Surviving Minnesota!

[duluthralphie]

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!

 

[I Love Layers]

Just landed in Bismarck!!

 

[duluthralphie]

Just landed in Bismarck!!

OH NO!!


That means another shower!!!

 

[holm25]

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

 

[I Love Layers]

It was so nice! Walked out of the airport and the air smelled so nice!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

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!

 

[Siggie]

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!

yay about your MN Australorp!

 

[Siggie]

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

 

[Minniechickmama]

I thought if you popped the chicken eggs seven days later it would be okay?
If not, pay for a broody to take on the last of the hatchers.
No, Vicks is good, especially on the feet. I have no idea why.
I have done what u can in this weather, and it's good enough for me. Let it be good enough for you, too.
Dude. Little dude. I think of you and laugh every time I hear Flo Rida!
Did all your heifers bear well? It's been a long time. Please forgive.
I wish! I'd loan you anything!
I've found that when one crop is a bust, another flourishes beyond imagination. Stay diverse, you will get what you need.

We have almost always had good crops when we cared well for our gardens. One year though, I had huge pepper plants that didn't bear any fruit. That was a weird year for a lot of people though. We had a good crop of asparagus and ate it enough so I don't need any more until next year. I won't buy it in the store, I just like it fresh cut from home. The apple trees already have baby apples, and the fruit trees we put in last year, some already have baby fruits on them too. We have a pathetic raspberry patch near the hops. That ground just isn't good for those berries, they have never done well in that spot. We have another started and are moving plants to yet another spot as well on the East end of one of the gardens.

The garlic is looking awesome!!!! We can tell the variety we will NOT be planting again. it will still get eaten though and I can use more in the sauces I will be making this Summer. I LOOOOOVE me some garlic!!!

'Scuse me, all y'all.....

Not a MN resident, but it has come to my attention through ralphie that there is some waterfowl addicts here he is trying to "reform". To those members: (ralphie refuses to provide their usernames) Don't cave in!! A life without webbed adorable beings would be no life at all!
-Banti

I love ducks, they are hilarious, but I am glad I don't have any this year.

Brrrrr what happened to summer?

The cool breeze feels good! The heat just makes me move slower.

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

Well, now that the first timers are 'broken in' with freshening, the next time shouldn't be as hard on them. I remember first time heifers who accidentally got bred to bulls that throw big calves and it wasn't pretty to see what they went through. Doing cow episiotomies wasn't something we did often, but there was an occasional one.

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!

Your sis called me today. I have some dark color birds for her to pick from. That is sad, Daisy was such a cute little girl! She came from my project of bantams and was the only one with that color and bearded.

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

Well, I laughed. I have never known a group of chickens to do anything except the opposite of what I wanted them to do. I moved birds for most of the day and cleaned. I am covered from top to bottom with stink and dust. I should be in the shower, but had to get off my feet for a bit. You are best off moving them at night when they can't see you coming for them.

 

[I Love Layers]

@duluthralphie
What is the difference between your MN Australorps and normal black australorps