Michigan

[chicklips]

Okay so I havn't posted on this thread in a very long time. I just signed up for chickenstock. Jusy wondering how everyones chickens are weathering the weather. I checked on my chickens today and I found one in the corner all bloody. I took care of the situation (she is now it the house in the brooder, doing just fine. I think it looks worse than it is.) I think the cause may be that they havn't been out of the coop in two days because of the snow. They hate snow so I didn't open the door, knowing that they wouldn't go out. They have more than enought room in the coop but they must have gone stir crazy and ganged up on the little chicken.

 

[zephyrcreek]

I'm starting to feel very greatful for my birds after reading how many people have birds that don't like to be out in the snow. Guess I picked the right ones for our climate.

My guys want to be out in everything except for high wind. Even then I have enough wind breaks that they will usually try to find a spot to hang out in. Gotta love those old farm breeds!

 

[chicklips]

Quote:
I tried to be very smart when I chose my breeds, all where cold weather hardy and where suppose to be well suited for MI weather, I guess my chickens didn't get the memo.

 

[only one lay]

I thought of that after the post. She came in with no issues. 2 of the 5 eggs she started out with are broke in the nest box. Don't know if it was her or one of the others.Hopefully the last ones make it or she'll lay more. Mother nature is in charge at this point.

 

[briana1975]

Getting ready for bed and checked on the broody and chick number 2 is out, chick number 3 shouldn't be far behind. Egg 4 was pipping this afternoon how long should I let her keep sitting if it doesn't hatch? Maybe it will out in the morning. If not 3 out of 4 not bad for the first try. Now here's to hoping she is a good mama hen too.

 

[shelleyb1969]

Quote:
Just leave her be and she'll come off the nest when the hatch is complete. Broodies have an instinct as to when to call it quits.

 

[Opa]

Well God has seen fit to give me a pulse yet again so I guess it is up to me to make sure that today is a good day. Looks as if the cold is going to be around for awhile longer. The long range weather forecast calls for spring, eventually, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weatherman is going to be right on this one.

The roost area in my large fowl coop consists of three 2x4 eight feet long and currently is occupied by 22 hens. Last fall I built two trays 4'x4' that are suspended beneath the roost boards. For those of you who don't have some type of droppings board I would suggest that you add one. While I was aware that chickens really are poop machines, I didn't realize that they deposit about two 5 gallon buckets full, just at night, in a weeks time. Cleaning the trays twice a week is much easier than cleaning the floor. Now the wood shavings on the floor are staying drier and there is less odor in the coop.

 

[YakLady]

Mornin', Sam! Glad to hear you have a pulse today, my friend. LOL!

As soon as my durn sheeples decide to bear forth some lambies, the area next to my coop will be available to build a pull-out tray system. You are one wise dude, and I can't wait to add those trays to the coop. For now, though, just having shavings in there and taking the pooper scooper in a couple times per week is getting the job done nicely. Hey, guess what?!!! I got 10 eggs yesterday! That was very exciting, as the girls had only been giving me 2-4 per day for a month or so. I don't know what the heck I'm going to do with all the eggs once all 25 start laying regularly. LOL! Guess it'll be time to post a sign in the driveway.

Hope everyone is well. I haven't been on here in so long that it will be impossible for me to read everything to catch up. I've got myself on a schedule now, and I budgeted 2 morning per week so that I don't have to miss out on my chicken friends' goings-on. I was missin' you guys!

Just FYI, Gordita still hasn't popped. Every time I think she couldn't possibly get much bigger, she proves me wrong. She's either having one big lambie baby, or twins. I was told that it would be unusual for her to have twins the first time around, but I'm tellin' ya'...she's HUGE! Yesterday, I noticed that she's dripping milk. This morning, my husband checked on her and said she looks like she dropped overnight. Sooooo....maybe? Betty's a good three weeks behind her, I think. When I have some lamb pics, I'll be sure to share!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Good morning all

Today is the day I go see the neurologist, providing they don't cancel again. Wish me luck, I am hoping they will be able to tell me why I am having issues with double vision.
Briana, congrats on the new chicks.
YakLady, there was someone else on BYC that posted wanting to know if anyone else was raising yaks. I am looking forward to seeing pics of the lambs when they make their arrival.
My chickens have not liked the cold and snow but lately they have decided to venture out a bit more, maybe they are getting coop fever. I know I am ready for summer.
Have a good day all.

 

[zephyrcreek]

Morning everyone! Well miss broody Dixie Rainbow is off her nest. I guess she did not like me messing with her so much. It will be interesting to see if it hits her again though. I just not ready to turn that duty over to her yet. I am getting the bator started up this week. Yahoo! In fact I'm on my way into town to pick up a few supplies. I did a fertility check on the eggs yesterday and everyone I opened had the bulls eye! I gave all the boys extra grapes for doing such a good job (as if they needed any extra encouragement).

Hubby started helping my build an extra large stack/shelving style brooder last night. It will be 32" x 48" and 6 feet high. We currently plan on having (4) 18" sections to brood young chicks. This is our prototype, and once we have worked out all the kinks we will be building a second unit. All the little fuzz butts will be here this week. Exciting! We have Barred Plymouth Rocks, Chanteclers, Dominiques, and Silver Laced Wyndottes on the way. Not to mention the Dels. Java, and EE eggs ready for the bator. I'm going to go insane waiting.

Have a good one!

Ellen