Minnesota!

[Cluckies]

I was at TSC in ER today too! I never saw you there...

What? I was right there! Sorry I missed you!

I have heard a few times here someone mention the sounds the hens make when you go in the coop at night. I am so glad to hear you say that. I thought I was weird when I thought how nice it was. Also, during the day I am in and out of the coop checking for eggs and the such. OK to be honest sometimes I go out there to hide and get away from life for awhile. Sometimes I find myself just standing there in the coop trying to de-stress. Strange for some but the chickens are my relief and regroup. OK so I have a couple hens that make the most precious sounds while in the nest boxes. I LOVE it when I happen to pop in there when they are nesting. One even sounds like she is purring like a kitten. It is so wonderful to hear. OK I am weird I know but it really is nice to hear them cooing away in there.

I love the purring, trilling sound they make on the roost, so contented.

The nest box sounds are pretty funny, I have one that will growl at me if I get to close (not broody) and she also grunts when she lays an egg.

hilarious.

I'm up! Kittens are fed, chickens are loose!
Off to the farmers market!

I have had one sad mopey leghorn the last few days, I assumed she is starting molt. Much like 'Mother' she looks all sad and doesn't move. DW though she was dead when she went out there this morning because she was sleeping funny.
I picked her up and she is like a dry lead, she is so thin. I locked her in a nest box to keep her safe today while we are out. when I get home she will get some tuna and see if I can't figure out what is going on.

Her comb was very dull and rolled over, which is odd

Hmmm, This sounds different than mother. mother stands around, but she will move, she just does not keep up with the others and doesn't want to go far from the hen house, her comb is still red. Sounds like you may have something more serious going on.
Last year mother did something similar to this, very thin, stood around puffed up, pale comb, that time it ended up being a sour crop. I treated it and she got better. Maybe Minnie will have an idea what that is, maybe worms or coccidiousis if she is that thin. Check her crop morning and night. at night should be full but not squishy like a water balloon, empty in the morning (again, not full, hard, or like a water balloon). Also check her poo, see any worms? blood? hope you figure it out.

I find it amazing how fast the rest learned from those two to stay in a nest. It is my fault, I let them stay there when I saw them their because they are young and so cute...NOW they all try to sleep in the nests!

This is a terrible problem to have. Yes, i'd block the nesting boxes just before dusk, then they are forced to find another place to sleep (hopefully the roost). I had to do this with my broody, she yelled alot, but got on the roost. didn't take much to block it, just put a loose board over the front.

Time to get some work done today! I love weekends!

 

[The BlanchRanch]

I just got up!! I have had nothing but more insomnia lately, so in a way it is a good thing. I actually feel well slept. But now I will be a little late to camp day. See you guys soon.

 

[duluthralphie]

Lala will be upset at you now! You were her designated photographer and she will miss the opening pictures.

 

[ejb3810]

Well it is 9:15 this morning and my wife is leaving to run some errands when she calls me to say there was a coyote on the road about 100 yards from our driveway and headed in our direction. The dam_ things are not even waiting til dark any more!
Don't worry Ralphie, I have concluded that anyone regardless of fancy quotes or fancy coffee will definitely be in the redneck classification as long as they have turkeys up on the deck with them.
You get double points for pulling off this camp day event to assist with scalding, plucking and eviscerating. Only a certified redneck could conceive of that being a social gathering.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I have heard a few times here someone mention the sounds the hens make when you go in the coop at night.  I am so glad to hear you say that.  I thought I was weird when I thought how nice it was.  Also, during the day I am in and out of the coop checking for eggs and the such. OK to be honest sometimes I go out there to hide and get away from life for awhile.  Sometimes I find myself just standing there in the coop trying to de-stress.  Strange for some but the chickens are my relief and regroup.  OK so I have a couple hens that make the most precious sounds while in the nest boxes.  I LOVE it when I happen to pop in there when they are nesting.  One even sounds like she is purring like a kitten.  It is so wonderful to hear.  OK I am weird I know but it really is nice to hear them cooing away in there.    

Rhett's you have described perfectly the contentment that chickens bring. I've heard fishnet's (another BYC er) husband calls the coop the Time Machine. Because when she's down there time disappears.
I have a weekend with no plans other than 75 degree weather and colored trees, gardens and chickens and one trip to the post office.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

This morning our little girl learned how good her life is and what she was born to do. Were beyond proud.

They aren't back yet so I haven't the full story. But this dog for being a PITA, has 5 times the talent jasmine ever had. She's a retrieving machine. And.....she leaves my chickens alone. I think I've done it folks. Hunting dog/ chicken keeper.

Ralphie, coffee, blanch I wish I was there with you! I'd buy an additional flannel and new muck boots for the day. Maybe next year I'll skip the orchard and winery and just go to Orrock. I'll be waiting on pictures and maybe just pick up some mikes and peaches in town so I can be there in 'spirits'.

Cluckies & KlopKlop I hope your girls feel better soon.

 

[NathanZee]

Hello, I live in Mn with 2 geese, 12 ducks, and 3 chickens. Would one heat lamp keep the barn warm enough so the little bantams don't freeze?

 

[Cluckies]

Hi Nathan, I've never had bantams, so would not know what they need. Hopefully someone else does.

I got Ralphie's porcelain eggs. Not sure how. Never got one before, lol don't even know who laid it?

 

[Rhetts]

Hello, I live in Mn with 2 geese, 12 ducks, and 3 chickens. Would one heat lamp keep the barn warm enough so the little bantams don't freeze?

Hi Nathan. I do not know about bantams either. Sorry. I do have geese and ducks. Are you housing the ducks, geese and chickens together in one spot? The waterfowl won't need heat.

Edited to add that the fowl and chickens should not be house together if you didn't already know that.

 

[Rhetts]

Rhett's you have described perfectly the contentment that chickens bring. I've heard fishnet's (another BYC er) husband calls the coop the Time Machine. Because when she's down there time disappears.
I have a weekend with no plans other than 75 degree weather and colored trees, gardens and chickens and one trip to the post office.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

This morning our little girl learned how good her life is and what she was born to do. Were beyond proud.




They aren't back yet so I haven't the full story. But this dog for being a PITA, has 5 times the talent jasmine ever had. She's a retrieving machine. And.....she leaves my chickens alone. I think I've done it folks. Hunting dog/ chicken keeper.

Ralphie, coffee, blanch I wish I was there with you! I'd buy an additional flannel and new muck boots for the day. Maybe next year I'll skip the orchard and winery and just go to Orrock. I'll be waiting on pictures and maybe just pick up some mikes and peaches in town so I can be there in 'spirits'.

Cluckies & KlopKlop I hope your girls feel better soon.

Bogtown-Your Sadie Mae!! So precious! And I 'X2' on what you said for Ralphie, Coffee, Blanch, Cluckies & Klop!

 

[holm25]

Check with Rick Klehr from Prior Lake on the standard cochins. Amazing show caliber birds! I think Lance & Sheila Ewert from Arlington had some advertised about a month ago too.

Do they have websites??