North Carolina

[abChicken]

BOY ITS QUIET HERE THIS MORN

 

[BHep]

I'm glad to see so many of you go to WCA. I was there last Sunday, got there early enough to score the big couch in front.

I have gotten all my chickens there. A year ago I was living in Atlanta and, after church, going to Starbucks on Sundays. Now I'm in a small town (Wendell) engaged to a man with 52 chickens, going to WCA and checking a hen house every day like a treasure hunt to see if there are eggs. I'm hoping for lavender babies this spring, if my rooster is doing his job. We haven't actually seen him, but I'm hoping.

I have said many time..... who would have thought that my big Sunday plans included going to an auction .

We make it a family thing.... my kids love going & so does my mother. And I love meeting up with my friends & talking chicken.... some people just don't understand.

 

[BHep]

BOY ITS QUIET HERE THIS MORN

It has been quiet ever since the change over..... I think some people ( all over BYC) are having trouble getting on & around.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

It has been quiet ever since the change over..... I think some people ( all over BYC) are having trouble getting on & around.

Some of us are just moving extra slow these days...myself especially!! I hope everyone is doing well this fine chilly morning. I forced DD to go back to sleep when she woke up at 6 and so far, so good. Let's see if I make it out to Cary to pick up the chicken feed with her being cooperative or not. Although I am in serious need of a new supplier!! This is the second time in 6 months that they have raised their prices on feed and while I know things are high across the board, I am already paying 50% more for this "speciality" feed. Not to mention it's an hour drive each way for me to pick it up and they are not always timely in their drop offs. I LOVE the company don't get me wrong, just wish it wasn't so expensive. Anyone out there know of another place that sells soy-free (due to allergies it has to be soy free) feed for less than $28/bag??
I am excited to report that I have my chicken processing "class" tomorrow!!

Now to choose who stays and who goes!! If you happen to think of it, keep your fingers crossed. I get grossed out taking the innards out of a turkey (I make the DH do it) from the store...so I am not sure HOW I will do with the whole processing adventure. I will say I am determined to be a self-sufficient country girl one way or another...even if I have to find a processing house!!

SCM - haven't seen you one in a while, hope to see you at the feed pick up if you go!!

Everyone else...I PROMISE one of these days I am going to make it to the WCA...if nothing else, to put faces with names (and chickens)!! Hopefully I'll get around to doing it BEFORE the baby gets here...then again...it COULD be a girl's day out after the baby comes...LOL.

 

[abChicken]

GOODNESS NH IF I HAD TO PAY THAT FOR FEED I MAY HAVE TO GET RID OF MY BIRDS-

PAY DOESENT GO FAR EACH MONTH NOW- GOT 4 NEW BABY SILKIES OVER THE
WEEKEND- WHEN MY AD COMES BY I GET HER TO GET PICTURES.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

GOODNESS NH IF I HAD TO PAY THAT FOR FEED I MAY HAVE TO GET RID OF MY BIRDS-

PAY DOESENT GO FAR EACH MONTH NOW- GOT 4 NEW BABY SILKIES OVER THE
WEEKEND- WHEN MY AD COMES BY I GET HER TO GET PICTURES.

We have only 13 chickens at the moment and it seems like we go through a LOT of feed for some reason. We free range so I don't understand how/why they are eating 150# of feed each month yet they are. I am wondering if something isn't getting into the coop while they are out during the day and helping themselves to the feed. ?? I just don't know. Glad to know that you feel my pain too!! LOL. Congratulations on the new silkies!! Can't wait to see photos this weekend!!

On a side note: I just had to share this with you all because it was too funny!! I was on mapquest trying to figure out if I take 440 or 540 to get to where I am suppose to go (for some reason I can NEVER remember and must look it up every month). Anyway, I type in what I normally do into Google and for some reason MapQuest takes me to Winston-Salem!! LOL for the record, I need to take 440!! LOL Crazy day already, I can tell!!

 

[HenThymes]

Morning NC'ers!! I have updated the Chickenstock thread as some info has been confirmed. I am also starting to take donations for the raffles. If you have anything you would like to donate please pm or email me. I will be confirming a local charity in the near future to attend the event and all proceeds will benefit.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/619594/carolina-chickenstock-spring-2012

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

We have only 13 chickens at the moment and it seems like we go through a LOT of feed for some reason. We free range so I don't understand how/why they are eating 150# of feed each month yet they are. I am wondering if something isn't getting into the coop while they are out during the day and helping themselves to the feed. ?? I just don't know. Glad to know that you feel my pain too!! LOL. Congratulations on the new silkies!! Can't wait to see photos this weekend!!

On a side note: I just had to share this with you all because it was too funny!! I was on mapquest trying to figure out if I take 440 or 540 to get to where I am suppose to go (for some reason I can NEVER remember and must look it up every month). Anyway, I type in what I normally do into Google and for some reason MapQuest takes me to Winston-Salem!! LOL for the record, I need to take 440!! LOL Crazy day already, I can tell!!

are you free feeding them? As in leaving a feeder full of food out at all times? If so - stop - or fix the feeder so you can cover it, so they can't get to it all the time. I tried free feeding and I went through way too much feed. I feed them a decent amount in the AM, then I feed scraps mid day or so, and then throw out some more food in the evening for a snack. Even free ranging they will try to chow down and stuff themselves full of food, way more than they need and continuously eat all day - which isn't good. 1. they aren't doing their job in the yard, 2, they are wasting too much money, and 3. I was feeding the neighbor's chickens and the wild birds and mice too...

Now I go through about 150 maybe 200 lbs of feed a month for 40-50 birds and they have full crops at night when going to bed, so they are healthy and happy.

 

[BHep]

My birds just scratch their food all over the floor if I free feed. Then the stinker will not eat it up off the floor.

yet they eat horse poop, bugs and dead thing

 

[wildriverswolf90]

I feed my chickens 1lbs-2lbs in the morning, free range them for 4-5 hours, then give some scratch in the evenings! I have 13 chickens in the coop and it takes me about 2 weeks to go through 25lbs.

Today is day 9 for my girl Autumn who is faithfully sitting on 10 eggs, YAY. I'm gonna try candling tonight to see if any are devolping *fingerscrossed*
And tomorrow I'm getting 20 new chicks, can't wait!

Hope everybody has a blessed day!