Surviving Minnesota!

[holm25]

Ralphie do you know what is better than fake geese that have to be moved?! Real geese that move themselves!

 

[holm25]

This look like classic molting evidence to anyone? My flock is coming up on a year. Egg production dramatically reduced and this is from the last week. They don't look too terrible like some photos show...

This look like classic molting evidence to anyone? My flock is coming up on a year. Egg production dramatically reduced and this is from the last week. They don't look too terrible like some photos show...

I have birds molting right now too but not bad. Unless they have artificial light this time of year they're gonna slow down. I would think they should pick up soon. I went from zero eggs one week and then the next week I got around three dozen good eggs and one frozen which was in an odd next box nobody lays in... So yours should start soon again I would think?

 

[duluthralphie]

Ralphie do you know what is better than fake geese that have to be moved?! Real geese that move themselves!

Do you know what I despise worse than dux even???

 

[duluthralphie]

@mnbrewdude If that is all the feathers you have, it is not a bad molt. I can't see the birds themselves.

As Holm said, but adding " even with artificial lights my production is up and down with the weather" It is just a weird year.

 

[holm25]

Ralphie I had frostbite issues this year too! Only on a few single comb roosters that were culls that I didnt get butchered. But I didnt have any trouble last year! My Australorp/Welsummer lost one point last year and this year two lost have of their darn combs!

 

[holm25]

Do you know what I despise worse than dux even???

Squirrels and chipmunks?

 

[duluthralphie]

Squirrels and chipmunks?

Well, Rodents yes, I meant birds though...

I am hoping for some vicious cats to show up and teach my rodents a lesson. BTW I have a live trap for mice that is working well.

I am raising them to be "Training Pigeons' for the cats..

 

[holm25]

Well, Rodents yes, I meant birds though...

I am hoping for some vicious cats to show up and teach my rodents a lesson. BTW I have a live trap for mice that is working well.

I am raising them to be "Training Pigeons' for the cats..

I got some ferocious kittens in training ready for you. Since the nicest one got in a tangle with a car motor the second cat is a little timid but should settle down quick.

 

[jerryse]

The Juneberries are rated zone 3-9 . These are Canadian selections . They are a commercial crop there . I found these in Raintree Nursery catalog . The Alnifolia species seems to have the best production and size . I am thinking of the Northline as it suckers profusely ( think free plants ) and Smokey for 3/4 inch fruit .

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Good morning Chickeners . . . . Still under the effects of Advil PM but did finally get some sleep (it had been three nights without it) Then I read the article about chickes / lights / melatonin. Interesting. Shut off allllll my lights and covered the digital clock and swallowed that sleep aid. The problem in waking up and being bright eyed in the morning. Yes - I have been up a couple of hours and doing stuff even though I am kind of dragging.

Really mad at one of my little dogs. He keeps peeing in the house! This morning was the straw that broke the camels back. He is in lock down without no parole. I let him go out whenever. About every two hours I check him again. I wonder if he has a bladder infection but then I remember that he never did achieve complete bladder control. Ugh!

Ivie Maybe have him checked for Tick disease if it is unusual for him to do that. Our big labrador started pittling and pooping down in the basement when she started to get sick several years ago.

I planted some tomato seeds indoors the other day . Early I know but I had the urge . I will pot them up to large pots in time . Hey BC and Ralphie I am going to order some improved service berries /June berries . Some of those claim 3/4 fruit . I remember someone said something about SS with rose or cushion combs . Hmm my pullet is in with a silver duckling Leghorn with a rose comb . I guess I could set a few . Ralpie could try PC .

Now's the time to start the tomatoes! I tried doing it a couple years but as many of you know I can't get the plants to harden off. They just die on me. Thinking about making a mini hoop green house to try my hand at it again.

This look like classic molting evidence to anyone? My flock is coming up on a year. Egg production dramatically reduced and this is from the last week. They don't look too terrible like some photos show...

There sure are a ton of reports on birds molting this winter! My sister has it going on with her Backyard flock in the Metro. But all over this state...birds are molting the wrong time of year!. I'm not sure if it's swings in temps, barometer or what. I think there was a weather event that stressed my sister's birds though. They were all pin feathers at Christmas. So she's back on track. But seriously, what is going on?!

Knock on wood my 10 birds are retaining their feathers in this sub zero stuff we've been having. Nice again though on Saturday. 25 degrees.

Ralphie I think you'll enjoy your new putty tats. What good helpers they will be.