Michigan

[teeville5]

Yes, very chatty today. Let the chickens out despite the rain before heading into G.R. again for prom dress shopping. It was win-win for both.

Not so win for my teen chicks on my return, though. They are being quite unruly lately, the little stinkers. Making a mess every day in the brooder by spilling the waterer. I've tried everything to keep it in place, but they keep knocking it over so I have to change the bedding all the time. Their brooder isn't big enough to hang one or get a bigger one so I am just going to have to get craftier, I guess until they go outside next week.

Farmerboy, love the piggies. Olive, DH thought they looked really nice and wants to look up the breed more.
thesunthemoon, hello

rir, 1mutt, and anyone else hatching- yay for the new chickies

rbahmer, the decision is never easy and I'm sorry it was one you had to make.

Glad to have you back.

 

[Ferrret]

Update on the wee silkie.
She perked up pretty quick after getting a belly full of egg and after she started following the cats around I figured she could hold her own outside again. It's funny to see a 1lb bird scare off a 10 lb cat. The cats like to think they're tough but when they got within pecking range they turned tail. After she got outside she was digging in the yard and hanging out with the others just fine.

She had gone broody last summer and also managed to catch wet pox while broody. I thought that would do her in since I couldn't find any treatment beyond culling. I decided to try cleaning out the built up gunk, a light swabbing of peroxide and isolation too see if maybe it would help her, and the pox cleared up within 2 weeks. I kept her isolated for a full month just to be sure she wouldn't spread it to the others. When I saw her today I feared she may have come down with pox again, it at first looked like she couldn't eat even if she tried, but after checking her over that wasn't the case.

She's roosting side by side with the others now. I'll keep an eye on her to see how she does with the flock.
Mom2, if I decide to get a couple banties to keep little silkie company you'll be the first one I get a hold of. I'll have to clear a spot in the garage and convince BF a couple more chickens will fit in okay before getting any. The uggo roos are holding their own at my friends place. They've made a few hen friends and keep out of his big brahma's path when treats are involved.

 

[RIRJen]

Hmmmm....more chicks getting ready to pop through....but I don't know what's going on with the incubator. It's been holding a steady 65-70 on the humidity and a steady temp but the humidity has bumped up to about 80 now. Not sure what to do about that. I haven't added any water or anything. hmmmm...

 

[1muttsfan]

The humidity tends to shoot up when chicks start hatching. It won't hurt anything.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Nope, I can't do that.

Me neither... Bummer... I am going to try when I get my chicks!

Hands on learning I guess.

This should have read... "can you vent sex"
Is there an age that you can't anymore?
On Dirty Job's (someone posted a link) They did it the first day...

Everyone was chatty today!! I'm feeling tired so not much to talk about tonight. Had the chickens out tilling my garden area today lol...it was so funny, my leghorn Daisy (who is the friendliest) came up to me and I picked a dandelion and held it out to her. She took it and proceeded to run around the whole garden several times with it in her beak. It was the cutest thing ever. Everyone was chasing her trying to see the prize she had but she wouldn't give it up. Anyway, think I'm gonna get ready for bed now. Talk to you guys tomorrow night!

That is so cute!!!

A special gift from mom!!!!

 

[RBahmer]

rbahmer, the decision is never easy and I'm sorry it was one you had to make.

Glad to have you back.

Thanks. Never an easy one and after 32 years it truly was a hard decision to make but it was the right decision, at least for me it was.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

What are some dos and don'ts of coop building? Just downloaded google sketchups!!! Gonna get to sketchin'!!!

 

[RIRJen]

Quote:

The humidity tends to shoot up when chicks start hatching. It won't hurt anything.

Ya...I noticed that last year but never asked about it. A little black silkie is out! AND IT'S LOUD!

It's like "HEY! Is anyone out there?!?!?!"

 

[keyt1969]

We build at least 2 coops a month...and now chicken tractors. We get scrap wood from all over and make all sorts of cool creations. Here's the latest:

http://jxn.craigslist.org/grd/2952192739.html

We have a bigger one that's going up in the next couple of days.

Just use your imagination. Chickens don't care. The only things I really suggest are make sure you have vent holes or windows and paint, paint, paint...especially on the outside!!! Look at the ad and you can see what we do.

We either get wood from builders who have leftovers, people giving stuff away on Craigslist or sometimes (but rarely) buy things. I'm a photographer so we often do extra driving around and you would be amazed at the things that people give away. Last summer someone had an above ground pool at the end of their driveway. That has been the roof covering (there are USB boards underneath) for 8 coops so far and we still have some left!

Our coops are pretty popular because we take the time to make sure they are built sturdily unlike the ones in feed stores! I was building a chicken tractor for a week til I had surgery last Monday. It's sitting in the front yard of our house next door and I've had probably more than 5 people stop (we live on a somewhat busy road) and ask how much it was. AND ITS BRIGHT PINK!!

So I'll be making them to sell now while Aric builds the coops after I heal from surgery

If you have any questions feel free to ask. If I don't know I'll ask Aric, he's been a woodworker for 30 years.

 

[Opa]

You won't find that stuff in this house. I've just poured the first cup of the day of Folgers Black Silk. The rich bold aroma is just what this old man needs to start the day. Fortunately the women at the baby shower didn't eat all the cake so there is still some coconut pound cake left. So grab yourself a cup of coffee and a piece of cake and we'll all be ready to face what ever the day has to offer.