North Carolina

[crazyhen]

Its rainning and 38 degrees. We may get ice or a mix tonight. I hope its short lived. I also hope the powe does not go off. I am luckier than most I guess for I have a wood secondary heater. I can also cook on it if need be. I also have an overflow on my well. So the necessities are there even if they require a bit of work.

My chickens hate the cold rain and remain under the shed we built into their run. Thats where I also keep water and food. They will be fine. I see ? ice of some sort later this coming wk too. Sigh, winter. But I like it better than the humid very hot weather of the coast.. I am finally over the flu its been 4 wks. The coughing has stopped.

Ps I got my chick catalog and was stunned at the prices. I will get eggs this yr. from friends and hatch them.

 

[dutchlion]

I get my Mule City Layer feed from LBH. My chickens don't really care for the large dark pellets. They tend to eat all around them, then pulverize them and spread the pellet dust into the dirt. On the other hand, they go crazy for the Dumor stuff from TSC! I've just finished off my first 5 gallon bucket of fermented oats from TSC. It's horse grain. I had to ferment it in the house during that crazy cold spell but it only smelled sour when I took the lid off for the chooks.

My 6 chickens came from LBH. I started with 8. Had 2 cockerels in the bunch, wasn't able to verify until they were 3 days past return policy. Gave the Brahma cock to a friend, kept the EE cock for myself (he's quiet and not mean so far). I sold one of the EE's because they made a mistake and accidentally sold me an extra EE and not a Silver laced wyandotte. All the chicks were lively, I had one die within 24 hours, and there was no problem replacing it. I have 2 BA, 1 GLW, 1 Dellie, 1 EE and they are all now online and laying. I'm pretty happy. My next crew will be breeder birds.

Thanks so much for the feedback on LBH! What type of oats did you purchase from TSC to ferment... i've been wanting to try sprouting, but would like to know what brands are recommended... and what i should avoid. thanks!

 

[KittieChick]

Thanks so much for the feedback on LBH! What type of oats did you purchase from TSC to ferment... i've been wanting to try sprouting, but would like to know what brands are recommended... and what i should avoid. thanks!

LOL! I got the cheapest! 50 lb bag for like $15. I'll be broadcast spreading some in my pen for the chickens to scratch around on and eat as well.

I think I want to ferment some wheat as well, or barley.

 

[lularat]

At least we don't have to worry about ice, just rain. Hope you don't loose power and glad you are feeling better. The flu has really been nasty this year.

 

[ramirezframing]

Good morning folks

Friday at last. Suppose to rain today according to the
weatherman. We need rain but I hope the weekend is
dry......got things to do. I am debating on whether to keep
the two Araucana boys. They are beautiful birds and make
great EEs as they are big boys themselves......just they
also are rumpless as they should be. I do like a tail on my birds.

hope everyone has a good day

That rumpless trait does tend to be a little harder to breed out, specially if you can't hatch enough to be able to select birds with tails that have the other features you also want.

 

[moss farm]

The rain has really slowed me down on the build. I just got back with material for building the doors. Ill post pics tonight of them so everyone can see that all the good info I got from all of y'all went to use and not in one ear and out the other. Stay dry and warm folks.

 

[FVRM]

Ps I got my chick catalog and was stunned at the prices.  I will get eggs this yr. from friends and hatch them.

Yeah it seems like chicken prices will be going up every year. I've some prices for Marans in the $6 to $10 dollar range, day olds. And don't even look at the ayem cemani or svart hona chickens, the lowest price for a day old chick was $50 each. And for eggs $25 each egg.

 

[anjovi6]

Hope everyone is having a good day in spite of this lovely weather

. I was just outside with my brother and realized I have three crazy hens in my flock. All of them but three are in the house out of the rain but, these three are standing out in the rain like it's a beautiful day at the beach. Or maybe they are waiting for a new rooster. I sold mine because he was getting to protective of all of his hens. He never bothered me or my friend and even followed us around when we were in the pen. But, my brother was over the other day and walked between him and his hens and the war was on. He got my brother good on the leg right about the knee.

One had to be there at that moment because it was hilarious. My brother's reaction that is! Hopefully I can get the girls a new Roo before I leave for the Philippines.

15 days and counting.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Jimmy

 

[moss farm]

Got the door built. used 1x4's & 1x6's 1/2 hardware cloth and lots of brackets.

Made one door then laid the hardware cloth down and made another door just like it and sandwich it all together with 1 5/8 screws. It's very strong and critter proof. Going to go buy some plexiglass and make insets for it for bad weather and remove them in spring and summer for draft.

 

[rainbowchick]

I'm not seeing a difference in the door as far as 1x4s and 1x6s. Can you tell me which one is where?
I LOVE the idea of sandwiching the hardware cloth. I had just planned to screw mine to my door frame (like I'll do with the coop run walls). But I think having it enclosed will keep me safe from accidentally snagging it on my way in/out.