NY chicken lover!!!!

[ktblue3]

Well I haven't been on a while between finishing up the school year, one college grad (no. 1 in her class) and 1 MA grad. Now my son says he's going back for another BS in a different field, and my daughter is engaged! So anyway....Am I doing psychological harm to my broody hen by taking her eggs every day. Should I put a fake one in there? Haven't had one try to sit in a long time. I also do not have fans or AC in the coop but we put them under an overhanging tree with fencing all around so it stays shady all day. But in this heat, anywhere is hot! Does anything else work like frozen watermelon or is it trial and error? Never tried that before but we have never had overheating problem in the years we've had chickens. Didn't get far in cleaning of coop over the weekend. Too hot and stinky-and I'm the only one who does cleaning of any kind in or out of the house! As for the storms yesterday. Our street in Ballston Spa had a tree fall completely across the road so everyone had to turn around and go a different direction. No power lost but lots of wind and rain. Enough chatting for now but I sure do learn alot by reading everyone's blogs! Thanks!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Hello all! I have been working like a mad woman and the heat and humidity is killing me. When I left today I saw a sight I wasnt prepared for. The two silkie chicks were strolling down the ramp into the run! I looked and saw that Stripe was in the run taking a dust bath while her sisters and Little Man milled about. How she got over the wire fence in the coop I dont know. I dont know how the chicks made it either! So anyways, I had to go to work and everyone seemed fine so I left. When I got home, I heard peeping and found the chicks squeezed outside of the run. I put them back and and saw Sarah go after them. Stripe did nothing to protect them. Sarah continued to go after the older chick until I removed both chicks and Stripe. I dont understand why Stripe did not defend her babies and why Sarah was attacking the babies. Anyone have some insight for me??? I have the wire reworked so I am hoping to keep them in and separated again.

 

[County Boy]

It's been a long time since I've posted here. I've got a sale I would like to inform you all about.

Is there anybody hear who would like Buff Silkies? I've decided I no longer want mine b/c the cost of feed is becoming to much and I prefer Cochins over Silkies. I've got 4 chicks I would $5 a piece for and 3 hens and a rooster which I would like $10 a piece for or I'll sell the 4 adults for $35. I live in Petersburg and will meet you at the Schuylerville auction or Schaghticoke fairgrounds on July 8. Let me know if anybody is interested.

Does anybody have any Mottled, Buff, or Buff Columbian hens by the way??

 

[vmdanielsen]

Hello all! I have been working like a mad woman and the heat and humidity is killing me. When I left today I saw a sight I wasnt prepared for. The two silkie chicks were strolling down the ramp into the run! I looked and saw that Stripe was in the run taking a dust bath while her sisters and Little Man milled about. How she got over the wire fence in the coop I dont know. I dont know how the chicks made it either! So anyways, I had to go to work and everyone seemed fine so I left. When I got home, I heard peeping and found the chicks squeezed outside of the run. I put them back and and saw Sarah go after them. Stripe did nothing to protect them. Sarah continued to go after the older chick until I removed both chicks and Stripe. I dont understand why Stripe did not defend her babies and why Sarah was attacking the babies. Anyone have some insight for me??? I have the wire reworked so I am hoping to keep them in and separated again.

Amy, you're having a rough time with your chicks this year.....I have no idea why one hen will act that way. Maybe someone else will have some ideas...

 

[vmdanielsen]

Anybody know what is going on with rancher hicks? Haven't heard from him in ages.........

 

[itsy]

Hey guys! Hope everyone is having a wonderful morning

Anyone know of any swaps coming up in NY? I contacted the Tractor Supply in Liberty for permission to hold a swap in their parking lot this summer. I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress. In the meantime, I was hoping there would be one near me soon. I have to sell these EE chicks.....

 

[featherz]

Ugh! Just lost another to a fox. Thankfully I had only let out the one coop. Hadn't had an attack for days, thought it was a hawk. This time I saw the fox running across the yard. He got my 'heart attack chicken', a light brahma who is way too fat. =( I doubt I can get them back in the coop but everyone else is locked up and I'm standing vigil now. I think I'll have to keep everyone on lockdown AND put in an electric fence. Any recommendations for something I could get right now? (like at TSC)..

 

[Framac]

Anybody know what is going on with rancher hicks? Haven't heard from him in ages.........

I have been wondering the same thing.

 

[In His Service]

featherz - bummer! I lost 3 recently to a fox. caught him "red-handed" with the first, one of the lt brahamas you gave us quite a while back. They answer to no one, no roo in their coop, and like to stay out way past bedtime just because they can. The fox got 2 lt brahamas and one EE, we managed to rescue one EE who was shaken up a bit, but fine now. The roo with the EEs is the NHR from you....he manages to be first on the roost at night, and calls to the girls from there. Might need to try out one of the new hatches for a slightly more assertive roo. All the chickens are on restriction unless one of us is abslutely out at all times, especially around dusk. We try to have a bonfire going also in the general area where the fox was spotted leaving, assuming s/he came from that direction as well. I don't know what else to do, electric fencing is out of the question, and our dog is too old to assist.

 

[featherz]

featherz - bummer! I lost 3 recently to a fox. caught him "red-handed" with the first, one of the lt brahamas you gave us quite a while back. They answer to no one, no roo in their coop, and like to stay out way past bedtime just because they can. The fox got 2 lt brahamas and one EE, we managed to rescue one EE who was shaken up a bit, but fine now. The roo with the EEs is the NHR from you....he manages to be first on the roost at night, and calls to the girls from there. Might need to try out one of the new hatches for a slightly more assertive roo. All the chickens are on restriction unless one of us is abslutely out at all times, especially around dusk. We try to have a bonfire going also in the general area where the fox was spotted leaving, assuming s/he came from that direction as well. I don't know what else to do, electric fencing is out of the question, and our dog is too old to assist.

Yah I just posted over on the predators board. Someone suggested electric netting which is WAY out of my price range for the amount of space I need to cover. I just need a simple two wire setup and I want it asap.

Just found 'heart attack chicken', missing about half her feathers. Somehow she got away from the fox! I can't catch her to assess injuries yet, but I will. Fox got two OE pullets the other day, so I had the pullet coop on lockdown already. I only let out the 'big chickens' coop because they have a good roo and don't stray into the woods but it figures today my broodies have decided their chicks are big enough so I have four week old chicks wandering around on their own. what a mess!

Plus the A/C guy told me I have a birds nest in my attic. With baby birds. O boy. He was here when my chickens were attacked and I just happened to be outside to see the fox running off.

I can only install stuff on weekends because I need help, so haven't figured out what to do yet.