NY chicken lover!!!!

[Henicillin]

They are Khaki Campbells and yes I cannot get over how fast they are growing. I guess I spoke too soon when I picked them up at the feed store and said "wow, I can't believe how tiny they are! Thought they'd be bigger" I HAVE to get working on that house for th before they start popping their heads up above the brooder walls! Lol

My Khakis are enormous! They're supposed to be on the smallish side. Obviously they didn't get the memo, as they're only four months old, full "duck" size, and still growing.

 

[NookNook01]

Look what I read today!?!


Those who order/send chicks through the mail might want to have a look at this:
It has come to our attention the Post Office is requesting a change to the shipment of poultry through the mail. You can read the proposal on-line at the Federal Register:

https://www.federalregister.gov/art...andards-for-live-animals-and-special-handling

They are asking that a Special Handle Fee charged on every Live Animal Shipment. This proposal would increase the postage amount by $9 or $11.95 per bundle depending on the weight. Over 10 pounds is the higher price.

The proposal outlines the new fees to be charged but it does not include any new rules to insure us that service would also improve. Nor does it offer how the additional funds would address their concerns about; Protection of Postal Service employees, mail and the environment, or animals against death.

Please read the proposed changes and send your comments to the US Post Office. Here is a sample letter that you may use.

[Your name]

[Address]

[City State Zip]

[Date]

The Manager, Product Classification

U.S. Postal Service

475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446

Washington, DC 20260-5015

RE: 39 CFR Part 111 New Mailing Standards for Live Animals and Special Handling

Dear Sir or Madam:

I would like to voice my concerns about the proposed changes to the New Mailing Standards for Live Animals. [Explain who you are and why you raise poultry]

This proposal would increase the postage amount on our shipments by $9 or $11.95 per bundle depending on the weight. Ten pounds will be the higher price. [Describe why you purchase poultry through the mail, how this additional cost will affect you and your purchasing of poultry.]

Within the proposal it describes the additional cost but does not describe the additional services we will receive for this fee. [Describe any problems you have had in the past and services you expect.]

I feel that this rate increase is excessive and request that it not be implemented.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your name]

Make your voice heard, do it today.

The comment period ends next week May 24.

 

[rancher hicks]

Look what I read today!?!


Those who order/send chicks through the mail might want to have a look at this:
It has come to our attention the Post Office is requesting a change to the shipment of poultry through the mail. You can read the proposal on-line at the Federal Register:

https://www.federalregister.gov/art...andards-for-live-animals-and-special-handling

They are asking that a Special Handle Fee charged on every Live Animal Shipment. This proposal would increase the postage amount by $9 or $11.95 per bundle depending on the weight. Over 10 pounds is the higher price.

The proposal outlines the new fees to be charged but it does not include any new rules to insure us that service would also improve. Nor does it offer how the additional funds would address their concerns about; Protection of Postal Service employees, mail and the environment, or animals against death.

Please read the proposed changes and send your comments to the US Post Office. Here is a sample letter that you may use.

[Your name]

[Address]

[City State Zip]

[Date]

The Manager, Product Classification

U.S. Postal Service

475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4446

Washington, DC 20260-5015

RE: 39 CFR Part 111 New Mailing Standards for Live Animals and Special Handling

Dear Sir or Madam:

I would like to voice my concerns about the proposed changes to the New Mailing Standards for Live Animals. [Explain who you are and why you raise poultry]

This proposal would increase the postage amount on our shipments by $9 or $11.95 per bundle depending on the weight. Ten pounds will be the higher price. [Describe why you purchase poultry through the mail, how this additional cost will affect you and your purchasing of poultry.]

Within the proposal it describes the additional cost but does not describe the additional services we will receive for this fee. [Describe any problems you have had in the past and services you expect.]

I feel that this rate increase is excessive and request that it not be implemented.

Sincerely,

[Your Signature]

[Your name]

Make your voice heard, do it today.

The comment period ends next week May 24.

The last four shipments of chicks have been late. Over night my foot!! One of those they were nearly all dead and another I had to drive to the main hub or wait another day which would have meant two days late. Two dead in that shipment.

Never mind writing to the PO, write to your congress person.

 

[Tab's chicken obsession]

The past couple months I've been concerned over my buckeye hens because they are naked. I couldn't figure out why. I increased protein (scrambled eggs and cat food) and saw new feather growth but it didn't last. Well I've been watching closer spending more time down to the barn. That darn rooster besides riding them is plucking them too. I've seen him now on quite a few occasions just reach over and yank feathers.

