Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[RevRico]

It was moving day today. They're all outside in their coop now. Now I really need to get the run built.
I left the door open all day. The only one who even went up to the door was the Barred Rock that had been repeatedly escaping the kennel inside. Nobody went down the ramp to the grass today. They'll figure it out eventually.

 

[Spike_2112]

Falls Creek, Jefferson County. Go Pens!!!

 

[BullChick]

I’m nearby-ish.

 

[BullChick]

What do you have, and what can we talk you into?!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Falls Creek, Jefferson County. Go Pens!!!

Welcome, from Cambria county!

 

[BullChick]

Interesting that I forgot to tag you last night, but you’re still here today, @AnneInTheBurbs!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Sorry for the huge post, finally got caught up on my reading again. Sorta!

Ok duck people. My BIL shot these two for his kids maybe 2 weeks ago. I know they are khaki cambel and Mallard but are they any tips tricks to second them? Unfortunately, their dog tried to eat one so "Franky" and "Hulk" now live at our house. My only experience is with muscovies.

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I’m new to ducks too, just got some adults from a friend in the fall. I do notice my male has much thicker legs, just like chickens, but the curl on the tail is the best way to tell.

I love Ameraucanas too. I have Blacks and Lavenders from John Blehm. The blacks are especially fine birds. If you are interested in eggs or chicks let me know.

They are fine birds! I have a couple. They are hardy, quiet, and beautiful. I keep seeing your emails Dennis, and keep being tempted to pay you a visit...

I have a link to my incubator reviews in my tagline for these posts. Basically, I recommend the GQF Genesis for small breeders. They are also good hatchers for the cabinet incubators. For the cabinets, you can often get used GQF 1202's for about $400 on Craigslist. That is a bargain. But keep in mind that you can buy an awesome Dickey with digital thermostat for $644.90 (plus about $75 for shipping, they are heavy). So don't pay over $500 for a used 1202 (maybe for a 1502, but be sure it is in good working order, lots of expensive parts to break on that model).

I love my GFQ that you recommended to me. Set it and forget it! I just turned it on yesterday. I have some neighbors looking for pullets, and I’d like to replace some of my older girls soon.

I could not help myself. I got 6 French cuckoo maran chicks.
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Who can resist those fluffy butts? I have on occasion, but it is hard!

I saw another possum wandering around the coops the other day so I went on a search for a trap. I didn't want to spend $70 on a new one. Found one for $20 on Facebook marketplace! @BullChick , I drove basically right by you yesterday going to pick it up. I had success on the first night, YES!

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I saw my neighborhood possum around my coop a couple of weeks ago. It was late at night and I know he was just nibbling food that was left out. I’ll post pics soon from my phone. I don’t seem to have any predator problems from them, they just clean up around here so far.

He is so unhappy. If he moves wrong, the hose isn’t under his chin. At least he has not gotten tangled again ... yet.
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What a cutie! Last I was here, your old poochy had passed. Glad you found a new pup! How old is he?

I have been getting 15- 20 eggs a day. Now for about a week. And 2-3 duck eggs a day.

That’s about what I’m getting too also thank exactly! With a turkey egg here or there...

it is so frustrating.they are always changing things...okay, I know thing need to improve from time to time, but really?
Now there is this new 4K TV out there, I think it does the dishes for you too, not a 100% sure on that though...
I read that Japan has developed a 10K TV, only things is the internal system structure of their "grid" isn't up to date enough for that thing...why would they even make something that can't even be USED YET?!?! WHO is buying that thing??
We used to buy the toilet paper at wallies...it was their brand, the 'el-cheapo TP', all of the sudden, no more 'el-cheapo'..now you have to buy the next level up & that costs $1.50 more!.
Might not seem like much, but for a very tight budget, it means a lot especially when you figure every other month prices are increasing by a couple cents on everything..it all adds up to "well, can't afford THAT right now."
still have some Christmas $$, been saving it for "something"..now that something is a new camera, at least I had it for this issue.
Wouldn't DIE without a camera, but... I would DIE without a camera..how else am I to collect still-fragments of life to share and inundate others with?? Besides, I am a grandma and by definition I absolutely MUST have a camera.
I apologize Sharron, totally went off the deep end there.

