NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

Rancher--not sure why that hen died. Could be a lot of things. Only way to tell if something was physically wrong is to do an autopsy. How is DW by the way? Holding her own I suspect.

Hoping to get strawberries this weekend to make strawberry jam. Im itching to start jamming and pickling.

Have a good evening everyone.

Well I lost another Del. I have no idea what is going on with them. Though she was an older girl. I do have them on Chick starter, but that shouldn't be a problem. I haven't been hatching Dels in a while so I really have no younger girls. I did stick some of todays eggs under a broody though and I do have five purchased from purchased eggs and three chick of mine.

Dels are one of the breeds I'm hanging on to and I usually only keep 12 hens.

As for berries. I've a freezer with lots of currants, rhubarb and berries from last year so I won't be picking anything this year. I've also got currants on the bushes and a few gooseberries. I put in four new rhubarb plants this year and they seem to be taking. Finally!

DW starts Chemo on Monday. They say she's cancer free. That she will lose her hair. I suppose when that happens it will become more real. I try not to worry, but it's like a cloud that follows you around. It's a reminder of how mortal we are. Any day now, any day now.

 

[horsekeeper]

I agree but in my case I'd need 5 of those.

The one B. Marans coops has all five hens sitting. No rooster there. The back coop has three hens sitting there.

The C.Rock coop with the ducks has an EE sitting there. I know I'm suppose to be down sizing and I'm trying but these hens are out to get me.

NOW I'LL PUT THIS IN ALL CAPS TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. I sold two B. Marans hens and the mean roo to SAH....

She informed me today that one of the hens died. She doesn't know why. Any ideas?

I've never lost a Marans hen or roo. I do know this. I lost two Del hens a while back that I suspect were picking at the foam insulation. I didn't realize they could get to it. I've since covered it up completely.

Quite a while ago I lost a Buff orp after moving her trying to break her from being broody.

Please if you get birds from me and something goes wrong DO NOT be afraid to say something. I'll try not to be thin skinned. I need to know.

It could be the stress of the move, which is why I suggest you quarantine. Or a change of feed. Some folks mix their own or have other feeding habits that are fine, but different from mine.

On that foam insulation thing, mine were relentless at eating the stuff when I was building the second coop and insulating it for the silkies. I think they ate two whole sheets of the stuff with no ill effects. I threw away all the leftovers when the job was finished, but they still find the odd piece that blew into the weeds and chow down.

 

[horsekeeper]

Has anyone hatched duck eggs under a hen? I have a persistant broody Coronation hen, and she could probably hatch 12 duck eggs easlily. Just wondered if it was possible.

Years ago I had a tiny cochin bantam hatch out a muscovy. She got so upset when it played in puddles. So, yes.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: I had to wait patiently to get those shots .I had to move my chair back .she thought I was too close & wouldnt come

 

[Gramma Chick]

well, like where do they come from,, and what are the qualities?

Belgian Cuckoo Malines

http://greenfirefarms.com/store/category/chickens/malines/
Quote: What age were the hens ?

 

[rancher hicks]

On that foam insulation thing, mine were relentless at eating the stuff when I was building the second coop and insulating it for the silkies. I think they ate two whole sheets of the stuff with no ill effects. I threw away all the leftovers when the job was finished, but they still find the odd piece that blew into the weeds and chow down.

It could just be old age. I don't really have any young dels. I need to start keeping more.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Morning all. Another beautiful day today. The beasties were pounding on the doors this morning to get out. When I locked up Little Mans coop last night I noticed a smell coming from the coop. I picked up the broodys and found and egg beside one of them that had exploded, sort of. Ditched that thing in a hurry. First time thats ever happened. All the other eggs seemed fine. I'll check again this morning. Mosquitoes are healthy this year. I am running the gauntlet now each morning and evening. They love me, I hate them.

Rancher--glad to hear the news on DW. Sounds like you need some fresh young blood in your del pen. I can my older layers that are done. Mighty tasty.

Off to the pharm today. Hoping for a non-crazy day but its a crap shoot. Ta for now.

 

[Lynzi777]

Morning All.
I have two pips in my Sizzle eggs and I could hear little cheeps. I really hope these things hatch. I'm surprised DH hasn't asked where the rest of 23 eggs are! Lol Then again, the other incu IS disguised with Orp eggs ;-)

I ran out to the store yesterday and as I was pulling out of the driveway and driving past my house I looked in the left front corner of the property and realized of all spaces in my yard, THAT's where the silkies/bantams should be! It's shaded, get one or two patches of sun, has a huge tree hanging over it, is up against all the brush, it's perfect for the Silkies! So I came home and DH helped me move them. They have a HUGE run now and are loving it! Of course now I want more silkies! I decided the Orps and Ducks don't need to have anything to do with the netting because they free range all day anyway. So I have all the netting to the Littles and they are in heaven. Here's a pic...

Also what I plan to do is turn that little coop into the "grow out" pen for the chicks I have when they no longer need a heat lamp. I'll place this little pen around that coop to keep them from getting picked on by the older silkies/polish.

 

[bakingintherain]

first baby is out! it is a frizzle, "she" is gray and pretty will get some fluffed up pics

 

[huntin fool]

Quote:
that looks like a great setup, i kinda did the same thing, so my new 6 can meet the old girls, problem is, out of 6 new chicks this spring, i think 5 are roos! they have been sharingthe run with the older girls, but i keep them seperate with some plastic fencing