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[rebrascora]

@PaulaMc

Thanks for the sympathy and support for Vippy. I have to say, I could not have operated without the wonderful people who posted footage of their crop surgery on You Tube. Their step by step instructions made the whole process so much less daunting. I wish I had had someone available to take video footage of Vippy's operation, so that I could provide that same service to others, but only 2 pairs of hands available and both were fully engaged. The weather here is not too bad today so far, so I have put her out in her cage again this morning, next to the pen with her palls.

Her sister has just gone broody and I'm fighting the urge to set eggs. It will be her first time and she is under a year old and of course I already have too many chickens (is that really possible??) ....but the temptation is killing me!!! If this bird flu lock down was over it might be possible, but if I set now, they will be hatching whilst everyone is still confined and that's going to make things stressful for everyone...... But then my regular broodies don't normally offer to hatch until late spring summer and it would be nice to have some chicks mature in the summer instead of winter. I'm already trying to figure out which eggs I would give her, if I don't manage to resist temptation.....someone talk some sense into me!!!

 

[Rudies Roost]

@rebrascora I can't talk any sense in to you....I'm just as bad!! No broodies here yet but my Wyandotte won't be much longer. I too am earmarking whose eggs I'd like to set. I have far too many already but I can't resist!

Weather here is awful. High winds, which I believe are set to get progressively worse and rain, though it does seem to be easing off on the wet front. It's also very dull. I'm walking the dogs currently and it's not fun at all. Have to pop to Sainsbury's now, I'll be glad to get in the dry and warm!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

@rebrascora

Hi Barbara

Wow Vippy is looking great! I really don't think that scar is bad at all and to be quite honest I was expecting something more... not sure how to describe it but more bloody? Hope she is doing well today and has enjoyed done time outdoors again? Did you find your camrosa ointment? That sure is good stuff and not cheap!

Is the tunnel holding up ok? Sounds about right it coming with not enough length on the straps I have been round today and double checked my run covers as last time it was very windy one of then got trashed. I had to replace it with a tarpaulin as the covers for the run were out of stock. Not sure how this tarp will hold up as it was only cheap and it's not quite as tight as I would like but for £5 if it gets wrecked, it gets wrecked. It's not been as windy today as I thought it would be but who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Please do go ahead and use the pics I posted, you are most welcome. I was bad a pinched them

I too can't talk any sense into you I've started today to collect the eggs from the run with the cockerel in as a couple of the polish are now laying. Might see how many I get over the next week and set a dozen in the incubator just to see what will hatch
I've decided to find a new home for the Tolbunt cockerel as he's standard size and just seems too big for the little bantam polish so I'm on the hunt for a bantam polish cockerel now Typical that when you want a cockerel you can't find the right one!

Hope your having a nice evening and that all is well.

Kim xx

 

[timon]

@Gge23


Great to hear that she is has perked up overnight. Hope it continues.

Delighted to report that my little girl has picked up too.

Sadly I lost my oldest hen, Henrietta, my only RIR last night.
Regards

Barbara  

Such wonderful news that Vippy is doing well... and then sad you've lost Henrietta.

The scar looks like it's healing very well. It's so much better once it's dried out and naturally protects the wound.

Well done - very impressed, you can make a YouTube video next time

Timon

 

[timon]

@PaulaMc


I'm fighting the urge to set eggs. It will be her first time and she is under a year old and of course I already have too many chickens (is that really possible??) ....but the temptation is killing me!!! 

Go on - do it !
You know you want to !

I'd love to hatch some marans, but I hear ex batts don't go broody... are incubators complicated to use?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Go on - do it !
You know you want to !

I'd love to hatch some marans, but I hear ex batts don't go broody... are incubators complicated to use?

It's not totally unheard of that ex batts go broody but they are a rarity.

Depends on how hands on you want to be with an incubator but not complicated once you get to know your machine.
There are many brands out there to choose from with varying price ranges. Generally the more the incubator does for you the more pricey it is.
If you are thinking of giving it a go this is a great read ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hope everyone is having a great weekend? The sun is out here, that's right the SUN! e

@rebrascora

Hope Vippy is still on the right road Barbara

 

[rebrascora]

@Yorkshire Coop

Hi Kim

Vippy continues to improve but get worse as regards Diva behaviour over food. I'm trying to transition her onto normal chicken food and she is having none of it. She is holding out for her scrambled egg every morning. I've tried mixing some fermented feed in with it and some wholemeal bread but she sends me back to the kitchen to make it again without that cheap animal food in it! Starting to worry I might have a spoilt house chicken for life!

