Falling Down Heights, my daily life

[Canadian Wind]

Looks like my Lemon Blue cockerel got frostbite on his comb. None of the other chickens seem to be affected though.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Ugh. I'm getting too old for this cold. -18c with a windchill of -27!!!

Birds are remaining in their coops a bit longer, where they are out of the wind. Has nothing to do with me not wanting to go back out there, I swear!

Today should be the last of the deep freeze days. Thank goodness!!! Still going to be cold overnight, but daytime temps will be in the single - digits.

Already took care of bunnies and OEGB, as well as all the indoor critters, but I want to warm up a bit before I head back out there again.

 

[Canadian Wind]

So, I think my lone surviving Silver Duckwing OEGB hen has started crowing.

For several days now, not only do I hear the two OEGB cockerels sounding off in the morning, but also a third tentative and soft crow. She's an older hen, I've had her for two years but have no idea how old she was then. I would estimate she's probably about 5. Maybe more. She still lays and is a fantastic mom, but I had to separate her because she was being bullied by a larger silkie cross hen. She's the lone survivor of the devastating fox attack last winter.

She's where she can see the other OEGB in the sheltered area next to the trailer. I hope to be able to give her some friends soon (well, once the temps are high enough to put the growing chicks out!). I feel bad for her, though. Such a sweet little girl, too!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Final update for this morning: I ordered my chicks for this Spring! 5 BBR OEGB, 5 Silver Fawn OEGB, and 5 Partridge Chantecler hens!

Getting the Chanties because I only have two pullets right now. Last year, they weren't offering them sexed so I ended up with five cockerels and one pullet, if you remember. Tried some hatching eggs and only two hatched out of a dozen, one male and one female. I want the Chanties to be my main birds for meat and eggs, and two girls just aren't going to cut it!

Should be getting them in April.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I would like some advice, or comments, or suggestions.

Thinking about raising quail for meat for the dogs and cats. Most of the rearing would be done while it's warm out, and I'd keep back a trio or two to overwinter for next year. What do you think?

My main concern is that they aren't winter hardy. But even so, they are so inexpensive it wouldn't be difficult to replace even if I don't keep them over winter.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would like some advice, or comments, or suggestions.

Thinking about raising quail for meat for the dogs and cats. Most of the rearing would be done while it's warm out, and I'd keep back a trio or two to overwinter for next year. What do you think?

My main concern is that they aren't winter hardy. But even so, they are so inexpensive it wouldn't be difficult to replace even if I don't keep them over winter.

I'd keep more like 6 (1 male/5 female). The male's are really hard on the hens a lot of times, bit that still will only be like a banty hen food wise.

They are super easy to process too. Mine did just fine most of their lives as long as they had a spot out* of actual snow and wind, never had any foot issues or frozen birds unlike my chickens.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'd keep more like 6 (1 male/5 female). The male's are really hard on the hens a lot of times, bit that still will only be like a banty hen food wise.

They are super easy to process too. Mine did just fine most of their lives as long as they had a spot of of actual snow and wind, never had any foot issues or frozen birds unlike my chickens.

You can also just house them in an empty rabbit cage. That's what I did. Just don't have wood or metal for the roof or they'll brain themselves trying to flush

 

[Canadian Wind]

I'd keep more like 6 (1 male/5 female). The male's are really hard on the hens a lot of times, bit that still will only be like a banty hen food wise.

They are super easy to process too. Mine did just fine most of their lives as long as they had a spot out* of actual snow and wind, never had any foot issues or frozen birds unlike my chickens.

You can also just house them in an empty rabbit cage. That's what I did. Just don't have wood or metal for the roof or they'll brain themselves trying to flush

Yeah, I've been reading up on them. Top of the cage/run should be either under 18" or over 6' to avoid them braining themselves, as you so eloquently put it.

That might be a good use of my old rabbit cages, the super long ones. Just reinforce a bit and take out the dividers.

As for ratio, yeah, read that after I posted. Also about how easy they are to process, and how early you can process them.

Pretty much decided on the Jumbos. Now I just need to convince my daughter!

 

[Canadian Wind]

Also good to know they ARE hardy!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Yeah, I've been reading up on them. Top of the cage/run should be either under 18" or over 6' to avoid them braining themselves, as you so eloquently put it.

That might be a good use of my old rabbit cages, the super long ones. Just reinforce a bit and take out the dividers.

As for ratio, yeah, read that after I posted. Also about how easy they are to process, and how early you can process them.

Pretty much decided on the Jumbos. Now I just need to convince my daughter!

I kept 6 or so in a 36x36 inch cage (or just under a 1x1 Meter for you non-freedom units). My original cage was about 10 inches tall and they still brained themselves on the wood, so I just kept the wire roof in the rabbit cage