Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[BlackBrookPoultry]

Well, I caved and put a heat lamp in the coop tonight. My SQ call duck looked especially cold. The chickens seemed fine though. It was -15 when I woke up this morning. They could maybe use a little break from the cold. I hope it helps and doesn't burn down my coop (again).

 

[Terri O]

Well, I caved and put a heat lamp in the coop tonight. My SQ call duck looked especially cold. The chickens seemed fine though. It was -15 when I woke up this morning. They could maybe use a little break from the cold. I hope it helps and doesn't burn down my coop (again).

SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Celtic Chick]

Cuties, cute lil chickies! But you really need your head examined. Hatching chicks now???? Yikes, girl! The dust............

BBP, your avatar photo is giving me the chills. Put some clothes on, girl! Brrrr!

I agree with Terri on the scary comment!

Not much new around here. I hope Jon made it home ok, Cind. Sweet dreams, all!

 

[Cindlady]

Hi All!

Jon rolled in about 4:30. They stopped and rested a bit. He's got interesting stories to tell. Like he's probably not going to Hawaii this year because he's broker than he thought he would be. 1.) He didn't get to work a show he was suppose to.(The owner worked it) and 2.) They spent a weekend in New Orleands!

Jon->

At least we didn't have to send bail money!

Lost a blue Ameruacana today. I think it was too cold too soon after her molt.

Now I only got 1 pure one left

I don't think Spirit (the cat) is going to last much longer. I took her to the vet yesterday and they drained a whole liter of fluid from her. The vet thinks she probably has cancer. She hasn't moved much since I brought her home. I'm hoping she goes in her sleep. She doesn't seem stressed otherwise. She's just not quite all there.

I have one of those oil filled ones that look like a radiator in my coop to keep the water from freezing. Won't get hot enough to start a fire.

Night All!

 

[chikenscratch]

Hi All!

TO... My family Did that ornament thing when I was a baby until after I was married. I did it for my kids and am doing it for my grand kids!

SClark.... I had a batch of chicks that got spoiled on ff. I started sprinkling the pellets over the ff and kind of mashing them in. Then started less ff and more pellets. They got the idea. They all still get ff in the morning and pellets if their still hungry later.

Bl4... how does he fix the traps? I always put peanut butter on the traps. These guys don't seem to like it as well. I don't want to poison because the cats do eat what they catch and I hate it when they die somewhere and stink up the place.

Jon and his boss just left Texas last night and are stuck in that ice storm! Jon is letting his boss drive because his boss never drove in ice and Jon figured he should learn!

*need a scared emo.* He said if it gets scary he'll take over.

That's it..... Night All!

Good morning everyone! I've been up since 4 am...yep 4am.

As far as mouse traps, I use string cheese in mine. They love it.

 

[chikenscratch]

G.Pa, DH, DD12, and myself spent yesterday cleaning out the garage, burning old wood flooring and shelving, and moving the gardening stuff out of the garage (pots, cages, etc). We were actually toasty as the flames were about 12ft high and melted the ground about 5-6 ft out....it made for a very slippery fireside however! Not sure what we'll do today. There is still a lot of garage to clean.

Chickens are managing the temps here so far. I've been closing the doors on the coop at night to act as a wind block for them and to hold some heat in there. I've still got the ground vents open however.
I've still got a Blk Orp hatching nothing. I hope she is warm all by herself in the nest box.

DD12 had her symphonic band concert the other day. I was really impressed with how they sounded...surprising for such a young group. DD11 was also there performing in the concert band and singing with the choir. The choir sounded great, but the concert band was just okay. No mistakes, but no power either!

Going to get another cuppa..........

 

[momgille]

BL4 that is a huge tree suppose you could always cut down the one side of the tree no one sees

I miss having a real tree for the smell it brings into the house but I do not mind not having to crawl under and water the darned thing.

