Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[NH Homesteader]

Lol they're very thankful for the dust baths you made for them! Gah!!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Yep - and the fresh greens (broccoli and cabbage plants) that I provided for them! sometimes I don't like chickens at all. It would be different if I was getting a couple dozen eggs a day - but I'm not. Got 3 today - wow...

 

[NH Homesteader]

I get one a day, I so feel your pain! Chickens can be so annoying!

 

[Mini Horses]

YEP -- between molting, short sun & cold...I feed 60+ and got 7 eggs today. 5 of those were from the NEW hens hatched here this Summer. So, small but at least laying!!! Some of my hens are feathered out and will lay again soon, others look like they are 1/2 plucked. CRAP!! Cold today with 30 at wake up. It's not fun out there now. The goats are not happy either!

I hate winter!!!! Who decided to eliminate Fall??

I'm in long johns and cold!! I voted more Fall & Spring with limited winter & hot summers...I don't like whomever vetoed me!!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

A lot of my gals are just getting old...need to do a cull. I have a dozen or so eggs in the incubator...as soon as I get a good hatch I'll probably go ahead and do the deed. My Ameraucana's are doing the best laying right now...biggest majority of my eggs are green. And, finally the quail are cranking out two eggs a day. Since I only have two quail hens left that's pretty good, lol. Did I mention that I left the cage door open - twice? ARGH... Got quail eggs in the 'bator too...hoping for a decent hatch after the last dismal one. Maybe it's the season. Doesn't matter - I've gotta keep trying so I can build up the numbers and start eating them little darlin's! I've had ideas about having ZERO chickens and just having a big bunch of quail. The eggs are delicious...they stay caged (if you close the door) so they don't mess up the garden and there is a really quick turn over. Hmmmm...sounds better and better all the time!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I voted more Fall & Spring with limited winter & hot summers...I don't like whomever vetoed me!!

It wasn't me!!!! I'm with ya all the way!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Not having chickens sounds awesome to me, lol! I am not a good person to ask though.

 

[sumi]

FEM, we don't garden, we make dust baths and provide food… Quail sounds pretty good to me, so long as you keep the door closed! lol Fit a spring to it that automatically shuts it when you let go?

 

[NH Homesteader]

Yes... Keeping the door closed is essential to your plan isn't it? Do they take off when you leave it open, or get snatched?

 

[Mini Horses]

ONE MORE thing -- quail do not CROW

I don't mind one or two roos -- but, when the hatchlings begin to mature there are some really strange sounds going on. We have to let them mature to butcher...they eat a lot more to get there than a quail (of course, smaller amount results) and primarily to grow bone structure first. FEM, I need to butcher, too. Hate to think of mess.

Personally, I don't eat enough eggs to make it worth keeping hens. Should eat more as they are healthy. But I like the chickens and I love to collect eggs. A childhood thing.

This morning it's 30 degrees and frost so heavy everything is white. I don't like much of anything out there today! It's a rare Sunday off work -- ten days booked after this -- so I need to get out & use the day well! "They" say it will be 55 today. Maybe for 10 minutes about 3:30...I hate the cold & it's not quite 70 inside. Crank up the heat & bills. I'm really concerned a harder than usual winter is on the way.....grrrrr.