NY chicken lover!!!!

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
Mine did it as soon as I gave them dirt ..Mine do it outside . .now ...real hole diggers .

Where you thinking of putting it in a container ...?
When it looks poopy ...

 

[featherz]

I have decided to rename my broodies.. broody #1 (bantam buff barred) is apparently racist or colorist or whatever you want to call her.. I didn't give her back to CB as she had chicks and was very protective - too protective, it seems - "RC" hates all non-buff colored chicks and tries to kill them immediately. even diving under the big chickens to eat those nasty black and brown chicks.. Sigh.. So she's separated, with all buff chicks.. Happy as a clam.

Then we have one I call "owl bait" who insists on camping outside every night in the run with 13 (!) babies. I have to pick her up, put her in the coop, then chase the babies for the next 1/2 hour till I round them all up. Argh.

Then I have tweedle dee and tweedle dum that get their chicks into the coop OK, but then cram both their big butts into one bantam nestbox and expect the chicks to get in there with them - they could probably get over the lip of the box, but not with two big tushes sticking out. So they are a manual placement also, or else they end up under Owl Bait when she's in..

Argh!

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

I was woken up this morning at 5:30 to a screaming noise. It sounded like something was killing one of my ducks!. I grabbed my clothes and ran downstairs and out the door, I was thinking did I forget to lock someone up last night..no I did a head count and all was good...So something must have broken into a duck hut. So as I went out the door I soon realized that it wasn't my ducks at all!! It was worse. There were 2 raccoons fighting in a pine tree over by the garden. NOW what am I supposed to do. They have stopped their fighting and have moved away from each other, but now I have a tree with 2 raccoons in it and I don't know how to get them to go away. I don't even want to let anyone out of the coops right now. I am so mad at DH for not letting me get that gun a few months ago that we were talking about. Anyone want to come over and help me? I guess that I have to hope that they come down and run away for now... Then when DH gets home this afternoon I think we need to go shopping!!!

 

[Lynzi777]

I was woken up this morning at 5:30 to a screaming noise. It sounded like something was killing one of my ducks!. I grabbed my clothes and ran downstairs and out the door, I was thinking did I forget to lock someone up last night..no I did a head count and all was good...So something must have broken into a duck hut. So as I went out the door I soon realized that it wasn't my ducks at all!! It was worse. There were 2 raccoons fighting in a pine tree over by the garden. NOW what am I supposed to do. They have stopped their fighting and have moved away from each other, but now I have a tree with 2 raccoons in it and I don't know how to get them to go away. I don't even want to let anyone out of the coops right now. I am so mad at DH for not letting me get that gun a few months ago that we were talking about. Anyone want to come over and help me? I guess that I have to hope that they come down and run away for now... Then when DH gets home this afternoon I think we need to go shopping!!!

Oh no! Can you set that trap that you used for the last predator??

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Morning all. Rainy here today but cooler. Unless something happens in the next few hours the official count is 6 silkie chicks. The tiny fluffballs are doing well. I have them under a 100 watt red heat bulb and that seems to be good for them. They spend most of their time on the edge of the light pattern rather than in the middle. I had to put one bowl back in the brat/monsters coop as the feeding tube wasnt enough for all of them. Made for happier (and less hungry) cheeps. Delivering 5 dozen eggs today.

Luv---yup, you need a gun if those coons are around and yes, they make a horrible racket when they are fighting. They will be back.

Featherz--sorry to hear about your batty broodies. I read a study a while back that dealt with that very same issue of coloring on chicks and moms. Apparently there were some hens that would not accept chicks of different coloring/patterns than themselves and would actually try to kill these chicks when placed with them. Likewise when a different colored chick was placed with a group of all same colored chicks, it was immediately picked on by the same colored chicks. This can happen with other animals as well. Like will stay with like. Ceasar Milan, aka the dog whisperer, noticed that when he takes a pack of dogs out for a long hike and they stop to rest, all the same breeds tend to rest together, rather than all the dogs laying together. Rotties, with rotties and pits with pits, etc. Hopefully your broodies get it together soon before driving you batty!

Off to the pharm today. Have a good one everybody.

