Minnesota!

[Cluckies]

Just Super...Yesterday a Eagle today a BIG stinking Hawk...Heard the girls doing their screaming chirp again went out back and there was a Super Big Hawk sitting right on the fence about 2 feet away from the coop. It seen me and took off up in the Big Oak...Well for sure guess i cant let the girls free range...And now since the chickens attracted them I'm worried about my 2 little Pomeranians they only weigh 5lbs each....

Well, I know many on here let their's free range without supervision, but i've only got the five, so when they are out, i am out. takes alot of time, but...

we have alot of hawks, eagles and no trees here. and like you said, i'm making my run bigger so that this winter they have a bigger area to play in.

I do sprouted grains too. I'll wait and see how your guys' haylage turns out, exciting!

 

[bantiesrule]

Klopklop...Never stop bringing ideas here before you try them.

I like the haylage idea, I was just pointing out what I recall about silage. I think it has merit and could help. My concern was BC putting it in her coop and tripping over it all winter.

I wonder through it is made in small blocks or plastic buckets and allowed to freeze, if it could be used like a " bird seed block" for the birds to pick at? Would they pick at a frozen block at 10 below?

The more of us that try the same thing in differing ways the faster we all learn what works and what doesn't;t and how to do it better.

And YEAH!!! Where did you get barley? I look for barley, wheat and millet and never find it anywhere for a price I can afford...


Aussiegal, I am not that far from Elk River and it has Menards, I need a Menard's a lot as this place is old and has been neglected for years. Actually I am about 5 miles from the "city" limits of ER too, but that is only because ER annexed the township.

it is early and I will be going back to bed, but I am on an Arthritis break. I needed to get up as knees and hips hurt. I am trying to avoid a pain pill. so I came here. Not sure if coming here is a good substitute for a pain pill.

About the cntrl-V ( hotkeys) thing, It appears it is something I disabled or a bug in BYC, it seems to work everywhere else still.


The reason we ate so much goulash when I was a kid was the poverty thing, I think. Things were tight back in the 50's and 60's here on the sand farm, with no irrigation. Also my Dad only had an 8th grade education, and was a polio survivor so that limited his income greatly. He worked his butt off farming with his handicap during the day and played in a band on weekends ( at times first from a wheel chair then on crutches) He was kind of stubborn. I guess I get that from him...

Well enough nothingness and prattling on. I think I can get by on aspirin instead of the pain pills now...

See ya all in the morning.. BTW Aussie I am going to ER in the morning...lol

I know this is not an option for most people but I put grass clippings in bread bags and freeze them. I then put 1 "little bale" in the coop every couple of weeks. My chickens love to peck on it. It doesn't freeze real solid, more like a hay bale that will pull apart. I live by myself and have a big freezer so it works for me. I also only winter about 25 bantams so I don't need much either.

 

[duluthralphie]

 

[duluthralphie]

Does anybody know of the French originated breed that is coveted for their exceptional eggs? I read about it here on BYC somewhere that the eggs are so great and desired by chefs that makes the breed hard to come by or expensive. Now I can't find it. Was just intrigued to know more about it. I think it may have been a bird with grey....plumage...maybe, maybe....?
And maybe, of course, its just melarky.

I know this breed very well and happen to own quite a few.

They are called in French "Oui' Cresteeed Cream' ettes"


There is a similar breed in Spain known as " "El Creamette la Crest"

If anyone wants these I have them available for 100 bucks a piece, because you are all my close friends I am willing to eat the loss on them...

No malarkey they are real BC.

 

[ejb3810]

Ralphie, at $18 for 50 lbs. I would hope what was purchased was malting Barley, which is used in beer making. I believe that feed barley is around $12 at Widdes.
Chanteclers are hard to improve on for Minnesota poultry keepers. They were developed in Canada with cold hardiness and winter egg production as issues of concern.
They have a calm temperament, are good light brown egg layers of above average production and dress out well for table fare. No issues with frost bite on the combs.
Whites were developed in Quebec, Partridge were developed in Alberta, but they were developed from crosses of many of the same genetic inputs. The Buff I think were developed in the U.S. and are the least consistent in physical characteristics, but they are still very good birds. As you may suspect I have all three varieties.
The most noteworthy French breed I think would be Marans, which lay a chocolate brown egg (in color, not taste). They too are very good and available in many color varieties.
I currently raise Wheatens. The drawback with them is the single comb. I have not had frostbite on hens but have on the cocks.

 

[duluthralphie]

I did not get barley, I got cleaned winter rye for seed...BUT it was till over priced and I could not find it elsewhere.

I know the rooster I got from you could hardly be improved on.

 

[Rhetts]

I think my hummingbirds are getting ready to leave. They are at the feeder all the time and there are many. Too sad that it is migration time already!! What do you all think of the threat of avian flu cases rising again with migrations?? Just read an article that they expect it to increase with the fall migrations. I am not gonna stress about it. I have no power over wild birds coming or going and there is no way I can have a air tight bio secure facility. Just fresh on my mind since I read the article.

Mistah how is down south treating ya?

Coffee- any updated pics of the babies loving their new home? I just love me some pictures! Love to see everyone's animals and set ups/coops.

 

[KlopKlop]

Ralphie, at $18 for 50 lbs. I would hope what was purchased was malting Barley, which is used in beer making.  I believe that feed barley is around $12 at Widdes.
Chanteclers are hard to improve on for Minnesota poultry keepers.  They were developed in Canada with cold hardiness and winter egg production as issues of concern.
They have a calm temperament, are good light brown egg layers of above average production and dress out well for table fare.  No issues with frost bite on the combs.
Whites were developed in Quebec, Partridge were developed in Alberta, but they were developed from crosses of many of the same genetic inputs.  The Buff I think were developed in the U.S. and are the least consistent in physical characteristics, but they are still very good birds.  As you may suspect I have all three varieties.
The most noteworthy French breed I think would be Marans, which lay a chocolate brown egg (in color, not taste).  They too are very good and available in many color varieties.
I currently raise Wheatens.  The drawback with them is the single comb.  I have not had frostbite on hens but have on the cocks.

Are they expensive birds?

 

[aussiegal318]

Just Super...Yesterday a Eagle today a BIG stinking Hawk...Heard the girls doing their screaming chirp again went out back and there was a Super Big Hawk sitting right on the fence about 2 feet away from the coop. It seen me and took off up in the Big Oak...Well for sure guess i cant let the girls free range...And now since the chickens attracted them I'm worried about my 2 little Pomeranians they only weigh 5lbs each....

Coffee if you send those monster cats of yours out there, they could take care of that hawk in no time.

 

[duluthralphie]

Coffee if you send those monster cats of yours out there, they could take care of that hawk in no time.

She could just set them on the back steps and No predator would come close.... I am thinking she should rent them out, maybe use them for coon hunting.