Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[smkchick]

Looking forward to finishing the interior of the new coop this weekend. We're hoping to have the (old) girls out there by tomorrow. Yesterday we got the lumber to start the run, and we have to get the exterior panels up and the roofing shingles on. But Bobby's been working like a dog and is almost finished with the paneling on the walls.

This morning, he rolled over and without opening his eyes said, "How far off the floor is the roosting board going?" I think after we finish the coop, we'll start on the kitchen...

Taking a trip to Agway this morning. Got paid yesterday. This could be trouble.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Al, sorta makes you want to get that incubator, doesn't it???

NO!!!!!!!!!! I'm trying to keep myself from buying any books on hatching chicks. Once I get to the research point of things I'm done for. I prefer to remain the quiet observer whilst all of you have all the fun. I feel myself weakening...

 

[ChickenAl]

Were still having the problem with feather picking. Last night I ordered pinless peepers from Randall Burkey. The girls are looking threadbare and it appears that it is one chicken doing all the damage so I'm gonna give this a try. Nothing else has worked so far.

I was told I could isolate the bad girl then re introduce her in a week or so and that will reshuffle the pecking order. It seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through, and it may make things worse. I'll see how the goggles work first. If not, this chickens looking at a stock pot in her future.

 

[goldeneggtees]

well, after being up worrying the entire night wondering if Mrs. C would take to the chicks (she was growling and pecking them at first) it appears her mothering instincts are finally kicking in! Whew! I am so relieved.

I am checking on them every 1/2 hour, but all appears to be ok. (knock on wood).

Thanks Suzanne for the compliments on the kids, they are very sweet and were so excited about the chicks. I can't believe it because they are never much interested in the hens, except when one is sick.

I will take some pics in a few!

Happy weekend everyone!

 

[goldeneggtees]

Al, I am having some trouble with pecking around here. It appears two hens are being bullied, they have bare spots on their heads.

 

[ChickenAl]

Donna, it is tough to get it under control. It looks like I have one that's picking on five others. I have caught the others doing it to each other, except for the one that started the mess. Her feathers are fine, and the other five look like they had been used for skeet practice.

I'm going to try the peepers on the evil one, first. If that doesn't work, then the whole gang gets a new pair of sunglasses.

 

[Imprfctme]

Hi All!

Have about 10 mins literally until we head out to see our puppy (can't bring her home until May) but wanted to update you all that yes, the two chicks survived the night in our house. Either the thermometer I have is flukey or the temp really changes a lot but in any event they are still healthy and eating. The non-stop peeping has abated as well. After a night of debate, the Faverolle's name is now Ginger. So we went from Emilie du Chatelet, a French female mathematician from the age of enlightenment to... a fictional character from Gilligan's Island. Oh well, I accept that I am a nerd and move on! Btw Suzanne, love the name Lola, it's a nice roly-poly name for a roly-poly baby. She is super cute and round.

Guys the photos of the new coop chez Smkchick does not even begin to convey how amazing and well-built it is. Seriously, Bobby has built a masterpiece there, and the MacGyver thing he rigged up to heat the water in winter is really neat. Super cute and far better built than some of the rental apartments I've had over the years.

Also a quick reminder to anyone incubating eggs to get your Maran's vaccinations ordered and in the fridge now - you need to give them the shots day 1. A friend of mine forget this and it was a pain to get it last minute. If you are all nearby you can share one bottle.

The girls are over the moon about their new chicks and handle them at least once an hour (with clean hands). I am hoping this means they are super-friendly hens as adults and not conditioned to run away from children, lol. This is Jane with Ginger.



This is Lia with Tiana:

 

[stoopid]

Cute girls. All 4 of them!

 

[goldeneggtees]

Well, all is good here, here are some pics of Mrs. Cuddlesworth and her new chicks! The black things in the pic are just australorp feathers.

 

[stoopid]