NY chicken lover!!!!

[BakerzDozen]

Sorry to disagree with you on both counts. I take vitamin D and it doesn't help. Too I have five coops and if a visit to the coop helped I'd be five times better.    Too at this time of year they need a thorough cleaning. I just spruced them up a bit, take out the largest piles under the roosts and adding more shavings. 

What does help is talking to you folks here. 

FYI Country Max is having a sale on shavings. $3.99 time to stock up. 13th & 14th.  I wish they sold Nobles but Nobles is not more I think. 

I just get lethargic and unmotivated. I also think the cold doesn't help. I guess I'm reptilian because the warmth of the sun is a big help. 

Devona you don't need to be diagnosed, you know how you feel. Besides I told my doc and I could swear I heard him say "take two chicks and call me in the morning". 

What can the medical community do about it, but prescribe another pill. Lord have mercy, I can barely fit the pills I take now in the little day boxes. 

Did I tell you about the kid who was caught by his teacher eating candy? 

The teacher says what are you eating? 

The kid says smart pills. 

The teacher says give me some.

The kid says they're all gone. 

The teacher says bring me some tomorrow. 

The next day he brought in some Rabbit poop and gave it to the teacher. 

She says this taste like rabbit poop. 

The kid says see you're getting smarter already. 

I have SAD too. Life just looks bleak through those eyes. I read a study that said it was related to the decrease in general amount of light (just like chickens don't produce eggs) people aren't as productive. I have no motivation nor will do I expect any until spring it happens every year, for me.
I will say this though. When I was younger an still working I went tanning in the booths, every other day. I definitely didn't suffer from it then.I was able to move through January, February and March in much better head space. Now I don't tan because I feel guilty using my husbands money as I don't earn an income of my own, except SSDI.
But it definitely helped.

 

[ag29ande]

I had my first hatch of the season last night! It's earlier than I usually hatch, but the weather has me feeling Spring!

 

[Beer can]

@HISIRISHGEM careful with the 'chicken math'. When we decided to get chickens again a couple yrs ago we figured six layers would be plenty cause we don't want to sell eggs. I don't know how many we have now, plan on hatching many white giant's for meat, and adding a couple more breeds. .. Got thirteen eggs yesterday. ..

Edited to add I was going to comment on TSC coop. Seem alright but I wonder how long they will last? I prefer a big coop myself.
If you can't build your own do you have any of them Amish barn people, building, shed, garage, etc. near you? I saw they have coops and chicken tractors. I haven't looked them over but I bet they are heavier duty than the TSC ones.
Edited again, I did look one over they had on display at the Delaware county fair, was a larger one and very well built, heavy duty. Price was high but look at just the cost of materials, plywood etc is $$.

 

[Purpletie3]

SO, If I need a 4-6 chicken coop, where could I get a quality economical (do those two words really go together) coop? We have our big coop right now, I just want to separate the news ones from the older ones and then I may have to separate someone in the original coop. Again, they're pecking feathers off the backs of each other. Not bad but two of my EE's (though they lay brown eggs) are getting nailed. They can't seem to heal up. Now most of them have little bits of feathers off from the roosts at night.

Any idea's on how to stop this? I've been using Blue Kote for weeks on all of them and the only ones without the feather issues are my Black Australorps who don't like getting into arguments. Even the little Golden Laced (who are at the very bottom are getting spots now. It's looking like it's a past time from boredom but They get scratch on the bottom, a cabbage tetherball, run time and even regular outdoor time now. Crazy birds. I'm trying to find the culprit but the one that seems to have the biggest attitude is the skinniest bird. I don't get it. She's our best layer. She started out first and lays everyday on time. Should I bring her in and separate her for a while. Feed her more and reintroduce her to the flock? The others seemed to be getting along and I'm not sure if it's the two EE'ers who are doing this to the others or if the others are getting bored.

If you are going to use a TSC coop inside a barn it would be fine...I have one as a bachelor pad. Bought it last year...complete garbage- but, I needed something quick. Look on here at what you can put together quickly and economically. Anything you make will outlast the chinese fir they sell on those coops.

I lost a beautiful hen to feather picking. Unfortunately, it wasn't on my watch....You may want to consider increasing their protein...I usually throw in some catfish food when they pick. Best of luck!

