North Carolina

[the1honeycomb]

where was the swap I didn't hear about it,is there a place where I can go to find swaps or is it just luck of the draw?

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Quote:
I use Craigslist to find swaps. The next one I know of is in Fayetteville at the Family Farm feed store on July 30th. Just remember it is " buyer beware" at those and you need to look the birds over carefully before buying. Good luck

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Quote:
BHep - we all knew you had a problem...the first step to treatment is admitting that problem!!

Please don't tell Tabitha that she is "normal"... she likes feeling special!!

Still. NO. eggs.

There is plenty of... um... "interactions" going on with the boys...they're not having a problem doing what it is that they do - besides crowing that is!!

I am hoping the month of July finishes up SLOWLY...I am not ready for August - that month is OVERBOOKED with a wedding cake to do, 2 families visiting and an out of state wedding to go to.

I think I just need to hide in the coop...do you think they'd find me in there??

OOhh...Do any of you that live in the mountains have a good tick be gone solution?? I have found 4 so far this year feasting on me...and for some reason they leave DH and DD (thankfully) alone!!

Guess I'm just that tasty!!

Have a great day everyone

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
BHep - we all knew you had a problem...the first step to treatment is admitting that problem!!

Please don't tell Tabitha that she is "normal"... she likes feeling special!!

Still. NO. eggs.

There is plenty of... um... "interactions" going on with the boys...they're not having a problem doing what it is that they do - besides crowing that is!!

I am hoping the month of July finishes up SLOWLY...I am not ready for August - that month is OVERBOOKED with a wedding cake to do, 2 families visiting and an out of state wedding to go to.

I think I just need to hide in the coop...do you think they'd find me in there??

OOhh...Do any of you that live in the mountains have a good tick be gone solution?? I have found 4 so far this year feasting on me...and for some reason they leave DH and DD (thankfully) alone!!

Guess I'm just that tasty!!

Have a great day everyone

NH, what us mountaineers use to keep the ticks off is Frontline Plus, just a couple drops on the back of the neck keeps them away,

seriously I know of no soultions other than some people use skin so soft from Avon, but I don't like to feel oily when I am outside so I just don't really use anything. Ticks haven't been too bad here this year. Do you have alot of pine trees? they say they like pines, don't know if thats true though.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Looks like we will be processing about 14 birds this year, going to cut back some. Has anyone skinned instead of plucking? we're going to try that. Know of a good web site that has instructions on how to? Ruthann, my LO have just started laying. well I know the oldest one is, she was hatched early Jan. so she's 6 months. I think the LF mature slower so your girls will be laying soon, also those that lay early can have problems too, like prolaspe and egg binding so BE patient.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Quote:
Well...I suppose that makes sense, especially factoring in that we are surrounded by pine trees!! In fact there is one towering over our coop. Will they harm the chickens??

Yay for your LO laying. I guess I am just being taught patience!!

Looks like there is still a LOT of learning I must do. We have a nesting box (two actually) but none of them go in there...is there any way I can make it more attractive or inviting for them or will it all just "happen" on its own?

You all have been (and continue to be) so wonderful. Thank you so much. I am so glad I "stumbled" upon BYC!!

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

I am not in the mountians but I am also one of those that are more attractive to ticks and fleas and their bites make me itch alot. I was told to take Garlic tabs and B vitamins and it has helped me. I use the odorless garlic gel tabs, 1000mg and the Super B-Complex by Spring Valley and I get them at Wal-Mart. I have done this for a few years now and it has really helped me. You can also drink water with apple cider vinegar in it, 2 tbsp to a glass, a few times a day. Hope it works for you and good luck.

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

Miss Lydia, I would suggest you get a package of disposable scapels from TSC. I skinned the last Barred Rock cockeral with a scapel. All I would change is I should have had him hanging by his feet and start there. A couple of times I called my husband to "hold this" or "pull here" while I worked. I ended up with teeny feathers and fluff all over the kitchen, so I'd suggest you skin outside.

NH, I understand the answer to ticks is a flock of guineas. In the meantime, spray your shoes and ankles with bug spray. Take a tip from Boy Scouts and get some white socks to wear over your pants legs. Check for climbing critters often. Ticks do not squish easily, so keep a small jar (NOT glass*) of soapy water to drown ticks and fleas in.

*The ex-husband-monster accused me of trying to poison him with "flea water" in a glass. Not my fault if he was too lazy to walk six feet to the kitchen sink to grab a drink of water.... Besides, can you really poison somebody with two drops of Dawn dish detergent in 8 oz. of water?

Fake eggs are your friend. Plastic Easter eggs are a poor choice unless you fill them with wax or clay. Anything egg shaped will feel right to the young pullets trying to find a safe place to lay. I use wooden, glass, and ceramic eggs for my girls.

 

[BHep]

ML I watched some videos on you tube, showed how to skin the birds. Of course they made it look so easy. I still can't past the actual killing part

NH..... Patience ! They will lay when you are out of town, BETCHA !

Chickens will eat ticks.

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

ML we skin when we process but I like to wait until around Feb-Mar........early Apr at the latest because we do it outside and there are way less flies at that time and cool weather. We find it easier for clean-up if we do outside. I use boning knives for skinning and they come in most butcher block style knife sets. Good luck