Quote: 2 years ago, I filled up one side of my barn where I have 6 runs with crusher run. It was so dug down from the chickens after several years, that when it rained it was like a swamp, and every egg would be covered in mud and the coops got dirty really fast. Best thing I ever did. Now it stays dry, and their nails don't need trimming because the stones keep them down. The only draw back, is we have to take the run fencing down in the winter because the snow falls off the roof and covers up the coop windows to the roof. DH used the tractor to dig out the snow, and digs out some of the stones...I added a pic of what it looks like before he clears the snow away....
Good reason to locate coop runs on the ends of barn, not the sides, but when I built the barn, it wasn't for chickens, and that side was the only place I could put them...
thank you ..Hope everyone is doing well this holiday season.
Nutty, good luck w your new venture. Wish u were closer. Sounds like a great project.
WNY, you & your family are in my thoughts & prayers.
We had a Christmas miracle (chicken style) here. Just over a week before Christmas, I had a break-in to the chicken house. Raccoon I think. It found a weak spot that has since been fixed. Somehow everyone seemed fine somehow except one hen who was wedged under the fence charger hiding. I had named her Elvis before she grew into a hen. With injuries on her face, she refused to eat. Every time I checked on her I expected to find her cold & stiff. I squirted water into her mouth a couple times per day with a syringe, but still she didn't eat. After 7 days of not eating, she was getting very skinny. I was wondering if I should have just put her out of her misery. On that seventh day when I once again put soaked bread next to her, she picked it up and ate it. And picked at some corn & some crumble. Sure enough, she decided to stick around and is now doing quite well. Yay!
Here's Elvis. Her crest was black when she was a chick, reminding me of the king.
Have a safe & happy new year!
Looks like a milk snake. Harmless, eat mice and rats. I've saw five footers, they can get big. When you surprise them they usualy shake the end of their tail like a rattlesnake.wnyegger - the story you shared made it to my news. Very sad. Hope the family finds a point of comfort. Low teens here - and all the chickies raring to get out of the coop this morning - all doing fine and running about checking their favorite spots before settling down under the truck to find a spot with no wind and sunlight. Changing phones - cleaning up pictures - anyone know what type of snake this is ? Anyone want to buy a Galaxy S3 deep purple in mint condition?Changed from Sprint to another carrier and my phone only works with Sprint.
Morning all. Chilly this morning so I actually had to put pants on to go let the cheeps out. Too cold for just a nightgown and jacket! HEHE. Boys are very noisy this morning. Not sure why. Gave everyone a little scratch this morning to warm up a bit. Molting is in full swing and some of my girls look horrible! Egg production is down too. Might have to start mixing in some vitamins in the water to give them a boost.
Nutty==Good luck on the new business! I hope it does well for you. I know the small feed store I go to around here is doing well. He is really good about getting stuff in that I ask for.
Getting the itch to hatch. Have to hold off. I have to say that both The Duke and his brother Rooster Cogburn are turning into superb looking hereitage rir roosters. I need to get new pics of them. I have some nice hens as well. What is hilarious to watch is both of them running away from my less than 1 pound blue silkie rooster named Legolas. He just runs them off "his" property when they come to that side of the house. Legolas may be little, but he has a giant ego! I must say that my big roos are laid back. They are not cuddlers and I dont handle them very often but when I do, they only issue and initial protest then settle down and let me do what I want. Every other rooster I had was a pain. These boys dont even challenge me.
Rancher---how is dw doing? You still downsizing and reorganizing your coops and breeds?
Aria---How are your silkies?
Phore--glad to hear that your hen has picked up again. Sometimes animals (and people) just need time to recover. Im glad she is better.
So....when and where is the next chickenstock?
The new year is almost upon us and my wish for all of you is a healthy and happy year full of successful hatching and lots of egg laying!
Commerical product not tried it Claims to be non toxic
