Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[WIChookchick]

Happy snowy night all.
I was off changing blankets on horses. I have a very part time job taking care of 4 sheep and 2 horses, they are cute.. I didn't think you could keep sheep and horses together.

Chickies are doing great and are warm and toasty.. this weekend and monday/tues it is supposed to get COLD!!!
So be careful out there!!

I may have to make a run to the humane society!!

Hurley can't wait to see your corn snake website.

 

[babylady4]

I love snakes! I would have one but I hate the feeding part, and DH has put his foot down when it comes to reptiles.

We just re-homed a King snake at the University and of course it was my job to feed it the VERY cute little white mice...........

Made it home! There was not enough money in this world to get me up on 41 tonight; people on that road drive like idiots in good driving weather! I took county highways to Neenah and then wandered over more country roads to get to 10. Happy to be here, but not looking forward to Saturday; last I checked they were saying 5-10 inches of snow......

Everyone have a good evening. Sorry to hear about the losses. Off to get the tree decorated (I think!)......

 

[Susie"J"]

WICC My DH really wants sheep and you mentioned that you cared for some. Are they fairly easy to care for? Do they need shelter other than a 3 sided shelter? He would like Icelandic sheep. I wish he would do a bit more research on them before he jumps in but I have a feeling that we will have sheep sometime next summer. He knows he has to build a fence first. Thanks for any help.

 

[Hurley]

Very nice coop, Susie J.

Love the set up. Is that electric run out to it? Color me jealous!
Still collecting ideas for my idea for a set of "chicken kennels", basically some dog run type runs with a coop at the west end of each forming a long, narrow divided coop slash wind break for the runs. Planning on 3 or 4 runs giving me space to keep 3 or 4 breeding groups separate in addition to my current coop for layers of a colorful egg basket.


(Link to my coop when it was almost done.)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=385210

 

[Susie"J"]

Hurley your coop looks alot like mine. Mine is pretty small and I think maybe 6 total would be all I can have. You have plans for many chickens and I can't wait to hear all about it as it progresses. As I posted earlier my DH is planning on sheep also so I think 6 hens will be it for me. Also want another dog but have to talk DH into that. Our dog passed away about 6 years ago and I would like another. My friend found an egg basket for me at a resale shop for $1.00 and I thought of yours. Now all I need is eggs Susie

 

[Dr HaHa]

Good Morning All! H&R that really sucks! Sorry the kids found out first! ODrH will check out that sight later today. Only got 2" here but saw the forecast this morning think I'll wait to plow. Don't mind the snow so much because I get to play with the tractor but don't like the below 0 crap. Have a bunch of running to do this morning. Dentist, oil change, and groceries. Still plan on making chic noodle soup. Get ready I see most of us are getting a boat load of snow then bitter cold. Stay warm and safe!

 

[Hurley]

I hear the bitter winds are coming, but man today is picture perfect! Watched a beautiful winter sunrise while getting the boys dressed, then took Thomas out to tromp some pristine snow. We found the plastic sled, so I let him sled down the hill about 10 times (before mommy got all sweaty and tired, tuck!) I opened up the pop door for the cluckers and they scurried out to their heated water bucket one by one, drank, and scurried back inside. The water I put in the coop last night was of course spilled

. Hehhee Wonder when they are going to figure out that the toxic white stuff is here to stay.

 

[creative.hortic]

didnt get a chance to read all 400 pages of this post! but curious as to where in wisconsin most of you are located? any in sheboygan? thats where we just started our urban flock of 6 wyandottes. they had their first snow and they will not come down from the coop!!! chickens!

 

[Hurley]

One Brave Soul

This is Bumble, she's one of my blue Marans pullets, just beginning to grow her wattles and comb. She's always been behind the others, last to hatch, had contracted toes and couldn't walk at first. I made her snow shoes of cardstock and tape to hold her feet flat for 2 days and thought I'd killed her day one. She was on her back, feet in the air, the others started pecking at her. I picked her up and she was still breathing, so set her on her keel, placed her feet, and shooed the others away from her and placed water and food right next to her. (The chicks lived for 2 weeks in my living room in a large aquarium for a brooder where I could watch them and play with them.) After a bit she started pecking at the food and water. 2 hours later she's hopping around on her snowshoes. I dubbed her bumblefoot and she's always been the most friendly of the chickens after surviving her ordeal. Her feet are normal today and she's growing nicely, just maturing a little behind the others.

Thought I'd show a photo of her now and then. Enjoy.

 

[WIChookchick]

Susie"J" :

WICC My DH really wants sheep and you mentioned that you cared for some. Are they fairly easy to care for? Do they need shelter other than a 3 sided shelter? He would like Icelandic sheep. I wish he would do a bit more research on them before he jumps in but I have a feeling that we will have sheep sometime next summer. He knows he has to build a fence first. Thanks for any help.

These sheep are really easy to care for, They cannot eat horse grain though and vice versa, their minerals are copper based and that is bad for horses, so you would have to create a "creep" feeder...or ensure the horses are in when feeding minerals to the sheep.
Sheep have their own health problems, and trimming feet can be a challenge. I love icelandic sheep and that it the type.
If you educate yourself on the types of health things that can pop up, you can head it off.
Two of the sheep are about 11 yrs old. That is old for sheeps!!

Carol​