NY chicken lover!!!!

[Nuttyfrom6kids]

Hello everyone been a while since I've been in here been so busy. Way too many unread posts so will not pretend to catch up. I can't wait for spring this winter has been way to long and cold with way too much snow. My birds have not been out all winter even though I open their doors not a one of them will venture out in the snow. Plus the only ones laying are the silkies the rest are just being freeloaders right now. The only ones that go out are the ducks they don't care they even swim in this. I know a lot of people up here lost a lot of birds this winter I got lucky and mine did pretty well. We'll hope everyone is doing good and will try to pop in more often.

 

[bakingintherain]

Today is a lucky day after all, being St. Patty's Day and all ;-) Not only did I get a duck egg but I just an egg from my splash Silkie hen who hasn't laid an egg since I got home from CT. I'll be up to 5 eggs set aside already by the end of the day that'll go into my incubator. Just waiting in my Lavender's egg so I can get it before it gets too cold.

Three chicks I'm holding onto from my hatch...(found homes for the 4 toed chicks today)

so cute! i just love how puffy silkies are

Ok here is a question that might be silly. Is there anything I should do before I butcher my chickens? Like idk how to tell if they have worms or anything like that. Or what if they are sick and I don't know?? I'm going to cull half my flock for my move. I'm traveling twice a day right now to care for them. Morning and evening. Luckily I'm only moving just outside of my village. So not far. But I have been thinking on focusing more on my projects and culling my extras for now until we have a bigger coop. We are buying a wooden shed and modifying it for now. I can eat my large breeds. What does everyone do with culled banties? Should I just eat them too?

you can eat them or try to sell them they will just be alot less meat

if you are interested in selling a few bantie hens i might be interested

Oh happy day....2 Sebastapol eggs and actually in the barn, not outside frozen into the snow! Thats 5 I'm putting into the incubator today...praying to the fertility gods.

fingers crossed

Well I'm excited. I was one of the first place winners for the article contest! I'll get a $30 amazon gift card

It feels like spring finally. I don't really know how to describe the change in the air when spring comes but it just felt like spring. I think even the animals agree since I've been seeing a ton of chipmunks and squirrels out the past two days. Hope the snow melts soon, because I'm sick of it!

My girls had a great day outside. They were out almost all day. I finally herded them back into the run at about 5 for dinner. The ducks especially had a good time with all the water pools in the yard. I have so much snow that it is going to take for ever to melt. It melts on the grass first then I end up having to spread out the big piles so that they melt quicker. There is a huge puddle growing right in front of the back porch where we come in and out. I was shoveling water down the driveway cause there was so much there.

Come on Spring get here soon!! My tomato plants are a few inches now. My flowers are doing great. I am going to get some of my other plants planted next week after I find where I'm going to put the trays. I have them all in my little green house in the upstairs hallway. I may have to buy a 2ND small greenhouse so that I have room for my veggies. I think that I planted to many flowers this year.

if it is a small greenhouse for inside i built one out of scrap pieces of wood, duct tape, and plastic i can send you pics if you are interested, it works really well

Interesting article : Fresh herbs in nesting boxes ...Anyone have Fresh Herbs ? LOL
Dried herbs would work as well

http://www.grit.com/animals/nesting... eNews&utm_campaign=1.3.14 GRIT#axzz2wNwk3ZFr

in the warmer months i put a ton of lemon balm in the nest boxes, the girls love it

 

[bakingintherain]

wheat grass



cookie enjoying his lunch

mini indoor greenhouse


second frame done just needs the plastic


plants galore


Quail eggs

 

[Desiree Brown]

I

The chicks were okay.  Norma Jean was hogging the heat light though.  

I have a light brahma named Norma Jean lol

 

[Desiree Brown]

@bakingintherain
I have 3 silver speckled hemburgs and 2 lakenvelders. I don't think they are bantam chickens but I consider them the banties of my flock. I have to downsize for my move. And I think the coop DH is building is smaller than what I have now. So their going in the freezer unless someone wants them. I also have a 2 y/o EE hen and roo ( not related) a Jersey Giant. If anyone is interested ill give them to you if you can come get them. Otherwise they are going in the freezer.
All but the EE'S and SSH came from MM Hatchery.

 

[JLaw]

 

[rancher hicks]

Hello everyone been a while since I've been in here been so busy. Way too many unread posts so will not pretend to catch up. I can't wait for spring this winter has been way to long and cold with way too much snow. My birds have not been out all winter even though I open their doors not a one of them will venture out in the snow. Plus the only ones laying are the silkies the rest are just being freeloaders right now. The only ones that go out are the ducks they don't care they even swim in this. I know a lot of people up here lost a lot of birds this winter I got lucky and mine did pretty well. We'll hope everyone is doing good and will try to pop in more often.

I wondered where you were. Glad to hear from you again.

 

[rancher hicks]

so cute! i just love how puffy silkies are

you can eat them or try to sell them they will just be alot less meat

if you are interested in selling a few bantie hens i might be interested

fingers crossed

if it is a small greenhouse for inside i built one out of scrap pieces of wood, duct tape, and plastic i can send you pics if you are interested, it works really well

in the warmer months i put a ton of lemon balm in the nest boxes, the girls love it

I have tons of the stuff. I never considered it. Wonder if I put some meat tenderizer in there if it will help get them ready for the stew pot?

 

[rancher hicks]

Not sure if this was supposed to be funny or not.

 

[bakingintherain]

I have tons of the stuff. I never considered it. Wonder if I put some meat tenderizer in there if it will help get them ready for the stew pot?

@bakingintherain
I have 3 silver speckled hemburgs and 2 lakenvelders. I don't think they are bantam chickens but I consider them the banties of my flock. I have to downsize for my move. And I think the coop DH is building is smaller than what I have now. So their going in the freezer unless someone wants them. I also have a 2 y/o EE hen and roo ( not related) a Jersey Giant. If anyone is interested ill give them to you if you can come get them. Otherwise they are going in the freezer.
All but the EE'S and SSH came from MM Hatchery.

i think i might pass then (i am looking for a couple girl friends for my soon to be millie roo, but others may be interested, it does say they are suppose to be about 4 pounds so that is worth processing