Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[JerseyHen]

OMgoodness... I am in the 8 - 18 inch (depending on the source you look at) possible zone for this next storm. Yikes! and did I hear right, that there might be more over the weekend? We haven't had a snow pack like this in a long time. I just keep focusing on the bugs that are out there freezing and won't be bothering me in my garden this year and the fact that our well should be full to the top (of course that means our basement will threaten to flood all spring. Time to batten down the hatches! Again..

 

[Imprfctme]

Hey Guys,

I don't envy you all the snow that you've been hit with this winter. So extreme! We've had about 3weeks of snow days, but very little real snow. Just a lot of ice. Which is scary when everyone here still drives like it's 90 and clear out! Nice people, these Texans, but they are much more aggressive drivers than I expected. School was cancelled today, for no discernible reason that I could see. Naturally tomorrow there will be ice floes in the streets and we'll be trekking to school at 7:00am.

I did indeed make it to the poultry show, and it was fun, but you aren't allowed to sell/buy at shows here. It was also hard because I didn't know anyone. I missed meeting up with you all! The poultry show was also just in half of one building. There were about four huge buildings full of cattle that people were showing. Cows getting shampoos, cows getting brushed, cows having their picture taken - you name it. I don't know a thing about cattle breeds but it was very interesting seeing them all.

In other exciting news, we got our first two eggs this week! Seriously, that never gets old. They are teensy tiny pullet eggs, very dear and sweet. I don't think it was my leghorn either, most likely the Red Sex Link, which surprised me. I only have three because my coop is too small *ahem* we may be fixing that with the new garden plans - shh, don't tell John - I have seen a hawk a few times, but more often we have a huge murder of crows that hang out which makes me glad. The giant black vultures are intimidating though, as are the coyotes. It's a little different here with the things you have to worry about. I keep debating getting a pair of additional hens, but I think I'm going to stagger them age wise by a year.

I still get emails now and then letting me know someone has given me a thumbs up on the article I wrote about caring for crossed-beak and special needs chickens, and it really tickles me to know that it's still helping chicken lovers. Pip, I'm so tickled that you all get along so well! It's just awesome to me.



That's Belle the Leghorn in the front, Crystal the Red Sex Link on the left rear, and Sky the Gold Laced Wyandotte. Yeah, the girls have been reading magic fairy books. I guess this is an improvement over Perry Katy the Speckled Sussex and J.Lo the White Rock. I don't know if I can link to my instagram account -

http://instagram.com/p/kSA-A3NfAe/
<iframe src="//instagram.com/p/kSA-A3NfAe/embed/" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>

Well, who knows if that works.... stay warm everyone!

 

[lalany]

OMgoodness... I am in the 8 - 18 inch (depending on the source you look at) possible zone for this next storm. Yikes! and did I hear right, that there might be more over the weekend? We haven't had a snow pack like this in a long time. I just keep focusing on the bugs that are out there freezing and won't be bothering me in my garden this year and the fact that our well should be full to the top (of course that means our basement will threaten to flood all spring. Time to batten down the hatches! Again.. 

I keep thinking the same thing about the Mosquitos , hopefully they are freezing to death!

 

[JerseyHen]

I think I have an egg eater again. They have been staying in the coop so much that I think they are finding the eggs and eating them. I haven't gotten a green or blue egg in a week and they were finally laying pretty well, unless the cold snap and snow threw them off. I am going to try hanging curtains over the boxes to see if it deters them any.

I hope everyone is doing ok with the snow. We have about a foot on top of what fell the last few times and I heard we might get another 6 - 10 tonight (I hope they are wrong about that). Anyway, round one of plowing and shoveling is done so at least it won't be as much to move in the morning. Our biggest worry now is the power. The lines here are notorious for going down in the wet heavy stuff. It will make for a chilly night, even with the fireplace going.

 

[Glasshen]

Jersey, my egg count is down too. I am ever suspicious of them, but maybe it is the reversal in weather. Mine were giving me 5-8 eggs when they could get out and scratch at dirt and grass, even though it was cold and all was frozen.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Hey Guys,

I don't envy you all the snow that you've been hit with this winter. So extreme! We've had about 3weeks of snow days, but very little real snow. Just a lot of ice. Which is scary when everyone here still drives like it's 90 and clear out! Nice people, these Texans, but they are much more aggressive drivers than I expected. School was cancelled today, for no discernible reason that I could see. Naturally tomorrow there will be ice floes in the streets and we'll be trekking to school at 7:00am.

I did indeed make it to the poultry show, and it was fun, but you aren't allowed to sell/buy at shows here. It was also hard because I didn't know anyone. I missed meeting up with you all! The poultry show was also just in half of one building. There were about four huge buildings full of cattle that people were showing. Cows getting shampoos, cows getting brushed, cows having their picture taken - you name it. I don't know a thing about cattle breeds but it was very interesting seeing them all.

In other exciting news, we got our first two eggs this week! Seriously, that never gets old. They are teensy tiny pullet eggs, very dear and sweet. I don't think it was my leghorn either, most likely the Red Sex Link, which surprised me. I only have three because my coop is too small *ahem* we may be fixing that with the new garden plans - shh, don't tell John - I have seen a hawk a few times, but more often we have a huge murder of crows that hang out which makes me glad. The giant black vultures are intimidating though, as are the coyotes. It's a little different here with the things you have to worry about. I keep debating getting a pair of additional hens, but I think I'm going to stagger them age wise by a year.

