Uhmmmm, I thought it was supposed to hit 60 today?
I am freezing my hands off outside watering chickens and it is only 42 here.
Wonder if we will get that snow tonight?
I dread chores int eh morning or even this evening. I am going to move a bunch of my birds back into the brooder room and brooder coop. Some are acting like it is much too chilly. I so agree.
I have some good news - my turkeys are getting better! I can't believe it. The Tom got really sick (with foam coming out of his eyes kind of sick) so I quarantined him and put the hen in with him since she couldn't stand and wouldn't stay under the shelter. After just a few days of treatment they are both looking much better. The hen is up on her feet again. She didn't exhibit any respiratory issues like the Tom so I really just thought she'd gotten too heavy for her legs but the meds have helped her alot. I'm hoping to be able to turn them back out this weekend. I'm just amazed. I'm so thankful as these are my son's pets and he was very upset about it.
On a different note, we now have another predator - owls. We've always heard them down in the woods (and I lost a kitten to one several years ago) but this week I'm seeing them in my yard. I've lost one chicken to them, I'm pretty sure as the chicken was only missing it's head. Of course it was one of my blue marans.Last night, about dusk, as I was finishing my chores there were 2 big owls sitting in the tree watching over my breeding yards. I also had 3 coyotes in the yard. Geez Louise, didn't know I would need round the clock security for my chickens. On a good note, my mallards are voluntarily going up into a fenced yard every night so I can close them up and keep the coyotes away from them. Not sure about the owls.
Terrific about the turkeys! Do you medicate them differently than chickens? What meds did you use?
Owls! For petes sake! That is what I worry about here and won't let my babies sleep outside because of it. Those are silent killers and will easily walk into a coop after birds at night. My Muscovy want to stay out and party all night but I force them into the coops so I can lock them in. I don't think even the Pyrs can hear the Owls coming.
And those are protected, too. Get a permit.
Terrific about the turkeys! Do you medicate them differently than chickens? What meds did you use?
Owls! For petes sake! That is what I worry about here and won't let my babies sleep outside because of it. Those are silent killers and will easily walk into a coop after birds at night. My Muscovy want to stay out and party all night but I force them into the coops so I can lock them in. I don't think even the Pyrs can hear the Owls coming.
And those are protected, too. Get a permit.
Quote:
You know you can add to my Sportsman. I have never turned it off and as hard as I tried I never stopped hatching all winter long. But I don't have tons of chicks growing up either. This is the lowest number I have hatched in winter in a long while. I think I maybe have about 30 in each brooder and only about 5 brooders going plus the 2 small ones in the house.
See? I done good!
Of course, your cute little chicks may accidentally get mixed with mine and have to stay!
What bators? You mean the full ones?Actually only using one since the LG is broke. DH told me to order another base for it...just haven't yet.
I swear I am going to get a sportsman! We have a friend we can borrow one from, but will need to buy a turner for it...one of his went out.
No problem, but once I have it, I may not want to return it!
Instead of getting a sportsman this year, I am adding more birds.I may end up breaking down and getting a forced air one to see how those work.
I do have that huge Thelco sitting here...........looking at me........all sad and empty.........
STOP it is not March....I will not start that one til march, I will not start that one til march....
