Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Well, time to cut some apron strings... I placed an ad for some of our broody raised chicks tonight... but we have too many and we just had 2 more hens go to broody this week (#10 and #11) so time to send them along. Snapped a few pics as the youngsters lounged in the woods behind the coop this evening... would love to keep them all to see how they grow up but just not practical! LOL

I love seeing my chooks taking naps and resting under bushes! It's just so cute!

I haven't been able to catch up and am falling asleep.... But wanted to respond about this MC, somewhere here on BYC I saw the typical Tractor Supply feeder (plastic with read bottom) set into one of the large black heavy rubber feed bowls. I tried it and it works really well at keeping the feed from being wasted. I think it's the second higher wall (black plastic). I've since been slowly adding these to each of my coops to cut down on the waste. It's saving me a a ton on feed especially with the turkeys whose coop is still not finished and who are still pooping all over my sisters belongings. Lily hasn't kidded yet, I really thought she would by now. I start everyone on medicated feed for about 6-8 weeks. I bump the protein up for my Orps at 8 weeks and put everyone else on layer, except the turkeys who are getting 26%. G'nite peeps

Who is lily? A goat? Is this her first litter (do you call it a littler for goats? Not sure...)

I will try to get some pics tomorrow, but wondering why some of the white rocks are developing black spots, they are hatchery stock so who knows what they may be crossed with in the past...

My leghorn is predominantly white with some black spots, she is an "Ideal 236 Leghorn". They're just sisters from another mister.

You need Anconas. Mine are trained to return themselves to the coop before dark or run for the coop when we say "bedtime" if we need to put them in early for any reason. Guarantee my kids rarely wash hands after touching chicks. My goofy kids will even go sit in the coop & share their lunch with the birds. My kids have been healthier since we got the birds than they ever were before. I think they have each missed 1 day of school to actual illness in the past 3 years. My older kids were always sick, always missing school. My ex wouldn't even let them have a cat. Mine sit on the counter until no more will fit...then they either go in a pan to boil for deviled eggs or in the fridge after I stuff as many of the freshest ad I can in my bators. I do this about once a week just because I get so overloaded with eggs. There wre about 15 dozen sitting there before I loaded bators this week...not counting the 4 dozen quail eggs. There are still about 9 dozen chicken I need to boil or freeze. See above...just don't lick the chicks...lol Stir once or twice per day & cover loosely to keep bugs out.

So ... Many... Eggs...,

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Everyone has been very chatty recently! Thanks for the tips about Salmonella. I'm sure it's one of those things that's always around in small amounts like E.Coli, but usually not an issue when basic handwashing rules are followed.

I have some questions for those of you who have an answer .

Can we go over these food terms? Scratch, mash, pellets, layer feed, oyster shells, etc... If I give my chooks layer feed, should I still include oyster shell? I'm still working on my original 50# bag of unmedicated chick food. My girls are about 12 weeks old now.

Can you usually tell the ladies and the gents apart at this age? They all look like ladies to me, but I know it is still a bit early. They are all different breeds, so I'm sure that makes a difference on how fast they develop.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[LadyBehir]

Serena and Bridget are the smallest of the 6. Serena is so much smaller than the others that I think I got bantams. Could that be?

 

[Katt66]

If anyone on here has EE pullets I am interested! I want to go to the auction in Middleburg to get rid of some of my other chickens and I am hoping someone brings some EE pullets so I can try and buy some. Fingers crossed!

I have a spare EE pullet. She hatched beginning of Oct last year. So she's about six months old. I also have a yr old silver sebright hen I need to rehome. Not sure where you are exactly. I'm just south of Hazleton.

 

[LisaYolkUm]

Everyone has been very chatty recently! Thanks for the tips about Salmonella. I'm sure it's one of those things that's always around in small amounts like E.Coli, but usually not an issue when basic handwashing rules are followed.

I have some questions for those of you who have an answer

.