 

[Glasshen]

Hi everyone. Welcome to the relatively new folks, it's always good to add to the flock. I've been working hard on finishing our porch, and the giant rock wall project that sprang from that. The chickens have had less attention from me, but are ok with that. The rose bushes, pussy willow and lilac that I had planted for shade for them are finally big enough to be used for that purpose. It is gratifying to see the ladies grouped in the shade as planned. The rose of sharon is still safe in its wire cage. One of the barred rocks has decided to be broody. She has them all scared to the point that she comes out in the morning for a leisurely dust bath and NOone dares hop in the nest box she had taken over. Except she has a few more eggs, perhaps they wait until the egg is imminent, check her whereabouts and hop in quick? I can just see it! The chickens amuse the fellows who are working on the wall and landscape project. They really get a charge out of Eunice who continues to scales the fence and struts around freely.

Last night we were out of our routine, had to deliver a sons car to the airport...then he was delayed overnight in Chicago. Since we were preoccupied, I didn't shut the coop up. Everyone survived, and there was less crowing and no complaining. I think the complaints may be because the chickens are frequently let out later and they miss the early worms. Just an idea...

 

[rancher hicks]

Oh dear - I did not mean to start this lengthy of a discussion =). It seems there are a lot of ways to "skin the cat" or "feed the chicks" for that matter. I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and ideas/opinions.

For now I will try to go without grit since they are outside on the lawn unless I see there is a problem. Thanks Everyone.
When I was feeding the chicks tonight, i got pecked for the fist time (by one of my meaties). It didn't hurt but sure did surprise me.

I feed them every morning and night but I think the fact that he pecked at me means they want more food as one of their dishes was completely empty.
They also were out in the rain today for the first time. The tractor is half covered and they seemed fine and not wet.
I move the tractor twice a day - once in the morning and then again when I come home from work. They poop a lot but I hope the rain will wash it in and my grass will be nicely fertilized. It does smell a bit....my neighbor came over to find out what we were doing - he did not seem to pleased about the chickens. I made sure to tell him that most of them will go to freezer camp in another 8 weeks.
My coop is supposed to get delivered on Sunday

. Well enjoy my fellow poultry loving peeps =). Good night!

Lengthy discussions are what I do best.

My Del rooster/chick has pecked me more than once and the last time left a nasty mark. I picked him up and almost wrung his neck. I held him for a bit and held his beak closed and let him know he was in danger of being dead! Now he won't come near me. I've never had a mean Del rooster so perhaps it's just foolishness of youth.

DW said my older BM came at her yesterday when she let them out. He's never come at me. There are a number of hens sitting on eggs or trying to. One I just keep taking her eggs. I've no room for chicks or more birds.

You might consider using a hose to wash the poo into the soil after moving the tractor. I don't see the neighbor being a problem as long as you are legal. Right? I talked with my neighbors before hand and let them know my intent and that I called the town and that we were legal.

Perhaps you could post your location under your avatar? It can help to know who is close to us.

 

[Lynzi777]

Speaking of mean roosters, my splash roo is gonna get it soon if he doesn't knock it off with his behavior! He runs from me now after giving him the boot and holding him upside down for a bit by his feet but he goes after my kids (from behind the fence) and it ticks me off. I've even separated him from everyone else by sticking him in one of the rabbit hutches for a couple of days to be by himself. He is such a jerk! If he wasn't so nice looking I'd kick him to the curb!

 

[rancher hicks]

Speaking of mean roosters, my splash roo is gonna get it soon if he doesn't knock it off with his behavior! He runs from me now after giving him the boot and holding him upside down for a bit by his feet but he goes after my kids (from behind the fence) and it ticks me off. I've even separated him from everyone else by sticking him in one of the rabbit hutches for a couple of days to be by himself. He is such a jerk! If he wasn't so nice looking I'd kick him to the curb!

Unless he's a special breed, I'm sure there are replacements out there and it might be worth sending him packing. Once I get a replacement for this B. Marans rooster he's going. I've got broodies on eggs right now and I've learned to keep a few to make a selection. I've got one right now but I'm not sure he's going to be as large as his father/grandfather.

 

[andreanar]

Good morning fellow feathered lovers! I just let all the peeps have the run of their bedroom while I cleaned the brooder and spent some time watching their crazy antics. My biggest chick is def on the bottom of the pecking order, the others wouldn't let her get any meal worms. I snuck her 2 when they weren't looking tho.
I worry about her cause she doesn't even seem to want to play with them. They all run around the room, trying out their wings and jumping on each other happily and she just sits with me.
Sure am looking forward to either the weather starting to cooperate or them getting enough feathers so I can kick them out!