NY chicken lover!!!!

[vmdanielsen]

Morning all. That was some rain we got last night. Had quite the light show as well. At least most of the chicken poop has now been washed into the soil so I didnt have to avoid land mines this morning when I went out to release the beasts. Hoping for a nice day today.

Rancher--hot sauce or hot peppers is good for their digestion and yes, during the winter its supposed to warm them up some from the inside. They dont taste it. I just like to give them some every once in a while.

Tab--glad to hear your eggs are doing ok.

Ginny--nice to see you on.

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that you could use on wood. You could also sprinkle it with de after it was dry in case something was missed. What a great rescue of the poor hens. I am sure they will be very happy to be in your care as it sounds like they werent getting any before this.

Off to the pharm for another fun filled day. Love how people tell my pharmacist she is misinformed when she answers their questions. Why ask a professional if you already believe you know the answer and that answer is different from the professional???? Love my job!

 

[JLaw]

No squirrels here. I have grape fields and hay fields around me not many trees too close. I am kinda worried about foxes skunks and cyotes. But I have the 30-06 for those. I do have to complain deer ate ends off of my trees I planted last year so wish I could night hunt and keep them off my property .

I use a .22.Does the job with grey squirrels(9) and red squirrels(2). Haven't needed more than that. Squirrels are repopulating. I need to target practice...OH WAIT!! THEY are the target practice!!!

Welcome Genie, I'm not near you either, but wanted to say hi So we suddenly lost our little week old white bantam two days ago. It was both of the kids favorite of course...

The only thing that indicated anything was wrong was it was cheeping loudly periodically, even though the temp was good (it wasn't choosing to be closer to the warm lamp or far away), it was feathering like the others, but didn't grow as fast in the week we had it, and had a bit of pasty butt which I kept cleaned... also, I thought strange, it was the only one that wouldn't lay down to sleep, always stood, but in my hand would lay down, so I know it could (that was why I thought maybe it was cold, again, it didn't choose to be in the warmest area of the brooder though). I did see it eating and all. I watched it nearly all day for clues to the loud cheeping... I had only last been watching it at the most 1/2 an hour before I found it laying down. I thought "oh good it is feeling better" but then I saw it gasping (I assume for air). Nothing helped (gently stroked it's throat in case something was stuck etc.) Died in my hands in only a few minutes.

Sorry about your loss sadly my. Chick suffered for like a week before someone spoke up and told me to just put it down. I really didn't want to lose it but they was right and it only got worse and it was time. My son still gets upset over it he's emotional like that. Jlaw

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

I was wondering if any one used a high power air rifle to help as a pest/predator "deterrent"? I have a neighbor that is far enough away by law to use one of my powder rifles but they can be a PITA. So If I can do it without ruffling any feathers it would be worth the couple hundred bucks.

My dh uses one on the squirrels and chipmunks. It could take out weasels as well. Invest in a good one with a good scope. Just a little noise but a lot of power. Its Stony, I believe, that also uses them. We use larger caliber guns for bigger nuisances.

Ginny---my dh uses the chipmunks as his target practice and I told him not to shoot off all his breeding stock for this years targets. So far I have only seen one. He should have listened to me!!! hehehe

 

[rancher hicks]

I was wondering if any one used a high power air rifle to help as a pest/predator "deterrent"? I have a neighbor that is far enough away by law to use one of my powder rifles but they can be a PITA. So If I can do it without ruffling any feathers it would be worth the couple hundred bucks.

Now I doubt very highly you'd get away with dealing with a pesty neighbor in such a way. And why would you consider a neighbor to be a predator. Have they been stealing your chickens?

 

[ChickPrincess]

Now I doubt very highly you'd get away with dealing with a pesty neighbor in such a way. And why would you consider a neighbor to be a predator. Have they been stealing your chickens?

Seriously, though. If you're following the law, who cares what they think?

 

[ChickPrincess]

Okay, I had this egg the other day, just after we were discussing meat/blood spots. Eeeeewwwwww. I tossed it. I thought meat spots only affected one spot... not multiple spots. Anyone else ever have this? The outside of the shell was also quite speckled and rough.

 

[Glasshen]

Maybe last year someone on the southern NY thread had a lone chick who was not doing too well. Her solution was to wear the chick in her cleavage. She eventually crocheted a little holder to put the chick in and wear around her neck. This bought her time to find a suitable chicken friend for the little one. The things we do for our chickens and other pets. Good luck with that little one.

I would like a pellet gun too.

 

[vmdanielsen]

My dh uses one on the squirrels and chipmunks. It could take out weasels as well. Invest in a good one with a good scope. Just a little noise but a lot of power. Its Stony, I believe, that also uses them. We use larger caliber guns for bigger nuisances.

Ginny---my dh uses the chipmunks as his target practice and I told him not to shoot off all his breeding stock for this years targets. So far I have only seen one. He should have listened to me!!! hehehe

Never in my life did I think I would be shooting to kill, but man, those squirrels eating my organic chicken feed made me pretty mad. i told them to get lost several times but they didn't listen! Tried an air gun but it wasn't powerful enough( the CO2 cartrige leaked I think) and the pellet gun had an excellent sight, but was hard to reload in the field.(heavy, one pellet at a time, took WAY to much time) Then my husaband gave me his father's old .22. Perfect!!(think dead squirrels with minimal shots) Tried to get more ammo, but since Newtown, gun shops have been sold out. If I can't get more, you husband is welcome to come target practice here!!

 

[Child of Noah]

Talking about a big chicken egg.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/grd/3732050449.html

That poor chicken... I wonder if it has a double yolk?

I can't stand to hear this poor lonely chick cheeping its head off. Its not only sad but frustrating as I have tried everything to quiet her and nothing works. She wont eat wont drink I don't even think she sleeps! I wish I had time to get her friends today. There never seems to be enough time for anything.

While you're waiting to get her friends, would a stuffed animal work?

So the big jars are half gallon jars! There are also various smaller jars. I can't wait to get lids for the ones I'm not using for the chicks. I want to start canning my veggies from the garden this year!

Great find!

 

[mderby48]

Would a mirror work for now? Like they do with parakeets and other caged parrot type birds? The illusion of company?

I tried a mirror but it didn't work. Rancher has some chicks for me but unfortunetly I can't get them until tomorrow. I hope she lasts that long I still can't get her to eat or drink.