Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[BullChick]

Glad she is better. You will probably have to reintroduce her slowly. Having one or two other chickens inside will make it easier next week.

 

[BullChick]

Of course, free ranging is often neutral territory. If you can, that should help.

 

[dheltzel]

I like the wild ring neck pheasants I might skip the ducks maybe and get a pair in the spring.

Do some research on pheasants. The ringnecks are cheap because they are grown for release (and food), but they are very aggressive and need a lot of space. Look into Golden or Lady Amhearst Pheasants instead. They are prettier and much easier to manage. The babies will bring better prices too when you go to sell them.

 

[Chaos18]

Lady Amherst pheasants are beautiful, so are Elliot pheasants.

 

[stake]

I had my first loss tonight, I think.

I didn't get home until later because I was trying to help a family with their aggressive dog (unfortunately they need professional help).

When I got home, I only found 11 of my chicks. DH and I went out with flashlights and we found one more. Just maybe the other two are hiding and will show in the morning, but chances are not good. Of course the Roo was still there though lol. I just cannot come home late anymore until I get my coop setup. Hopefully, that will be early next week. We have to clear a couple small fallen trees to make room for the flat bed. That will be my project this weekend. Project Clearpath...

I also think I may have found a fox/critter den near where I am going to place my coop. How would you all describe a den that you have seen?

Anne:

Foxes always place the den opening facing south...usually on a hill....the opening would be about 6" wide,,,,,,if you find one,,,here's my solution.....1gal ammonia, 1 gal bleach....15' garden hose, one funnel...place the hose as far into the hole as possible...with funnel pour the ammonia down the hole....wipe down the funnel with a rag then pour the bleach down...be very careful...you are creating mustard gas...hope this helps.....

 

[stake]

Well crap. I woke up at 3 am and had trouble going back to sleep. So sitting in my kitchen with my windows open, I just heard something attacking (at least) one of my chicks that was still loose. What a terrible sound... I couldn't find the flashlight in time, but I am leaving the porch light on in case one baby is still out there alive. My dog even got up and ran out to see what was going on, it unfortunately, it was too late.

The other chicks are safe and sound in the garage at least.

Anne:

So sorry to hear....if it was a fox, they probably got them all....if another critter, you may find them....somethings that may help in the short run is turning on lights in your backyard and playing music out back...a fox will learn over time to accommodate both, but that will throw them off their game for a few weeks...my two cents....

 

[stake]

Brought home the new guy today. He's not perfect but not bad either. No clue on his lineage though. Once his quarentine is up, he'll be going in with my best colored and best crested hens to see what he produces. It looks like he's dealing with some scaly leg mites

I scrubbed his legs with soapy water, an old toothbrush, and covered them in Vaseline. I'll be treating him with safeguard and ivermectin pour on too to try to make sure he's totally clean before he joins my flock. I had to trim his nails too. They were long, filthy, and starting to twist

Auro:

He's a looker,,,,if you get him in the game....I'll grab some eggs from you.....

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Do some research on pheasants. The ringnecks are cheap because they are grown for release (and food), but they are very aggressive and need a lot of space. Look into Golden or Lady Amhearst Pheasants instead. They are prettier and much easier to manage. The babies will bring better prices too when you go to sell them.

I don't care about the money, but I will look into those. Thanks

 

[stake]

Jaebels update: She's doing well. Standing more often and for longer periods of time. Not so flopsy when she tries to walk. I take her outside on the patio so she can have some sunshine and bugs and scratch around in the weeds. spoiled little brat. Hopefully, one more week and she'll be able to go back to the flock. Anything I need to do to make her transition easy? Will they remember her or is it like a new bird?

LB:

I have one on the mend too...I have decided to give her water melon and scrambled eggs every day....your girl will be new to the flock...position her near everyone so they can look her over for a few days....then you will need to let them sort it out....my two cents,,,

 

[fisherlady]

Jaebels update: She's doing well. Standing more often and for longer periods of time. Not so flopsy when she tries to walk. I take her outside on the patio so she can have some sunshine and bugs and scratch around in the weeds. spoiled little brat. Hopefully, one more week and she'll be able to go back to the flock. Anything I need to do to make her transition easy? Will they remember her or is it like a new bird?

When we have a hen in hospital ward for an injury we bring a mellow flock member in to keep them company once their injury has healed a bit. We rotate the visiting flock member every day or every other day. Doing this keeps the injured one 'in the loop' a bit and when it is time for the injured one to go back we will allow 2 visitors for the day or so ahead of the 'dischage day'. Then we will release all 3 of them at once into a free range situation and watch for a while to see who is having problems , if anyone. Often the hospital bird will return to the hospital pen that first evening or two if it wants but it will be put out with the flock during the day. Within a couple of days it usually heads to the coop with the others and we know we can clean out the hospital pen for the next patient.