Michigan

[Ooopsy_daisy]

I still enjoy my chickens, but my waterfowl I love. They are a lot more messy and crap a ton more than chickens, but in one day there is no smell and great fertilizer. The Sebastopol's are so friendly if you get incubated goslings that are human imprinted. They follow you around like a puppy. I have 2 trio's now and driving to Kentucky this coming weekend to pic up 3 more pairs. Found a commercial cabinet incubator new for $200 so I am set for upcoming breeding season.

Waterfowl is a lot more work than chickens but if you have the property and lots of grass they are so cheap to feed and only require housing at night. Ive converted my 10 stall horse barn into 5 breeding pens with their own pool in each. Thank gosh when I cemented that building I remembered to put in outside drains in each stall so the pools are ez to change out every evening before them come in for the night.

 

[michiganlarry]

hey everyone. Kelly and I need some help. One of our wellie hens went broody about 3 weeks ago and tonight when I went out to the coop after work we have some new chicks. Our nesting boxes are about 20 inches off the the floor of the coop. We have an area the we used for raising chicks and were wondering if we should move mamma and the chicks along with the rest of the eggs to the brooder area or take the chicks away and move them to the brooder area or what. The chicks do not have access to food or water without coming out of the nesting box. I called Sam as he is the only phone number I have and he hasn't returned my call yet.

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

...well it depends thats pretty high for them to live. You dont want them to accidentally fall to their death. Mama probably...i mean she should keeps them warm enough. You could make her a little nest out of straw or give her a box on the ground. If you want you can move the chicks into a brooder. But it is cute to watch the little ones follow mama.

 

[wyliefarms]

FAIR REPORT:

Rachel:

2nd Intermediate showmanship
Grand Champion Production hens (production red)
2nd place bantam pair (black orpington from Opa)
4th place bantam hen in breed class (OEG)
2nd place bantam call duck
1st place eggs
2nd place meat chickens in weight class
4th place meat chickens in weight class

Emily:
2nd place junior showmanship
Grand Champion show duck (grey call duck from Vicki)
2nd place bantam hen in breed class(black ameraucana)
4th place call drake
3rd place meat chickens in weight class
4th place meat chickens in weight class

I think that is everything! I am so proud of them! They worked hard and it shows

Tomorrow is pig and rabbit show

The other kid who is showing animals in our club didn't turn his market record book in

Deadline was tonight at 9pm. I called at 8:50 to confirm and the mom didn't call me back til 9:15 in a panic. She thought it was tomorrow. I feel terrible. I was so busy today, I forgot to remind them when I saw them. So he is unable to auction his pigs off. He can privately sell them though. The mom was mad. He got $1000 last year for his 2 pigs, they were expecting that again. they showed last year, and it is written down in 2 places in the pre-fair newsletter. We will see how tomorrow goes at the pig show.

Good Night! I just heard my 1st rumble of thunder and it is still raining good

Just don't know when I will have time to pick beans and cukes!

Sarah

 

[Bluemoon420]

Congrats Rachel, and Emily. I saw how they did when we came back later for the Lippizzans.

Trying to leave the parking area later was awful we were literally stuck for over an hour in the back forty. They finally had to call the police. There were some very angry people. I wsih the police had shown up sooner, it would have made for an easier time leaving.

Doug had his eye surgery and is doing ok. He wanted to go to the Lippizzan show, but didnt think he would do well. Hopefully, his eye will be better soon, and he won't have anymore problems focusing.

Bluemoon

 

[michiganlarry]

Just got off the phone with Opa and he confirmed what I thought and the advice given on here. I will wait until tomorrow morning to move her and the eggs to the brooder side of the coop.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[wyliefarms]

I am sooo happy!!!!! The pig at our house is on his way to the slaughter house! Just as I was on the phone finding out we could run the pig up right now, it peed and poop right on the welcome mat at my garage door. Cannot wait to have some bacon!

 

[wyliefarms]

Fair Report:

Last day of showing

Emily didn't place in swine showmanship. there were 26 kids in her class

The pig got last place in it's weight divison, which I knew it wouldn't do great since it only weighed 214 pounds.


Emily won junior rabbit showmanship!!!! Her first time ever and she won! I am so proud of her

The rabbit got 6th place in the breed class. vicki- this is the rabbit we bought from you at chickenstock last year.

Rachel is competing in the 4-H king and queen contest tonight. It is a fun competition with judges to pick the winner out of the 15 couples.

Off to pick some stuff in the garden

 

[Freebie]

Quote:
sounds like you all had a great couple of days.
I know how swine is. In our fair there are so many kids with pigs.
My daughter did not place in showmanship at all.
but her barrow got 6th in his weight class. He was a little bugger. somewhere between 230 and 240
the gilt 242 came in 3rd in her class. So, my daughter was very happy. So that is great .
she also read her poem at the talent show and placed first in the oratary class. It was a nice poem'

She is done showing, but thursday is the auction. so that will be a busy day. ahhhh life is good. all the eggs in the bator are looking good so far.


Have a great day everyone.

oh... and the best news of all... the sow is haveing her babies right now. so far we have 4 delivered. more should be coming. pictures coming soon.

 

[Kovalciks Chickens]

HOLY CRAP I WISH I COULD DO THAT WELL AT MY FAIR!
BY THE WAY
MY JAP HEN CAME BACK!!!!!!!! but now i have a hard decision. Do i use the cochin that is 6 weeks old or do I use the 2 yr old Jap? Can I have your opinion? They both show almost the same but the Jap poses a little better.