DH has been saying that we need to downsize and reduce projects. He's decided to sell his blue silver ameraucana and now I'm deciding to sell the buckeyes after watching the roo misbehave. I think DH is looking to sell the 2 splash maran hens after the first weekend in June also and just stick with the normal golden cuckoo marans.

 

[miquwid]

The last four shipments of chicks have been late.  Over night my foot!!   One of those they were nearly all dead and another I had to drive to the main hub or wait another day which would have meant two days late.  Two dead in that shipment.  

Never mind writing to the PO, write to your congress person. 

 

[miquwid]

I meant what about FedEx or UPS

 

[Lynzi777]

Alright, so I did a lot of work around the yard today...cleaned the grow out pen, cleaned out the shed to make room for the new tractor, and I decided to get the ducklings outside and in one of the crates because I just don't have room for my larger brooder in my laundry room at the moment. So they're in a much larger "brooder" with their water, food and heat lamp. My question is, with it being so warm outside during the day is is it ok to leave the heat lamp off and just turn it on at night? I had it on earlier and even tho there are spots that are cooler and they can get away from it, they were still panting. So I turned it off. It's 63 here today and going to be in the low 70s tomorrow.

 

[Tab's chicken obsession]

I think its fine to have the lamp off. The only babies we have with lights on right now are the youngest ones (month old and younger).

 

[Child of Noah]

They are Khaki Campbells and yes I cannot get over how fast they are growing. I guess I spoke too soon when I picked them up at the feed store and said "wow, I can't believe how tiny they are! Thought they'd be bigger" I HAVE to get working on that house for th before they start popping their heads up above the brooder walls! Lol

It was less than two weeks and my babies were hopping out of their second brooder box.

Good Morning Everyone!
Been a bit of a lurker lately but I had some questions for some of our CNY peeps. I had a hawk attack. I lost one of my two EE's and I'm nursing a Red back to health - she had a smaller puncture on her side, has trouble walking but she's eating and drinking and standing up favoring the other leg. I have her in a kitty crate to limit her mobility so perhaps she can heal. The wound is scabbing and she's alert so I have hope. My babies are about 11-12 weeks old.

My EE we were forced to put down ourselves as she was in so much pain and her side was torn apart.. it wasn't fixable.

So here's my question.

I have their coop under a HUGE line of Maples, the overhang covers everything including their run making it near impossible to see anything from above (Of COURSE the hawks went to the other side of the property and came in at an angle). We will be putting up wires crisscrossing from the coop to the run poles in hopes of decapitating any that fly in (and I'm seriously considering a pellet gun - closest thing to a firearm that I'll allow in my house. Even hubby doesn't think he can shoot a hawk with his bow lol..). Has anyone had success with other methods? I don't want wire mesh over the top as we have 4 foot posts and getting in would be painful on our backs. Other than deer netting (which we will also be getting) has anyone had any luck in deterring hawks in the area? I've got a bird preserve like 2 miles away so the population is slightly overwhelming. Counted 12 circling the fields around us last week. Any tricks I can use? We were devastated by this attack and would really like to prevent another if at all possible. THe ladies have been in their coop for 3 days in hopes that the hawks won't see a meal anymore and go back to circling fields.

ANY advice is appreciated and I do know that this is part of raising chickens, to deal with predators. I think it bothered me so much b/c it was such a waste of life, I probably would have felt better if the hawk had taken the chicken with it so I knew it had gotten a full meal.

I have hawks near me too. Put some trash out. .... There's a reason. I have an everything-goes-in-it compost pile by my chicken coop. I believe this "garbage" attracts the ravens - and the ravens chase away the hawks.
My chickens free range so they have more places to hide, but my ducklings are currently in a pen. Above the pen they have a portable canopy that is 10x10 and with three of them being Pekins and standing out like a sore thumb I'm pretty sure this cover has helped to keep them safer from hawk attacks. http://www.coleman.com/product/instant-canopy-10-ft-x-10-ft/2000004410#.UZaJhJ3D_IU I got this one on sale for half the price (was probably last year's model). Since it doesn't have sides, the ducklings still get lots of sunshine ... also it doesn't cover their entire playpen. Mine is only temporary, you would probably want something prettier for a permanent fix, but you get the idea.
I do not have a rooster, but I have heard many good things about them helping by setting up the alert when a hawk comes along.

Within the proposal it describes the additional cost but does not describe the additional services we will receive for this fee. [Describe any problems you have had in the past and services you expect.]

Exactly! The additional fee wouldn't be so upsetting if there were the additional service of NOT tossing it, NOT crushing the box, NOT leaving it at the neighbor's house.

 

[Lynzi777]

Well these were only a couple days old last Friday when I got them. I guess when the sun rises I'll turn it off and when they are in the shade again I'll turn it back on.