 

[PhoredaBurds]

I had my first hatch of the season last night! It's earlier than I usually hatch, but the weather has me feeling Spring!

Great! Pics please!

 

[HISIRISHGEM]

@HISIRISHGEM careful with the 'chicken math'. When we decided to get chickens again a couple yrs ago we figured six layers would be plenty cause we don't want to sell eggs. I don't know how many we have now, plan on hatching many white giant's for meat, and adding a couple more breeds. .. Got thirteen eggs yesterday. ..

Edited to add I was going to comment on TSC coop. Seem alright but I wonder how long they will last? I prefer a big coop myself.
If you can't build your own do you have any of them Amish barn people, building, shed, garage, etc. near you? I saw they have coops and chicken tractors. I haven't looked them over but I bet they are heavier duty than the TSC ones.
Edited again, I did look one over they had on display at the Delaware county fair, was a larger one and very well built, heavy duty. Price was high but look at just the cost of materials, plywood etc is $$.

Yeah, I think after the new girls we'll have to wait a few years before replenishing. We don't have a farm but we have a good size backyard with a garden. We hope to turn the backyard into a "food forest". The front so far is herbs and flowers but there will be more planted over the years after we get rid of the pine tree in the way and maybe one of the older maples over our roof.

I'm going to wait on the coop then at the Tractor Supply. I don't want to throw close to 500.00 at it only to have it fall apart. I was looking at the Amish built but they were pretty pricey. They are built beautifully and made to last. I think there is one place that may have payment plans on them and will deliver it. I'm going to call tomorrow (one of the businesses that is closed on Sundays. I miss those days) I'm also going to look into plans and/or kits we can build online and buy the good wood at Home Depot. I don't know if it will cost us equal plus labor or not. I WILL say that for people who aren't knowledgeable about building anything or fixing anything that the coop run took awhile but it's built to last. We just need to add the roof this year. Hmmm, options, options. Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it.

If you are going to use a TSC coop inside a barn it would be fine...I have one as a bachelor pad. Bought it last year...complete garbage- but, I needed something quick. Look on here at what you can put together quickly and economically. Anything you make will outlast the chinese fir they sell on those coops.

I lost a beautiful hen to feather picking. Unfortunately, it wasn't on my watch....You may want to consider increasing their protein...I usually throw in some catfish food when they pick. Best of luck!

Where do I get the catfish food? Is the black oil sunflowers protein? I've been throwing LOTS Of that in there. I'm willing to use anything. Now I'm a bit worried. I'll have to check poor Lady Mary and bring her in. Being new, I don't know how to gauge normal from not so normal but I would have thought that it would calm by now but I did get them in September and it started in November when the weather got dreary and the girls were cooped up more than when they had first come. May I ask how you lost her from feather picking? Did she fall ill or did they peck her to death? I've been thinking about moving her and a couple others to a different coop. Maybe that's the solution.

Thank you so much for your input! Especially on the TSC coop too.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@HISIRISHGEM Ive got a bunch of Appenzeller spitzhaubens. They lay white eggs. When descriptions of them say they're flighty & don't do well w confinement. However, I've found that they're very inquisitive birds, that after handling them a little when they are chicks, they are very social, sweet birds. Not lap chickens, but several try to stand on my feet when I'm out there feeding them. The birds I have confined to breeding pens don't seem to care, tho when given lots of space, they are very happy as well. They're super cute and efficient as far as feed conversion, considered large fowl, but on the small side of LF. I will be setting some of their eggs next week. LMK if ur interested in chicks.

Oh I very much agree. My 2 boys from your flock are awesome. Not lap birds as you said but very inquisitive about everything.

 

[boskelli1571]

Yeah, I think after the new girls we'll have to wait a few years before replenishing. We don't have a farm but we have a good size backyard with a garden. We hope to turn the backyard into a "food forest". The front so far is herbs and flowers but there will be more planted over the years after we get rid of the pine tree in the way and maybe one of the older maples over our roof.

I'm going to wait on the coop then at the Tractor Supply. I don't want to throw close to 500.00 at it only to have it fall apart. I was looking at the Amish built but they were pretty pricey. They are built beautifully and made to last. I think there is one place that may have payment plans on them and will deliver it. I'm going to call tomorrow (one of the businesses that is closed on Sundays. I miss those days) I'm also going to look into plans and/or kits we can build online and buy the good wood at Home Depot. I don't know if it will cost us equal plus labor or not. I WILL say that for people who aren't knowledgeable about building anything or fixing anything that the coop run took awhile but it's built to last. We just need to add the roof this year. Hmmm, options, options. Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it.





