The Middle Tennessee Thread

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I'm cool with saying Red Robin at 3pm or 4pm. Which would y'all prefer?
And I think we are talking the Red Robin in Murfreesboro. Isn't that sort of half way between everyone?

 

[cpegram]

Either is good for me what does everyone else think?

 

[believer01]

Red Robin at 3:00? S'ok by me as it's getting dark later so I can stay out later!

Hey, back to toe nails!!! Can I clip them? Can I use the toe nail clippers I use on the dogs? And how much to take off or leave on?

 

[Jenski]

believer01, you can use [sharp] dog toenail clippers. Make sure your bird is relaxed and you have good light. Have a jar of Quick Stop or other coagulant powder on hand, 'cause if you accidentally tip the quick, it bleeds like crazy and takes awhile to clot.

I clip a very small piece at a time, and if the nail is very long I do it over several weeks' time. If the nails are light colored, all the better since you can see the "quick" (blood vessel) showing through. Bird nails need to be kind of long (the quick is long), so I only cut when it starts turning the toes. Most breeds will scratch them down naturally, so I tend to do the silkies most of the time. I also have one older bantam cochin lady who needs a bit of a trim now and then.

Hope that helps!

 

[believer01]

Jenski, thanks! That helps alot! I'll start working on hers today! A little at t time.....

Oh she is so gonna hate this!

 

[Jenski]

Ahhh, chopped grapeys go a long way toward helping with these sorts of things . . .

 

[lemuckley_flock]

Hey everyone....couple of questions for the locals (who know our weather) if you don't mind.

My chicks have turned into giants - they're between 4-5 weeks old and *mostly* feathered. I've been cutting their heat back quite a bit in the brooder in preparation for turning them outside. There are 8 of them. When can I figure on being able to put them out? We've got to finish their coop and run....we had it ready then adopted four layers and put them in the coop. It's not big enough for 12, and one of our hens is very dominant, and she'd beat the heck out of the chicks if we just put them in anyway....so they're getting their own place for now. I looked at our extended forecast, and it looks like once we get out of this cool snap we should be in the mid 70's days, upper 40's - low 50's at night. Next week, at 5-6 weeks old....think they'll be ok outside?

Our adopted hens....three are just finishing their first molt, and aren't laying. So we're feeding four and getting one egg a day. They're feathering back out nicely, but how long should we anticipate waiting before they begin to lay again? The hubby wants to make them into dinner if they don't start up soon.....eek!

 

[Troyerchicks]

Quote:
Sounds good . Either 3 or 4pm will work for me. I can't wait to meet you all!

 

[HBuehler]

Hey Jenski-are you going to the meetup Sat? If so can I stop by Thurs with cookies and eggs and ooh and awe over some cute birdies

CityGirl-I checked fertility in the first eggs I sat since I moved them all around and looks like we are going to have lots of new bantam cochin's soon...those boys are busy.
Sold more pullets tonight all I have left are young one's now..and 2 pair of Mille Fleur Cochin's leave tomorrow.
lemuckley_flock

Personally I wouldn't put chicks out that young.We have them that age-heck from in the bator and up. They would be fine if you added a heat lamp at night to keep them warm and scare off the boogie man that scares chicks in the dark.When you put them outside they are being subjected to new things that they need to build up an immunity to and if they are cold they are more stressed which can lead to sickness quickly...especially in this wonderful damp wet weather.
Until they are fully feathered the 5 degree drop per week is a good base to follow.
Now those layers... What type of feed are they eating? If you want good egg production it starts with a good high protein feed..have they been wormed and mite free? So many things can effect how they will lay and how soon after a molt. Remind your hubby that he may kill that hen and when he cuts her open the egg may be there and then it's too late

patience.
No worries those chickens will eat much more than they will produce egg wise but they do many more other great things than lay eggs-they are master gardner's, lawn aerator and fertilizer,pest control and best yet human stress relief

 

[Okla-doodle-doo]

Holly you got your wading shoes on! Sure is raining up here. I need to move some chicks to the shed but these cold nights I'm afraid the lights just won't keep them warm enough. I have a few chicks from your big black roo and blue hen. They sure are big. Sounds like you have really cut down on your numbers lately.