite!

Cheers



edit: double post, sorry!

 

[buckabucka]

Originally posted by Jazor
Where is it you live where the men somehow do nothing? Is it some type of vacation resort? Are there vacancies?





I think some women are single, but I think many are with guys that work outside the home, but are not "handy". My husband is retired, and never worked full-time in his life, but he is so handy that I feel guilty sometimes that I do not do more, despite the fact that my working supports us both monetarily. So no vacancies here!

 

[Jazor]

Originally posted by Jazor
Where is it you live where the men somehow do nothing? Is it some type of vacation resort? Are there vacancies?

I think some women are single, but I think many are with guys that work outside the home, but are not "handy". My husband is retired, and never worked full-time in his life, but he is so handy that I feel guilty sometimes that I do not do more, despite the fact that my working supports us both monetarily. So no vacancies here!

I was just having a laugh at the way it was worded

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Candle and mark the eggs that are being incubated the farthest along and then pull out the new ones.  You should try moving her to a box of her own [ca litter boxes work well but anything she'd be dark and safe in will do] and its best for you to try this a night so she is more likely to stay on the eggs.  You could give her her own place to brood and eat and drink that way without the other birds breaking the eggs or laying more in there or just bothering her in general.

Is anyone interested in a few Swedish ducklings?  I am also considering selling a few of the Orloffs that I won't be using for breeding next year if someone is interested in a few. 

How friendly are the Swedish ducks???

 

[sparrowsnest]

So, I bought eight pullets at the TSC in Presque Isle Easter weekend. Five are looking suspiciously rooish. So frustrated. I thought we might get one or so, but not 60% of my little flock. Question is this-is it too late to order more pullets from a hatchery before winter? If I only have three hens, then I am not going to get the number of eggs I had hoped for and I'll still be buying from the store! (have seven kids!) Frankly, I just want to cry and give them all away. So discouraged with the whole process....If anyone knows anything about austrolorps, I have pics, but they're 11 wksish and have huge combs and wattles......

 

[Jazor]

So, I bought eight pullets at the TSC in Presque Isle Easter weekend. Five are looking suspiciously rooish. So frustrated. I thought we might get one or so, but not 60% of my little flock. Question is this-is it too late to order more pullets from a hatchery before winter? If I only have three hens, then I am not going to get the number of eggs I had hoped for and I'll still be buying from the store! (have seven kids!) Frankly, I just want to cry and give them all away. So discouraged with the whole process....If anyone knows anything about austrolorps, I have pics, but they're 11 wksish and have huge combs and wattles......

There is always a way to get more birds. Even when you don't think there is. Even when you don't necessarily want (or better yet need) them. Have you checked out any TCS Chicken Swaps, Craigslist (not always the best option, but can work), and even messaging folks here on BYC. You'll probably be surprised what you find!

 

[ashandvine]

How friendly are the Swedish ducks???

I find that any duck I raise by hand is equally friendly, with maybe the exception of the Muscovies who seem slightly more calm in general around us and the dog even, but they are not ducks in actuality. Now... they will always be prey and know that instinctually but the only ones I have met that were rather jerky at all were the Pekins, despite being hand raised. They have a bit of a reputation to support this. I have not tried all the ducks but that's my five cents.

We did lose the gosling who was struggling. I expected to but was still disappointed. The other four are very healthy and its so sweet to have them still talk to me and approach me of their own will when I go out despite having a gander parent now.

I have looked and I do have a few birds that can go. I found a few Orloffs that won't be used here. They are several months old, fully feathered, and friendly. I don't know their sexes but I could guess. I have a few others but most of them are year old cocks that would be best in breeding programs. Blue eggers or Marans. I will be showing the Marans this fall and putting him up for sale at the fall show if someone wants to see him first. I have two and the other is not as perfect but turning out better chicks with the hens we have. I do have a Hedemora trio that I think is really pretty as well and haven't quite decided to part with. They are almost six months. They just aren't what I wanted despite being pretty. PM for pictures and more firm dates.

We also have one full curly white Seb gander who is young but almost a year and ready to go. He's very passive, even for a Seb.

 

[Heatherschix]

So, I bought eight pullets at the TSC in Presque Isle Easter weekend. Five are looking suspiciously rooish. So frustrated. I thought we might get one or so, but not 60% of my little flock. Question is this-is it too late to order more pullets from a hatchery before winter? If I only have three hens, then I am not going to get the number of eggs I had hoped for and I'll still be buying from the store! (have seven kids!) Frankly, I just want to cry and give them all away. So discouraged with the whole process....If anyone knows anything about austrolorps, I have pics, but they're 11 wksish and have huge combs and wattles......

What kind of girls are you looking for?

 

[sparrowsnest]

Austrolorps or BR.....