I still get emails now and then letting me know someone has given me a thumbs up on the article I wrote about caring for crossed-beak and special needs chickens, and it really tickles me to know that it's still helping chicken lovers. Pip, I'm so tickled that you all get along so well! It's just awesome to me.



That's Belle the Leghorn in the front, Crystal the Red Sex Link on the left rear, and Sky the Gold Laced Wyandotte. Yeah, the girls have been reading magic fairy books. I guess this is an improvement over Perry Katy the Speckled Sussex and J.Lo the White Rock. I don't know if I can link to my instagram account -

http://instagram.com/p/kSA-A3NfAe/
<iframe src="//instagram.com/p/kSA-A3NfAe/embed/" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>

Well, who knows if that works.... stay warm everyone!

HEATHER!!!!

We miss you, Miss Texas!! Your new girls are really pretty, I hope they give you tons of eggs. The snow has been hitting most of the country, up here it's absolutely miserable, and the kids have been off of school it seems more than IN school!! They don't mind, but I think I'm about to lose my sanity! PLUS they're on vacation next week! YIKES!

If you ever get back up here for a visit, let us know-we can organize a lunch in 2 shakes of a lambs tail. (Is that a Texas saying?) take care of those gorgeous daughters and chickie girls and most of all-YOURSELF!!

 

[Cheeky Chick]

Happy valentines day, ladies (and of course the odd gent that stops in!) My Valentines chicks arrived this morning, and they are all perfect! (all 17 of them!) I'm VERY impressed with cackle Hatchery-the packaging was great, and the chicks are bouncy and eating like pigs! If anyone is interested in a Cinnamon Queen chick or 2 let me know! They ARE Mareks vaccinated. They are peeping up a storm, and Murphy (cat) thinks I got them for him. He's cuddling with the brooder and making soft eyes at the babies. (Ragdolls are really lovers, not fighters!)

I'll post pictures as soon as my phone is done charging. Chicks symbolize SPRING is on the way!

Next week my Quail go into lockdown, then they should be hatching while I'm away for the weekend with the old man for our 20th Anniversary. (We're shipping up to Boston!) My daughter has the whole process under control, so I'm really not even a little worried. Thankfully!

I hope everyone made it through the Nor'Easter well, and hopefully the thaw is around the corner!

 

[lalany]

My Speckled Sussex Sparkle just started laying, except not in the nest box. She goes in the garage and under the tool bench. If the garage door isn't open she makes a racket until someone opens it up!
My EE Sadie hasn't laid an egg since it got cold, and the yolks of my leghorn, Lemon have gotten less orange and more yellow. Could that be because she lays about 6 eggs a week? Or maybe because she can't find bugs and grass?
I think my Polish Hen Fancy is laying because the egg is fairly small and kind of pointy. It isn't often though, so I'm not sure.

Getting ready for more snow.. Freezing away the Mosquitos I hope! Happy Valentines Day!

 

[queenchick16]

Happy V-day everyone....
Hello Heather, glad you're settling in. Im so happy you have girls again.

Cheeky, glad to hear your babies arrived alive. Both Christina and I had such terrible luck last year with ours from Ideal. You should either post on here or their website about your experience with them. my birds were shipped under similar conditions and had to travel through the same postal distribution center.i ended up with 2 boxes of dead birds.it was just heart breaking.

Lalany, the yolk color is probably because they aren't grazing on grass now. Mine just started laying again and their yolk is lighter. This is my unprofessional opinion .

Well now for my SHIrTY mess. Discovered that a sewer pipe is broke in my driveway. My crawl space had 3 inches of toilet and shower in it. They can't even begin to fix it til they get permits of course Monday is a holiday . I'm showering at the gym, shirTing at my neighbors What a mess. Because the pipe is 3 feet outside my house, it's not covered by my insurance. Did I mention my crawl space is only 4feet deep and hell to crawl around in. I think the rotor- router guys only went down in there cause I started crying like a baby. When it rains, it snows.....
Be safe in the snow everyone... Thanks for letting me vent. Love you all.

 

[JerseyHen]

Happy V-day everyone....
Hello Heather, glad you're settling in. Im so happy you have girls again.

Cheeky, glad to hear your babies arrived alive. Both Christina and I had such terrible luck last year with ours from Ideal. You should either post on here or their website about your experience with them. my birds were shipped under similar conditions and had to travel through the same postal distribution center.i ended up with 2 boxes of dead birds.it was just heart breaking.

Lalany, the yolk color is probably because they aren't grazing on grass now. Mine just started laying again and their yolk is lighter. This is my unprofessional opinion .

Well now for my SHIrTY mess. Discovered that a sewer pipe is broke in my driveway. My crawl space had 3 inches of toilet and shower in it. They can't even begin to fix it til they get permits of course Monday is a holiday . I'm showering at the gym, shirTing at my neighbors What a mess. Because the pipe is 3 feet outside my house, it's not covered by my insurance. Did I mention my crawl space is only 4feet deep and hell to crawl around in. I think the rotor- router guys only went down in there cause I started crying like a baby. When it rains, it snows.....
Be safe in the snow everyone... Thanks for letting me vent. Love you all.

Oh Carol, that is terrible. Want to come stay with me until it is fixed?