The Old Folks Home

[microchick]

I wish I could rehome my roosters. But with that nasty Marek's thing I am dealing with it's a no go.

DH and I were talking about it today. In order to have Marek's resistant birds I had to bring in the Amish Barnyard Crosses which I knew had Game bird in them making them more aggressive. As a result they are always either beating one another up or thinking about beating one another up. They can't help it. It's in their genes. Those genes, coming from birds that are closer to ferral birds gives them that resistance, I believe. But even when I cross them with the more gentle Egyptian Fayoumis that combative streak comes out on them.

What's interesting is that my OEGB birds, the roosters aren't nearly as aggressive even with that game bird gene thing going on so Idunno. I don't think I have ever had to patch up a SDW OEGB rooster and I have about 10 of them.

One of the reasons I didn't hatch this year was because of my hen to rooster ratio and the fact that most of my hatches the past three years has been 80% male to female. I do not need any more roosters and I'm tired of dealing with healing them up all the time. More than likely I will slowly eliminate the Amish crosses and transition to OEGBs and Fayoumis.

Has y'all's feed prices gone up? My feed of choice has gone up 4.50 in the past three months. Outrageous!

 

[drumstick diva]

Gee, I almost forgot I belong on the Old Folks Home - turned 74 Wednesday

 

[microchick]

Well the two pullets had her boxed in the corner of their turn out pen. I was mad enough to want to put the 10 week old pullets in there and let them learn their lesson. I didn't but I really really wanted to. I find when they are 15-18 weeks it's a much easier business to integrate them.
I had all my 13 week olds in one turn out pen. Added the two 15 week olds without problem, and then two older hens that were molting and needed a rest. The older hens were great at being leaders the first time I let that group free range. So, I guess I'll wait until my two younger groups of pullets get a bit old before integrating them.
I wanted my living room back, but nooooooooo. Turtle Dove is back in here with Gator and me. Boo hoo..

Do you have a two year old cockerel not doing anything that you could put in with them? I find that a mature bachelor will be a fantastic 'uncle' to my young birds. They act like their daddy, sleeps with them, calls them to food and then feeds them tidbits.

I can't tell if they think they are their offspring or they aren't sure who is male and who is female and a future mate?

 

[microchick]

Gee, I almost forgot I belong on the Old Folks Home - turned 74 Wednesday

Belated happy birthday Diva! I turn 68 a week from tomorrow don't feel a day over......74? Just kidding. Hope you had a fantastic day!

 

[CSolis]

Has y'all's feed prices gone up? My feed of choice has gone up 4.50 in the past three months. Outrageous!

Yes! From $16 to $22 per 50# bag. I'm disgusted, but it's due to gas prices going up, I suppose.

Gee, I almost forgot I belong on the Old Folks Home - turned 74 Wednesday

Happy Birthday to Uuuuuu!

 

[CSolis]

Do you have a two year old cockerel not doing anything that you could put in with them? I find that a mature bachelor will be a fantastic 'uncle' to my young birds. They act like their daddy, sleeps with them, calls them to food and then feeds them tidbits.

I can't tell if they think they are their offspring or they aren't sure who is male and who is female and a future mate?

Nope, Mine are yearlings and have their own flocks. Still too frisky to put with the babies.

 

[drumstick diva]

Micro how's my boy Varn doing?

 

[CSolis]

Here's Turtle Dove sharing my desk with me.

So nice of her to visit and check out Baby Jay's food.
And I thought I would add a shot of the mouse trap I got at TSC. I put Remik inside and have caught well over a dozen mice so far. Field mice abound here.

At least I don't have to worry about the kids getting to the poison and it's a one way trap, in but not out. One morning I found a female that had delivered 4 babies inside the trap, and another 3 mice to boot.

 

[Alaskan]

Gee, I almost forgot I belong on the Old Folks Home - turned 74 Wednesday

Happy Birthday!

Whoot!!!

 

[microchick]

Nope, Mine are yearlings and have their own flocks. Still too frisky to put with the babies.

I have about 12 I could throw into a big box, throw in some feed and punch a few holes in it. Could have them to you in about 3 days. No wait, I got that nasty fighting habit and that Marek's thing to consider. Never mind. It was a good thought though.