Surviving Minnesota!

[duluthralphie]

I am thinking it is time for a breeding coop and tractor panel building class!


I need so many more. Next year I hope to have long narrow runs with game bird netting. This year the tractor panels and small coops will have to do.



It is sad about the Toads Kloppers, but I knew going into it success was a long shot. There is still a chance it will work. The pure CX's have gotten way too large. Larger than I wanted. I restrict feed on them, but in winter that is hard to do. There is slim hope as Bertha is looking good, So if I could get Bert to get it on with Bertha I might get some toads. I have my doubts a 3/4 cx 1/4 rainbow will work. but the 1/2 and 1/2 might.

Bertha is still large but not the huge size the CX hens are. I have one cx hen that I think is having a leg issue. We have to be realistic they are like BB turkeys and they get too heavy to carry themselves. I do like the way Bertha has been giving me an egg 6-7 days a week, and that was without light! I am thinking she will take a day off after the 103 gram eggs yesterday.

5 little CLBs hatched out of the 9 I set this time. One more pipped. (fingers crossed). It looks like 2 creamettes and 3 creamers.

I crossed a milestone last night. I now have over 100 egg set.

 

[KlopKlop]

I am thinking it is time for a breeding coop and tractor panel building class!


I need so many more.  Next year I hope to have long narrow runs with game bird netting. This year the tractor panels and small coops will have to do.



It is sad about the Toads Kloppers, but I knew going into it success was a long shot. There is still a chance it will work. The pure CX's have gotten way too large. Larger than I wanted. I restrict feed on them, but in winter that is hard to do.    There is slim hope as Bertha is looking good, So if I could get Bert to get it on with Bertha I might get some toads. I have my doubts a 3/4 cx 1/4 rainbow will work. but the 1/2 and 1/2 might.

Bertha is still large but not the huge size the CX hens are. I have one cx hen that I think is having a leg issue.  We have to be realistic they are like BB turkeys and they get too heavy to carry themselves.  I do like the way Bertha has been giving me an egg 6-7 days a week, and that was without light!   I am thinking she will take a day off after the 103 gram eggs yesterday.

5 little CLBs hatched out of the 9 I set this time. One more pipped. (fingers crossed). It looks like 2 creamettes and 3 creamers.

I crossed a milestone last night. I now have over 100 egg set.

Perseverance will be key to developing the 'Ralphies A1 toad' breed.

Betty white is in fine health and seems to have a good frame on her. I look forward to seeing what she bring to the table when crossed with either of my roosters

 

[duluthralphie]

Perseverance will be key to developing the 'Ralphies A1 toad' breed.

Betty white is in fine health and seems to have a good frame on her. I look forward to seeing what she bring to the table when crossed with either of my roosters

I am so hoping yours works. Maybe at sometime in the future we will have enough that we will want to trade a bird or two for diversity in the genetics. We can hope both our projects go that well.

The trees here are filling with hoar frost as the fog moves through. Pretty, but deadly.

Come on type people, I have coffee to drink.

 

[lvie]

If it is convenient I would like to join you for camp day if it falls at a time that I can get away. i.e., the first week in May I am gone for a week, family plans (which are not terribly often) So let me know if you will have me Ralphie and the date and I will get it onto my calendar.

And GOODMORNING Everyone.

 

[KlopKlop]

The dark Cornish I got from Minnie are real sticky birds too. They should be a good cross to either rooster (Rainbow or buckeye) to add size and vigor. CXs definitely get their broad body and squatty looks front the Cornish side

 

[KlopKlop]

I am so hoping yours works. Maybe at sometime in the future we will have enough that we will want to trade a bird or two for diversity in the genetics.  We can hope both our projects go that well.

The trees here are filling with hoar frost as the fog moves through. Pretty, but deadly.

Come on type people, I have coffee to drink.

Why deadly? It was super foggy here on my drive to town this morning too

 

[duluthralphie]

If it is convenient I would like to join you for camp day if it falls at a time that I can get away. i.e., the first week in May I am gone for a week, family plans (which are not terribly often) So let me know if you will have me Ralphie and the date and I will get it onto my calendar.

And GOODMORNING Everyone.

I welcome everyone. Besides we all get good meat, it is a fun time to meet others from this thread.

 

[duluthralphie]

Why deadly? It was super foggy here on my drive to town this morning too

I flew for a living ( some), Hoar frost is a rime icing, when it forms it can disrupt the air flow over the control surfaces. If you are flying a plane without deicing or that has boots on it, Hoar frost may not come off. Boots require the ice to be fairly thick before you pop them. Hot wings do not.

Today the hoar frost formed fast as we watched. I have never seen it form so fast..




And of course morning cuteness:

 

[lvie]

Okay - I am caught up - again. Came home from Richfield yesterday afternoon. Dogs, hubby and chickens. What a mix! DH suggested we build a camp fire and I did while he ran to the store to get hamburger buns because who would not want to grill in this weather. I let the birds out of the coop and they were in 7th heaven. I watched as Tom watched over his girls. Abbey (black lab) and Tom got into it because he did want her noising around the run and she would not give it up. Had to put Abbey in the house. Watched Tom 'talking' to the girls and keeping track of his flock. Have not had a real opportunity to see him in action. Pretty cool. DH pointed out an Eagle flying a little ways off. Ugh! The Eagles are searching the river for food, I know, and not for my flock. Still . . . . . .

I am ready for a few chicks to start brooding in my basement.

Aussie - so very sorry for your Alpaca and it looks like the new dogs has settled into home pretty well. Of course she is more work - whe is a baby and they are always more work at first. I almost cried leaving my grand dogs yesterday. They are a whole hour away so its not like I can just visit them. I will miss those doggy hugs. My three were happy to see me - of course!

Have torn my basement area apart - what a mess! gonna throw and organize and clean it now because spring is coming and then I will be outside alot.

 

[lvie]

I welcome everyone. Besides we all get good meat, it is a fun time to meet others from this thread.

I welcome everyone. Besides we all get good meat, it is a fun time to meet others from this thread.

Wonderful! So we can talk more about that later please just let me know the date as soon as you decide.