YO GEORGIANS! :)

[katsdar]

Fire ants.

I have had a few chicks and 2 ducklings die. Couldn't figure out why. I thought the ants were coming to them after they died. This morning I found an almost 3 month old turken in the pen where they go to sleep at night, alive and covered in fire ants. I got bit all over getting those ants off and rushed to get the baby some benedryl, but it was too late. They must have got on it last night while the babies were sleeping.

What in the world can you do to keep fire ants away that won't hurt the chickens?

I hate it when it's too late to help. It's Saturday so we slept in and I was an hour later going out and feeding and watering than usual.

I have a severe ant problem around my house too. The soil is nothing but sand. I'm worried sick about ants hurting my chickens too. I've put DE all over the ground where their coop and run are (they are still in a brooder box) but to be honest, I'd have to treat my whole yard! The DE hasn't even reduced the ants in the area I've been using it.

For your ant problems, one word Guineas, I had the worst ant problem and ticks, so I got guineas and they have taken care of my pests, they say they are really loud birds, yes the females will drive you nuts but last year something got into the pen at got her, so it was quiet after that. The boys are loud when they see something out of the ordinary or there is a threat, I let them live and eat what the chickens eat, as keets they need a little extra care but as big birds I let them do what they like to do, and they sometimes will roost in the trees, if I do that you just gotta try and not worry about them cause they are up so high they are not coming down Not even for treats

 

[ameliadanielle]

For your ant problems, one word Guineas, I had the worst ant problem and ticks, so I got guineas and they have taken care of my pests, they say they are really loud birds, yes the females will drive you nuts but last year something got into the pen at got her, so it was quiet after that.  The boys are loud when they see something out of the ordinary or there is a threat, I let them live and eat what the chickens eat, as keets they need a little extra care but as big birds I let them do what they like to do, and they sometimes will roost in the trees, if I do that you just gotta try and not worry about them cause they are up so high they are not coming down  Not even for treats  

I'd ask my dad for some... he has about 15, but turns out they are ALL boys. Every last one. Lol. They're just a big bachelor group. If I find him some girls he might give me the spare boys.

 

[Flowerbh]

This hatch is done. Of the 22 eggs that made it to lockdown, 20 hatched. I had two die because they were breach and their heads were in the wrong end. Their heads were under their feet. I knew one was upside down at lockdown (air sac was at the bottom!) They did well for a little while, but they didn't make it. 3 others I helped are doing fine. So, 18 live birds!

So of the 11 CCLs that hatched, 7 are girls and 4 are boys. I hatched 3 olive eggers!!!!! I was wondering if I was going to be able to tell if their feathered feet were from their Marans mom or from Beau, but one look at their huge 'cheeks' let me know only my Lav Am roo could be the father! And 4 of Lady Who's eggs hatched. 2 BOs, 1 Brahma/BO mix and one Lav OP/buff mix.

Next hatch went into lockdown today and due Tuesday.

 

[tine434]

For your ant problems, one word Guineas, I had the worst ant problem and ticks, so I got guineas and they have taken care of my pests, they say they are really loud birds, yes the females will drive you nuts but last year something got into the pen at got her, so it was quiet after that.  The boys are loud when they see something out of the ordinary or there is a threat, I let them live and eat what the chickens eat, as keets they need a little extra care but as big birds I let them do what they like to do, and they sometimes will roost in the trees, if I do that you just gotta try and not worry about them cause they are up so high they are not coming down  Not even for treats  

Any help for those of us who can't have them? Lol

 

[feathersaloft]

It finally happened!!!
I got a brown egg in my Lavender pen.
Pen has my lavender Ameraucanas and my 11 month old lavender Orps who were freeloading slackers.

No idea what which of the 4 it was, but I'm just excited to get an egg from them. And it is regular size too!

Combs are still small & greyish, but the egg was BROWN!
Guess next month I will hatch some lavender EEs, since I don't have a pen ready for these gals yet.
Or I could put them with my buff Orps... No, then I'd get who knows what color chicks.

 

[ShadesofSable]

It finally happened!!!
I got a brown egg in my Lavender pen.
Pen has my lavender Ameraucanas and my 11 month old lavender Orps who were freeloading slackers.

No idea what which of the 4 it was, but I'm just excited to get an egg from them. And it is regular size too!

Combs are still small & greyish, but the egg was BROWN!
Guess next month I will hatch some lavender EEs, since I don't have a pen ready for these gals yet.
Or I could put them with my buff Orps... No, then I'd get who knows what color chicks.

Oh, awesome! Would those be olive egger or just Easter egger?

 

[Flowerbh]

ok, this is weird. Put my eggs in lockdown yesterday afternoon. Got up this morning to one chick chirping away! An Olive Egger! Ha! I'm gonna have to sneak open the top and put her with the ones hatched yesterday. These eggs aren't due to hatch until Tuesday! What's that all about!

 

[Flowerbh]

ok, this is weird. Put my eggs in lockdown yesterday afternoon. Got up this morning to one chick chirping away! An Olive Egger! Ha! I'm gonna have to sneak open the top and put her with the ones hatched yesterday. These eggs aren't due to hatch until Tuesday! What's that all about!

Ummm, have another one almost out and one more pipping! I think my temp must have been on the high side.....you think?!

 

[katsdar]

I'd ask my dad for some... he has about 15, but turns out they are ALL boys. Every last one. Lol. They're just a big bachelor group. If I find him some girls he might give me the spare boys.

The thing is you can't sex keets, so it's luck of the draw

Any help for those of us who can't have them? Lol

Your wish is my command lol

guineas: Bob Reese e-mail [email protected]
3955 hwy 138 sw Stockbridge

 

[Flowerbh]

I mentioned that I had two chicks hatch and a few more pips already when they aren't due until Tuesday. I am thinking this thru and I am now thinking that all my chicks will be staggered. I had stored them in a turner (turning) out on the table in my living room. We don't always turn on the air conditioner, so I am thinking that the older eggs had probably had some stage of development going on even before I put them in the incubator.

After these are all incubated, I am going to play around with the hatching eggs in plastic wrap idea. Can't wait! Will keep notes and will share findings!