Michigan

[teeville5]

Quote:
I ask myself that all the time and my kids are teens!

It's cuter when they're younger, though.

Has anyone used a hen apron/saddle/saver? Do they work well? My boy, Newton, hasn't learned how to be graceful in his attempts yet and I have a wyandotte that is missing the feathers just above her tail and wondered if one would help her. All my other girls are fine, but she is looking a bit cringe-worthy in the tail area lately.
Where is the best place to get one or order one?

 

[DaughterOfEve]

I have used saddles for hens before with success. There is usually a favorite of a roo that seems to go bald without help. I usually only tolerate the hens being torn up for a short time and then it is off to freezer camp for the roo.

Currently dealing with a broody Serama hen. It has been about 6 days now. My DD took all the bantam boys to fair for showmanship and breed classes leaving the girls alone. Not sure why this set off the Serama into broody land but there it is. I keep taking the eggs away and leaving the nest box door open.

DD had a good showing at fair with her Nankin roo taking best of breed and reserve best in the barn. She took second in showmanship and was thrilled. She sold her meat birds at auction and did not even break even with expenses. I felt bad for her as she worked for the eight weeks of raising them, weighing, etc. only to discover she didn't make any money. Stinks.

 

[1muttsfan]

Good morning michigan thread! Finally some good rain last night, we needed it badly.

Anyone interested in a five pack of bantam lavender Ameracaunas? They were hatched this spring out of eggs from littleameracaunamom. the eggs were a lovely pale blue. 4 pullets and a darling little roo. Not enough room in the henhouse for so many bantams, and I want to keep my cochins.

If anyone here wants them I will let them go for $20. They must all go together. I am driving downstate on friday, down 75 and 23, so could bring them along.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
I ask myself that all the time and my kids are teens!

It's cuter when they're younger, though.

Has anyone used a hen apron/saddle/saver? Do they work well? My boy, Newton, hasn't learned how to be graceful in his attempts yet and I have a wyandotte that is missing the feathers just above her tail and wondered if one would help her. All my other girls are fine, but she is looking a bit cringe-worthy in the tail area lately.
Where is the best place to get one or order one?

I am currently using two saddles with wing protectors. They work good but somehow...one of my hens did some kind of houdini trick and got out of hers once.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

teeville, I have used the aprons and they do help. I also make them. I have a couple of hens that are the favorites too. Have you trimmed the roos toenails and spurs?

DaughterofEve, congrats to your daughter! I know it is dissapointing when you work so hard and don't come out ahead but hopefully she learned from the experiance.

Nova, that is just so cute about your son. I take it your hen is back to normal now.

I too have missed Sadinna's smiling face around here.

Fife, Are you back home now? If so how was your trip?

 

[NovaAman]

Yup, Buffy is laying normal now.

What a depressing morning... WHERES THE SUN! And its chilly. I think Its a pant kinda day...

 

[NovaAman]

I have a question... I see these blocks of wild bird/life feed, has corn, sunflower, safflower, millet, raisins, peanuts, fat... almost like a suet cake, but its a block... think it'd be something that the chickens would like? I am wanting to start stocking for winter fun and treats for my flock... And since I have read that chickens can eat almost anything... Not to take the place of the food, but to keep them from getting bored... Was also wandering about some of the suet cakes that you see in the store. Some have more fat than others.. some like the fruit and nut have more fillings than just a bulk of fat with seeds stuck on... Opinions anyone?

 

[babigyrl22]

Quote:
I was thinking about putting in a flock block for winter too. I was also thinking about warm treats like oatmeal with warm fruit goodies in it.

 

[Olive Hill]

My opposition to the flock blocks stem from three things:

1) They're ridiculously priced for what you're getting.

2) They're loaded with sugar.

3) They're loaded with fat.

1 is, of course, a matter of personal choice. I know some people feel compelled to spend an obnoxious amount of money on their chickens. It's just not for me. 2 and 3 on the other hand, are a matter of health. Neither sugar nor high levels of such concentrated fat are a natural part of chickens' diets. I could get past that if either served a purpose for the chicken, but that's not the case. Most people are already feeding a corn-heavy diet which provides more NSCs that the chickens could ever want or utilize, even in the winter, and the fat can actually end up interfering with normal biological function -- especially in penned and cooped birds who are not getting adequate exercise. That's not to say that you shouldn't give treats or that a little extra won't be appreciated in the winter -- especially if you plan to coop them up -- but I think there are much better choices. A head of cabbage, turnips, beets, winter radishes, mangels, spinach, scrambled eggs, a handful of straight BOSS, etc.

And just a note on the warm meals. If you're wanting to treat them, but also not spend a fortune, I would recommend beet pulp instead of oatmeal. You can buy 50 lbs for around $15 -- feed stores and most TSCs carry it. Personally I recommend the shreds as they soak up quicker (and you can generally get them without molasses), but the pellets are fine too. Soak a few handfuls in hot water (note: it expands a LOT, trust me on the few handfuls thing unless you have a large flock), top with treats of your choice and serve.

 

[ChicwannaB]

Quote:
I hear that. Mine are usually all in by 8:30. I get a kick out of the last remaining Jersey Giant (the other one died) it waits in the yard till I come out to lock everything up. I say to it "c'mon sweetie" and it follows me across the yard and into the coop and to the last stall, then lets me pick it up and put it up on the roost. I lock that stall, then go shut the door on the CHante Cathedral, those 5 all put themselves in by 8:30.
The Jersey is 10+ weeks old and has actually passed the Rhode Island Reds in height and weight, the reds are 14+ weeks. Gonna be a monster bird.