Where do I get the catfish food? Is the black oil sunflowers protein? I've been throwing LOTS Of that in there. I'm willing to use anything. Now I'm a bit worried. I'll have to check poor Lady Mary and bring her in. Being new, I don't know how to gauge normal from not so normal but I would have thought that it would calm by now but I did get them in September and it started in November when the weather got dreary and the girls were cooped up more than when they had first come. May I ask how you lost her from feather picking? Did she fall ill or did they peck her to death? I've been thinking about moving her and a couple others to a different coop. Maybe that's the solution.

Thank you so much for your input! Especially on the TSC coop too.

Most any pelleted fish food you buy will be high in protein - feed modestly, you don't want them getting kidney failure. On the coop front - I have built all my own coops from reclaimed pallet wood and some bought wood. It can't be too complcated if I can do it! I don't use plans - only the one in my head....

 

[rancher hicks]

I have SAD too. Life just looks bleak through those eyes. I read a study that said it was related to the decrease in general amount of light (just like chickens don't produce eggs) people aren't as productive. I have no motivation nor will do I expect any until spring it happens every year, for me.
I will say this though. When I was younger an still working I went tanning in the booths, every other day. I definitely didn't suffer from it then.I was able to move through January, February and March in much better head space. Now I don't tan because I feel guilty using my husbands money as I don't earn an income of my own, except SSDI.
But it definitely helped.

Well now lately if the sun is shining I sit on the porch reading just to soak it up.

I know I'm going to catch flack but,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "A man who has made no enemies is probably not a very good man." - Scalia, so here goes.

For some reason SOME women and men think because she or he doesn't work outside the home she or he has no money. I'm on a crusade to change this thinking or should be.

DW used to ask women who came into the hospital if they "worked outside the home". Some were surprised by this question.

Ladies just because you don't get a paycheck doesn't mean you're not working. Used to be we got paid by cash in an envelope.

DW and I are a team, sure we do different jobs but with the same goal in mind, just like the NFL and all that. Sure Manning got all the attention but Manning didn't pass the ball to himself ! DW and I compliment each other, we make the other look good. Well mostly she makes me look good but you get the idea?

When DW worked she had her pay put in two accounts. One joint and one personal. The money in her personal account was hers to do what ever she wanted with. Not groceries, kids or other necessities but how she decided.

At the same time she doesn't gripe because I have MY chickens.

You're not a "house wife" you are a WIFE who takes care of the house and should receive the same respect as your spouse.

Someday I'm going to take those His and Her towels and sew a line across the His and Hers and embroider in OURS !! Course I can't embroider so it may never happen.

FYI, you don't want to get me started on Husbands and Wives who call each other Mom and Dad. That is just sick!

Your friend and ally,
Rancher, married to his girlfriend not his mother, Hicks

Baker, print this out, hand it to him and go get a tan.

 

[rancher hicks]

@HISIRISHGEM careful with the 'chicken math'. When we decided to get chickens again a couple yrs ago we figured six layers would be plenty cause we don't want to sell eggs. I don't know how many we have now, plan on hatching many white giant's for meat, and adding a couple more breeds. .. Got thirteen eggs yesterday. ..

Edited to add I was going to comment on TSC coop. Seem alright but I wonder how long they will last? I prefer a big coop myself.
If you can't build your own do you have any of them Amish barn people, building, shed, garage, etc. near you? I saw they have coops and chicken tractors. I haven't looked them over but I bet they are heavier duty than the TSC ones.
Edited again, I did look one over they had on display at the Delaware county fair, was a larger one and very well built, heavy duty. Price was high but look at just the cost of materials, plywood etc is $$.

Okay allow me, If you built a Half hoop or even a full hoop, you'd have more room and spend the same amount of money or there abouts. AND when the chickens are gone you've have storage for other things or a greenhouse.

You can snag some free lumber on CL easy enough. Unless of course you go crazy and hang curtains and lay carpeting.

HD has lots of returned paints for cheap too.