South Carolina

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Coop!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the motivation! I have a question, since we're all in SC and most of us don't have to deal with freezing of water and such.... what does everyone use as a water container. Anyone devised an automated watering system that they like?

Ah, yeah, the water containers freeze here but I have 40 plus water containers to deal with and with the gallon milk jug containers in the tractors I can just knock the ice out. Those manufactured water containers are a waste of money with a lot to have to deal with. I have stopped buying them. I can make and rig my own designs much better.

DH uses a 5 gallon bucket with some holes drilled in the lip and turned upside down in a big pan but only in tractors where we have more than 6 birds, otherwise the water isn't very clean after so long and it can grow all kinds of nasty bacteria that they have to drink. That causes any number of problems to set up so we try to stay with water containers that can be filled with fresh water at least every other day. DH has been scrubbing them and finding how much work a well run farm can be.

I would not ever consider automatic waterers because I want to know how much my birds are consuming and it is easy to get slack and not notice if it is even working. I have a friend out west that lost a flock because it stopped working and she didn't notice until too late. She thought they were just begging for more treats or wanting out of the pen. What a horrid thing to have happen.

 

[huckleberryfarm]

Quote:
Gorgeous birds and beautiful pictures!

 

[huckleberryfarm]

Glory be! I have my tub back. We moved the chicks into a shed that's insulated. They spent the night out there and everyone was fine this morning. I cannot wait to take bubble baths again! And my housekeeper is coming today so it will be nice and clean tonight. Happy!!!

My donkey is getting the ole snip snip this morning. He's the one that killed our lamb. We're hoping this might help. Spartacus has been in the pasture since yesterday morning and is doing fine. He's escaped several times but we're adjusting as we go along. The goats have tolerated him well. The sheep keep their distance but no one is upset. Hope it continues! Spartacus is such a sweet dog. Very loving and walks on a leash great... especially considering he's never been on one before. I hope to get a girl to go with him in the spring when he's a little older.

Looks like a great day ahead, sunny and in the 60's! Yesterday was

.

 

[RedBugPoultry]

Good morning! I have been so busy that I have not had time to visit! It has been fun going through all the pages this morning reading about new dog and old, seeing all the pretty chicken pictures and hearing about all the eggs. I so enjoy this thread and miss it when I do not have time to visit!

We too have a new puppy, but not as big as Susanne's. We got our daughter a 4 month old miniature Schnauzer puppy. I think we all love her but she has added a little more work to my day. She is such a good dog though and I hope that continues.

Our young silkies are also starting to lay--yesterday we go 3 eggs from them. I put them under a cochin hen that has gone to set to reduce my workload. I also had a problem this week with some blood in several of the chick pens so I am treating them. The only chick I have seen that looks droopy though has been my little wyandotte but I believe it is pulling through.

Joy, you are not getting rid of your barred wyandottes are you? I saw you were selling some. I do understand where people are coming from with reducing their workload around the house.

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season!!

Oh, and FarmerJohn, I have 4 Dominique eggs that have been developing and are due to hatch today. We will see what happens as I have 4 OEGB eggs with them and they are already pipping and so far nothing from the Dominique eggs. Fingers crossed!!

 

[FarmerJohn3285]

Quote:

I wrote you back on the GA thread..and didn't wanna double post

 

[dixiebeast]

I just spent the last 3 hours building the ugliest

but functionl bitty tractor for my babies that need to get out of my house.I used scraps of everything and did clean up some old pieces of wood and wire scraps in trhe process...it will keep them warm with the light and make my daily work load better!!

I AM NOT POSTING A PIC!!!

I am wondering....my Duccle had quit laying for about 3 weeks and now she is back laying every other day...NONE HAVE BEEN FERTILE???? I dont see much roo activity in that coop but I didnt before and I was hatching hers...now nothing...any ideas why ???

 

[Don in SC]

Yahoo I got egg two. I'm not excited at all, LOL. Here they are resting with I hope the last store bought eggs I ever have to have in the house.

 

[dixiebeast]

Quote:
I had to give my last store bought eggs away....once my gals got laying there was no going back!! Congrats!!!

 

[dixiebeast]

Down from 3 brooders and 15 house chicks to one brooder and 5 house chicks...PRODUCTIVE DAY!!!

 

[Joycats]

Quote:
I'm jealous - I have 4 brooders full of chicks IN the house and 5 brooders outside. I really NEED to get these birds out of my house.