Minnesota!

[lalaland]

do you wet the feed right before you feed it or let it soak? and what consistancy do you wet it to?

I would entertain doing wet feed as long as it isnt too much work

I just add water (or sometimes old milk, broth, veggie water, whatever) at the time I am dishing out the feed. Sloppy oatmeal consistency. If I am ambitious, I make a pailful for the next morning at the same time. By next morning the liquid has all been absorbed so I might toss in some more liquid - or not.

Soaking long enough to ferment is great, but I don't mess with it in the winter. I know fermenting has all kinds of benefits, and I'll probably start that up again when I have some breathing room ( garden and hoop coop take precedence right now).

 

[lalaland]

Minnie the babies are dking amazing! They already r walkimg up to me and eating out of my hand! Did I tell you all I ended up picking up two Legbar pullets and a rooster from Ralph. So I bought new shoes and stuff and went there on the way home.

oh, they look just gorgeous!

 

[Cebarmlds]

Just popping in to say hi! I'm new here and it was suggested I join my state's thread. I look forward to getting to know you all

Welcome Messica!

 

[KlopKlop]

Speaking of wet feed....

yesterday as I was trying to get chores done to head back to the hospital, the bottom dropped off the gallon sized waterer into a brooder.  I was NOT happy    So, I moved the 7 New Hampshire juvies out to the big house with the Bucks they were previously with and moved all the ones out of the next age group into their pen.  I had wet feed and bedding and was in no mood for scooping that mess up before going.  As it turned out though, I didn't go down and just stayed and got more chores finished in a less rushed manner.


I had so many broody Cochins this last week, I decided to toss them out into a paddock and see what would happen.  Well, the older Blue hen bit me the other day and now she is the only one still squashed down like a pancake.  The others decided it is more interesting to wander around and eat grass.  Time to pull out the flea dip and get those birds to their new homes!  


With all that I had going on, I have SO many eggs piling up!  I will be setting a few this week, but I am out of refrigerator room, for sure.  i need to get some sold this week or will be feeding some to dogs and cats and back to the chickens!

You and me both with eggs coming out our ears! The farmers market starts in 2 weeks and the girls are ramping up! Passing the 3 dozen a day mark and climbing! I sell about 10 dozen a week right now and that isn't cutting it! We sent a message to all customers that if they refer a friend they (and their friend) get half off. Hopefully will help us get some eggs out of the fridge and maybe gain a few new regulars.

I am really excited for the market. It is so much fun plus I'm excited to see how my plants do! My tomatoes are huge, my peppers not so much. They are taking their time I guess! Oh well maybe in 2-3 weeks they will take off.

 

[scandiafowl]

You and me both with eggs coming out our ears! The farmers market starts in 2 weeks and the girls are ramping up! Passing the 3 dozen a day mark and climbing! I sell about 10 dozen a week right now and that isn't cutting it! We sent a message to all customers that if they refer a friend they (and their friend) get half off. Hopefully will help us get some eggs out of the fridge and maybe gain a few new regulars.

I am really excited for the market. It is so much fun plus I'm excited to see how my plants do! My tomatoes are huge, my peppers not so much. They are taking their time I guess! Oh well maybe in 2-3 weeks they will take off.

Good morning - I'm overrun with eggs as well!
How long will you keep eggs to sell? I keep them for ten days then feed them back to the hens.

Would it work to set eggs and sell chicks locally?

 

[scandiafowl]

Really enjoyed this article from Grit magazine. Those must be some happy chickens!

 

[holm25]

Just popping in to say hi! I'm new here and it was suggested I join my state's thread. I look forward to getting to know you all

Welcome!! Where in Minnesota are you?!

 

[holm25]

oh, they look just gorgeous!  

Thank you! They really are! I cant wait to watch them grow!

 

[scandiafowl]

Welcome!! Where in Minnesota are you?!

Welcome Messica!

 

[Messica]

Thanks!

I'm a wife and stay at home mother of four (13, 11 and 1 year old twins) living rurally west central MN. We have four dogs, four cats and now a dozen chicks! My aunt had chickens when I was younger and I've wanted them ever since. I love animals and I like to find ways for my family to be self sustainable in healthy ways. We garden, hunt and fish a great deal in our spare time. After researching and planning extensively I convinced hubs to take the dive and let me acquire a small laying flock. For weather and the sake of the kids playing outside often I was focused on finding winter hardy, friendly and heavy layers. Our coop is under construction and will ultimately be just 6x8 so ordering a large number or paying a lot for a small number from a hatchery didn't seem like a very good idea. We were able to first locate someone locally selling straight run Easter Eggers (4), Silver Laced Wyandottes (2) and Welsummers (4). Those are three weeks old now. Just last Sunday I also found someone selling month old Speckled Sussex pullets (the breed at the absolute top of my list) so we picked up a couple of those too.

I'm excited to talk to others here who are as enthusiastic as I've become lol. If I'm being serious now, it's bordering on obsession and everyone in my family is sick of me going on and on about everything chicken. It's clear I needed a new outlet with those who actually understand. I hope I have finally found "my people"

(I have a lengthy gender thread full of pictures but will truncate them into just a couple for sharing sake!)