BBP heat lamp = roast chicken... do not think I want any part of that... We use one of those water heaters in the coop do not care for the evaporation but keep the vents open so all the water escapes and it averages 5 degrees warmer in the coop on really cold days just keep the girls inside, I think it is the wind and drafts that bother them the most if they roost and fluff the feathers they will make it just like the wild birds and turkeys do.

I have 3 birds laying 2 a day. They are as consistent as my RIR ever were. The barred rock is laying huge huge eggs. I love her big fluffy butt, The Mottled Java lays a really nice dark brown egg and is my favorite for coloring. Then there is the muttly "cherry egger" RIR/NH cross still pullet size and speckled but getting bigger. My other 6 are all still eating and doing nothing but providing poop for the garden and body heat for the 3 layers...

Got a newer car 2011 Camry. Merry x-mas and happy birthday, mothers day, fourth of July etc to me..... gave my 2002 to DD23 who totaled her old RAV on the ice 3 weeks ago... Does not take much damage to total a 18 year old car LOL. Amazes me these days how many miles can be put on these cars I remember when a 100,000 was the end of a life and they were rusted heaps after 7 years.

Oh and mouse trap tricks we use peanut butter but put a sun flower seed or two on top cause they have to take the time to pull it from the peanut butter SNAP end of subject and into the firepit.

Stay warm all

 

[Terri O]

Good toasty morning...well for me anyhow! I fell back to sleep after DH got up (for an additional hour and a half) so it is really warm down here cause the fire is up an going...AND the furnace is running too. Of course I am dressed in flannel lined jeans, a turtleneck and a sweatshirt--he is in his robe!

My last SLWx was dead in the nest box yesterday.

She was a good old girl. I think she was one of the last ones from the new flock I bought after the raccoon attack years ago. Thinking she was near 8 or so! Had good weight--I guess she was just tired...

Well I have to be at work in an hour so I guess I better head out to that frozen tundra! It will be worse today because the sun isnt shining. Looks like it might be a little breezy too! I think I will add my scarf today.

Have a good one! TerriO



ETA: Connie--those pullets laying for you yet? I hear the ones at Cuties are and I believe I am getting an egg or two from mine! FINALLY! (I dont believe in heat in the coop either!

 

[jvls1942]

good cold Packer Sunday morning to all,

Jon spent his money wisely,, N.O. vs Hawaii ?? no contest..

Another little trick for baiting a mouse trap,, put the PB under the trigger.. and don't put too much on .. just a smear .. that way they have to lick harder to get it off.. If you have too big of a glob on there, they will quit licking and leave..

getting 4 eggs per day.. It is difficult to get pullets to start laying in cold weather,, I should have hatched them much sooner in the spring.. I knew that, but I thought we were going to have a mild fall.. sh!t happens..eh?

well, coffee in the cup is almost gone and what is left is ice cold.. going to go get a warm cuppa and then to thaw out the waterer .. the cover is froze on..

............jiminwisc..........

 

[Celtic Chick]

Awwww, Cind, I am so sorry to hear about Spirit & your blue Am.

Do you know where they drained the fluid from her? Was it in her chest?

I have a cat that was retaining water due to heart conditions. The vet prescribed furosemide, a diuretic, and it works very well. He only needed to be drained the one time, now the med keeps the fluid from accumulating. And it isn't crazy expensive. I get 90 tablets for $17.

Sorry about your hen, Terri. At least she had a long life.

I lost roo the night before last. I have no idea why. He was really young, hatched in June, I think. He had no marks on him and always had a good appetite. His color was good and there are a couple heat lamps securely in the coop for them to go warm up under. I did notice some water farts out in the yard, though. Hopefully it was just an isolated incident. I put vitamins & electros in the water just to be on the safe side, and some probios in their oatmeal.

My pullets are in no hurry to start laying either, Jim. I think I am getting 1 pullet egg every other day or so out of 6 girls. 2 of them are at least 3 weeks older, so they should have been laying already. Slackers.

Hopefully the Pack will do us proud. Enjoy the game! Now if only this snow would just stop...........