Minnesota!

[Cluckies]

I don't want to jinx it, but in the last 7 days, I've gotten 5 eggs out of my 5 girls, an un heard of feat in my yard.

Crap, I put that out on my phone, i meant 5 eggs out of 5 girls, 5 out of the last 7 days...

 

[The BlanchRanch]

So Blanch how many chickens can you have? im sure you mentioned it in a previous post i just cant remember...and do you lock your girls up tight from the 2 legged predator's? I know i hate to think my neighbors would do something like that but I dont know every one in my area and it is becoming well know that i will have chickens people drive down my alley everyday and stop and talk to me about my coop. the conversation always starts with I heard you were getting chickens and we thought we would come see..

They did with us too. People love animals. Ours free roam our yard 24/7. At night they go in by themselves and in the morning they come out. Even when we are not home for days. Only time I lock them in their run is during storms. No 2 legged predators. I have lived in this spot for 15 years and have never had any problems. We have 5 chickens.

Blanch ranch Welcome back.. We have a VERY loose definition of redneck here. Almost anyone can qualify. However, seeing the target center from your front door can be disqualifying.

A tannerite cannon!!! I am so excited I have a new project to work on....

Bowling ball cannon. It makes a strange oscillating whistle because of the finger holes. Fun. But you have to be a good shot.

Does anyone here make their own chicken treats? i was looking at the chicken square treats and on the norm they are around $5 each. im big on making my own stuff,,,butter,spaghetti sauces,noodles,dog food,bird suet,,, just about anything if i can make it i love to....In the square treats there is just seeds,raisins oats that sort of thing and i think it would be way cheaper then buying them made...Thanks...

My DW likes to make suet with lard. It helps them stay warm in the winter. Not to good for them in the summer. Also around christmas she will make the treats on a string. Cranberries and things.

Quote: Mine where to. But now the EEs have almost quit laying. The RIR and BR are doing well though. One EE looks like she is really going to start molting.

 

[KlopKlop]

We made it back!!
Great week end on Madeline Island. Drove our motorcycles into the driveway and the chickens threw a nut and ran over to the gate to meet us. It is always nice to be missed!!

What kind of cycle do you ride? I'm pretty excited as I just sealed the deal on a Honda Shadow 1100 ACE tonight. Its is going to be a great upgrade from my '81 CB750

Can't wait to pick it up tomorrow evening. It will be a nice night for riding too

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Nice!! I ride a Triumph Speed Triple and the DW has a Ducati Monster. Then I have a few others that aren't running right now.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Just got in from Chicken TV and evening lockup. Man what nice weather!! and it is supposed to be like this all week!!

I spent most of Chicken TV on the Dixie Rainbow channel. I am just getting a hoot out of watching them run around the garden. I have always thought that a chicken tractor was a humane way of raising broilers since they get fresh grass twice a day but after seeing how the rainbows act now that they get free run of a 30x60 area almost makes me feel guilty for making them stay in the tractor. Here is a few pics of the gang as well as a few of my leading candidates for the presidential pardon.


Have you ever seen feathers like on these guys necks? Not sure if they are developing new feathers or if that is normal. They are long, thin, and flowing. almost hair-like







Presidential Pardon Candidates

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#3

The long thin feathers are called hackles, the males get long skinny ones that are pointy on the ends and the females get rounded and wider shaped ones. Perfectly normal. If you see "hair", it is a pain in the patootee to get off when you process. I use a lighter and burn that off of them. I usually only see it on dark birds though.
You will see the same kind of feathers coming out the saddle on the males, and you don't usually see that on them (purebreds) until they are about 4 months old, maybe 3.5.

 

[Wild Child]

Theri do you have any Silkies available?
My family has been convinced that a couple more chickens isn't a bad idea XD I am picking up three show quality Speckled Sussex and two Orpington Pullets either later this week or on Monday. We all LOVE the Silkies and would really like to add two more

 

[duluthralphie]

Theri do you have any Silkies available?
My family has been convinced that a couple more chickens isn't a bad idea XD I am picking up three show quality Speckled Sussex and two Orpington Pullets either later this week or on Monday. We all LOVE the Silkies and would really like to add two more

What no creamettes?????






We moved the 6 middle schoolers into the big coop last night. (2 creamettes and 4 turkeys). What big cry babies! When I checked on them they were all standing next to the fence crying and sobbing about not belonging in that pen. It is late in the summer and I need to get the brooders out of my shed so I can have it back. Today the last babies graduate to middle school. I moved it to a nice grassy spot, as soon as the grass is worn down they are moving to the big coop.

 

[KlopKlop]

The long thin feathers are called hackles, the males get long skinny ones that are pointy on the ends and the females get rounded and wider shaped ones.  Perfectly normal.  If you see "hair", it is a pain in the patootee to get off when you process.  I use a lighter and burn that off of them.  I usually only see it on dark birds though.

You will see the same kind of feathers coming out the saddle on the males, and you don't usually see that on them (purebreds) until they are about 4 months old, maybe 3.5.

Interesting! I've never had roosters this old besides big buck but his neck is still naked from his collar. The rainbows are 12.5 weeks now and most of the cockerels will probably head to freezer camp this week.

Ralphie, I made some introductions last night as well much to my pullets dismay. They have had a screen wall dividing the coop for several weeks. That space will be for the rainbows who get pardoned to get introduced now for a little bit. Any concerns I should have with adding a roo to a pen that currently has no roo I should know about???

 

[duluthralphie]

What works for me is a cage within the coop/pen so the other birds can inspect and insult the new bird without being able to touch it. It seems to only take a couple days.

I have the luxury of having lots of out buildings, when I first go Ed and Ole from EJB, I put them in quarantine for 20-30 days and then let them out during the day and they mingled during the day with the other birds. There were some minor scuffles but nothing serious. Eventually the new rooster moved into the coop with everyone else, Ole moved first, but we all know about his history as a sex offender and his need to be with the girls. Ed was stand offish and lived by himself for a couple months. I have no idea when he moved, but he did.

Adding roosters to other roosters can be dangerous IMHO. Adding one to hens and a young one at that should go easy.

BTW Ed went from outcast to leader. He is head roo know and make no doubt he plans to stay there for a while.

 

[bantiesrule]

Does anyone here make their own chicken treats? i was looking at the chicken square treats and on the norm they are around $5 each. im big on making my own stuff,,,butter,spaghetti sauces,noodles,dog food,bird suet,,, just about anything if i can make it i love to....In the square treats there is just seeds,raisins oats that sort of thing and i think it would be way cheaper then buying them made...Thanks...

I haven't tried it yet but there are a few different recipes. You can read through this site: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/111647/homemade-purina-flock-block or try googleing it. Most of the ones I've read sounds like you just throw together whatever you have that chickens like, Add some eggs and/or wet bread to stick it together and then bake or microwave to make it stay together.

eta: In your post you stated you make bird suet, is this straight suet or do you mix seeds and such with it. If you mix, just mix more chicken feed or veggies, etc. in with it and the chickens would love it. Most anything you feed wild birds should be ok for chickens. (in moderation, of course)