Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[ParkfieldFarm]

All the mite treatment are belong to us. We are tired after this weekend! ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz.......

 

[bigzio]

It's been months since I opened the pop hole on my big coop.....there is over 3 feet of snow in that pen. If this cold breaks later this week, I'll prolly get the shovel out and a least open up a small area for the hens to get out and flap their wings and get some sunshine. I'm sure they will be glad to get out too! It's just to much work to keep it shoveled all Winter long, when they won't venture out anyway....but now with more power delivered from the sun, I'm sure they will hurry out.
Stay warm.... bigz

 

[wyoDreamer]

I think I will try to shovel some of my run too. Maybe some sunshine will fire up the ole egg works on some of these birds. No eggs yesterday - they must have frozen because I found some uneaten egg shell on the floor of the coop last night... One hen was in a nest box this morning when I fed them before leaving for work. That egg will be frozen and gone by the time I get home tonight, grrr. Good thing I had a supply build up earlier in the winter, just not used to eating 3 week old eggs anymore. They do peel nice when I boil them though!

 

[bigzio]

I always go slow and talk to and reach under my hens in the nest during winter....some will complain and some won't.....nice to collect the eggs from the previous hens if that is the case....handling and working close to the flock gives you the ability to gain their trust more and more....just might of been a egg or two under her, and maybe not....but checking always is what I do. Going and moving slowly always works here.

bigz

 

[wyoDreamer]

She hopped out of the nest to get "her share" of the sunflower seeds and no egg in the nest box yet. And DH said no eggs when he got home from work, so they ate it.
I did notice that the nest box is empty of shavings again. I am going to brave the rickety floor up stairs in the barn and grab some old hay out of the pile of loose stuff. I usually stuff a couple of feed sacks with the loose hay and use that for the winter, but they had so many soft-shelled eggs this fall that I ran out a couple of months ago. I figured out which hen was having the problems and dispatched her, she was full of yolks and infection was starting to set in. Poor thing. Not too happy with this batch of special browns. They are only 2 years old and having problems already?!?
Time to find some nice heritage birds to add to the flock.

 

[babylady4]

I bought the small Brinsea incubator and brooder.... arrives tomorrow!!!! Screaming deal off FB marketplace, and shipping was only $15: a huge win! Both are new in box.

Now trying to determine if I want to try and hatch some of those Legbars......

 

[bigzio]

Fish Fry Friday to everyone....hope you all have a great one. We had a little teaser of human like weather today. It was a truly rare moment weather day here for what seems like forever.
Keep the shovel handy...it over till it's over.
bigz

 

[Helicopter Mom]

Hello fellow Wisconsinites! Thanks for sharing this thread. Looking forward to sharing and hopefully meeting some of you.

 

[babylady4]

Heard a Redwing Blackbird today on my way out of the office..... a sure sign on spring! That and the Sandhill cranes..... warmer weather is on the way!

 

[babylady4]

New in box, just what the seller promised. All for a little more than half of what the mini is priced for new.

The air outside today smells like Spring..... temps in the 50’s promised for the middle of next week. I hope that is the case.