The NFC B-Day Chat Thread

[rjohns39]

Total confession... Mine quit because I messed with their feed. Not my fault, but they don't care. New GM at the Co-op decided why should he sell me my custom blend non-GMO feed for $11.70/bag when he can sell me crappy tucker for $17.00/bag (btw, same stuff 20 miles away $9.00/bag). I ordered my feed two weeks in advance and when I ran out their only excuse was they're still shucking the corn. So I started buying from a different mill and I think they will eventually work out for me, but I need them to start providing my blends. And that's not going to happen until the cotton is ginned.

Anyway, when I switched them to tucker, they all quit laying. Then they went into a molt. I went from 20 a day to zero in a day. I've gotten three eggs since September 5th. I will solve this feed problem, but it's a challenge.

I think i will just do the cattle panels. I am cheap, lol.

My cattle panel shelter cost $200, my greenhouse $1500. But I did use 4' of 1/2" plywood on the bottom of the greenhouse.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Thanks for the tips. I an thinking of buying tarps or using clear plastic roofing if husband oks the project

Something that I add to the PVC rib is either a T coupling or a 4way coupling....this allows for a support pc of pvc between the ribs and gives it strength against winter winds. If ya put the larger pcs of PVC in the ground, be sure to leave about 1/2"-1" above ground level and when ya are finished with it remove the ribs and support pcs and place caps on the pcs in the ground....that way they will be ready for next winter and ya will just have to put the pcs back together....easy up and easy down. I usually get a roll of 6mil clear plastic sheeting from Lowe's and just cut it to length and pull it over and weigh it down with some wood branches or bricks....just cut it long enough to close completly on both ends. If ya use duct tape...it won't stick if plastic is too cold. The sheeting unfolds to either 10-12' in width.....

 

[rjohns39]

BTW, the 1/2" pvc clamps at megastore work great with any film. But I do add a tek screw to them for wind security.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Total confession... Mine quit because I messed with their feed. Not my fault, but they don't care. New GM at the Co-op decided why should he sell me my custom blend non-GMO feed for $11.70/bag when he can sell me crappy tucker for $17.00/bag (btw, same stuff 20 miles away $9.00/bag). I ordered my feed two weeks in advance and when I ran out their only excuse was they're still shucking the corn. So I started buying from a different mill and I think they will eventually work out for me, but I need them to start providing my blends. And that's not going to happen until the cotton is ginned.

Anyway, when I switched them to tucker, they all quit laying. Then they went into a molt. I went from 20 a day to zero in a day. I've gotten three eggs since September 5th. I will solve this feed problem, but it's a challenge.

My cattle panel shelter cost $200, my greenhouse $1500. But I did use 4' of 1/2" plywood on the bottom of the greenhouse.

I go to Builders Supply and get reject plywood cheap or i could use pallets. .. depending on how much time i have . It all gets painted.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hey guys Zazzle.com is having their Black Friday deals - 70% off greeting cards (they have tons and tons of chicken themed ones) with code ZBLACKFRIDAY. I just finished picking out mine.

They will have different offers every day and Cyber Monday is the big one I especially wait for .

 

[sunflour]

Good Morning folks.

I found an egg from Veronica in the community box this morning. There was another dark egg in there late this afternoon. I think that means Betty is FINALLY laying. Guess I'll have just the 4 to carry through the winter since the Exchequer Leghorns started, then quit.

Congratulations to you and Betty

I just went out and covered my remaining veggies again. Sigh. I need a greenhouse. I did hint to Santa, but i am thinking 8x16 like the hoop coop.

I always wanted one too, but the veggies I love need long days as well as warmth. So it wouldn't help me here.

I've been missing my dark brown Wellie eggs...apparently Sweetie has decided to take a vacation from laying.

Congrats on getting that other dark egg today!

So sorry about Sweetie taking a break - I read that the Wellies stop in the winter...maybe it is the cold weather that she is reacting to? My 2 are still laying, but doubt the smaller ones will lay til next spring?

Has anyone ever mentioned that we've been accused of being enablers? I think that's totally false

Nope it is very true

Hey guys Zazzle.com is having their Black Friday deals - 70% off greeting cards (they have tons and tons of chicken themed ones) with code ZBLACKFRIDAY. I just finished picking out mine.

They will have different offers every day and Cyber Monday is the big one I especially wait for .

Thanks for the tip - it is a lot better to shop at home today, but alas I have to go to get a new set of bedsheets - the ones on my bed now have a hole - and I have only 1 set in good shape. Thinking if I wait til after lunch most of the crowds will be gone home

 

[N F C]

Hey guys Zazzle.com is having their Black Friday deals - 70% off greeting cards (they have tons and tons of chicken themed ones) with code ZBLACKFRIDAY. I just finished picking out mine.

They will have different offers every day and Cyber Monday is the big one I especially wait for .

Doggone it DD! I read your post and then got sidetracked into spending the next 30-45 minutes on Zazzle They do have quite a bit of chicken type stuff (I think the coffee mugs are where I got lost).

 

[bruceha2000]

I guess they are about 40-45lbs, just regular bales around here....unless ya get the big 650-800lb rolls.

OUCH! I paid $4/bale for orchard grass hay.

My 2 are still laying, but doubt the smaller ones will lay til next spring?

In THEORY the pullets should lay through their first winter ... and spring ... and summer

 

[N F C]

Apparently my girls aren't up on the theory of egg laying...only 1 of the 5 is laying regularly, the 3 Legbars are sporadic and the Wellie is taking her winter break I guess.

@CntryBoy777 I don't think your cost per bales is all that bad...the only place around here I've been able to find it is charging $8 per bale (when they even have it).

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The price of hay is regional and mostly depends on how much crop land an area has for growing hay. Here 3-4 dollars a bale is high, generally 1-2 a bale is a fair price. Lots of farm country where I'm at. We bale our own.