NY chicken lover!!!!

[vmdanielsen]

Mr. and Mrs. Chabo the gray Japanese bantams wanted to say hello to my peeps. They're sweet and personable, and I just love them, especially the cockerel. He sounds like a squeaky toy when he crows, but I'm sure he thinks he's ten feet tall and bulletproof, especially when he's matching Captain Morgan crow for crow. They're on a makeshift "roost," which is the back of a folding chair covered by an old fleece throw. They're pretty irritated with me here, as they were trying to sleep and I came blundering along with my camera on "night" setting.

Currently they're in a big pen in the coop, but I'm going to have to give them their own little coop, as he's able to fly out of the pen (she's a homebody and doesn't try). He's very young right now, but as he matures he's bound to develop a Napoleon complex and try to take on the big boys.

pretty coloring!!!

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Adorava--In my yard (speaking softly so the powers that be dont hear me) its squirrel season 24/7, 365 days a year. They come and try to steal food all the time. They dont mess with the big coops as the cheeps run them off but they try the little ones. I do believe they would pilfer the eggs if they could as well. If I were you, I would make use of that bb gun. We use a high powered pellet rifle, They may come in, but they will never leave. Greys make good eating if you are so inclined.

Hen---nice looking couple!. Should be interesting to see what they look like all grown up. I think all banty roos have a napoleon complex. I know mine do and would probably try to take on my rir roos and get killed in the process. Thats why nobody is ever out freeranging at the same time.

Rancher--hows those broodies of yours? Anyone break yet?

Tab--not sure about orps. Are they molting right now? Going into a molt? That would be one explanation as to why they aren laying. How old are they?

Natives are restless---now that its light enough for me to see, I can go let them out. I just dont want to go out when its still fairly dark out and find myself strolling my yard with the resident bear at the same time. Dh did that once, to the surprise of both of them. All worked out for the best on that one.

 

[Lynzi777]

Hi , Does everyone buy their chicken feed at Farm & tractor , etc . Or is there a feed mill around the Syracuse Area to get it cheaper ?

I used to head out to Tractor Supply all the time for my feed until I was informed about JJ Feed in Lafayette which is literally 5 minutes down the road from me. I get my rabbit food, chicken feed and bedding there. I'm not sure if their prices are cheaper, I do remember paying $12-something for a 50lb back of chicken feed, but like I said they're only 5 minutes down the road from me rather than the 20 or so minutes it took me to get to TS, nevermind the gas!

Pharm - It was me who has the orps that aren't laying. I have two hens and a roo that hatched at the end of March and mid-April. No signs of molting. Not sure whats going on. was getting eggs for a while there and now nothing.

 

[Cass]

I would use my silkie eggs but I'm unsure as to how many to subsitute for 3 large white eggs.

2 large store bought (so you know it's been graded as right size) equals 1/3 a cup of egg. When my D'uccles started laying I cracked 2 store bought eggs into a measuring cup and posted the results on my fridge so I wouldn't forget.

I use my D'uccle and Silkie eggs all the time. It doesn't even seem weird to me to crack them into a measuring cup to make sure I have the right amount of egg for the recipe anymore.

When it comes to cake mixes a little extra won't hurt, a little less won't bring a good result.

 

[Cass]

{{{{{Amy}}}}} Sorry for your loss. They are such parts of our families.

I've had a rough couple days. We rented out our old house for the last 10 years to the same family. We always knew they were trash, just bit our tongues because they paid their rent every month with no problems. Several months ago they suddenly stopped paying. We put notice on the door (legal mumbo jumbo... pay in 3 days or face eviction). Thankfully, they moved out immediately. We took possession this morning.
I knew they were trash, but this was disgraceful! The house is an absolute pigsty. Carpets will all need replacing. But the worst part... there was a leak in the roof that we were told today started many MONTHS ago. Now, if you're renting, and there's a leak, wouldn't you call the landlord? Not these idiots. The roof and ceiling inside actually collapsed and there is mold growing on top of mold growing on top of mold. There is so much water damage that the floors squish up black water when you walk on them.
SERIOUSLY??? Thousands of dollars in damage. PIGS. That's all I have to say.

We have a duplex we rent out 3 hours from here. (Gawd, how I want to sell the place) I just spent this past weekend there. Not a HUGE amount of damage, just stupid things like holes in doors and grease EVERYWHERE from cooking. However they stole EVERY appliance in the place. GRRRR.... Not only are people pigs but in today's economy they are theives too.

We are going to take them to court. Probably won't get anything except the satisfaction of seeing their name published in the paper as having a judgement against them, but really....THE APPLIANCES? Move out and take things that don't belong to you? Now That is low low low.

 

[Adoravachick]

The thought of a squirrel ruining my silkies eggs really bugs me. We don't get all that many so, each one is precious to try to hatch, I think I have a pellet gun as well, so I will be using that. I am a decent shot, so one shot should do. They have found the feed and chicken treat (bird seed with nuts and dried fruit), which I keep in a 5 gallon heavy duty plastic bucket. They couldn't get the top off, so they chewed through the top to get in. I have since switched over to a small metal trash can that can be locked. They also chewed through my screen door (not metal) on the patio where the hot tub is. ANNOYING!!!

