Maine

[Widget]

Where does everyone buy their straw from and how much do you usually pay? I'm trying to figure out what we are going to do for the winter.

I dont use it but I know Longhorn in Buxton is selling bales of straw for $9.

 

[Widget]

I am now officially chickenless. My last pullet was found expired in the coop this morning. She had hurt her leg last week but appeared to be healing fine. She was eating and drinking with no problems but I think there was more of an injury than just the leg. So frustrating now that the I had everything ready for the winter.

Hate that I have to wait until spring to get some new birds.Or I may just have to resign myself to being only a duck person. All my ducks are doing great. Several I have had for over three years. They seem so much more resilient than chickens.

 

[lazy gardener]

So sorry Widgett. I didn't know you've had such losses.

 

[striperon]

Sorry, Widget. Somehow they become part of the family, so their loss is deeply felt. Glad you have your ducks.

 

[Widget]

Thanks. My chickens just seemed to have a death wish this year.

One the plus side Longhorn still had some Golden Comet pullets available when I was there today. So I came home with three that are already laying. They have been warned to stay out of the dog pen at all costs. Given the weather and the coming winter they probably will not be getting much free range time anyway,

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Sorry about the losses, Widget, but good news about scoring the pullets! I miss my golden comets. They had the feistiest personalities (in a good way) and they were excellent layers.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I'm surprised you were able to find birds! That's fantastic.

I've had a slew of turkeys with death wishes (as cute as they are they are some dumb birds) so I understand what you mean. It's disheartening but if they can't figure out how to walk around without getting their head stuck in the fence...

 

[dowgirl71]

Today, as I was watching my chickens out in their run, I noticed another bird on the other side of their fence. It kinda moved like a chicken and just figured one of mine must have somehow gotten out. As it walked around I could see it wasn't a chicken and my "girls" were trying to scare it away (to no avail). I think it was some kind of grouse. It was pretty fun to watch, because it stood more upright like a chicken, but ran into the bushes like a guinea hen. My chickens didn't bother it much, but I couldn't even get outside to get a picture of it. It would run for the bushes every time it heard my door squeak as it opened. Should I be worried about my chickens picking up any diseases from this wild bird? The closest they get is just through a chain link fence.

 

[lazy gardener]

They might, and they might not pick up a disease from any wild bird passing through. Either way, there's not much we can do to effect an outcome in that regard. I guess my take on the situation would be not to worry about it. I would try to keep the wild birds out of my chicken feed, but, other than that, would have to keep my flock in a bubble to keep them away from wild birds, and even then, I can't keep wild birds from pooping over my bird's run! I don't remember if your SLW ended up being a roo? My EE roo is quite a character. He always has something to say to me. My SLW lays some nice big eggs. I got both ends and the middle of that swap with you!

 

[CoopChick719]

Sorry about your girl, Widget

Maybe be easier to get chicks in the Spring.