NY chicken lover!!!!

[Glasshen]

I laughed at them this morning. The young ones make a big production of flying out of the coop in the morning, I have to stand back so I don't get bowled over by them. But this morning they flew as far as they could because they didn't want to come down on the white stuff. The youngest SS hen kind of crashed into the chain link fence. I did my chores and went inside. When I looked out she was still standing in her original spot at the fence. I think she didn't know if she could walk on the snow. Had to put on my boots and coat again pick her up and take her back to the coop. I knew I'd be worried while I was out to come bak and find her frozen in that spot. I think she was glad to be picked up and taken back, but couldn't be too docile in front of the others, so she rode my outstretched arm back to the coop, like a falcon.

Chickens are so much fun.

Three eggs today.

I've been doing fermented feed for a couple of weeks, their shells seem stronger, the color of the shells is a little darker and they feel smoother. They squabble more over the food, poops don't smell as much, and they don't drink as much water. When I see how the dry feed expands in the bucket, I think it is good to feed it wet, so it doesn't expand in their crops.

 

[Lynzi777]

Evening Everyone

Just got home from the Beer Masters Dinner at Syracuse Dino. My hubby is in charge of coming up with the menu every year. This is the 3rd year he's done it and it was the best by far! I finally found a sitter for my kids so I could attend this year without having to beg my parents to come up and have someone come with me but one stay with the kids. So I'm happy!

AND I came home to everyone in their OWN new coops/houses! The chickens were locked up before I left but the ducks were still wandering about and I wasn't chasing them around the snow and slipping all over the place before I left. I got home and they were in their new house! I was so happy! I got nervous at first because I heard them quacking and couldn't tell where it was coming from - if was coming from the inside the coop or from over near the rabbit hutches. As I got closer I realized they were in their house. Goooood Ducks!!!!!


Stony ~ Pat is HUGE! Holy Moly! Beautiful, but huge! I love "hiser" coloring.

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Snow-shocked chicken exploits have me laughing.

The frozen waterers did NOT have me feeling too giddy today, though. I think I may have to invest in a base heater for the galvanized waterer. Any product advice?

Speaking of product recommendations, our Pullet Shut motor failed for some reason. After trouble shooting and talking with the company, they sent us a new motor for free. The hubby replaced the old one and we mailed it back to them to check out at their expense. I was very impressed with their willingness to make good on the faulty motor and how quick they sent the new one (we had it within 4 or 5 work days). Boy did I ever miss that automatic door! I think the girls did, too, because I didn't always make it out there as early as the timer is set to.


TOB

 

[AQHAchick22]

Snow-shocked chicken exploits have me laughing.

The frozen waterers did NOT have me feeling too giddy today, though. I think I may have to invest in a base heater for the galvanized waterer. Any product advice?

Speaking of product recommendations, our Pullet Shut motor failed for some reason. After trouble shooting and talking with the company, they sent us a new motor for free. The hubby replaced the old one and we mailed it back to them to check out at their expense. I was very impressed with their willingness to make good on the faulty motor and how quick they sent the new one (we had it within 4 or 5 work days). Boy did I ever miss that automatic door! I think the girls did, too, because I didn't always make it out there as early as the timer is set to.


TOB

For my waterers I set them up on cinder blocks and under the galvanlized ones I have bought 10watt heating pads (the little battery packs that go in heated blankets) and I set one of them under each waterer. They were about $6 each. They keep the ice off but they don't make the waterer hot which is nice.

I'm glad they did that! Most companies wouldn't want the broken one back, let alone send you a new one for free! I've been considering getting automatic doors but we are usually up and out by 7am so I'll suck it up for awhile and keep doing it manually. With 3 coops I wouldn't want automatic for all of them anyway...

 

[Gramma Chick]

Snow-shocked chicken exploits have me laughing.

The frozen waterers did NOT have me feeling too giddy today, though. I think I may have to invest in a base heater for the galvanized waterer. Any product advice?

