Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[DomesticDiva12]

How do you all keep your cats away from your chicks? Our cat is a mouser and she just stares at the chicks in the brooder, I caughter her trying to stick her paw (all claws intact) into it yesterday. I'm not too worried about when they are bigger because she really doesn't like other animals but she doesn't attack bigger animals either (at least she's never brought home a rabbit or anything of that size). She is really a pretty ornary cat, she hates other cats and dogs, though she'll tolerate dogs as long as they stay away from her. Anyways, that's why I put the chicks where she can't get them when I'm not around, if I'm around they are up with the cat and us. Maybe it'd be different if I didn't have the open sides of the guinea pig cage. I'm going to probably pick up a big rubbermaid bin today, I'm not sure the cage will be big enough to keep them in for 4 weeks? The bin would probably protect them from the cat better too.
Does anyone else buy from the Shawano Tractor Supply? When I was there Monday it seemed like they got in new chicks more than once a week and not on set days. They said they were expecting some more, tempted to call today and see. I also found someone on craigslist that has 5 day old silkies. My girls really want silkies but I wonder if it'd be a bad idea to have silkies in with bigger birds, I'd only get 2 max...and then of course I'd have to break it to my husband that we'll be having 8 chickens rather than 6 because I definitely want 6 layers

Plus I want to get a few more from Tractor Supply (in case some of my straight runs are boys) but you can't buy less than 6, so I'll be brooding 14 chicks...
Another beginner question, you'll all probably laugh. How do you open the metal chick feeders? I cannot figure it out, I've been spooning the feed into the little holes

 

[Hens and Roos]

Morning- or what's left of it! Nice out today- kids went to school in shorts

MLH- how is the broody doing on the eggs? Is tomorrow hatch day?

BL4- Happy Anniversary early!!! Hope you have a great one!

 

[jvls1942]

DiDi12, I assume you mean the round ones for chicks? you unscrew the jar from the base.. fill the jar up with feed screw the base on and flip it over..

 

[Dr HaHa]

Jim that was mean! But funny!

Think DD means the tray ones, squeeze the bottom half and top comes off. Good Luck! TO think my dad would have had mom in the car with all the tubes and bags if he would have had it his way.

Sorry to hear about your Uncle and feel for your dad!

H&R had to come and change into shorts after taking off the snow bucket

Happy Anni to Bl4 and her DH! Jim the idea of putting down the weed barrier is so that I can pull the fencing to get the disc between the posts.

Got a lot done already but if I don't eat I'm gonna die!

 

[mazojoe]

Just had my first no cooling call for a residential customer! I have learned to never underestimate people!

 

[Dr HaHa]

Forgot to say glad you found your alternative lifestyle roo Amy!

And Apyl we grill all winter just seems like a real good day for it, have pig steaks thawing. Geez 2 pages and I can't member things. When I went out Peatwo was standing by the appt. door which isn't unusual but he was crowing wasn't but a few seconds and there was an answer. Went out and watched and waited. Identified the young roo. The crow was so pathetic! Ya gotta love it!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Good morning! I had to laugh and wonder at your last sentence Kristip...I was wondering why you house plants were out for a walk!

Just struck me as funny I guess....

Well H&Rs Mom is out of hospital and mine has been in since Sunday! I talked to her today and she told me that if the Doc doesnt check her out today she was going to check herself out! Her BP has beed really high (even with meds) and she has been having A-fib issues with her heart. She claims she has had this all her life so no big deal...I feel sorry for my Dad! Then he called me yesterday to tell me that my Uncle has passed away! I really felt bad for him then because he couldnt even SAY it...I had to guess...my Dad is the "strong ans silent" type so to hear him all choked up was hard. Uncle Clarence has been doing poorly for a long time now but still...to lose your older brother...not it is just my Dad and my Aunt left of his family. My Aunt lived with us when I was little because their parents both died when she was only 15 or so...

Such nice weather for sure...I slept really great last night after gardening, loading and unloading 2 loads of hay, moving all quail outside, cooking dinner and hanging laundry! Nothing likd the sleep after being outside all day...someone else commented n that too.
MLF--are you guys going to do a seminar in Lake Mills too? They have just OKed the chicken keeping ordinance ya know....
I am glad the water problems have been cleared up for everyone! That is certainly not a welcome problem to have!

There was sooo much more...but it is getting late and I need to get outside...and call Carol to see if we are still riding horses today!

Later----Terri O

(PS) Welcome to all of those that have just found us! I dare you to keep up...just start posting!

Terri O- so sorry to hear about your mom

hope she starts feeling better soon! It's rough when our parents start having health problems.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Quote:

Now the question is why is the Jaer roo doing his manly dance to this (very shy and submissive) Amer roo??

Maybe he's not as manly as he thought he was?

Terri, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom & uncle. I hope she is feeling better real soon.

BL4, Happy Anniversary early! I too will have forgotten by the time it rolls around.

DD12, constant supervision and vocal reprimands to teach your cat that the chicks are a no-no. My cats don't even pay any attention anymore. I personally do not like to mix large fowl with banties. That is just asking for troubles eventually. Some people say they have no problems, but they aren't watching their birds behavior 24/7 either. They may be fine most of the time, but I wouldn't want my birds to have to endure that kind of stress, which can possibly lead to immune problems. Happy birds are healthy birds.

As for the feeders, eat your spinach.

DrH, you got a crower already???? When were they hatched?

Well, gotta get back outside. Just came to check in so I don't get too far behind again. Later taters!

 

[Bigfamily4me]

How do you all keep your cats away from your chicks? Our cat is a mouser and she just stares at the chicks in the brooder, I caughter her trying to stick her paw (all claws intact) into it yesterday. I'm not too worried about when they are bigger because she really doesn't like other animals but she doesn't attack bigger animals either (at least she's never brought home a rabbit or anything of that size). She is really a pretty ornary cat, she hates other cats and dogs, though she'll tolerate dogs as long as they stay away from her. Anyways, that's why I put the chicks where she can't get them when I'm not around, if I'm around they are up with the cat and us. Maybe it'd be different if I didn't have the open sides of the guinea pig cage. I'm going to probably pick up a big rubbermaid bin today, I'm not sure the cage will be big enough to keep them in for 4 weeks? The bin would probably protect them from the cat better too.
Does anyone else buy from the Shawano Tractor Supply? When I was there Monday it seemed like they got in new chicks more than once a week and not on set days. They said they were expecting some more, tempted to call today and see. I also found someone on craigslist that has 5 day old silkies. My girls really want silkies but I wonder if it'd be a bad idea to have silkies in with bigger birds, I'd only get 2 max...and then of course I'd have to break it to my husband that we'll be having 8 chickens rather than 6 because I definitely want 6 layers

Plus I want to get a few more from Tractor Supply (in case some of my straight runs are boys) but you can't buy less than 6, so I'll be brooding 14 chicks...
Another beginner question, you'll all probably laugh. How do you open the metal chick feeders? I cannot figure it out, I've been spooning the feed into the little holes

My cat was sticking his paw in the cage too. But when I took the chicks out, I took the chick and shoved it into my cats face. I'd say peep peep chickie gonna get you first. The cat doesn't like Anything being stuffed in its face. Did it a couple times, and they werent as interested anymore. Baby chick didn't care either because I had them safely in hand and they were wondering what the big orange thing was staring at them all the time. It helped!

 

[mxmarg]

Sorry to hear about the family health problems Terri. No fun.

ChookChick I'm feeling alienated cuz you haven't responded to my two messages to you... KIDDING!!!!

I'm sending a PM cuz my messages to you keep getting buried by our fellow happily messaging cheeseheads!