You guys are really not helping me as regards setting eggs, but I am resisting so far. My sister came over yesterday and talked sense with a very firm "NO! You already have too many chickens!" and she is right.....I just need her looking over my shoulder and reminding me of that every day, so that I don't get those weak moments! Great news is that we got 2 GGs out for a walk yesterday, but boy were they full of it! Had planned to take Rascal first and then the other two together. Rascal was bouncing but Jo managed to get him reasonable settled quite quickly and we had a pleasant walk/jog with not too many antics. Put him back and got the other two out but they had already wound themselves up whilst we were out with Rasc so they were totally hyped. Got across the busy main road, whilst dangling from lead ropes with horses on 2 legs only to see Rascal running full tilt at the gate looking like he would come over the top, so I had to take MeMe back, which was in itself a feat because she wanted to go out to play. It was a wise move though as Rebel was very naughty whilst we were out and bucked and lunged and threw his feet at Jo on numerous occasions. I couldn't have managed him but she kept very calm and handled him very well. It didn't help that we met a horse and rider whilst we were out and that made him 10 x worse. You would think he was an unbroken 2 year old. not a ride and drive 20 year old. Thankfully we got back home safely but it was not confidence inspiring and I'm very pleased I waited until Jo came over as I would never have managed him on my own.

Poly tunnel is holding up very well thanks although we haven't had any particularly strong winds yet. I need to make a few modifications yet but it's doing the job for now.

I'm sorry to hear that you are not happy with your cockerel. You had so much difficulty finding a Tolbunt in the first place. I didn't realise that Polish came in bantam and large fowl. I thought they were just an in between size. Good luck finding a smaller one.

@timon

Forget about getting an incubator and just find yourself a couple of little pekins or silkies.....so much cuter and more versatile than an incubator and no worries about power cuts.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

@rebrascora

Good evening Barbara

How are your legs? Worn out from all the running about for the little diva? . I have a very weird vision in my head of Vippy sat there dishing out her orders or turning her beak up at your menu! It is great to hear that she is doing ok even though she does not fancy the animal feed yet. Maybe a case of tough love if it continues but I can imagine that would cause apprehension with crop issues.

Oh no your sister has put her foot down with you on the eggs! But cute little chicks........ Im sorry, I can't help myself... I have 5 eggs so far sat waiting to maybe go in the incubator. At this rate I should have at least a dozen ready to set and I may even put a couple of the Amber hybrids in to see what hatches. The Amber cross the Tolbunt should produce some interesting chicks to look at.....

You got the GGs out for a walk It sounds like it was a very interesting experience to say the least! Glad you all got back in one piece and safe and sound!
I'm hoping to get out on Harry in the morning after he's been out for a kick and a buck. He's been very spirited of a morning this week so it's the best plan. Not quite sure who's coming with us yet as my usual victim is out on the lash tonight so says she may be too ill so we shall see.

Yes the cockerel is going to have to go He's such a sweety not at all nasty but just not quite what I want. Yes both bantam and standard size for the polish but the standard are not super big. You can see the difference though when you get the 2 sizes next to each other.

Hope your relaxing Barbara and that your restaurant is now closed for evening!

Kim xx

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hope everyone has had a great weekend?

@rebrascora

Hi Barbara,

Hope Vippy is still on the road to recovery and that she's not running you too ragged? I got out on Harry yesterday morning but we went on our own as there were no takers for a quiet hack out He was a lunatic! We have not been out on our own for a while but I was not expecting the spectacle he put on! We had bunny hopping bucking, cantering down the road sidewards, screaming, snorting, head throwing, feet stomping the full works! Needless to say we didn't go the long way round but took the short route. I was puffed out, he was puffed out so all in all a very interesting ride but at least I got on and got him out. Going to speak to my friend who has his field companion and see if I can take him along with us next time as Harry will do ride and lead but not sure if Brannon will so I need to ask her. Might get a quite ride then if no one fancies coming with me!

Have you resisted temptation on the eggs? Change of plan here and I'm going to wait a tad longer to set so they should hatch the Saturday before Easter as the new Easter hatch a long has just started in the incubating section so I'm going to set for that

Hope you have a great week Barbara

Kim xxx