Speaking of product recommendations, our Pullet Shut motor failed for some reason. After trouble shooting and talking with the company, they sent us a new motor for free. The hubby replaced the old one and we mailed it back to them to check out at their expense. I was very impressed with their willingness to make good on the faulty motor and how quick they sent the new one (we had it within 4 or 5 work days). Boy did I ever miss that automatic door! I think the girls did, too, because I didn't always make it out there as early as the timer is set to.


TOB

I have had good luck with the large dish from Farm Innovators Ec...Farm Innovators Ec...Farm Innovators Ec...Farm Innovators Round Heated Pet Bowl - Blue - 1.5 gallon - 60 watt
I sometimes put a stainless steel bowl in it & raise it up in a plant pot . Mine drink out of bowls
Here is a link to a walmart cost ...may be able to get it in the store also .
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Farm-Inno...bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&findingMethod=p13n

 

[Gramma Chick]

I have to share this picture cuz I just thought it was funny today after I gave it the title "How Ducks Drink Water" lol



Lucy, my black runner, is looking at them like "you guys are crazy"

I can see them saying " Whats that stuff in the bottom ? "

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
It got me started on a Jimi Hendricks watch

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: You work harder than most people ! Do you plane ? your own boards or is that for your wood stove ?



Based on Pats size is he probably a boy ?

 

[Gramma Chick]

I thought that I would see what the fuss is about with the fermented food, but on a very small level. I made up 2 pint size canning jars. The first time I let them sit for 4 days then opened up the jars. Needless to say there was a large explosion all over my back room and a few cus words.

Then I did it again opening them everyday to vent the air. I just wanted to see first if I could do it. I just used some of my pellets and a small amount of scratch. The smell was almost "pickleish" and I keep doing it. I let it set for 3 days and then give them a big scoop in their food bowls with the other food that I give them. I put the scoops right on top and they girls seem to go right for it. Right now it is more like a real healthy snack thne a meal, but perhaps in the future I might try it o a bigger scale.

The girls wouldn't come out of the coop today. We only had about an inch of snow this morning, but the girls stayed in for a while. I came back out an hour later and only half had ventured out into the snow. The boys (the ducks) went running out into it then spent most of the morning laying in some straw that I put out. What do they think they will do when we have feet of snow?

Glad you are okay ...
To EVERYONE
DONT COVER YOUR FERMENTED FEED TIGHTLY ! IT NEEDS THE ROOM TO BREATHE

RANCHER - 5 gallon bucket - I think it would work ...try it .
Mine is in my basement which is 60 something .

 

[JLaw]

Snow-shocked chicken exploits have me laughing.

The frozen waterers did NOT have me feeling too giddy today, though. I think I may have to invest in a base heater for the galvanized waterer. Any product advice?

Speaking of product recommendations, our Pullet Shut motor failed for some reason. After trouble shooting and talking with the company, they sent us a new motor for free. The hubby replaced the old one and we mailed it back to them to check out at their expense. I was very impressed with their willingness to make good on the faulty motor and how quick they sent the new one (we had it within 4 or 5 work days). Boy did I ever miss that automatic door! I think the girls did, too, because I didn't always make it out there as early as the timer is set to.


TOB

They sell heaters you set your water dispenser on for like 50-60 I think the cost is at tsc or you can make one. Or you can make them which I will be doing tomorrow I think. googleing chicken water heater homemade brought up some nice ones. The consist of you ether making a 4 sided box or takeing a cement block with hole in it and then you take a light making kit from homedepot for like 6 dollars and putting a light in the hole. You then set your water dispenser on top of it. You can put a planter base under your water dispenser to even the heat out some with the ceramic.

I just found this video on youtube using that search and looking at images and this guy has easiest set up so far. The only problem I have with this set up is where he put a surge protector. He has it mounted outside his chicken coop when he could have had it in his garage. But he does make one for under like 5 dollars I need to see if I can find an outlet light plug like he has.