North Carolina

[Moores6]

Anyone going to be at the flock swap Sat.? I went to the one at Southern Gin and Grain but did not say anything,

because there was only a couple for folks there.
I plan on going tomorrow. I need to get feed from TSC anyway. And dh has plans

and wont be with me.
Sharon

 

[scottcaddy]

How is it I have Houdini chick with a death wish!??!

This little black maran chick is like 6 weeks old and has escaped the coop into the yard like 9 times! I'm always chasing and scooping her up to put back but I don't see where she's getting out?! The first few times I noticed loose mesh and staples it all back up, I've found a hole they've dug from scratching left an opening under the run so I filled it and added a brick. Then I find her in the salmon favorelle pen... that one through me for a loop?! Now I find her in the strawberry patch eating happily. All while my cat watches her drooling.

9 times? Seriously, she hasn't been scooped up by a hawk, a dog or a cat. And she keeps getting out and I have NO idea how. Not to mention she's the ONLY one to get out. The EE/Maran cross chicks the same size and age have not managed to get out once. Either they don't notice what she's doing or they are too dumb to figure it out. You would think money see money do with the chickens, they're forever copying each other. Who knows... she's running out of lives though!!!

Also went on Ebay and picked up a set of 20 chicken nipples. I'm sick of the water having to be filled daily because they spill water in a second and if they don't the kick so much dirt into it in a day its mud and not water anymore. Its exhausting, so I'm glad I found a set of 20 nipples shipped for $10. This could so be worth it!!!

Just wondering <BG> How tall is the pen and do you have a top/net over it? I am still surprised at just how high a little one can get to pull the I'm out and you have to catch me trick!

Good luck
Scott

 

[scottcaddy]

Hi! Montgomery County here!

Hi Mimiko,

It's good to see you enjoy your chicks, it looks like you have a nice setup!
Have fun and ask for help if you have any questions.

Scott

 

[dlockey]

How is it I have Houdini chick with a death wish!??!

This little black maran chick is like 6 weeks old and has escaped the coop into the yard like 9 times! I'm always chasing and scooping her up to put back but I don't see where she's getting out?! The first few times I noticed loose mesh and staples it all back up, I've found a hole they've dug from scratching left an opening under the run so I filled it and added a brick. Then I find her in the salmon favorelle pen... that one through me for a loop?! Now I find her in the strawberry patch eating happily. All while my cat watches her drooling.

9 times? Seriously, she hasn't been scooped up by a hawk, a dog or a cat. And she keeps getting out and I have NO idea how. Not to mention she's the ONLY one to get out. The EE/Maran cross chicks the same size and age have not managed to get out once. Either they don't notice what she's doing or they are too dumb to figure it out. You would think money see money do with the chickens, they're forever copying each other. Who knows... she's running out of lives though!!!

Also went on Ebay and picked up a set of 20 chicken nipples. I'm sick of the water having to be filled daily because they spill water in a second and if they don't the kick so much dirt into it in a day its mud and not water anymore. Its exhausting, so I'm glad I found a set of 20 nipples shipped for $10. This could so be worth it!!!

We have used chicken nipples for a long time, and love them!! We use sheet rock buckets, they hold 5 gallons, so we only have to fill them once a week-ish.

Your little one sounds like quite the adventure seeker! Good luck keeping him in!

 

[AmyLou1782]

Hey guys, I lost a chicken today. I wish I could say it was to a predator but I can't. It was due to my own negligence, naievity, and belief that my dogs would never do anything to them. I was sorely wrong. I walked out to see my Dane with a feather on her mouth, figured she had just licked it off the ground, only to turn the corner and see a dead chicken. I can't blame the dog, it's completely my fault and a hard lesson learned. I just don't know how I can ever look at her again the same way. :'(
My DD is taking it well, but my son is still at school. I don't look forward to breaking the bad news to him. He is such a sensitive little guy. I'm still debating on whether I want to replace her or just stick with 3 now. Her sister is going to miss her I'm sure.
Thankfully DH is going to take the body into the woods for me I tried to burry her but there are too many roots to get deep enough where I tried to burry her.
I'm gonna miss our Dot. She was such a sweet chicken and the one I would go to if I wanted to pick one up. Thankfully she was the chicken chosen to be mone and not one the kids chose as theirs. Not that it makes that much difference.

I'm sorry for your loss. I've lost 3 chickens this past week myself to a mystery predator...we are having to totally re-vamp our chicken house situation. One of them was my favorite too, I hate it. Hope your son took the news alright.

 

[AmyLou1782]

Hey ya'll from Lincoln County! I just found this thread!

 

[dlockey]

We FINLAY have a broody hen!!!

I had just about given up, but DH talked me into leaving all eggs in the nesting box in the Cochin's coop. None of those hens had shown any signs of going broody, but we decided to give it a shot! She has 9 eggs, and has been sitting for about 6 days!!

So, tonight, after. everyone went to bed/coop, I moved her and her eggs into a safer place to hatch and raise her babies!! I am hoping that she is not too disturbed by the move. We built a super cute grow out coop a few days ago. We have 20 pullets, 10 Er's and 10 buffs that are 4 weeks old. We used an old metal A frame swing set, covered it with fencing and chicken wire around the bottom. We connected it to a rabbit hutch type structure. They were so happy!! Their first time in the dirt!! It was a frenzy of dust bathing and scratching!! I will post pictures soon.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I plan to be in the yard all weekend if possible!!

Debbie

 

[dlockey]

Hey ya'll from Lincoln County! I just found this thread!

Oh, you are going to love this thread!! All the folks here are so helpful and eager to help any way they can!! I look forward to hearing about your flock!!

 

[scottcaddy]

Hey ya'll from Lincoln County! I just found this thread!

Hi AmyLou,

It sounds like you are having just about all the fun you need right now with new youngens and other critters<BG> The Mare in my avartar is a Spotted Saddle that didn't spot enough so my DW got her for me cheap at 6 months old, 20 years ago. She is still going strong and I'm still waiting on her to grow up and slow down!

Scott

 

[AmyLou1782]

Hi AmyLou,

It sounds like you are having just about all the fun you need right now with new youngens and other critters<BG> The Mare in my avartar is a Spotted Saddle that didn't spot enough so my DW got her for me cheap at 6 months old, 20 years ago. She is still going strong and I'm still waiting on her to grow up and slow down!

Scott

I thought that looked like something gaited! I've had Spotted Horses too, love them! I've got a 34 year old mare that my DD is learning on, great babysitter but still has enough hitch in her giddyup that DD has to pay attention. My gelding is 15 and I my other mare is 12 and is new to us, she was given to us and needed some TLC and some good feed. She has finally filled out and looks healthy again. I'm new to the chicken world and I love it, it is QUICKLY becoming an obsession I'm afraid. My DH is getting worried! We are having some predator issues right now. I've lost 3 of my girls this week to something and had a black snake make his appearance and help himself to some eggs this past Monday. We are about to re-think our coop and build a covered run.