I like to freeze the eggs for baking and making dog food/treats. Works great for that stuff. Quiches are good too. Maybe even bake up some smaller sized cakes for the two of you
You could also sell a few dozen..

okay...we can't even compare to the plethora of fowl in your possession.

Just an FYI, stay away from the 4K TVs for now. My husband is in the tech field and he says the picture is often not that good, if even noticeable. Most shows/movies are not in 4K yet, so it doesn’t matter anyways. He loves the slightly older Plasmas. They have the best picture in our opinion.

Did you buy a camera yet? I know I have a slightly older digital camera around here you could have, I’ll ship it to you. Even if it only holds you over until you find something new, it’s just sitting in a drawer around here. Hubby is always asking me to take pictures, but we don’t go anywhere much, and I always have my phone which takes pretty good pictures.

I do have few.
2 roosters, 23 hens, 3 ducks,
12 ducklings, 8 chicks. And 12 more chicks coming.

I’m pretty close. We have about 32 or so chickens (it’s hard to do a head count at this point). 4 ducks, 8 turkeys, and 14 chicks, some of whom will be sold/given away.

The first swap of the year is coming up here in about a week. I'm very excited to kick off the swap season. I'm hoping for a good turnout seeing as how I'll have numerous chicks and quail hatching this weekend and next week to take along. I'm going to have some pullets and oopsie mutts to bring along too . Hopefully, I won't bring much back home! April 6th at tractor supply in Altoona from 9am-noon for anyone who may be close

I would love to go to a swap. Do you know where to look for info on local swaps?

I am so thank for neighbors that do not mind my chickens and ducks going around their yard and house.

Me too! My birds have a little visit to her property every other day it seems. Thankfully, she had chickens and loves animals. She rehomed her chickens with me, and she is wheelchair bound, so I’m sure she likes to see them running around. Her boyfriend is cranky, but we just ignore him.

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Being a good girl and reading about necessary vitamins and minerals in chicken feed... T minus 11 days until my very first batch of chicks arrive!!!

Congratulations on joining the chicken club! I started doing research and hanging out here about 5 years ago. I was reading a ton and had my coop built before the little buggers showed up. I have learned so much from this website and all the people here. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of people that raise poultry. This may sound silly, but don’t get too hung up on every detail in the books. Chickens are very hardy and forgiving creatures. We’ve all made mistakes and still had successes. I see your near Philly, I used to live in Mid-bucks county where I had my chickens in area that I wasn’t supposed to. We moved out to upper bucks a couple of years ago and we love it. If you’d like to meet up for some “chicken chat” I’d be more than happy to help.

Hey all you chicken experts... Does it REALLY matter what direction my chicken coop door, person door, and windows face? Will it be SUCH a terrible thing if my chicken door faces Northwest, person door faces Southeast, and windows face Southwest? I've been reading wind rose data sets for Pennsylvania and I am overwhelmed...Haha!

(My nesting boxes will be underneath the windows and dark, as recommended.)

I don’t think it matters too much, I didn’t even consider it when getting my coops. Southern exposure is best for windows, to catch extra light and warmth in the winter. My coop is in the woods, under pine trees, so it doesn’t matter much here. Also, our winters are really very mild here compared to other parts of the country. Your girls will be fine. The biggest problem you may have is predators. With some precautions , this can be avoided, but it is more of an issue than nutrition, cold, etc.

Either way, it could kill our chickens so I’m not very happy. If it comes back I’m either grabbing the dog or my husband will shoot the coyote. This has been the worst year for predators!