Can we go over these food terms? Scratch, mash, pellets, layer feed, oyster shells, etc... If I give my chooks layer feed, should I still include oyster shell? I'm still working on my original 50# bag of unmedicated chick food. My girls are about 12 weeks old now.

Can you usually tell the ladies and the gents apart at this age? They all look like ladies to me, but I know it is still a bit early. They are all different breeds, so I'm sure that makes a difference on how fast they develop.

Thanks in advance for the help!

On the back of your layer feed bag should be a chart that also shows the ages of the birds and when they can eat different kinds of food.

grower feed...........or starter feed..........or similar name is often used until they are about 18 -20 weeks of age.................I don't think you should use layer feed for younger chickens .........I am under the impression their systems cannot digest it as well and they need the higher protein.

once they reach the age when they might start laying eggs.............the earliest age.............then layer feed is given as it has the right amount of protein and calcium and other stuff that helps with chickens who are laying eggs.

oyster shell is provided in a bowl for them to take if wanted at any age. I understand the little ones who don't need oyster shell may try it once or twice yet not continue by their own accord. Chickens needing calcium for egg laying need oyster shell available for that.................calcium is in the pellets and other foods we offer...........but if oyster shell is available the chicken can supplement as needed.

grit.............comes in different sizes..............for younger and bigger girls............and helps with digestion.....................just having them outside so they can peck at the dirt is also a source of grit.

mash is the powdery stuff you can add water to to make into a mash
pellets are the same stuff in pellet form

scratch..............someone posted on this in the past..............I am not sure ..........

I started with 4 chickens , one of which was old enough to lay eggs.............and the others were younger................so I was told the older girls can eat the chick starter or grower feed just fine but don't feed the layer feed to young chicks.................so everyone got chick starter until everyone was okay to get layer feed.

that's my take on it.................I am no expert but thought I would provide my view..............

if I have made mistakes............I am hoping someone will advise me!

 

[Farmer Mike S]

My chicken is still alive,but definitely in shock. She won't move at all. So far I locked her in the coop alone, put a pan of water next to her, and put her favorite treat next to her (corn). She wouldn't drink voluntarily, but I dipped her beak in the water and she drank when I would do that, so I did that multiple times. She also took a bite of the corn

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

My chicken is still alive,but definitely in shock. She won't move at all. So far I locked her in the coop alone, put a pan of water next to her, and put her favorite treat next to her (corn). She wouldn't drink voluntarily, but I dipped her beak in the water and she drank when I would do that, so I did that multiple times. She also took a bite of the corn

I hope she gets better! Sounds like you are taking good care of her. Keep us updated!

 

[Blarneyeggs]

Between wingstone and I we can probably fill all your wants! And the scary part is, I'm just as close as she is, I'm on the Milton Grove side of Mount Joy.


I have ducks in the incubator, and baby rabbits when you feel the need, lol.

She said i came right past you! I caught Ciderpress to Meadow view to try to avoid downtown Manheim. If you're familiar with the area, i live next to the Renaissance Faire (we face the joust field). Anyways, we had Champagne D'Argents for awhile, we really liked them but they are hard to come by it seems. Plus i was kinda screwed over with the doe we bought from some high school student selling rabbits out of her garage. I should of known better . Alot of people seem to do Californians or New Zealand around here. When we first started "homesteading" we tried to stick to more of a heritage breeds- Dominiques were our first chickens, soon followed by Champagne D'Argents. But i'm thinking that is going out the window soon. I liked the coat also, maybe i'll get around to making a nice pair of winter mittens. With two small shadows following me around,  I can dream can't i?! lol. 

On another note, can you free range ducks? Do they put themselves up at night like chickens? We have a nice creek out back that i think they would enjoy but i get the feeling i'll be duck wrangling every night. I haven't read up much on them, but seeing wingstones (she wouldn't give me a price!) i would like a few. 

I have a friend with Champagne, she lives in Hamburg....close enough?

