Surviving Minnesota!

[Cluckies]

Raccoon stalking my coop. I saw it approx. 40 feet from my coop then it ran away.

I upgraded the locks on the 4 doors from 4 locking carabiners to 4 master locks with key. Can they get through closed windows with 1/2 inch hardware cloth underneath? I hope they'll be safe out there tonight... stinkin' raccoons!

 

[duluthralphie]

Raccoon stalking my coop. I saw it approx. 40 feet from my coop then it ran away.

I upgraded the locks on the 4 doors from 4 locking carabiners to 4 master locks with key. Can they get through closed windows with 1/2 inch hardware cloth underneath? I hope they'll be safe out there tonight... stinkin' raccoons!

Time to SSS!!!



Morning. I can't sleep so here I am. I am thinking I want coffee but that is giving in to not sleeping completely.

I had a busy day yesterday. I worked in the pole barn cleaning it for inspection and incase I have a teenage guest looking to steal PC's.

I had a HUGE hatch Thursday and Yesterday. I have 55 EE in shipping boxes leaving today. I have 80+ in the brooder. I hatched 12 male Legbars and 0ne sickly girl I think will die, She is still in the incubator.

A word to the wise or a hint to others. Do not assume you can easily tell the difference between Appletinis and Pollocks when they hatch. I was sure I could with no problem. It took me 25 minutes to figure out 9 pollocks from 11 Appletinis. They will never be in the same tray here again.

I also moved the SS to an outdoor pen, I did bring Cuddles back in under the heat lamp last night for comb protection. I remade the SS cage into a chick cage. And filled it with around 25-4 week old chicks. I am not sure how many I have right now, but I am loading up for Pierz on Saturday. I am thinking I should have 200-300 chicks to take to the sale.

After unloading the hatcher last night, (because all 5 trays were packed). I set the trays on a stand and noticed one had a chick hatching yet, so I put all the trays back in the hatcher. I just looked and I have 25-30 more chicks. I was thinking I just had lots of duds. I see I have female Legbars too Whew!!!.

I have my first two turkeys of the year. Both are Blues, one is a beautiful one with quite a few dark spots. Hopefully they will do fine with all the tutors they have to teach them to drink. I did put shiny rocks in the water for them to peck at. As dumb as poults are it is a wonder we have any wild turkeys.

It is feeling good to get a resounding win today on the first post!

 

[memphis]

Morning Ralphie! Storm woke me up down here. Wish you hadn't mentioned coffee!

 

[duluthralphie]

Sorry

 

[memphis]

I give up....going for a cup off coffee!

 

[Cebarmlds]

Good morning all

Ralphie are SS easy to sex as chicks? too bad I didn't know I could've just driven to Pierz for chicks.

 

[Cluckies]

Morning peeps, I have an all day scrapbooking event today, 8am to 9pm. I was hoping for rain so I wouldn't keep thinking of what I could be getting done at home. But it looks to be a great day! Low wind and 30s. Oh well. I'm going to work on my Easter cards first and see how far I get.

All you natural healers, and cures for eczema? The eczema with blisters? I've been battling it a few months. I had it when I was young, I got through puberty and it went away. I'm thinking it may be hormone related... it started on my finger, now on three and moving to my palm (right hand of course). So itchy.

Ralphie, sounds like you may need to leave your trays in for an extra day or 2, that is alot of chicks to hatch late! Yikes!

Well have a great one everyone!

Edited fire spelling

OMG!

 

[Cebarmlds]

I think I'd try it anyways, stay out there for awhile after you put them under her to make sure it goes well though. it is warm enough under her...

I didn't give her them, partly because she keeps moving since I fixed up more room for her but she is young so I should've just given her eggs so she has the total experience.

 

[jerryse]

Morning . I have seen white pelicans on the river the last few days . So migration is on . Chicks due to hatch on 22 . Need to get the eggs in hatching trays . I have a fox hanging around . No coons at present . Those dog proof coon traps work really well once you figure out to fill them full with bait like pellets . They never seem to avoid these . BC I have been getting the bluest eggs from 2 pullets in the blue pen . Time to sell the hens and only hatch from the bluest eggs .

 

[duluthralphie]

Good morning all

Ralphie are SS easy to sex as chicks? too bad I didn't know I could've just driven to Pierz for chicks.

It does not take too long by 3 weeks you should be able to tell the differences based on the combs.

They only have the auction n Pierz once or twice a year.