I’m so sorry, that’s terrible. We were very fortunate this year. We only lost 4 to a hawk this winter. No fox, to the best of my knowledge. We lost my big beautiful Bielefelder room but he fought to the death to protect his girls. Pretty sure my Silkie got nabbed by a hawk. One day, she was just gone. I’d like some more silkies, but here I definitely have to keep them in a fenced area.

going to try to get a few more seeds into dirt tomorrow...try being the key issue.
Must first have sleep..then fun..at least that what they tell me...should google it to be sure...
the seeds that have been planted are doing great..again, I would have pictures at this point in the conversation, but alas...no camera..still.
You are just going to have to believe me. Have the peppers started on a heat mat...waiting ever patiently for them to pop-through the dirt.
I know I have got those off to a late start, but here we are..better late than never.
Tomatoes, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, cantaloupe, watermelon and something else..can't remember right now. All are growing well.
Might have planted the squashes early, but after last year, wanted to make sure the plants I have are well on their way to getting groovy with the whole vegging-out plan.
They should be extremely well established when time comes to getting them outside.
ah..I remember now..cucumbers! HA!
Okay..time for bed..things are getting silly.

I can’t believe it’s time to start gardening! It was such a wet and stinky winter around here. Then it got nice all of a sudden, how wonderful! Looks like today will be another gorgeous one. I need to clean out the garden ASAP.

I'm taking it easy with my garden this year. Not starting any seeds indoors. Once it's warm enough I'm going to dig up the dirt with a shovel and rake it all up with the chicken manure. Then I'll get some plants from our garden store. Don't have the patience for the garden this year. Last year ruined my mood for gardening.

I think I’m going this route too. There’s just too much to do elsewhere around here, and our one farmers market always has beautiful stock.

Cleaned out the coop today.

Before
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After



View attachment 1725969. I can smell the clean from here!

Today has suddenly just become an awful day. Our last dog, Sparkles, just suddenly passed away at only 7 years old. She was perfectly fine the other day, playing with me and teasing me. She didn't do that stuff often but she was feeling good that night. Then last night she was throwing up here and there, mostly water. I just figured she'd drank too much or had a stomach ache. She's had all sorts of health issues all her life so an evening of feeling yucky wasn't completely unusual for her. She was practically blind and deaf, was allergic to pretty much everything, and had bad hips. Then today, she laid down on the floor for an afternoon nap like always and just never woke up. Just like that. I'm thankful that she seemed to go peacefully but we were not prepared for this. The kids are going to be crushed when they get home. Farewell Sparkles. We'll see you at the rainbow bridge.

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Charging through the yard when we first moved up here.

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Our 3 angels, now waiting for us. Sparkles, Rocky, and Dreamy
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I’m so sorry dear. I’m so glad Sparkles went peacefully, but it’s very tough when they go suddenly.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Whew! It’s been busy around here. Unfortunately, my migraines have been increasing, but I’m finally starting to see if we can figure out what’s going on. We’ve also been trying to start a family for 6 years, so that’s been tough too, especially with all of the meds and side effects.

True story: I brought my Doctor some chicken eggs. I told him they were fertile and that I’d hope he’d return the favor.

 

[BullChick]

What a cutie! Last I was here, your old poochy had passed. Glad you found a new pup! How old is he?

2 1/2 this month.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I would love to go to a swap. Do you know where to look for info on local swaps?

Facebook is the best place for us but that's only because we have someone on there that connects everyone and advertises it on all the local pages. You could also just call your local teacher supply and ask them if they know if there is a livestock swap and when it typically happens. Most times, they're not involved with it, they just allow us to use the their lot. Our first swap was yesterday and there was actually a nice crowd! I unloaded about 40 birds total (counting babies and quail), a few hen saddles, all the hatching eggs I took, and a few extra cockerels. I made over $200. I definitely wasn't expecting such a good turnout on the first one. I only brought back home a few BCM chicks and a bunch of brahma chicks.