The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Jenski]

Well buckle up, buttercup, it's gonna be a wild ride today! The wind has been so bad here that by yesterday afternoon, my big hens had to crouch down just to walk in the yard. I have a feeling March is coming in like a lion and leaving like a lion.

It seems I have acquired a new bird . . . or a moocher, really. I had a bantam hen with crop problems awhile back, and I have been feeding her "mush" made of watered down chicken feed every day. Sometimes I set the little dish on the railing of the patio stairs at the end of the day, and lately a mocking bird has been munching on it if I don't take it inside. Now he's gotten to the point where he'll be waiting for me on a branch right near the back door, and if "his" dish doesn't appear soon, he chup-chup-chups at me until I bring him something. This morning I made him his own dish, and sure enough, there he was. He flew right over my head and landed on the dish. Dirty rotten! Don't think I will even get any eggs out of that deal.



Way to go, CluckyJay! I think I would be puttin' tractor wheels on the bottom of those, and make some very fine chicken tractors to pull around. . .

OklaDD, too bad about the weather today. Hope it doesn't ruin things for the Amish auction. Let's see some pics of your new birds when you get a chance!



Hope everyone has a good, safe weekend!

 

[HBuehler]

Jen-your going to get every wild bird swarming your house

I'm ready as we can be for the rain to move in..heading out no matter what so I can wish for blue skies and 70 while I'm driving.
Okla-it's hard to let them go..I know we have sold so many this past few weeks..many we hatched here a few years ago...loyal sweet ladies.The last of my layers we had for sale are now gone..and eggs will be hard to find for a bit..other than in the incubators!! But it won't be long before the pullets kick in and I will have plenty to go around again.
If Jen comes back out here she won't recognize the place...it nearly looks empty.Until Wild and Dixie come up to say hi and Levi meets you at the car..ok some are just not for sale.
I still have a few white laced red cornish roos looking for a hen before we make them dinner.They are super roos for anyone just needing a protector-great with kids not flighty and they are mini dino's

 

[believer01]

Wow, it's amazing to me how you all banter back and forth about so many different birds. Don't know how you all keep up with eveerthin'!

CluckyJay thanks for the thought. I appreciate it. Those 'coupes' ought to hold quiet a few, eh?

Realized yesterday that there wasn't time to do anything on my coop as I had to take my car in for an alignment, getting ready for a trip to the Smokies next week. Was told instead of alignment, I need new tires (ouch$$!).

Will just keep watch on the water today.

Hope those traveling today will have safety and good weather!

Jensky have you named your mocking bird yet? Looks like you are indeed easy to train

 

[CluckyJay]

I missed the massacre part too.

Ohh it is finally that time of the year Okla! The daffodils are ready to bloom! Sorry about the chicken downsizing.

Yea, were excited about the coops. I am thinking bantys in one and Sumatras in another, lol.

I can't pull them. They are solid oak, LOL.

My husband and his friend had to use a wench to get them on the trailer. Oh man, I can dream though. Maybe I'll get a steroid-filled goat to pull them for me, hehe.


Anyone have miniature/pygmy dairy goats? I am looking to buy a couple maybe later in the year. I was looking into miniature dairy cattle or goats. I just don't know what to choose. Goats will be nearly free to keep up but a dairy cow will give us "normal" milk and lots of butter.

DH said he wouldn't drink the goats milk.

I don't think I've ever had goats milk, lol. The cattle cost so much to buy one though.

Were taking a partitioned run off the side where the dog is.





Get your galoshes ready!

 

[Jenski]

Hey, some creative person down in Franklin made a "chick crib" brooder - - check it out - -

http://nashville.craigslist.org/grd/2248419637.html


Coolest. Brooder. Ever.

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Ed. to add - -

Not to worry! I saved it in my "ideas" file in case it disappeared. Here it is:

nashville craigslist > for sale / wanted > farm & garden
Chicken Crib for new chicks! - $50 (franklin)

Date: 2011-03-05, 9:28AM CST
Reply to: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I made this chicken crib for my kids to watch their new chicks grow and develop. We are not getting any new chicken this year so its clearance time! It has a plexiglass window, metal mesh floor with a pvc roofing material tray that comes out to clean. The lid is simple and hinges back to feed and water the little critters. Its about the same size as a portable baby crib.

PostingID: 2248419637

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The only thing I'm not sure of is where you would put the heat lamp. There are several ways you could do it. This is a very cool and nice-looking brooder for someone with woodworking skills!

 

[cpegram]

awe Jenski its been deleted

 

[believer01]

CluckyJay,There is a tiny breed of dairy cows called Dexters. They average 36" so need less feed, room, are easier to manage and give a couple gallons of milk a day! I've only known one person who had them and she was just charmed with their personalities and loved the ease of care. Perhaps that would be just the thing for you! Let us know how your search goes!

 

[CluckyJay]

Oh my. I LOVE that brooder! It is beautiful and functional! *Saves*

I was looking into Dexters. I found some pretty close to us but they wanted no less than like $1,500 for a cow. :| Maybe I am just too cheap (well, POOR, lol) to buy one.

Goats are looking pretty good, LOL.

I'll keep ya'll posted on any progress.

 

[cpegram]

That is a very cool Brooder!!! much better than the walmart tub and watering trough i use LOL

 

[Jenski]

Hey CluckyJay, if you get into Dexters, be sure to research the "bulldog" trait. It will possibly cut your live birth rate if you end up with a heifer who carries the gene. . .


Oh yah, cool brooder, huh! I don't make things like that, unfortunately. I am such a goob that I don't dare get a saw near my clutsy fingers.