NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

mmm

 

[Aria]

See now this is why I'm on BYC.  I never considered using plexiglass for a window.  The wooden coop doesn't get enough light.  

I also never considered removing the bottom rung of the roost that no one uses anyhow. It would give more floor space.  My roosts is attached to the wall on hinges so I can lift it up to clean under neath.  With the bottom rung removed it will be even easier.  Thanks guys. 

Aria's coop looks so nice.  I like that thing on top.  Is it open under neath for ventilation?  

No snow here but cold and my arthritis is killing my left hand and my toes.    

Rancher, YES, the little cupolo on top and on top of it there is a weathervane
my husband built. I am not sure I got that in the photo.

AND he made a metal Call Duck for the top. Because it was built of Call Ducks. I asked
him to make a chicken and remove the duck. BUT, can't right now with his recently replaced
knee. We love our Silkie Chickens. Regards, Aria

 

[Pyxis]

Hey everyone who ferments their feed, is this normal?

It's what I found this morning when I went to use the feed. It's a weird white film on top that traps the smaller bubbles as they come to the surface. The batch still smells fine, but I'm debating tossing it unless someone knows what's going on here.

 

[Breella]

I definitely will...I think right now she's just hanging around outside so late waiting for her frizzle friend to come into the coop with her. I feel bad that I took the frizzle away but the only reason I put her in there in the first place with the orps was so that the blue pullet wasn't the only tiny one in there. They became buddies but now the blue pullet is almost as big as the adult orps. And with Gru out there on a mating spree again, I don't want him to try mating with the frizzle and end up injuring her...or worse! Weird tho because on days like today, where the temp dropped and there is a dusting of snow on the ground, all the chickens came out but then went back inside to the coop, and she went in with everyone then. Just at night she's giving me problems...

Maybe it depends on the Roo but I keep Pearl in with Duane. I haven't seen him try to mount her since he first started getting frisky and they were more the same size. Now I think he's TOO big. He's so clumsy and cumbersome he can barely mount the regular sized hens. I wish I could weigh him. His offspring are big, they're going to be monsters when I cull them in the spring-- if I can wait that long. They're already almost as big as my 10 month old BR hens and they're only just over 3 months.

 

[Aria]

Took pictures of the kids today for christmas cards that we send out every year...Thought it would be cute to incorporate a farm animal of some sort, but the pics weren't that great. I had the kids each hold a runner duck... I wanted them to hold them at the same time and face each other with them but I was worried my daughter wasn't going to be able to hold hers long enough. I'm sure my ducks hate me now but owell. LOL They got treats after so hopefully that made up for it.

Your Kyle and girl (did not get her name) are the most beautiful children I have seen in a LONG time. God Bless, Aria

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Evening all. Had a few pages to catch up on since I have been busy with work. I had a guest bring me her frozen turkey carcass for the cheeps. Is it weird that I get gifts for my chickens??? Anyways, they feasted on it when I got home yesterday. Not much left of it today. We got freezing rain, sleet and a little snow last night. It has all melted now. The terrorists wouldnt come out this morning because of the evil white stuff. Only Thelma and Louise came out. They dont care what the weather is, they always come out. Must be part of the hardiness of the rir breed, for the hens anyways. Bill stayed inside with the terrorists. I called him a wuss. My silkies ran out as soon as the door was open. Eowyn is broody and holds it till I open the door. This morning she ran over Legolas and out the doors into the big run. Guess she had to go real bad! Poor Legolas was looking around like "what just happened?" He is so clueless sometimes. Supposed to get real cold here next week. Not looking forward to that. Brown went down today. Dh got a nice doe. Guess I will be picking up more canning jars so I can put up some meat. Might make some stew and can that as well. Always nice to have ready to eat stuff on a cold day.

Hatching fever hasnt hit yet. I am waiting till march. I want more babies but now is not the time as I am too darn busy. I went crazy and bought more yarn to make these braided scarves I found on pinterest for christmas gifts. Like I need more stuff to do! I hope I get them all done.

Its getting really crazy at work. Lots of shoppers and lots of nasty people. Its just stuff. You cant eat it, it doesnt make you better and you cant take it with you when you die. Time spent with loved ones is the most important gift of all because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

Have a good evening everyone.

 

[Lynzi777]

Your Kyle and girl (did not get her name) are the most beautiful children
I have seen in a LONG time. God Bless, Aria

Thanks Aria, That's Tess

 

[miquwid]

Those chicks are so cute Miquwid!!! Love the sleeping one LOL Did you build that coop all yourself?? Or is that the one you mentioned getting but was waiting on friends or something to help you move it? Thats a great coop. I like your use of the rabbit hutch as a laying area for eggs! At least it leaves enough room for more than one hen who want to lay their eggs at the same time rather than 2 trying to cram into a small nestbox.

Thanks that is the coop I built I left the bottom portion in the back open and the from open air so there is moving air but no drafts. Well funny thing is My girls will squeeze as many as they can at one time to lay in that hutch in fact some lay under it LOL it's a trip. They hate my nest boxes LOL. Thanks I really wanted a walk in coop so I couldn't afford it so I built it but it's easier to clean for us. I can't wait to see what those chicks turn out like I hope they are big so can keep setting eggs and have layers and meat. Only time will tell.

Wanted to share a pic of Gru back to himself again after his molt, as well as some pics of my blue pullet...



(thats Stella's tail sticking up behind him LOL)

Gru is looking good!!!!! Your blue girl is big now wow love how dark she is.

 

[armorfirelady]

Hey everyone who ferments their feed, is this normal?

It's what I found this morning when I went to use the feed. It's a weird white film on top that traps the smaller bubbles as they come to the surface. The batch still smells fine, but I'm debating tossing it unless someone knows what's going on here.

Don't toss it just stir it in and serve. It's fine. My commercial feed,got that to. Some call it the mother. As long as it doesn't smell rancid your good to go

 

[Lynzi777]

Thanks that is the coop I built I left the bottom portion in the back open and the from open air so there is moving air but no drafts. Well funny thing is My girls will squeeze as many as they can at one time to lay in that hutch in fact some lay under it LOL it's a trip. They hate my nest boxes LOL. Thanks I really wanted a walk in coop so I couldn't afford it so I built it but it's easier to clean for us. I can't wait to see what those chicks turn out like I hope they are big so can keep setting eggs and have layers and meat. Only time will tell.

Gru is looking good!!!!! Your blue girl is big now wow love how dark she is.

As much as I love the hoop coops, I need something more portable. If we ever have to move again-which could be next year again because talk about it started at my husbands job again, I need something I could lift and put in a truck and take with us. If and when we do buy or build our next house, I would definitely consider building a hoop coop! I like how roomy they look.