Maine

[Heatherschix]

Has any body bought shavings from Paris Farmer's Union in Newport? I'm finding that their prices on all products are more competitive than the prices in Bangor. Up to $10.00 difference in wheat and barley. So, I'm guessing that the shavings will be similarly priced. But, I don't want to buy multiple bags for my new coop and find that they're not decent quality.

I buy here and found the pine shavings good quality and reasonably priced

 

[chickengirl987]

Who has ducks here on the Maine thread?

 

[lazy gardener]

I opened up the coop today to find a BSL dead under the perch. No signs of injury. Interestingly enough, there was also a leghorn egg, covered in yolk beside her. (The gooey leghorn egg has been an ongoing theme.) Last night, at bedtime, there was a ruckus with one of the Doms out singing "the egg song" after everybody else had gone to bed. Several others joined in. I'm wondering if the BSL died around that time. I did note that she had some shavings in her mouth. She was facing into the corner. I'm wondering if it was related to aspiration, or perhaps a seizure. Possibly cardiac. If the body doesn't stink too bad today, I'll do a cursory autopsy: Check airway, chest cavity and for an egg impaction. Don't intend to open up her abdominal cavity other than checking for the egg impaction, or get into the bowel. Then, I'll find a hole, and bury her.​

 

[buckabucka]

So sorry about your hen, LG! I can't read your whole post on my mobile device, but I hope you figure out what happened.

I have one hiding in the nest box all day (not broody). She is molting, but she also has really watery green droppings, so I think she is not eating much. She was disinterested in the layer feed today. I'd like to worm her, but read that I shouldn't do this during the molt.

This morning I got her to eat some pieces of banana. I rolled it in some feed. Later, I'll try scrambled egg. She's an old hen, so not of much value egg-wise, but I don't want to neglect her either.

 

[Widget]

Who has ducks here on the Maine thread?

I do. Saxony, Khaki Campbell and some mutts.

 

[lazy gardener]

I did a cursory exam on the dead BSL. Found her crop to be very full of FF with some greens mixed in. She had FF early the previous morning, so her crop should have not been full of that. I did not open the crop or examine it further. Her trachea was clear. I got a real nice opportunity to do a close up inspection of the larynx. Next time you're butchering a bird, check it out. Totally awesome. She was not egg bound. Abdomen soft. I think she just dropped dead. Of course, will have to keep a very close eye on the rest of the flock.

Made an other great score at the dump "shopping mall" today. I came home with multiple pieces of OSB, enough to = 2 full sheets. They were angle cuts from someone's new roof, so, brand new. I'm thinking that they will be able to be used to finish the gable ends of the new coop. If not there, then for some of the interior work. Also got the face of a 36" wide base cabinet with 2 doors. That will be used on the inside wall of the storage closet, so I can access it from both outside the coop, and inside the coop! After going to Lowes, and pricing out the options for siding, we decided to go with OSB, and will finish it for a board and batten look. Not the first choice, but, we needed to cut corners somewhere! It will look nice once painted. All of the rafters are up. We picked up the siding and vent materials today. The building is 10 x 12. Will have 2"W x 8' long soffit vent on N and S walls, as well as 9 x 12 vents at each gable. The ceiling will be 7' high, and closed off with 1" thick thermax or styrofoam, with a vent cut in the center of the ceiling which could be 2' x 2', or even larger. There will be 3 windows 24" x 32" which will be hinged at the top, and open using the very high tech method of a stick to prop them open. Will this be enough ventilation???

 

[dowgirl71]

Tonight, I collected 6 eggs, which means that 3 of my pullets are now laying! However, I thought that the next to start laying would be my EEs and all the new eggs are light brown. Is it possible to have an EE not lay a colored egg? OR it could be my Speckled Sussex but she's only about 18 weeks. Any thoughts?

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes, an EE could easily not lay a blue or green egg. it could also be brown or pink. My girls also fooled me. (about who would be the first to lay)

 

[ashandvine]

What kind of chicks? What are your accommodations for them? I hope that I get a broody next spring.

Sorry... busy here. There are three 'mutts,' but one is a Java Am cross. Love those. It should express mottling but with my luck it will be be a cockerel. They are going to stay in the barn with their momma and the rest of the flock. They have the warmest corner to live in for now and they should be all feathered out by November so they'll be alright.

I have this enjoyment that comes of reusing and re purposing things. IDK where it comes from but this week I realized that the sliding glass panes from a broken storm door and one old storm from a window that isn't here anymore would work to winterize the three windows on my summer cottage [that's where the geese live.] One window is a perfect match, one is close and the third is ... a bit too long and a bit too thin but on there just the same. I nailed up the layers of cardboard and grain bags as well as some of that thin, blue insulation that goes under hard wood floors around the walls. If I can ever get the bales of hay here to berm the walls they should be pretty comfortable despite the cold being predicted. I also rake up a lot of the leaves and pile it in the old nest boxes from when this was a chicken house. These boxes are over the three nesting boxes for the geese. Being above them it helps to hold their body heat down in those boxes. It isn't pretty in there but I am relieved somewhat to have winterized on a dime.


FTR I hate butchering ducks. Its worth the 7$ ea to have the slaughter house do it IMO. I never do call anymore. This time of year I find they are always too busy and not doing any more birds.

 

[lazy gardener]

I think i'm coming to the same conclusion about butchering any birds. I'ts so time consuming, and find that I'd rather pick up an extra shift of work, and pay someone else to do the job. Getting rid of the mess after the finished carcasses are in the fridge/freezer is even worse than the butchering. What to do with the stuff. If I bury it, I have to cover it with wire for a long time to keep animals from digging it back up. Last time, I had lots of flies for weeks after the butchering.