Surviving Minnesota!

[I Love Layers]

Here this will help u.

Ok thank you! So I should have splash, black and blue to keep the blue lines going? This helped a lot!

 

[holm25]

Some pics I got yesterday. Ralph & Minnie I absolutely LOVE the birds I got from u guys! I tried getting pics of the Legbars but they dont like me that much lol. But everyone else does to an extent. Ralph Lucky TRIED to crow! I felt bad for the poor guy! It was hilarious to listen too!! Minnie the Buckeyes haven't tried to crow yet but imagine it only a matter of days! The rest of the pics are of Mr. T, a broody Cochin who has chicks under her but wont show them and my Australorp/Welsummer cross rooster who needs a new home. I am out of room for all these boys so I hope he can find a good home. He is to sweet to butcher and is such a good protector.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Bogtown I'm sorry to hear Roger passed! he was a good roo. Good Daisy showed up for your sis.

 

[Dandelioness]

It has not rained yet, enough to drive me in. I got lots done today, so much better than yesterday.


I moved the Dominiques outside into the dog kennel pen. I finished it this morning with bird netting over the top.  I emptied one pen of  Teens from the shed, putting them with the Dominiques.    Then I  went and got the 2 white sports and moved them into the same pen.    I had a few squabbles but it was not bad.



Then I let the CLB's that have been inside the coop getting acquainted with the layers free range for the first time.  It is fun to watch birds free range for the first time.   Sven was not a happy rooster. Some squabbles going on with them too.  Nothing serious, but Sven is afraid he is going to lose all his women....  I should move King George in there too, just to really ruin his day.

I have decided I am done collecting eggs from the SS. I think I have enough for next year.  

I am going to be moving the BA's back into the layer coop in the next few days.  Less pens means less work for me.   Speaking of BA's I found one fantastic Minnesota Australorp today.  I think he will be my Breeder next year.  He has the perfect pea comb and his good size.


Dandedlioness  Good news!!!!     The EE has decided to self identify as a Rooster!

LOL! That's great news! Excited for your MN Australorp project, too!

Dandelioness Everyone calved with no issues this year. Next year we might have some trouble as the new bull has a higher calving weight!

Cool, thanks for the update

Overcast day here as well.
DS is shooting Trap in EJB's back yard. Hopefully helping with hawk problems.

My sister lost her white bird last night. She's heartbroken. No feathers just gone. Probably aerial predator. The white -- idk-- they were free ranging. And came home at 10:30 to tuck them in and she was gone.

Nothing new with my birds. Just free ranging and lucky I guess. Flower herb garden going like gangbusters. Love it!

The weather has been great for the garden this spring!
I need to go back and start weeding and also start getting perennials put in around the foundation of the house. My tree guy brought another load of chips and I am stoked!

It's sad when a good roo passes on. I still look for a couple of my favorites in the yard sometimes. Nice pics of him doing his thing.

It rained ALL DAY here!  Tomorrows the big day....the chicks will be moved to the coop!  Any suggestions on how to have this move go smoothly?  I am thinking of using a dog crate, putting it in the brooder and placing their feed in there, the hope is that most will jump in and start eating and I can just close the door and move them out to the coop in one quick step????  Am I being unrealistic????  I wish I had someone to record this because I have a feeling this is gonna be pure comedy

Yes, it's always fun moving them around LOL
I'm playing musical chickens myself tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!

 

[Cluckies]

Good news. Daisy, my sisters white bantam turned up. Alive! Just as she was driving in with Viola a replacement from Minnie! Lol. Figures.

Sad news. My big beautiful orange rooster. My NH. Roger. Found dead this morning below the roost. I think the cough and sneeze was that chronic air sac disease. He was a gorgeous boy that took such fine care of his girls. I will miss him greatly. Oh my Big tootsie....

I'm so glad your sister found her Daisy. What a miracle for sure. But i'm so sorry to hear about Roger

I loved hearing Tootsie stories. Coming into the kitchen for his cracker, loved that. It is so sad.


I know I'm paranoid, but I won't let my ladies free range out there unless i'm out there. I don't have a rooster, and I just don't wan to lose any of my girls to predators. So basically, i'm outside form the time I get home from work until it is dark. But, I like it out there most of the time, so it is ok.


A friend of mine just got 10 chicks, she lost one. not sure why, she said it had poo on its butt. not sure what happened there... it is her first time with chicks, I hope it goes well for her.


Got one raised garden up today, just need dirt. and wood for another, don't have the photo transfered to my puter yet to show. hopefully soon
Have a good night everyone.

 

[Cluckies]

oh ralphie, the white birds are beautiful, but I especially like that girl, second photo from the bottom, what a looker!

 

[Cluckies]

Minnie, so very sorry to hear about your boy. many hugs to you.

you are all in my prayers.

 

[lvie]

A wonderful, wet, cool day! Yea! So looking forward to whipping through some chores and some data entry today. Another catch-up day.

Good morning chickeners.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Good news. Daisy, my sisters white bantam turned up. Alive! Just as she was driving in with Viola a replacement from Minnie! Lol. Figures.

Sad news. My big beautiful orange rooster. My NH. Roger. Found dead this morning below the roost. I think the cough and sneeze was that chronic air sac disease. He was a gorgeous boy that took such fine care of his girls. I will miss him greatly. Oh my Big tootsie....

I am so sorry you lost your beautiful boy! It is one thing to lose your favorite rooster, but the one who was such a good flock guardian.

I've noticed some of my chicks sneezing and shaking their heads, when they do some liquid sprays out of their nose, there is no crusty stuff. I've looked it up on other threads, some say it's a cold and they will get over it some say it's a respiratory infection. They are all acting normal otherwise. Should I do anything? Any home remedies I could use?

If there is gunk flying out when they shake, then I would most definitely treat them for respiratory infection. We are embarking up gnat season too, so I would be mindful of that. A couple of years ago I knew several people who lost birds to gnats.

So other then blue what other colors would I get?
Some people have said I would get 50% blue, 25% black, and 25% splash

You are going to need to consider both the Blue color genetics and the Frizzle feather genes. They are two independent genes, or sets of genes, I should say.
To maintain good Blue color, it is best to use all three colors in your breeding. The Blacks will eventually make the Blue darker, and Splash can lighten it. You have to watch the lacing on them as well with color. You are taking on a big challenge with Blue Cochins. You have several factors to watch: color, feather quality, edging, brassiness if Blue is used too much - that is just the feathers! Good luck to you on what you are attempting. The other thing I should mention if you don't already know, when trying to get Frizzles, you want to also use some smooth feathered birds since too much Frizzle can frazzle the feathers and you don't want that either. You are still young, so you have lots of time

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Good morning ivie!