North Carolina

[Miss Lydia]

Good morning everyone, it was 1 degree this morning at 7:30 am now at 10:00 it's 5 warming right up. Not only is everything moving slowly but my computer is very slow this morning.

Hope everyone is toasty warm including your chickens. My goose came out this morning and turned right around and went back in. Suppose to be snowy icy and cold again tonight. Oh well it's that time of year. Hope BC makes it home before the storm gets here. How are the babies doing this morning this morning? Makes me want some real bad, guess I'll have to wait till spring. I did have a hen sitting on 2 eggs yesterday. Have a good one!

 

[vfem]

Quote:
Shannon, babies are here!! 10 out of the 11 did hatch!

Here is a picture of some of them, still have three black and a blue bantam orp in the bator drying off.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/49849_dsc04388.jpg

They are so darn cute!!! **fingers crossed for all pullets**

I wanted a bator, but hubby knew it would lead to trouble. I have silkies & usually they are good hatchers. But we've had issues the last year. No brooding, and no laying since September either?

 

[Miss Lydia]

If BC was serious I am going to get some silkies from her this spring, I have a smaller coop that was our first, that 1 duck has taken over as her own, anyway I hope to get some silkies to put in it that way they will have their own house and hopefully the others won't be as apt to pick on them. I hope you have pullets too. Try the ole rooster test where you lay them on their backs in your hand the roos are suppose to just lay there while the hens will struggle to right themselves [I think thats the way it goes] let me know how it goes if you do it.

 

[vfem]

Yeah silkies are easily picked on by bigger birds... and smaller ones for the matter too (My JB are always trying to get to them when free ranging).

My wonderful little silkies are hatching GENIUSES though.... they have hatched me out nearly 5 little ducklings. PEKINS at that! Tiny birds... with HUGE goals! HAHAHA

 

[Greenskeeper]

A few more days and I think my rooster might have his full Crow! Hes got it for the most part, but its just shy on the timing.

I only laugh on the inside as to not hurt his well needed EGGO! Having to replace water in the evenings to keep it from freezing early in the night.
I see my birds moving about the coop through the night, Some times just strutting back and forth on the perch. Shouldn't they be sleeping? My Wife says " Shouldn't you be sleeping?" lol. I have Narcolepsy and my sleep schedule is anything but normal, although I try. Wonder if it is do to the temps or the heat lamp? i do use RED. Kinda creepy weird seeing the windows lit up red in the woods at night.
Well stay warm and hope all are well!
Peace,
Story

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thats so sweet, I would like to know what is in their mind when chicks other than their own come out: but they most likely don't know the difference until the ducklings go swimming.

 

[vfem]

Quote:
Yeah pretty much... I just got pecked alot because no matter what... they are their babies!!! LOL

 

[vfem]

Quote:
I think the light from the lamps is messing up their schedule... and there is a great thread on here arguing not to introduce heat to your coops during the cold months.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122

I don't do it, I personally think my girls can handle the cold just fine... especially the poofy silkies.

 

[Miss Lydia]

The red light doesn't seem to bother mine they get up on the perch and go to sleep, but as far as staying asleep I don't know it's been to cold to go peek, today it's 24 and they are just about all outside.

 

[Miss Lydia]

when it gets into low teens I turn on the heat lamp when it gets into the 20's I cut it off. We had 1 this morning thats extremely frigid, I think we have to do what we feel is best for our flock.