Washingtonians

[SadieSue]

Quote:

Oh yes you did!

 

[SadieSue]

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

Oh no... so sorry to hear this Ron...

 

[justbugged]

Quote:

The article said it still needed to be composted hot, and then set for 45 to 60 days before use. I got the impression that the manure is best composted with other materials.

My DFiL simply dug in straight chicken waste into the garden mid winter, and has not had any problems with this method. The thought is that the winter rains aid composting. I raised my meaties on the area that we then used as a garden. I have never had a garden grow as fast as the one did last year. We just planted it to late for good success.

Here is the link for fertilizer teas. http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/liquid-fertilizers-zm0z11zhun.aspx

My chicken bedding goes through two bins and a tumbler. I throw in my coffee grounds when it goes in the tumbler. When it smells good, I know it's done. It's still pretty woody at that point, so I use it as mulch. I don't worry about it getting hot. As far as I can tell, it doesn't.




I would love to see a picture of your tumbler. I know that getting the pile turned is my biggest problem.


I would like to replace the bins with tumblers. it's so much easier. Mine looks like this. I got mine from Mom. She hadn't used it in years. I can't imagine why it's so expensive.
http://www.naturalenviro.com/productinfo.php?sku=RTS-CPTUM




Thank you for the picture. It doesn't look like it would be all that hard to make something just like it. Another picture for my DH to look at. lol

 

[Flaming Chicken]

So sorryabout your rooster! Roosters can be so brave. They put their lives on the line to protect the girls.

Everybody gave EricaD such good advice I wasn't going to throw in my 2 cents. But now I will because I have a little bad news! I went out at 3:00pm to let my flock out to free range. I noticed my rooster Ricky Retardo wasn't with them so I went looking for him. I found a bunch of his feathers with blood on them in the corner of my big run. My run is five feet high with electric fence at the bottom , in the middle and at the top plus another strand a foot over that and then another one a foot over that so its seven feet high. I can't see any signs of anything getting under the fence and it isn't damaged in anyway like something went through it or over it! and the electric fence was working! It had to be a hawk or a eagle. Ricky was way bigger then any of the hawks we have around here! I'm not sure why it got him and not one of the smaller hens. The only thing I can think of is that the hens ran for cover and he might of stayed to fight or chase off what ever it was. I'm sure what ever it was will be back for another free meal.

So see Erica unless your chickens are totally enclosed at all times there is a chance of something getting them.

Tamara... sorry to hear of your loss !

 

[Flaming Chicken]

I live in Duvall

I live on Novelty hill, not very far from you.

 

[Flaming Chicken]

OMG!

This is for CR:


So a few days ago we were driving along & saw an older GMC P/U for sale, baby poo yellow, a 70s series, 3/4 T axles, stick, a good farm truck.
So we stopped & looked and I had an ice tea as usual, out walks a teen girl, phone glued to 1 ear (as usual) and DH was looking at the motor I asked her what size engine is this ?


Ready for this ????????????????????


She says, I think it is a 357....................and sho' nuff I blasted laughter out & could not stop laughing, either could DH...........I said are ya sure it isn't a 308 or a 270 ?????????????????
Finally she asked what was so funny with a grin on her face, and we explained it to her..............so funny, all 3 of us were hardly able to walk & hold the tears back it was so funny !
No we did not buy it......still laughing all the way home.

 

[Zgoatlady]

I need to thank you most for getting me to go to the Dr. That story about your DIL scared me into going; I was worried about meningitis. How is your DIL doing? I was embarrassed about going because I thought what I had going on was psychosomatic since it mimicked what Kathy had going on (she is also doing much better, though did end up back in the hospital the same time I was there ( different hospital, unfortunately ). I seriously expected them to tell me it was all in my head or maybe for them to give a pill for my headaches and some antibiotics. I was no prepared for a 5 day stay and another 2 weeks pretty much stuck in bed with my leg up. The drs seemed pretty annoyed that I waited 4 days from when the illness started to come in.
No one mentioned meningitis to me, and I was told the headache was from the toxins. I am not convinced the little buggers did not get in my sinuses. That was scary. I'm pretty sure I'll be a hypochondriac from now on, running in for every little flu and hot spot on my body.
It is great to be back!
That PTA meeting this afternoon just drained me, and I could hardly stay focused, but I made it! My lung capacity seems diminished, so I am going to work it back slowly. That is very frustrating to me. I feel like I have emphysema! but I am thrilled to be back
I love seeing all the photos people have been posting here of their brooders and hatches, and I love reading about the projects people are tackling. ambitious people!

Im so glad you did go in. My DIL spent 16 days in the hospital got out Easter and has been to the DR's 5 times, she is being tested for a lot of other things now. They think she has some kind of Auto Immune Dis. When they gave her the Antib to help her , her body went crazy and she had to have 6 units of blood and also somthing other than that to help her. She will have a long road ahead of her..
There are just to many bad bugs out there now, we all need to keep a eye on ourselfs becasue of it.

 

[Zgoatlady]

All right, all right... I'm not really laughing. I'd like to, but the truth is I don't get it. Would I understand if I knew anything about pick ups? Good thing the joke was for CR.

I need to thank you most for getting me to go to the Dr. That story about your DIL scared me into going; I was worried about meningitis. How is your DIL doing? I was embarrassed about going because I thought what I had going on was psychosomatic since it mimicked what Kathy had going on (she is also doing much better, though did end up back in the hospital the same time I was there ( different hospital, unfortunately ). I seriously expected them to tell me it was all in my head or maybe for them to give a pill for my headaches and some antibiotics. I was no prepared for a 5 day stay and another 2 weeks pretty much stuck in bed with my leg up. The drs seemed pretty annoyed that I waited 4 days from when the illness started to come in.
No one mentioned meningitis to me, and I was told the headache was from the toxins. I am not convinced the little buggers did not get in my sinuses. That was scary. I'm pretty sure I'll be a hypochondriac from now on, running in for every little flu and hot spot on my body.
It is great to be back!
That PTA meeting this afternoon just drained me, and I could hardly stay focused, but I made it! My lung capacity seems diminished, so I am going to work it back slowly. That is very frustrating to me. I feel like I have emphysema! but I am thrilled to be back
I love seeing all the photos people have been posting here of their brooders and hatches, and I love reading about the projects people are tackling. ambitious people!

Im so glad you did go in. My DIL spent 16 days in the hospital got out Easter and has been to the DR's 5 times, she is being tested for a lot of other things now. They think she has some kind of Auto Immune Dis. When they gave her the Antib to help her , her body went crazy and she had to have 6 units of blood and also somthing other than that to help her. She will have a long road ahead of her..
There are just to many bad bugs out there now, we all need to keep a eye on ourselfs becasue of it.

I think I know a 357 is a gun right? I think Im right right?

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Thanks everyone, this has been really helpful. I may opt to use an electric fence after all, and will also build a secure run to use as needed, so that it's on standby.

Anyone local know who I can contact to butcher and process chickens when the time comes? We won't be able to do it ourselves, no way no how. I'd love recommendations if you know of anyone offering this service - I'd much rather write a check than wring a neck, lol.

If you want to learn how to do there are some really good youtube videos on how to do. I have a few links saved.

 

[4cats3kids1hubby2many]

Uh OH!​

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Oh my...what is this? Hmmm momma wants one.