Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Loveak9]

Morning to you all! After 8 years of chicken-keeping, I am in need of mud solutions. We have had an unusually frozen and wet winter, the issue I’m having is poop thaw mixed with rain. Solutions? I was considering tossing out grass& clover seed, then covering it all with straw. Any ideas, comments, alternatives? TIA.
Twent, welcome! I live in NE IL and also have illegal chickens (18). I started with 4.

We are currently using wood chips, fall leaves and straw. So far the ladies are above the water line . Our yard is pretty wet this year too, lot of standing water. We will have plenty of mulch for the garden beds come early summer.

 

[No More Empty Nest]

Finally got my first egg yesterday! They're 29 weeks and it's about time!

I found my top pullet, Pearl, in the nest box yesterday morning and by the afternoon there was a pretty little green egg sitting in the middle of a very nice nest she fluffed up out of the nest box material.

Very happy and can't wait for the rest to start. They all have very red combs but she's the only one that's been squatting.

 

[bigzio]

Congrats on the first egg nmen, it's always fun to see that one. Won't be long for the others to join in and start filling egg cartons.
It is the season for sloppy chicken yards for sure....I agree with laying down straw or wood chips until things dry up and the chicken yard can get cleaned up.

bigz

 

[bigzio]

Another nice melting day here today. It's actually exciting to see Winter breakup and Mother Nature doing her thing. Looks like the year for water problems with the frost in the ground and snow everywhere with no place to run, except in the wrong places. Hopefully the frost will give way to some soaking in, but I'm not sure that will be the case here. Hoping for the best, but not holding my breath.

Have fun... bigz

 

[CherMoz]

Came home to a yard full of robins today!

 

[wyoDreamer]

Luckily, we are not getting that much for puddles by our place - YET. Of course, for the last 4 years we have been working on improving the drainage around our homestead. And it never hurts to be on top of the knoll - so all the fields are downslope from us.

Hopefully everybody has luck with the drainage this year.

 

[chikenscratch]

It is a mucky mess here. I did put down straw but it sounds like I’m sloshing thru a swamp still. Hopefully everyone else is keeping dry? The additional rain and winds have ripped off a few bits of flashing, downspouts, and cedar siding. No real big deal so far just minor repairs.
We’ve been boiling sap down for the past few days now. We hope to get enough to fill our orders. It sure does keep us busy, but its short and enjoyable.
Better go close up the coop. Nite everyone!

 

[No More Empty Nest]

I wish the ground would thaw. My backyard is half snow and half lake. A couple low spots in the run had standing water too. I put wood chips down and I'll add sand/soil later to level it off as best I can. Got a second little green egg today. Hoping for a different color soon.

 

[Loveak9]

We have roads closed by us, little creeks are now raging rivers. We currently are ok, beside puddles in the yard. In a few days this shall pass too. Can't wait for stuff to start greening up!

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Finally got my first egg yesterday! They're 29 weeks and it's about time!

I found my top pullet, Pearl, in the nest box yesterday morning and by the afternoon there was a pretty little green egg sitting in the middle of a very nice nest she fluffed up out of the nest box material.

Very happy and can't wait for the rest to start. They all have very red combs but she's the only one that's been squatting.

View attachment 1700950

Congratulations that is so exciting!!!!