North Carolina

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More mud.... yeep eeeeeeeee

You know your ducks are LOVING the mud!! LOL We didn't get any rain (that I can see) last night, but our yard is still "squishy" from the last downpour!!

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!! We're suppose to have a semi-nice weekend...with the exception of a nasty thunderstorm that is suppose to blow in this afternoon!! If things are prone to blowing away, better secure them!! 77 degrees today for a high!! Then tonight we're suppose to have snow showers...what a moody mix of weather. Do you think the weather is experiencing some menopause or pregnancy related hot/cold flashes?!? Saturday & Sunday call for mid-50's. I hope if you are planning on doing any yard work (like we are) that you will be able to get it done!! If you are driving around this afternoon...be careful in case it is windy/storming!!
On a fun note: DH forgot to collect eggs for the past few days (3 to be exact, but who's counting besides me?!? lol)...went last night to collect and came in with 20 eggs!! I was getting so excited that I was finally getting caught up on using up the eggs...and he brings me 20 in!! LOL
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So if I was to keep my eggs on the counter like some of you folks (you know in case BHep's incubator gets eerily empty and needs a refill)...what all do I need to do? Do you wash your eggs and let them sit on the counter or do you just wash them before you use them?? I tend to wash my eggs before I use them (I remember someone somewhere on here telling me you don't want to wash the "bloom" off...but I honestly can't remember...I'll blame pregnancy amnesia - it's still on my side for a few more weeks). Just curious, although right now the only thing in my fridge....are eggs!!
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Now you know what I will be doing today - hoping to get it done before the rains flood us out and the wind knocks us over!! LOL
 
On a happy note, I candled my eggs in the bator and most look good. YAY!! There are some I'm not sure about, but since this is my first hatch, I'll wait a few more days and check them again and see how those are. Candleing is not as easy as the pictures look.
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WCA anyone?
 
I have a few questions about the WCA, if someone would be so kind as to answer them. I don't want to drive over an hour just to ask them in person.

When I went last Sunday, I noticed that although most of the birds were in wooden crates, where you couldn't see the birds until they pulled them out for bidding, some were in other types of containers: milk crate cages, wire cages, etc. Before I build cages to bring birds in, I want to make sure the cages don't go with the birds. Please tell me that the buyer must transfer the birds to another container so the seller gets their cage/container back!

Also, I was told that they do a quick inspection for illness and refuse ill birds, but then someone mentioned getting mite covered birds last weekend. I'd hate to bring healthy birds in and have them exposed to all sorts of things. Have any of you experienced any disease issues from bringing birds home from this auction? Obviously birds should be quarentined, but I know not everyone has the space or ability to do so.

I was also told that no licenses are needed by seller or buyer...but shouldn't the seller, at least, have a license to sell poultry?

I think that's it...for now. Thanks for your help!
Meg
 
Meg... boxes go with the birds. They ask for sellers not to use cardboard...except for chicks. You can get away with cardboard if you cover the top / or side with some kind of wire.
If the bird is visibly sick, they will be sent out. Can't see mites unless the birds are inspected by hand. That is an easy treat with seven or poultry dust .
The auction company acts as the sellers agent, so license is not required.
I personally quarantine all my birds 30 days or more. They are dusted & wormed during this time.


Think that covers it.



ML....... not sure who is laying, no -one is on the nest right now. The black hen was the broody, but has gotten off. There are 6 eggs, I think under there. I have seen the lavender in there also. I really REALLY need to get them separate. My BIL is coming Tues to fix a broken water pipe out by the BIG chicken house, I will be moving ducks down there.
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Good morning everyone! Hope all are well, haven't posted much the last few days but done lots of reading and welcome to all newbies!!

Managed to sell 2 silkies last Friday and all the eggs are turning nicely and it is week 1 tomorrow.......

Put up 2 more runs last weekend and now it's time to hardware cloth the outside today, then net over the top later on.....

Back later!
 
I have a few questions about the WCA, if someone would be so kind as to answer them. I don't want to drive over an hour just to ask them in person.

When I went last Sunday, I noticed that although most of the birds were in wooden crates, where you couldn't see the birds until they pulled them out for bidding, some were in other types of containers: milk crate cages, wire cages, etc. Before I build cages to bring birds in, I want to make sure the cages don't go with the birds. Please tell me that the buyer must transfer the birds to another container so the seller gets their cage/container back!

Also, I was told that they do a quick inspection for illness and refuse ill birds, but then someone mentioned getting mite covered birds last weekend. I'd hate to bring healthy birds in and have them exposed to all sorts of things. Have any of you experienced any disease issues from bringing birds home from this auction? Obviously birds should be quarentined, but I know not everyone has the space or ability to do so.

I was also told that no licenses are needed by seller or buyer...but shouldn't the seller, at least, have a license to sell poultry?

I think that's it...for now. Thanks for your help!
Meg


No what you bring birds in is what they go to the buyer in. Go to a store, get some cardboard boxes, get some plastic fencing at Lowes its like 11$ for a 50ft roll, cut you out a side or two of the boxes and ziptie the plastic wire on the sides. Thats what I did, easy and super cheap way to go.
 
Wild hows your broody hen doing??
thank you for asking. Well she came off the nest five day before hatch. And she couldn't walk. She has put on some weight is able to get around much better now, though when she runs, or jumps she falls down. I have another broody, my cochin lily is setting on golf balls right now and if she is brood by monday she will be getting a half dozen asstored bantam eggs!
 
Hello everyone. As some of you may know already I am totally new to chickens and chicks. Today our chicks are 14 days old and we have had them almost 2 weeks now. It has been really fun and definitely a new adventure. We have 26 and they are amazing me with their flying abilities already!
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Some are actually standing on the ground and flying UP to my shoulder while others go to my arm first then shoulder. lol. It is so funny but not funny when I see how high that is next to my brooder wall. My husband and I are working hard and fast on just the brooder side of the coop right now since I think I am going to need it soon. I might get some netting for the top of my brooder box in the meantime. Wow, at 2 weeks old I'd have never thought that. haha.

I have taken several at a time outside because it has been pretty and they really like it. I also let our dog Samson in with them for the first time too and he did great. We have allowed his nose and head in the brooder box since day one and he knows the chicks and they know him. He is still in training mode of course (I'd never leave him alone with them at this point) but he is doing great. Today is suppose to be really warm so we are going to some outside time again for a bit before the storms come. Have a great day friends. Kim

Here's a few updated pics from the last 2 days. :)


This pic was when they were just 12 days old. To everyone here I imagine this is very familiar to you but to me, it really surprised me! I had no
idea they would get this high this soon. So cute though. A Red Star on my shoulder. No name yet because we have 8 of them and they all look
too much alike. haha. In the middle is Tracy, the Black Australorp and on my wrist is Brownie, an Aruacana. She is also the highest of all the
flyers so far.



Brownie, Tracy and no name along with Samson.



Everyone enjoying the warm weather.



The brooder area will be on the far wall. We should've gotten it done before the nesting boxes for sure. lol.
Live and learn right?
 

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