Washingtonians

[KMHunter]

Quote:
I have also read on that same silly site that it is also a good idea for them to be roughly the same size. Like Weaveagarden said, if you can have them living side by side for a long while they may integrate more easily in the future. I think I read that you can put them outside, with heat, after they are fully feathered in the winter if you need to get them out of the garage. If not, I would wait until the weather warms up a little in the spring.

 

[ReiMiraa]

these are the chicks i got from nyrial...
she said they hatched sometime in september...

all 3 are bantms... 2 milli and one buff....

they are mostly fully feathered. she had them outside when it was 40... but where i live it is in the 20's.....

the bran is just a cheap hot treat for the chickens... they get scratch and layer and oyster....

 

[weaveagarden]

Bran isn't going to hurt them.... It also isn't going to help them much. There are very few nutrients, and because it is insoluable fiber, it basically just passes throught the digestive tract. basically it like feeding straw or cardboard. So, I would be careful about feeding it without other ingredients that can help it to slide through. I would choose something like yogurt, or oatmeal. I would never give it at a larger ratio that 1:1 (50%) It also draws moisture if given dry. So, I would cook it up with heat and water. And I would be very sure that they have plenty of water available, maybe even warm. Also be sure that you have plenty of grit. I would hate to see them be bound up and ill, or die.

 

[weaveagarden]

Most humans don't have enough fiber in their diet. So adding bran to their breakfast cereal, or in meatloaf...etc. increases their daily consumption of fiber. Even bran cereals that you buy are only part bran. There is some nutrients in it.... Just not much compared to other parts of the grain. Also, because humans often have problems with cholesterol because of higher than necessary fat and protein consumption, fiber can help to clean some of that out of the body. You didn't make a bad purchase. And I would definately give it to my chickens in their oatmeal, or even sprinkled lightly on squash and fruit. I just would not give it by itself. Probably there would be no problem, but I would be careful. Chickens eat enough during the day that if they are still consuming their regular diet, it isn't a bad addition just to give them something more to munch on. And buying stuff to keep them occupied is expensive. So bran is a good choice.

FYI. Fiber rich brans like oat, and rye are a little bit easier for the digestive tract to pass. So if you can find a deal on those, go for it. I have also picked up whole grain rye for a low price. You might look for that. I soak it overnight and then just cook like rice. My girls like it almost as much as oatmeal. It is also higher in protein than many other grains.

 

[KMHunter]

I am trying to post a picture so I can tell Ron how to do it. I had forgotten how. Hope this works!

This is my Lucy!

 

[KMHunter]

I hope I explained that good enough Ron!

So, late this morning I went out to the coop to give the girls treats and what not and I look at my beautiful white splash Marans. She is covered all over her head, neck and chest with blood. It scared me to death. I pulled her out and brought her inside to clean her up and see the damage. She actually didn't have serious damage, but there was certainly a lot of blood on her. I bathed her and dried her and took her back out and found blood on my BR's face, so I know who did it, I just didn't know why. I looked in the nesting boxes and low and behold I had the most gorgeous dark brown egg! My Lola had finally laid me a dark brown egg! And it seems that she tried to use the nesting box that the older girls use and got her ass beat up for it. Lots of blood in that one. She did lay in the other one so hopefully that will be it for the blood shed. I felt so bad, I was so sick to my stomach when cleaning her up, the smell of blood was pungent, but despite all of that, I got 4 eggs today, and the egg was such a pretty brown! I will try to take a photo tonight with my new camera and post it.

 

[weaveagarden]

I am so excited for you. Post a picture of her too please if you can. I can't wait to start getting dark eggs - even if it is at my mom and dad's house. My Cuckoo Marens and Welsummers are just over 18 weeks right now. I am hoping they will start before the winter is over.

I sure hope the others leave her alone now. I guess some hens are just simply not good sharers.

Well, after being reduced in their number of eggs, my girls are finally laying a fair number of eggs. I guess that will teach me not to go away again. (until Feb, anyway) I have gotten 9 so far. Sometimes I get one or two just before dark, so maybe there is still hope to break into the 2 figures area. I am still waiting to announce the 12 for 12. It will feel very good to be able to get to that.

 

[Nyrial]

I'm just thrilled with my 2 for 10

Got my first darker brown egg yesterday.

And Kim said a naughty word! I am SO telling!

ETA: They can't seem to pick a favorite nest box though.

 

[weaveagarden]

Quote:
I was wondering earlier today if you ID'd who had layed those lighter eggs? I am just curious. It is interesting to see the colors from different breeds. Even more interesting when a breed produces more than one tonal color.

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:
You sound like my younger sister when we were younger and she would always tell on me for stuff.

My DH got some good pictures of my girls the other day, I will try to post them. I am on my way to a going away party for a girl in our office. She had spinal surgery and is doing great 10 months later, but just can't do the dental thing anymore. She lost tactile sensetivity on her right side and her left side is weak. But she is able to live a normal life with some changes on how she does things. We are really going to miss her. She was that bright spot in our office.

But we are excited for her because she is going back to school to be a physical therapist and work with children.