Maine

[gracejr]

I think I may have to look a little more at those. I like me some dual-purpose birds!

Do any of you guys know how to spin fiber? I've been toying with the idea of learning. I know how to weave, and I'd like to learn how to knit and/or crochet (could anyone here teach me either?). I know it's not exactly a chicken thing, but hey, it's worth a shot to ask!

I toyed very briefly with spinning on a spindle, but it was hard do to with little ones underfoot! lol I'd love to try and learn a spinning wheel some day though.

For knitting, check out knittinghelp.com I taught myself to knit using the videos and such on that site. I'm a visual learner so a book just didn't cut it for me, and I'm shy, so I didn't want to go to a class. Once you get started, knitty.com and ravelry.com are two awesome websites to check out.

 

[buckabucka]

I kind of knit. My sister taught me the basic stitch, and I made a sweater. Then I decided I wanted to make a really fancy sweater. I've been on that for 17 years or so

.

Really though, I only work on it for about a week per year. The front and back are done, along with one and a half sleeves. Maybe 2013 will be the year I finish!

My sick/injured hen may have improved very slightly today. The weather certainly didn't hurt matters. I set her outside, at first in a cage near her flock (the cage was really to protect her, since she can't walk away anyway). It was hard for her to get the grass with the cage there though, so I just set her on the lawn. She seemed to really enjoy this. She ate grass and pecked at the dirt (from a seated position). I did notice that now when she tries to stand upright and balances with her wings, she no longer pants like she ran a marathon. She tried to take a couple shuffling steps, which did make her pant, but that is progress, however small.

She will come inside tonight, and tomorrow, since rain is expected, but I hope to put her in a chicken tractor during the day from now on, provided she keeps improving.
Here she is, while the flock gazes at her special food dish:



And this is how she spent her day.


You can see how she puts her wings down. She tried this more frequently today. It's not like she is a terribly valuable hen, but I'm rooting for her because I hate the idea of chopping her head off, even if DH does the deed for me!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Hope she pulls through. Glad she's improved a bit. You were right about the gorgeous weather, everyone should be outside enjoying today.

 

[MKandtheforce]

I toyed very briefly with spinning on a spindle, but it was hard do to with little ones underfoot! lol I'd love to try and learn a spinning wheel some day though.
For knitting, check out knittinghelp.com I taught myself to knit using the videos and such on that site. I'm a visual learner so a book just didn't cut it for me, and I'm shy, so I didn't want to go to a class.

Once you get started, knitty.com and ravelry.com are two awesome websites to check out.

I tried teaching myself to knit online, but I had a lot of trouble with it. I think I'd benefit more from having a teacher, so I'll have to hunt down someone in my area.

I kind of knit. My sister taught me the basic stitch, and I made a sweater. Then I decided I wanted to make a really fancy sweater. I've been on that for 17 years or so

.

Really though, I only work on it for about a week per year. The front and back are done, along with one and a half sleeves. Maybe 2013 will be the year I finish!

My sick/injured hen may have improved very slightly today. The weather certainly didn't hurt matters. I set her outside, at first in a cage near her flock (the cage was really to protect her, since she can't walk away anyway). It was hard for her to get the grass with the cage there though, so I just set her on the lawn. She seemed to really enjoy this. She ate grass and pecked at the dirt (from a seated position). I did notice that now when she tries to stand upright and balances with her wings, she no longer pants like she ran a marathon. She tried to take a couple shuffling steps, which did make her pant, but that is progress, however small.

Lol! You should sit down and finish it! Then you'll never have to think about it ever again.

I'm glad your hen is feeling [maybe] feeling a little better. Poor thing. I hate seeing any animal not feeling well.

 

[Mainechick168]

I kind of knit. My sister taught me the basic stitch, and I made a sweater. Then I decided I wanted to make a really fancy sweater. I've been on that for 17 years or so

.

Really though, I only work on it for about a week per year. The front and back are done, along with one and a half sleeves. Maybe 2013 will be the year I finish!

My sick/injured hen may have improved very slightly today. The weather certainly didn't hurt matters. I set her outside, at first in a cage near her flock (the cage was really to protect her, since she can't walk away anyway). It was hard for her to get the grass with the cage there though, so I just set her on the lawn. She seemed to really enjoy this. She ate grass and pecked at the dirt (from a seated position). I did notice that now when she tries to stand upright and balances with her wings, she no longer pants like she ran a marathon. She tried to take a couple shuffling steps, which did make her pant, but that is progress, however small.

She will come inside tonight, and tomorrow, since rain is expected, but I hope to put her in a chicken tractor during the day from now on, provided she keeps improving.
Here she is, while the flock gazes at her special food dish:



And this is how she spent her day.


You can see how she puts her wings down. She tried this more frequently today. It's not like she is a terribly valuable hen, but I'm rooting for her because I hate the idea of chopping her head off, even if DH does the deed for me!

I'm glad yours is doing better..mine, not so much. DH did bring her outside today ( I got to work extra hours on the beautiful day) he said she seem happy to be out, but was stumbling more- and,excuse the language, went "a** over tea kettle" a few times

 

[blueseal]

Sold all my chickens today. Starting a new chapter in my life. Hope to have chickens again when I can do so. A nice lady from Oakland Maine bought my 15 5 month old pullets . She was so amazed how welll I raised them up she said they were amazing looking birds I'm happy that they went to a good home.

 

[Widget]

Sold all my chickens today. Starting a new chapter in my life. Hope to have chickens again when I can do so. A nice lady from Oakland Maine bought my 15 5 month old pullets . She was so amazed how welll I raised them up she said they were amazing looking birds I'm happy that they went to a good home.

Best of luck in your new endeavors. Hope you will continue to check in here when you can. Chickens or no chickens you are always welcome.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Best of luck in your new endeavors. Hope you will continue to check in here when you can. Chickens or no chickens you are always welcome.

x2

 

[hoppy]

best of luck to you blue seal.

 

[CoopChick719]

unfortunately silkies (and their counter parts- showgirls) don't typically roost.I believe it's because they don't see well with the head puff. here are a few suggestions to try. trim her around the eyes, mine didn't like to go outside until I did that, now they go right out until the fluff grows back. and/or build her a ladder to get to the perch. if she can see better, she might follow the girls into the coop but the jump to the perch might be too high for her to make it.

Hi Hoppy,

Wanted to let you know that I was very surprised to see the light splash sizzle, the one you were calling Puff, up on the top roost with my bantam cochins. She had been sleeping on the floor with the roo & the other sizzle. I also found her in one of the top nesting boxes which is about 3 feet off the floor. She's a funny little bird. Talks to us all the time. We call her Janice after the character on Friends "ohhh...myyy....gawwwddd" who talked all the time. We are enjoying all of them!! Even hubby who was not too keen on the idea but gave in when he realized resistance was futile!

The roo was very cute when I threw bread in the pen. He started making happy noises and walking around with a big piece to show all the girls.