 

[SilkieSensation]

Well, time to cut some apron strings... I placed an ad for some of our broody raised chicks tonight... but we have too many and we just had 2 more hens go to broody this week (#10 and #11) so time to send them along. Snapped a few pics as the youngsters lounged in the woods behind the coop this evening... would love to keep them all to see how they grow up but just not practical! LOL

I love seeing my chooks taking naps and resting under bushes! It's just so cute!

I haven't been able to catch up and am falling asleep.... But wanted to respond about this MC, somewhere here on BYC I saw the typical Tractor Supply feeder (plastic with read bottom) set into one of the large black heavy rubber feed bowls. I tried it and it works really well at keeping the feed from being wasted. I think it's the second higher wall (black plastic). I've since been slowly adding these to each of my coops to cut down on the waste. It's saving me a a ton on feed especially with the turkeys whose coop is still not finished and who are still pooping all over my sisters belongings. Lily hasn't kidded yet, I really thought she would by now. I start everyone on medicated feed for about 6-8 weeks. I bump the protein up for my Orps at 8 weeks and put everyone else on layer, except the turkeys who are getting 26%. G'nite peeps

Who is lily? A goat? Is this her first litter (do you call it a littler for goats? Not sure...)

I will try to get some pics tomorrow, but wondering why some of the white rocks are developing black spots, they are hatchery stock so who knows what they may be crossed with in the past...

My leghorn is predominantly white with some black spots, she is an "Ideal 236 Leghorn". They're just sisters from another mister.

You need Anconas. Mine are trained to return themselves to the coop before dark or run for the coop when we say "bedtime" if we need to put them in early for any reason. Guarantee my kids rarely wash hands after touching chicks. My goofy kids will even go sit in the coop & share their lunch with the birds. My kids have been healthier since we got the birds than they ever were before. I think they have each missed 1 day of school to actual illness in the past 3 years. My older kids were always sick, always missing school. My ex wouldn't even let them have a cat. Mine sit on the counter until no more will fit...then they either go in a pan to boil for deviled eggs or in the fridge after I stuff as many of the freshest ad I can in my bators. I do this about once a week just because I get so overloaded with eggs. There wre about 15 dozen sitting there before I loaded bators this week...not counting the 4 dozen quail eggs. There are still about 9 dozen chicken I need to boil or freeze. See above...just don't lick the chicks...lol Stir once or twice per day & cover loosely to keep bugs out.

So ... Many... Eggs...,

I just put 5 dozen in the freezer for winter, 3 dozen are being boiled for deviled eggs, 40 duck eggs went in incubator 2 days ago along with 12 turkey & 14 chicken. The aprox 4 dozen quail are waiting on today's eggs to add before setting tonight. That leaves me 1 dozen chicken eggs from today & 5 duck eggs from today & yesterday on my counter & 3 dozen more chicken & turkey eggs in the fridge for sandwiches or scrambling. Anyone wanna count those up? Lol

My chicken is still alive,but definitely in shock. She won't move at all. So far I locked her in the coop alone, put a pan of water next to her, and put her favorite treat next to her (corn). She wouldn't drink voluntarily, but I dipped her beak in the water and she drank when I would do that, so I did that multiple times. She also took a bite of the corn

Separate her where she can see the others if you can. Give her electrolytes or spotrs drink with brown sugar added & antibiotics if she has any visible wounds. The electrolytes & sugar will help with shock. The antibiotics to ward off infection. If she pulls thru the next 24 hours then you only have to worry about infection after that.

 

[3riverschick]

Anybody local interested in a Double Laced Barnevelder cockerel? We are in south central PA, I bought some eggs on ebay and hatched 4 chicks looks like 2 are roos. According to the breeders on the Barney thread they are a pretty decent line( C. Ledford? ) They hatched the day after Easter. If you have any interest let me know, otherwise he will go on CL. Thanks!

There's a lady in Maine looking for Barnevelders. Let me see if I can find her again. Hang on....
Here it is, profile : nrossj
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...e-birds-finding-the-right-breed#post_13461620