Stella's Social Club

[Jake Levi]

It is very impressve to me those folks able to keep multiple breeds and species to hatch out. I have all that I can do with one breed and developing several lines, and selecting within them. In fact this year I really need to build several more pens. If I could add another species it would be Wishard Turkeys, another free ranging homestead treasure. And, they need preservation for sure. Maybe when I grow up.

I am adding a couple goats this year, for goat packing, to hike our state and federal forests here.

Also, a lifelong large dog lover, I now find myself with a rescue Chihuahua cross. He also has some small terrier in him. A friend of my sons had to rehome him when she had to move. So, if she doesnt find another home, or want him back then he is here for the duration. Happy little guy, very gentlemanly'
not yippy. But still a good little guy when a car pulls in he hears it long before me. Life goes on, oft with pleasant surprises.

One trait I want to achieve in my flock is increased size. I really would like to add another pound or two in the roosters. WITHOUT outcrossing. The roosters I have put in the freezer are just minimally large enough to make it worth doing. I am thinking that this is going to be a long time project, selecting flock meisters on size as well as other homestead chicken qualitys.

Life goes on and it is good, but better with Icelandic Chickens !

I understand about the emus, I'd be curious to raise some but its a real long term commitment. Better to admire them here.

 

[ronott1]

On the other end of the spectrum, there is one pip today on Day 20. Three D'Anver hens have four eggs between them from my LF flock, adding to the other five chicks that hatched ten days ago. And a 6th D'Anver hen just went broody. My LF Ee hen in the main flock is on two eggs as well, due in about a week. Will probably end up with one pullet out of them all, considering my luck of late. Dont really want to keep any of them, though. I'm ready to add new blood to this group. After losing Barbara and with Fern in her last days, I guess my mass die off I've been expecting is starting. But, poor 7 year old Amanda, who is having terrible trouble even standing up due to severe arthritis, started laying again, as well as 6 year old blue Ameraucana, Nora. Both laid eggs yesterday after breaks of a few weeks.

Good News!

I have Dels on day 20 and am waiting for pips...

 

[speckledhen]

Good News!

I have Dels on day 20 and am waiting for pips...

Good! My two remaining Delaware hens are now 5 years old. Ellie lays almost daily, HUGE eggs, so big, they're scary, but they have very fragile shells. Georgie seems to be having trouble right now, going on the nest to sit, no egg, does it again, no egg. I'm beginning to worry about her.

 

[mlm Mike]

Speckledhen congratulations on the hatching!

Good luck with your Del hatch ronott1!

Jake I'm trying to picture a Chihauhau/terrrier mix, and then not to be yippy, amazing.

 

[ronott1]

Speckledhen congratulations on the hatching!

Good luck with your Del hatch ronott1!

Jake I'm trying to picture a Chihauhau/terrrier mix, and then not to be yippy, amazing.

Thanks!

I won't be able to check for pips until I get off of work now....I think I heard chirping this morning so I should have some pips soon!

 

[mlm Mike]

Thanks!

I won't be able to check for pips until I get off of work now....I think I heard chirping this morning so I should have some pips soon!

Great! Some people were missing you (and your daily updates) I'll tell them you are a bit preoccupied for now.

 

[speckledhen]

All the eggs under the D'Anver hens are pipped now. I'm worried about Maura since she's been openly hostile to the first group of chicks, hit one in the side with both feet yesterday, in fact. She may try to kill her chick as it hatches, but will keep checking and hopefully, can head off anything before it's too late. Sissy is also a first timer so no idea how she'll do. Carly, on the other hand, is an experienced broody, so if nothing else, I can give her their chicks as well as her two.

 

[chiqita]

Good! My two remaining Delaware hens are now 5 years old. Ellie lays almost daily, HUGE eggs, so big, they're scary, but they have very fragile shells. Georgie seems to be having trouble right now, going on the nest to sit, no egg, does it again, no egg. I'm beginning to worry about her.

I know someone who recommends giving your thin shelled girls calcium drops. Assuming you free feed oyster shell and that is not enough.

 

[ronott1]

Great! Some people were missing you (and your daily updates) I'll tell them you are a bit preoccupied for now.

The updates are a lot of work each day but they are fun. I could not do them and host the NYD Hatch a Long too. I have been asked to join the hatch a long but not do the daily updates. If Asked I might do them since they do seem to make the hatch a long more fun.

What I have to do is read each post and pick what I put into the update into a Word Doc. In the Afternoon, I have to past that into a post and clean it up and add the emoticons. It is a Huge commitment and even hosting the NYD Hatch a long, I did not get Project Manager Badge or even a friend or Educator nomination. I did get a BYC Calendar and was going to get a Golden Feather membership but had already paid for six months. I was supposed to contact someone and have that cancelled and then the year membership would be added. It seemed weird since the year could just be added to the six months. I do have a great appreciation for the non paid moderators for Sure!

What happens is that I cannot help people because I am spending too much time getting the updates set up.

 

[ronott1]

I know someone who recommends giving your thin shelled girls calcium drops. Assuming you free feed oyster shell and that is not enough.

I have read the Spinach will cause a calcium deficiency too.