Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[SilkieSensation]

Hubs saw a coyote in the back yard this morning at 9am... about 3 minutes after I came back inside from putting all the chickens and turkeys back in their run. Wait, let's start at the beginning... My 4yo heard an egg song this morning and asked to go outside and check for eggs, I told her yes and figured I didn't have to worry about the door locking behind her because she never closes the door anyway. Well, this morning she DID actually close the door behind her and then she was all upset that she couldn't get back in, she left the egg door open and all the chickens got out. I threw some jeans on and went out to put all the chickens away (after spending 20 minutes comforting my crying daughter). Came back inside and less than 5 minutes later hubs said he saw a coyote. I didn't see it because it went back into the woods, we are in a development though, so I'm surprised we have anything so big prowling around... although it does explain how something walked off with a turkey a month or so ago. I guess we're going to call the game commission, hubs didn't think it was normal for it to be out during the day and  certainly isn't good for a coyote to be in a development filled with small kids and pets.

Also, I think Romeo did get some kind of injury from that attack the other day. This morning as I was putting them away I saw a blueish area on his skin where the feathers were pulled out. Not everywhere, just one little spot, there might be a scab there too, it's right at the edge of his black feathers so it's hard to tell without catching him. Is it possible it's a bruise, or could we be dealing with a nasty infection from a wound? there is definitely no oozing or anything, and I'm not even sure there is a scab there, it just doesn't really look like the same color as a bruise I'd get on my own skin, it's brighter or bluer or something. He's been so stressed since the attack, I didn't want to catch him if I didn't have to. 

Definitely catch him & check him over. If there is a break in the skin you may want to separate him & give him antibiotics. Easiest catch will be to pull him off the roost tonight.

Introducing Porky the pig lol. He seems to be settling in ok. This is our first experience with a pig. We have a bag of pig feeder pellets that came with him but I gave him a bowl of fermented chicken feed and he just LOVES it! Is it ok to give him a few bowls full of that every day? Our chicken food is organic and not pellets so if he can have that, I want to give it to him. Porky will most likely be the guest of honor for Christmas dinner this year

Main thing to check is protein content. As long as the feed you have is comparable to the pig feed you are fine. If it's low, add some distiller's grain. If it's way high add corn or oats.

 

[loribischof]

I would love this! Could you really move it? Looks

big. Also looks like the perfect place to store hay and get it out of my garage!

I've been crazy busy with our 4-H fair, it was over yesterday, I've been decompressing today...and making jam.

Is that peach jam?! Looks yummy!

 

[chippysmom327]

Guys, I hatched my first little duckling today! I had to assist because she was 4 days late. She got out, and seems a little weak but otherwise is great. She was the only fertile egg in the batch under my broody. She's a call duck.

I looooove ducklings... this is the first duckling I've ever had/held/hatched. So exciting!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

pretty
Right now breeds I am considering.....
Swedish Flower Hens
BLR and SL Wyandotte
Barnevelder
Marans
[COLOR=383838]Bielefelder[/COLOR]
[COLOR=383838]Legbar[/COLOR]
[COLOR=383838]Isbar [/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Welsummer[/COLOR]
[COLOR=333333]Vorverk[/COLOR]
Maybe [COLOR=333333]Orpingtons[/COLOR]

Ummmmm, 'maybe'? What's that all about? Orpingtons are the best breed of chicken...it's common knowledge. .

 

[Blarneyeggs]

My husband and I are turning the lower level of our barn into a massive "coop". Here Is the before and middle. On to the finishing touches!

Very nice! Are you putting brooders in here too?

And yes, peach jam.

 

[loribischof]

Very nice! Are you putting brooders in here too?

And yes, peach jam.

I live in the snowbelt, so it's not unusual for me to have 4+ feet of snow accumulated on the ground. I think I'm going to keep the brooder in our attached garage. I think it will be warmer and I'll be able to respond to the chicks needs faster. That's why we are moving the ladies into the barn. My coop will be totally buried by February! Lol!

 

[Daeem]

Ummmmm, 'maybe'? What's that all about? Orpingtons are the best breed of chicken...it's common knowledge. .

Just don't know of anyone local that has any for me to look at.

 

[fisherlady]

Guys, I hatched my first little duckling today! I had to assist because she was 4 days late. She got out, and seems a little weak but otherwise is great. She was the only fertile egg in the batch under my broody. She's a call duck.

I looooove ducklings... this is the first duckling I've ever had/held/hatched. So exciting!

It is adorable! Congrats!!

 

[jmayday]

I need 3 fertile black cooper maran eggs if possible. I have a broody i wanna set under her.

 

[stake]

GM all:

Well, for the second time one of my girls is acting like a boy....I need my junior boys to grow up quickly.....(so far she, and all the older girls just kick their tucas')