 

[Adoravachick]

Seriously?!?! We always appreciated good tenants, but they are hard to find. I just find it ridiculous that some tenants genuinly feel like its the LL fault it they can't pay the rent or pay their bills. I dont want to sound insensitive, but that's my problem how? Take the appliances, really? Are we grown ups or children? Again, that's why we don't have rentals anymore. lol

 

[JayinCohoes]

{{{{{Amy}}}}} Sorry for your loss. They are such parts of our families.

I've had a rough couple days. We rented out our old house for the last 10 years to the same family. We always knew they were trash, just bit our tongues because they paid their rent every month with no problems. Several months ago they suddenly stopped paying. We put notice on the door (legal mumbo jumbo... pay in 3 days or face eviction). Thankfully, they moved out immediately. We took possession this morning.
I knew they were trash, but this was disgraceful! The house is an absolute pigsty. Carpets will all need replacing. But the worst part... there was a leak in the roof that we were told today started many MONTHS ago. Now, if you're renting, and there's a leak, wouldn't you call the landlord? Not these idiots. The roof and ceiling inside actually collapsed and there is mold growing on top of mold growing on top of mold. There is so much water damage that the floors squish up black water when you walk on them.
SERIOUSLY??? Thousands of dollars in damage. PIGS. That's all I have to say.

Sorry to hear about your experience with your tenants. I'm also a landlord and have had similar experiences with tenants. All that we can do is chalk it up as an expensive lesson on not trusting tenants to take care of our property. Now I tell everyone that I'm not prejudice I distrust everyone the same. If the Pope decided to rent out my property I'd assume he'll mistreat my house the same as any crack-head. If you have close neighbors, they are usually willing to call if something unusual is going on and usually are concerned about their own property value. I always try to do an inspection at least once a year to cover myself. Most of your damage should be covered under your "rental dwelling" home insurance but only if you listed your house as a rental property. Rental property insurance covers damage caused by "tenant neglect".
If you want to look at the positive side: At least these tenants are out. Trust me when I say you are very lucky that your tenants were not "experts" on being evicted like many low-life tenants are these days. Unfortunately, there seems to be more laws protecting tenants than there are for protecting landlords. Evicting even the worst tenant could take many months before a marshal removes them. The good news is that the worst is over and they can no longer damage your property. This is kind of how I feel when I finally realize that my chickens have been in my vegetable garden all morning. Once I get them out and fix the fence I tell myself "OK the worst is over and my garden is safe again".
But as a landlord I feel your pain. I hope it helps you to realize that your not alone and we have all had experiences like yours. Good luck.

Jay

 

[rancher hicks]

I was using a bb gun but one day I went out there to the chicken pasture and there were 5 squirrels eating all my organic chicken feed. I have since switched to a pellet gun, but that only has one shot. I think I may have to practice with my husband's 22. I don't want to injure them, but kill them. My neighbor feeds them. She thinks that they are so cute. They are well fed, then they have lots of babies, then they spread out have more babies and we are inundated with them. AAUUGGGHH!! Rats with fluffy tails. Use something stronger. Or maybe your bbgun is stronger than mine. So yes, shoot the little buggers!!!

Right now I hate to say it but they are getting to be a problem coming into the garage for the scratch. I also hate to say I've been setting a have a heart trap baited with rat poison laced peanut butter sandwiches. However after reading about it I'm not sure a gun would be more humane.

I've read that Hawks, foxes and coyotes eat the squirrels and die from the rat poison. This is giving me pause. But squirrels can bring disease and take chicks. Something I don't want. Too I wonder if they aren't stealing eggs. Rat poison has Warferin which is a blood thinner. I've read that rats and mice can become immune to it. Something more potent has been outlawed.

In any case, squirrels have to go. If they get in your house, they can destroy it and homeowners will not cover the damage. Block all entryways.

 

[JayinCohoes]

The thought of a squirrel ruining my silkies eggs really bugs me. We don't get all that many so, each one is precious to try to hatch, I think I have a pellet gun as well, so I will be using that. I am a decent shot, so one shot should do. They have found the feed and chicken treat (bird seed with nuts and dried fruit), which I keep in a 5 gallon heavy duty plastic bucket. They couldn't get the top off, so they chewed through the top to get in. I have since switched over to a small metal trash can that can be locked. They also chewed through my screen door (not metal) on the patio where the hot tub is. ANNOYING!!!

I wish I could use a gun to get rid of squirrels. Unfortunately I live within city limits and would probably get arrested for shooting a squirrel. I also read that squirrels are very territorial and if you removed one squirrel another would soon take over his/her territory. In small cities and towns we are overwhelmed with squirrels because they are over fed with bird feeders or squirrel feeders in many yards. As if we really need to give them extra food. My sister actually puts out a few bird feeders and then will complain that the "dumb squirrels" keep eating the bird feed. Since she isn't on this site I can ask "who is the dumb one in this scenario?". But I'd love to hear ways to keep the off of our property if you can't shoot them.