Washingtonians

[pongoid]

I am from SouthDakota, in the winter it gets -40 for a good 3 weeks. Then July brings 3 weeks of 100-120 degree weather.

From that perspective, Seattle is a cake walk.

 

[ByN8ureHomstead]

Quote:
I've suddenly stopped getting eggs, too. I thought maybe it was because the darn broodies won't let anyone use the nest box. I've started looking for nests outside the coop.

I have nothing significant to add since only 1 of my 4 girls are laying. The other 3 are apparently just not ready yet, although at least 2 look mature enough. They are big girls, red combs, but so far nothing. Only the light sussex has been laying and lately we were getting an egg every single day from her. But she has been broody for the past 3 days and frankly everyone, DD and DH included, is afraid of her. She's sitting in the nest box, trance like. DH said he saw her go out into the run to eat and drink, but still. We hardly recognize our formerly friendly girl. It's just creepy.

Have the same thing here. I blamed it on the weather. It got really hot then a cold snap then hot again. Our Sussex are the only ones back on track.

 

[Ogress]

My slow motion hen seems to be perking up a bit - probably because I brought her a slice of whole wheat bread smothered in yogurt! She won't touch the chicken food, but she'll eagery gobble up any treats and she's drinking fine. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow she'll be over it and I can put her back with the flock. I'm wondering if maybe she does not like the texture of the new food. I switched from Payback Pellets to mash from Patriot Farms about a week ago. I mixed the remaining pellet with the mash, but it is only 20% or so pellet.

 

[Illia]

Hello again all. Been gone for a while.


Currently enjoying the sun lately, although I'd like it if it rained for at least one day, max three days. My potatoes need some water. I'm also currently digging HUGE holes for some banana plants. (the kind you eat bananas from, not the ornamental kind)




Oh, and we FINALLY got our greenhouse done!!! Yep, we're growing 4 banana trees, figs, 4 varieties of watermelons, 13 varieties of melons, 12 varieties of squash, 37 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, and 24 varieties of heirloom peppers as well as some tomatillos generously donated by Chickielady and some eggplants in the greenhouse.


Yes, we can fit it all in there.

Of each variety we have, there are about 5 plants, making hundreds of plants in the greenhouse. Next year, no joke, we're going to grow some chocolate trees too. We'd do it this year if it weren't for the fact that planting bananas and cacao at the same time would have the new root growth compete too much. I'll hopefully get a second, more tropical climated greenhouse going too and do some Cinnamon and Mangoes. Our current one can easily get up to 110 degrees, but the tomatoes would die.

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
That's a big opening, and even if it would close, it would likely die of infection. I would put it down.

Are you referring to the belly button ?
If so, a q-tip slathered in vaseline & you may be able to push/twirl and gently push the outy back in.
Sometimes it will pop back out & will die from infection as Clover said.

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
I think I am going for feed tomorrow, wanna meet up?

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Hmm, I thought it was just me?? We have 6 mature hens and I'm only getting three a day! you may be on to something!!

It started with CCG asking about soft eggs & what to do about them.
I have 2 that lay a soft egg in the middle of the night and will NOT go in a nest box...I find at least 1 slattered on the poop board everyday!

They all get oyster shell, great feed & free range.
They are all healthy.
They all get treats and lettuce.

 

[SadieSue]

Well DH and I just pushed the broody Sussex off of the nest. She went outside to eat and drink and boss everyone around for about 20 minutes and then hopped back up to the nest where I had left a ziplock bag of ice for her. She's really ticked now. All the other girls came in to look at her like she's a sideshow freak. It's a circus for sure. Oh, and I also had my first experience viewing broody poop. Nice, egg sized ugly broody poop. Pretty gross. And no eggs from the psycho grump from h*** either. I'm going to go play with the chicks. The mood is much better in the brooder.

 

[Chickielady]

I had POL pullets start laying a few fart eggs 2 weeks ago, and then nothing since.
They all look fine, no weird poo either.
I have never had this happen before ...except in extreme heat like 100-110 they can get off laying.

It was 50 here, and humid so feels like 40 or lower.
I cannot get warm.
I am gonna get a hot shower.
I took a handful of supplements, B complex, iron, potassium and zinc.
I will take more (others) later.
I think I will take another 3 hour nap..........

 

[BarnChick]

Just went to the neighbors and got 3 armfuls of rhubarb. Gonna make some jam and a pie. Yummy!