New Mexico

[blaundee]

I still have one Alpine buck kid for sale or trade- he is beautiful, weaned and grazing well, and I would keep him if he wasn't related to all of my goats- so if anyone needs or knows of anyone who needs a good buck, let me know I also have a neighbor who is selling her herd of goats, all sorts of milkers, youngsters, and cashmere goats- last I heard she had about 80 goats.

 

[TwoCrows]

I sympathize with all of you who have had to deal with the fires this year. I know just how you are feeling and I know that it is a horrible thing to live thru.

Last year with the Little Bear fire, it felt like the end of the world. And apocalypse. The sky was the most burnt orange I had ever seen. The fall out from the sky was like snow falling for 3 days. Heavy ash. Dead bugs and flies rained from the skies. Leaves, twigs, burnt foliage and smoking ash chunks falling from the sky. The air tankers and helicopter buckets flew so low, you could almost stand on the roof and touch the belly of these planes. And thankfully they never dropped slurry on our place, although they came close to it. The air was so thick and acrid, it burned your lungs and throat.

Needless to say, being that we didn't evacuate and being the only people around for 15 plus miles in any direction, LOL, we didn't sleep a wink for 3 nights. We stood guard all night, although we did keep the SUV packed just in case we decided at the end to high tail it and run. By day we rode the ATV to the highest ridge out front and watched this monster inch closer and closer, flames shooting hundreds of feet into the air. Extremely scary, and depressing.

The Little Bear fire was the 3rd fire in the past 20 years that had evacuations for our area. We evacuated the first time, but that was before all the poultry and pets. The second and third times we rode it out. I don't know if I can keep doing this. LOL

Our economy is tanked down here. Half of this mountain range is torched and ugly...no camping, no lakes to fish in, no where to hike. The nearby town of Ruidoso is really hurting.

Anyway, I really feel for you folks and I pray that you are all safe and have not lost your homes, livestock or your loved ones.

 

[CibolaChooks]

Is the rain falling yet at everyones places? We are getting spit on, but barely anything yet. Although the dead grass does have a greenish hue. Dying trees everywhere. But if nothing else, we will have loads of wood for the woodstove come winter.

Hope everyone is doing well in this great state of New Mexico!

getting lots of rain. yay.

 

[DaveMarner]

I have the predators in my area under control with 3 LGDs. I'm wondering if there are other things that could cause problems for chickens, like lice or mites, in New Mexico. I give plenty of water and there is a lot of shade also, since there is a heat issue right now. Anything I should consider would be appreciated.

 

[TwoCrows]

Dave, I have never had any trouble with Northern Fowl Mites, but I have had trouble with leg scale mites. I think they thrive in dry conditions. The Northern Fowl Mite likes damp weather, something we have been lacking lately. LOL Just keep things clean and you won't have any trouble. And of course, start with clean birds and don't bring in any birds with mites. You will be fine.

What type of birds do you keep Dave? Where in New Mexico are you located?

Oh, and welcome to BYC!

 

[DaveMarner]

I mostly have a bunch of breeds from Hatcheries. RIR, BR, Leghorn, Am, Cochin. I have a couple silkies that I hatched out from a breeder. I'm hoping those go broody soon, but for all I know they are roosters.They are 5 months old and don't make any noise, so I'm hoping pullets. I live a few miles from Cochiti Lake in the Rio Grande Valley. I do ACV, fermented feed and all the rest of it, and so far no problems in about 6 months of having chickens. I lost a couple to one of the dogs in the beginning, but that is under control now.

 

[TwoCrows]

I mostly have a bunch of breeds from Hatcheries. RIR, BR, Leghorn, Am, Cochin. I have a couple silkies that I hatched out from a breeder. I'm hoping those go broody soon, but for all I know they are roosters.They are 5 months old and don't make any noise, so I'm hoping pullets. I live a few miles from Cochiti Lake in the Rio Grande Valley. I do ACV, fermented feed and all the rest of it, and so far no problems in about 6 months of having chickens. I lost a couple to one of the dogs in the beginning, but that is under control now.

Cochins are pretty birds. Love those furry feet. LOL

So you are up near Sante Fe and Los Alamos...Pretty territory up that way. I haven't been up there in years. Is the lake running lower because of the drought?

 

[CibolaChooks]

I have the predators in my area under control with 3 LGDs. I'm wondering if there are other things that could cause problems for chickens, like lice or mites, in New Mexico. I give plenty of water and there is a lot of shade also, since there is a heat issue right now. Anything I should consider would be appreciated.

What are LGDs

 

[blaundee]

Dave- yes, chickens in NM do get lice. Some people use Frontline on their chickens, I do what Grandpa did-twice a year I shake lice dust onto all of my birds. You can buy it at most feedstores, hold the bird by the legs & shake te dust under the tail & under both wings, then shake the feathers with your fingers to make sure the dust makes it to the skin. Ive never had leg mites, and neither did Mom or Grandpa.

 

[colburg]

Quote:
Livestock Guard Dogs