Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[bruceha2000]

Illinois 811 number

Call 811 or (800) 892-0123 JULIE's toll-free number… agents are available 24/7.

So apparently all you have to do is call 811

 

[Nomadicus]

I understand 811 is nation wide. I used 811 in TN...

 

[Molpet]

Illinois 811 number

Call 811 or (800) 892-0123 JULIE's toll-free number… agents are available 24/7.

So apparently all you have to do is call 811

They locate the lines going into my house, or own by utilities.... they don't do the line out of my house to the shed.
I used to locate utilities at work with a $3k piece of equipment. There was some Romex burried to some temporary buildings at work. I never could trace it very well. Shame I never took equipment home for an evening and try before they put cameras up everywhere. Probably could rent one.

 

[MROO]

You vanquished the dragon ?!

Old timers do exactly that here. The rabbit hutches here are very old school, not sure if they are similar to yours.

View attachment 3532258

View attachment 3532257

Oh, if that hutch could only TALK!! I'll bet there are lots of fascinating stories in there!

The two on my front porch are standard feed-store issue. They were bought by well-meaning parents thinking they would last outdoors or be big enough to hold what the stores claimed they would ... before finding out otherwise. I was able to pick them up for almost nothing and they are perfect for a single broody.

My "big" hutch is a moose. It was left behind by a neighbor who never finished it before moving away. He asked if I wanted it and I jumped at the chance. It's super sturdy and big enough for a breeding pair of my Nankin bantams. All I had to do was add hinges and hardware cloth to the door and put in a solid floor. It's perfect!

 

[Shadrach]

You vanquished the dragon ?!

I wouldn't put it quite like that, but...

 

[Shadrach]

He has vision issues and probably would decapitate himself although he must be able to pass the eye exam for drivers license.
Not sure who does private utilities locating here. The incoming utilities are located for free from Julie

You can hire a CAT Scan and do it yourself.

 

[Shadrach]

Three hours today. Warm and hazy sunshine.
Fret came out for a bath and stayed out for over two hours. She may have had enough. I won't argue with her. I don't agree with forcing a hen to sit.

She's free to come and go as she pleases and if she can't feel any movement in the eggs then perhaps she's making the right decision. She did go back to her nest after a bit of socializing on the extension roost bar. I'll know more and so will she in the next couiple of days.

Everybody came out and C came by and threw some cabbage at them. They are more accustom to better waiter service and weren't that impressed. Having had beef, oats and mixed grains earlier may account for some of the lack of enthusiasm.

Got some rocket in the ground between the onions and spuds. Got some garlic in further down.
Time to net the fruit bushes methinks. Someone (no it wasn't the birds) has taken the gooseberries from the bushes at the side of the coop run.
Probably the occupants of the houses you can see in the background in the picture below who seem to think the the allotments are an extension of their back gardens.

 

[BDutch]

That’s early for ripe gooseberries.
Mine haven’t coloured yet.

Chicken news:
Ini mini has difficulties to decide wether she wants to stay in the run with the chicks or go out to free range.
I’ve noticed she’s slowing down now. She didn’t start laying after her last broody period. Maybe its about time she retires at 9 years old.

Ini mini with Black and Katrientje.
The photo was taken 6 weeks ago.

The chicks with Pearl today. They liked the bamboo stick to sit on.

This silver partridge Dutch is definitely a little cockerel.

 

[Shadrach]

Maybe its about time she retires at 9 years old.

Definitely. She's done her bit. Well done Ini Mini.

 

[Perris]

Fret came out for a bath and stayed out for over two hours.

She's free to come and go as she pleases

She did go back to her nest after a bit of socializing on the extension roost bar. I'll know more and so will she in the next couiple of days.

I believe this was prep for what's called 'lockdown' in artificial incubation circles. I have had broodies do this 3 days out from hatch. It was warm out (so eggs won't chill) and she was preparing to stay on the nest without a break till the chicks have hatched - they're due the 12th yes?

Having had beef, oats and mixed grains earlier may account for some of the lack of enthusiasm.

for a whole old cabbage leaf: oh yes! Birds in confinement get excited about more or less any greens given them because beggars can't be choosers, but yours can choose and they do!