Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[jvls1942]

28F today. hang onto your hats. it might get above freezing.
kzp, if you keep adding oyster shells to the feed trough, you will notice that it will build up. they do not eat very much of it. i always put a pan of it on the side

 

[Kzp1020]

Thats really good to know! I will make sure to do that.

 

[EagleEyes]

i have a good plan for a feeder that doesn't waste feed.

I'm interested
Pics?

 

[jvls1942]

I'm interested
Pics?

the feeder is in the chicken coop . there is a mountain of snow in the way. so no picture. BUT i can describe it
items needed
5 gal bucket . i used a plastic one.
a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch piece of 2x6 x 1 1/2'' thick
a horse feed pan. similar to an oil drain pan. plastic
about 1 dozen screws and washers
a 1 1/4" drill bit.
center the block of wood to the bottom of the bucket. fasten with about 6 screws
drill a hole at the edge of the bottom of the bucket at each flat side of the 2x6
then drill six more holes about 1 inch from the bottom of the bucket equally spaced on the side of the bucket.
center the bucket inside the pan and fasten it with 6 screws and washers.
i used this feeder fro crumples, pellets and finely ground 5o/5o oats and corn.
it can be set on the floor, on blocks or hung.
the cover can be set on top to keep the adventurous chickens out.
i hope this helps.

 

[TOR]

Brahmas can take a year to lay. Never had one take that long. Brahma usually takes bit longer than some other breeds to lay. Brahmas are slower growing big birds. From what I have read the white black (light) brahmas are the best layers of the Brahma group. I had white black Brahmas and they are good layers , hardy chickens. The rooster I had was excellent disposition, no attacking my wife and daughter nice mellow rooster.
The Easter egger I bought last late spring early summer started laying in January. My other older chicken just started to lay so day light is getting longer.

 

[Kzp1020]

Brahmas can take a year to lay. Never had one take that long. Brahma usually takes bit longer than some other breeds to lay. Brahmas are slower growing big birds. From what I have read the white black (light) brahmas are the best layers of the Brahma group. I had white black Brahmas and they are good layers , hardy chickens. The rooster I had was excellent disposition, no attacking my wife and daughter nice mellow rooster.
The Easter egger I bought last late spring early summer started laying in January. My other older chicken just started to lay so day light is getting longer.

We got our first egg today! Oddly enough it was one of the Brahmas and not one of the Easter Eggers. We think she has been laying for a few days but not in the nesting boxes because she has been squatting for a week or so. We put some fake eggs in the nesting boxes and she figured it out. Hopefully everyone else will follow suit soon.

 

[bigzio]

Good information TOR. I raised Light brahmas for 5 or 6 years. My avatar is a light brahma rooster. They also are great winter hardy birds for Wi.
Brahmas lay light brown eggs, but some EE do too.
Always exciting when the new poults start to lay kzp. Almost feels like Christmas!

Stay Safe ... bigz

 

[babylady4]

Checked the hives this past week. Sad to say the one did not make it; they were starved out which was really sad to see as it was a very strong hive….. the other hive I gave some supplemental sugar to keep them going. I’ll repeat after this cold snap so they make it through to the start of the flow. Fingers crossed I actually have a hive survive through the winter!

Chickens are doing well, started laying again. If the OG hens start laying I’ll be impressed as they are 7 this year.

 

[jvls1942]

I am glad to see that chickens are starting to lay\
Maybe there will be eggs for sale along the road into town soon. I am so disgusted with these store bought eggs. they just fall apart when i try to flip them when frying. just too watery and no body.
nice snow today. it too shall pass,.