Surviving Minnesota!

[Siggie]

My coop is an old grainery, and my ducks kept making messes with the water..

ah ok, makes sense. I am already having issues with my waterer....it won't refill when they drink it down? I think it's because it isn't exactly level....I plan to go to the nipple system but I haven't built it yet.

 

[I Love Layers]

My watered is an old metal one, that when you put the top over it pushes a tab down, so whenever they drink so much it lets the water down. It holds about 5 gallons, and i don't have to worry about I melting on a water heater.

 

[MinnesotaNice]

Just an update... I got four EEs today, in very good condition. If anyone's near Cambridge, she's got good stock but she's going off to college. More than EEs, I'll PM you the info if needed.

Still have an EE roo and a couple silkIes to get before I call it a season. LOL
Take care, all~

Was she posting them on CL? I think I saw it. Seemed like she had some nice birds if that's the one.

'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

That's how I feel....

#ducklivesmatter

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

How'd the big move go? I don't know about your dog crate idea. Personally, I'm all about the chase method

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?

You can start out by putting some ACV and vitamins/electrolytes in their water. See if that helps at all. If they start getting crusty eyes or obvious respiratory issues, then you'll have to step up your treatment.

 

[Siggie]

@MinnesotaNice The move went great! It was funny though...the last nine chicks after watching the other 13, were beginning to realize that going in the crate (even though there were tasty treats in there) meant they would be snatched away somewhere scary maybe ha ha!! I had to sit in the brooder for about 15 minutes and slowly trap all nine in a corner and wait for them to go into the crate on their own! FINALLY the Australorp Rooster realized the treats were good enough to enter the crate and then all the others followed. I closed the door and done!

They freaked out and all were flying in the crate and screeching and then as soon as we got outside they did the pancake thing and layed on the bottom of the crate totally motionless! Once they all were in the new coop, they were fine! I added some pics to this thread earlier today

 

[I Love Layers]

Is this a myth or a fact.

My older sister who is 19 is taking care of my aunts chickens.

My aunt told my older sister that her, 1 week 3 day old turkeys, need room temperature water.
I am kind of doubting this but I'm looking for opinions

 

[MinnesotaNice]

@MinnesotaNice The move went great! It was funny though...the last nine chicks after watching the other 13, were beginning to realize that going in the crate (even though there were tasty treats in there) meant they would be snatched away somewhere scary maybe ha ha!! I had to sit in the brooder for about 15 minutes and slowly trap all nine in a corner and wait for them to go into the crate on their own! FINALLY the Australorp Rooster realized the treats were good enough to enter the crate and then all the others followed. I closed the door and done!

They freaked out and all were flying in the crate and screeching and then as soon as we got outside they did the pancake thing and layed on the bottom of the crate totally motionless! Once they all were in the new coop, they were fine! I added some pics to this thread earlier today

I did see those. Looks like some happy chickens! Are you keeping your roosters?

 

[duluthralphie]

Whew,,,


Let me see if I can remember it all...


Siggie, Nice coop.. I tried deep litter with moderate to no success, Winter screws us up and they get water logged and sloppy. This time of year is better but not great because of winter water logging...


I love Layers... I have no idea what she means by warm water. I would not give them ice water if that is what she means. But I would not warm it either, it will reach room temps in time. Where you getting Tom Hanks? I seem to recall you saying you were.



I keep telling you Ducks will screw up a coop/farm/county/state and Country.....






Holm Lucky is huge! I would have never guessed he would end up so barred. He has to be 1/2 rainbow to look like he does. The other half is BA.


I have ended my 5 days of peace and quiet. Judy is home again. She is not happy with me....again....



As you all know I am all about making others feel good. I always put others before myself. This morning I was going to run the dishwasher, I had all the dishes in it and almost pushed the start button before leaving to pick her up at the airport.....


Then it dawned on me, If I washed all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen she would feel useless and think she is not needed. I could never live with myself knowing I did not do everything I could for her. So I went to all the extra work of taking all the dishes out of the dishwasher and placing them on the counters and in the sinks. I even poured a bowl of cereal and left it sit on the counter simulating my having had breakfast and not cleaning up after myself...

Then I took some dirty clothes out of the hamper and off the shelves were I had nicely folded them and scattered them about the house. I left my shoes and boots in the entry all to make her feel more needed..


She was upset and thought I was a lazy slob, and yelled at me for being considerate to her. No matter what I do it seems wrong, I guess that is the fate of a married man to catch hades no matter how much they do for their wives.....

 

[Siggie]

I did see those. Looks like some happy chickens! Are you keeping your roosters?

I will be keeping maybe 3, 1 Australorp (which I believe I have 2), 1 Blue Cochin (I only have 1), and 1 Barred Rock (I think I have 4) or the Golden Laced Wyandotte (which I think I have 2 of but might only be 1, not sure on these guys) If I can sell them great or I will have to cull them at the end of this season

 

[I Love Layers]

I was thinking about getting ton hanks. But with my aunts appenzeller schitzbauns I can't..

 

[Siggie]

@duluthralphie

some women.....