Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[DoodlesDuckies]

I highly recommend Electric fencing to protect your flock. We have had no predator problems outside of an occasional hawk. A little bit of a cost up front, but totally worth it. The flexibility to move the fencing is such a bonus too.


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How does this work in winter with all the snow? Does it tip over a lot? I have a wire fence with cheap garden posts. We don't really have issues with predators other than hawks and eagles which there is nothing I can do about it. (I have 7 ducks and 2 geese) My male goose honks to the high heavens when anything strange is going on, or not going on. He just honks to hear himself honk I think.

 

[ParkfieldFarm]

You can't really use the electric net fencing in the winter.

 

[babylady4]

How does this work in winter with all the snow? Does it tip over a lot? I have a wire fence with cheap garden posts. We don't really have issues with predators other than hawks and eagles which there is nothing I can do about it. (I have 7 ducks and 2 geese) My male goose honks to the high heavens when anything strange is going on, or not going on. He just honks to hear himself honk I think.

Never had an issue; but we don't have it on in the winter either as the potential for predators is quite low. We use it to contain the birds in the winter.

As far as hawks; providing enough cover, making friends with the crows, and having a good roster are all helpful.

Looks like the latest batch of chicks we have at least 4 roosters…..

 

[Roheline]

Hello!

It feels a little strange jumping into an ongoing conversation, but I thought I'd introduce myself as a BYC newbie.

I'm in western Wisconsin near La Crosse and have a flock of 5 hens and 9 chicks at the moment (my first ever batch, hatched by broodies from eggs from a friend's huge egg flock). I've had chickens since 2022 but still consider myself a pretty inexperienced poultry owner. They're always surprising me with something!

Hatching those chicks was so addictive that I'm already trying to figure out how I can squeeze more birds into my space or get a second coop!

Where we live is semi-rural, we have 1.5 acres and neighbors but not right on top of us. There is someone else in the neighborhood with a rooster that I hear pretty often, so I'm hoping to be able to get away with keeping one of the boys from my recent hatch!

 

[jvls1942]

Hello!

It feels a little strange jumping into an ongoing conversation, but I thought I'd introduce myself as a BYC newbie.

I'm in western Wisconsin near La Crosse and have a flock of 5 hens and 9 chicks at the moment (my first ever batch, hatched by broodies from eggs from a friend's huge egg flock). I've had chickens since 2022 but still consider myself a pretty inexperienced poultry owner. They're always surprising me with something!

Hatching those chicks was so addictive that I'm already trying to figure out how I can squeeze more birds into my space or get a second coop!

Where we live is semi-rural, we have 1.5 acres and neighbors but not right on top of us. There is someone else in the neighborhood with a rooster that I hear pretty often, so I'm hoping to be able to get away with keeping one of the boys from my recent hatch!

we are all happy to see you.
there are some people on here who live near you I think
fill free to jump in at any time. we talk about more than just chickens.

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Hello!

It feels a little strange jumping into an ongoing conversation, but I thought I'd introduce myself as a BYC newbie.

I'm in western Wisconsin near La Crosse and have a flock of 5 hens and 9 chicks at the moment (my first ever batch, hatched by broodies from eggs from a friend's huge egg flock). I've had chickens since 2022 but still consider myself a pretty inexperienced poultry owner. They're always surprising me with something!

Hatching those chicks was so addictive that I'm already trying to figure out how I can squeeze more birds into my space or get a second coop!

Where we live is semi-rural, we have 1.5 acres and neighbors but not right on top of us. There is someone else in the neighborhood with a rooster that I hear pretty often, so I'm hoping to be able to get away with keeping one of the boys from my recent hatch!

Welcome. I am in the central part of the state but my daughter went to college in La Crosse and has lived there for 3 years. I myself have 7 ducks and 2 geese but we all tell stories and chat about all sorts of topics on here. Animals, crops, gardening, canning, fencing, weed control and most importantly, the weather...

I hatched out my ducks last spring and I am SOOOOOO tempted to hatch out more from their eggs. If I had buyers I would do it, its so fun watching it all happen.

Welcome!

Renee

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

Never had an issue; but we don't have it on in the winter either as the potential for predators is quite low. We use it to contain the birds in the winter.

As far as hawks; providing enough cover, making friends with the crows, and having a good roster are all helpful.

Looks like the latest batch of chicks we have at least 4 roosters…..

I looked into that fencing to just keep the dog from eating all the duck/goose food...I gave up. He now does chores with me and I put the food up while I am out there. LOL! He helps with clean up...eats the duck/goose poop. Again, I gave up on the fight with him. Vet doesn't seem concerned about him eating the poop.

I would totally do it if I had the need. They look like a great option.

 

[jvls1942]

doodleducks, go ahead and hatch some ducks
they are very easy to sell/
i used to hatch hundreds of assorted eggs every year/ never got stuck with any birds. they all sold
i used to hatch out up to 3oo guineas/
one year i hatched out 72 turkeys/

 

[DoodlesDuckies]

doodleducks, go ahead and hatch some ducks
they are very easy to sell/
i used to hatch hundreds of assorted eggs every year/ never got stuck with any birds. they all sold
i used to hatch out up to 3oo guineas/
one year i hatched out 72 turkeys/

My neighbor has turkeys and they are sooooo neat. If anything would happen to my flock I would totally look into having a pair of turkeys. My neighbor has a group of males and they all "gobble" so loudly together and move like a wave in the yard. They are fun to watch.

When I get my incubator back from her I may hatch some ducklings or a gosling.

 

[jvls1942]

DoodlesDuckies, I had royal palm turkeys,. they are white with black trimming.
I worked on the tiller yesterday,. got it to fire up when I put gas into the spark plug hole. so, we have spark. i took the carburetor off,. today I will get my can of B12 carb cleaner and see how that does.
it was a nice growing day yesterday, the raised beds sure enjoyed the sunshine.