NY chicken lover!!!!

[Adoravachick]

Very nice pic.

Just a dusting here but it's still muddy.

Thanks! I brought my little ones down to the barn with me this evening. It was a fun "adventure" trekking through the snow with the egg collecting basket, 5 gallon jug of water, two little girls chitter chattering to one another as we walked, and finally, a little chihuahua dog romping along behind us. We must be quite a site.

They had the best time petting and holding the hens and helping me feed. I have to say, these kids have such a love for animals. They are very gentle souls that appreciate the joy of having animals. That makes me smile.

 

[horsekeeper]

The coops get a lot of sun, but the runs are partially shaded and with the windows and doors open there is usually a nice breeze. No problems last year with the heat wave and toasty warm (relatively) this winter with good ventilation but no strong drafts. I planned for the prevailing winds for the larger coop where the chickens live and the ducks are in the smaller coop and are probably more comfortable being cooler. That's why I have to extend the run this spring so the ducks can get down the hill a bit under the trees to get some shade and a breeze. I also plan to flatten an area, cover with small stone and give them a kiddie pool to cool off in. I have 16 muscovies.

I have two standardbreds. One is 25 and fully retired. The other I got this fall from the amish and he is one of the best horses I've ever had. He was well taken care of by amish standards and was a high dollar New Zealand import during his racing career. So proud of him! He learned to gait under saddle this weekend and is so smooth and fluid. Very sad that he was dumped by his owners after winning them so much money and ended up pulling wagons. His amish owner decided that he was getting too old to work so hard and was thrilled to sell him as a casual use riding horse/pet. He's kind of a hard keeper but has impeccable manners.

 

[rancher hicks]

I have no idea what they weigh other than they are the smallest roosters I ever killed. Randy lil things causing he girls too much stress. If I think of it I'll weigh them before I cook them.

Thanks! I really don't like plucking. I need a wiz bang to save time.
They are pure bred 5 or 6 month old Sumatra roosters. I forget exactly when the broody's in that coop all went broody.

You have seen the "Chicken Plucker" set up? If I find myself doing it, I'd got that route. So far I just give the youngster away, but I've got some BR and CR hens that may need to be done as they are nice sized.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

I also plan to flatten an area, cover with small stone and give them a kiddie pool to cool off in. I have 16 muscovies.

I have two standardbreds. One is 25 and fully retired. The other I got this fall from the amish and he is one of the best horses I've ever had. He was well taken care of by amish standards and was a high dollar New Zealand import during his racing career. So proud of him! He learned to gait under saddle this weekend and is so smooth and fluid. Very sad that he was dumped by his owners after winning them so much money and ended up pulling wagons. His amish owner decided that he was getting too old to work so hard and was thrilled to sell him as a casual use riding horse/pet. He's kind of a hard keeper but has impeccable manners.

Wow, 16 muscovies...! They are so funky and cute!

Sounds like a great match between you and your new horse. Hope he gets on with your other one. My horse is also a bit of a hard keeper. Not terribly so, but let's just say he is always on that edge of where I say, Hmmm...I wonder if he could use a few more pounds. But he's been this way for the 7 years since I bought him. Mr. Lean Jeans. Lots of free choice hay, so long as their teeth are OK, is always a good way to help them keep looking good through winter.

TOB

 

[stonykill]

You have seen the "Chicken Plucker" set up? If I find myself doing it, I'd got that route. So far I just give the youngster away, but I've got some BR and CR hens that may need to be done as they are nice sized.

the wiz bang chicken plucker is ultimately what I want. This makes 13 in the freezer since after Thanksgiving with more to do this weekend. Then more eventually after that.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Thanks! I brought my little ones down to the barn with me this evening. It was a fun "adventure" trekking through the snow with the egg collecting basket, 5 gallon jug of water, two little girls chitter chattering to one another as we walked, and finally, a little chihuahua dog romping along behind us. We must be quite a site.

They had the best time petting and holding the hens and helping me feed. I have to say, these kids have such a love for animals. They are very gentle souls that appreciate the joy of having animals. That makes me smile.

It's wonderful to pass an appreciation and respect for animals on to our kids. Sounds like a sweet little parade down to the barn.

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

You got pictures of the sites?

Rancher,

I will try to take a couple. Was out there again this afternoon and am feeling better about that first site. It's got a lot of positives: fairly close to the house (especially from the walk-out basement), easy access to water and a place to run down electric without too much trouble. I think we'll take a few trees down, and that may help some more light get to the area / help to keep the ground dry. We've got a lot of trees and undergrowth. Our entire lot is sloping, so this coop is going to be way above ground on the downward side of the structure to compensate for the grade. That wetter patch will now more likely be just a small part of the pen, but not sitting under the coop.

TOB

 

[rancher hicks]

the wiz bang chicken plucker is ultimately what I want. This makes 13 in the freezer since after Thanksgiving with more to do this weekend. Then more eventually after that.

Well judging by how many you're doing it certainly is a necessity.

 

[stonykill]

Well judging by how many you're doing it certainly is a necessity.

a time saver for certain.

 

[rancher hicks]

Rancher,

I will try to take a couple. Was out there again this afternoon and am feeling better about that first site. It's got a lot of positives: fairly close to the house (especially from the walk-out basement), easy access to water and a place to run down electric without too much trouble. I think we'll take a few trees down, and that may help some more light get to the area / help to keep the ground dry. We've got a lot of trees and undergrowth. Our entire lot is sloping, so this coop is going to be way above ground on the downward side of the structure to compensate for the grade. That wetter patch will now more likely be just a small part of the pen, but not sitting under the coop.

TOB

I kinda think I may have to raise my two runs as the deep litter have brought the floor up over the bottom of the run. Which isn't bad since it will help drainage. I think I'd like to run a stone or gravel rim around the edges of run walls too.

In your case you could always do what I did and wait for a sale on bags of stone to dump into the wetter area.