Minnesota!

[FoxyChicken]

ok, who installed the light switch on the sun and started turning it off at 6:30?? Seriously! how am I supposed to have time to prepare for winter AND watch chicken TV if i have to come inside by dinner time?  I took tomorrow off work to try and get ahead but now we are due for rain.... that will be a bummer for sure.  Or I will end up toughing it out then end up deathly sick....

AND we get to set the clocks back soon so that will make it even worse!!

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Quote: Oh yeah. I noticed. I was taking a right when I looked up and noticed those planets lining up. Breakfast time right? Those guys are always looking for a free breakfast .

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Quote: So the winter depression sets in.....
If we let it.
I say we break Ralphy free of that overbearing sasquatch and have a winter party!!

 

[KlopKlop]

So the winter depression sets in.....
If we let it.
I say we break Ralphy free of that overbearing sasquatch and have a winter party!!

isnt that the worst? it is so disheartening to drive to and from work in the dark...

 

[NathanZee]

I would be a little concerned with the fall migration on that your ducks might want to join their wild friends and head South. I would consider clipping their wings to prevent it. If you want to know how, it is pretty simple, you cut the primary feathers back about 3/4 of the way on one wing. I am sure they are loving getting airborne, but those light breeds can and do fly off sometimes.

From my research, I believe ducks cannot migrate unless they go with a duck that has migrated before. Also, I am only letting one duck fly at a time now and keeping its mate on the ground. If I clipped their wings, would they still be able to fly a hundred feet or so?

 

[The BlanchRanch]

I know I am posting way too much... But I feel a need to say, I did the Coffee 1st thing and put up plastic all the way around my run. When it got dark my chickens didn't know what to do. Eventually, they walked slowly into the run looking all around talking about how it looked like a spook house and how cool Halloween is. My chickens rock. Danzig has nothing on them.

 

[NathanZee]

@NathanZee how do you like your Buff Orpington ducks? Where did you get them?

I had a moment of insanity this past spring where I thought about getting a couple of ducks just as pets, with any eggs as a bonus, and I thought the Buffs sounded like great birds for that. I looked around and they seemed hard to find, so I was just curious. I had talked myself out of it, but now that I see you have some..... dang it!!

I love them! And I wouldn't call that a moment of insanity, I would call it ingenuity! Of all my ducks they are the most friendly and gently, and are beautiful birds. I got them from Metzer Farms in California, and I believe metzers will let you buy as few as 2 ducklings so that would be perfect.

 

[NathanZee]

I read this about 10 times and I think I finally got it! So, this little one ended up with a recessive gene of some sort because there was a split color gene somewhere down the road. The feather shafts are grayish/white. I noticed a few white feathers beginning to pop out this morning. Do you think it'll be white or will only time tell? I think I'll have it around 3 months, so I'm excited to watch how it changes. I'm hoping it's a female. I just think it's super cool that this random light chick hatched from two black silkie's and with all black siblings. It's the little things in my life...lol...

@NathanZee , great pictures! I love Khaki Campbells. I always wanted to get African Geese - I heard they're more friendly than other breeds and I think they're beautiful. However, they don't lay many eggs, correct?

They are very beautiful and friendly, although they don't like to be held! I don't know so far, she isn't laying yet.

 

[KlopKlop]

I know I am posting way too much... But I feel a need to say, I did the Coffee 1st thing and put up plastic all the way around my run. When it got dark my chickens didn't know what to do. Eventually, they walked slowly into the run looking all around talking about how it looked like a spook house and how cool Halloween is. My chickens rock. Danzig has nothing on them.

You wont find me complaining. If I am stuck inside all night I at least want some entertainment!

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Quote: I so hate winter. I m going to try to snowboard even if it kills me. Or. I could just throw parties. Also at my parties I will put up full spectrum photography lights. We will have a blast. Lots of wine and smiles. Dream , dream, dream... But no. really.