NY chicken lover!!!!

[Glasshen]

Just finished chicken warm weather chores. I have the worlds worst cold, the kind that makes it difficult to be civil even to people you love and respect. Had to shovel through the path that had drifted in, and made a drift that was up to the top of my leg. I was being dutiful. When I started scooping the poop board the two Sussex hens couldn't understand why I would do such a thing and were trying to go through everything, and take things out of the bucket. Scoop, scoop, put a hen on the floor, scoop scoop, NO, then the orps got into the act. I am exhausted, but we all survived.

 

[rancher hicks]

Rancher - you are correct - the berries of the buckthorn give humans the runs and same with birds .....

Migrating birds have starved to death when all they have is a belly full of buckthorn berries - so rip up the buckthorn whenever you can ! I am not against things just because they didn't start here - but the buckthorn is dangerous to wildlife.

Believe me I will make the effort to rid this land of them. I can't understand why anyone would want them. They're completely useless. I have stabbed my self numerous times.

 

[rancher hicks]

When is ideal in a NY climate to let a hen sit on eggs? Should I wait?

I have an EE that I though was broody but then one night she was off the nest so I took the eggs. Now she's on the nest again but I should just take the eggs she's not real good at it.

Now I did have a Dominique hatch two chicks on year in below freezing weather. She only had the two eggs but she was determined. Should have kept that girl.

Anyhow if you have the place to keep her by herself then I say let her go. That is if you want chicks.

 

[rancher hicks]

I use buckthorn for kindling wood. It really doesn't give off any heat but burns well and is good for starting the stove.

I have been cutting it up and stacking it next to the pit for burning but there are so many to deal with. My Loppers are not very sharp. I intend to just go around and cut them off, wrap the stump with cardboard making a cup and fill it with salt. That should kill it right to the roots. If they were Christmas cactuses they'd be dead long ago. Those I have no trouble killing.

Every time I buy one DW makes a little tomb stone and sticks it in the plant. (not really but it would be funny if she did).

 

[rancher hicks]

Congratulations!!!

Yeah...

What a good momma!

Ditto here.

 

[rancher hicks]

Just finished chicken warm weather chores. I have the worlds worst cold, the kind that makes it difficult to be civil even to people you love and respect. Had to shovel through the path that had drifted in, and made a drift that was up to the top of my leg. I was being dutiful. When I started scooping the poop board the two Sussex hens couldn't understand why I would do such a thing and were trying to go through everything, and take things out of the bucket. Scoop, scoop, put a hen on the floor, scoop scoop, NO, then the orps got into the act. I am exhausted, but we all survived.

I hope you feel better. The one thing about being a farmer is there are no sick days. Sick or not you've got to drag yourself out and water and feed the beasts.

I also hope you're coming to the picnic. Perhaps you'd like to give us a "Glass demonstration and talk ? "

I'm waiting to do some cleaning this week though I'd have to snowblow to a spot to dump every thing. The poop is like stalagmites in the coops.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Just finished shoveling all the paths, driveway, coops and runs. I had 19 nags following me around getting under foot and bawking my ears off. Thelma and Louise were up my butt the whole time. They found a dirt spot under the truck and enjoyed digging in it. Bill came out and did some digging of his own. He and Little Man had a crow off. Got the litter turned over in the silkie coops. Will do the big coop later this week.

 

[AQHAchick22]

Quote:
Ugh I know my coops are a mess...it's supposed to warm up later this week but I really need a few days of really warm temperatures to be able to get in there and get rid of most of it. Last time we had a mild streak I went in and got a bunch of piles off the top and threw them into a pile outside the coop. Such a mess...yuck I hate how damp and gross the coops get as soon as it gets warm out too...makes me feel terrible for the hens.

 

[boskelli1571]

I know what you mean about poop piles!! Like everyone else, waiting for awarm day so I can excavate the coop - praying for above 32 this weekend.........

 

[boskelli1571]

Oh my! Did I just get a shock! Went to lock the birds in for the night, they were fussing a bit - I looked up to see a possum staring at me!!

Fortunately, I arrived soon enough - it hadn't harmed the birds or anything, just tossed everything out of the cupboards looking for food! So I grabbed the young Maran girls, threw 'em in the coop with the rest and went to get my gun. Little bugger had gone by the time I got back!! A bit worrying though, first one I've seen so up close & personal.