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May 23, 2005
Weekend wrap-up
Saturday the sheep were to be sheared, but we got tired of chasing them and they remain big and wooly. I will need to get someone to come out to the farm which is unfortunate because it can get pricey, especially for just 2 sheep. I reminded Gary that next year we will have help rounding up the sheep, but this year our help slept in the back seat fo the truck (Hank).
Weather was threatening and cold and we nixed the sawing plans for Sunday. We sent 3 piglets off to their new home and worked in the garden before going to scout out a farm that was on the market and visiting with Gary's family. The farm was not for us, and the visit to the in-laws was short. Back to home and back to work.
Gary had moved the goat shed a couple days ago and to it we added some combo panels. The plan was to house Hank in here while we were at work. He would be next to the goats and have a nice area to sleep I mean play in. (Did I mention that Hank loves to sleep??) Well we should have tested it out before using it for real Monday morning -- Hank can slip right through the openings quicker than jumping through a fiery hula hoop suspended in the air. So the poor pup is housed in a chicken tractor today. I gave him plenty of chewy toys and an old fleece coat of mine to cuddle with. I hope he doesn't hold grudges.
Work with him is moving forward. He is free to run whenever we are home. If he gets tired he has figured out he can go to the front porch and lay down, or to the deck. There is no laying down when I am tending to the chicks! He loves to chase them through their fence and lick their tails! Although it is hard for me to watch him scare the chicks, I see it as a good opportunity to teach him "Down." He is catching on, slowly but surely.
This morning I moved the remaining 35 meat chickens outside into their own tractor. I have one tractor left! The tractor I used today is quite large and can house this many birds for a little bit until they grow larger. Also since it is supposed to be a touch cooler this week it will be good to have a couple more chickens in there for more warmth. The cooler weather and impending rain make me nervous for their heathy futures, but last night I was reading Joel Salatin's "Pastured Poultry Profits," and in it he says that every week past 4 that you hold the chicks in the brooder you run the risk of losing birds and you lose money as well. Even with the cooler temps their growth rates are suppressed.
Posted by roosterh at May 23, 2005 6:59 AM
Comments
DOes he say that specifically about broilers? Or does he suggest moving out up and coming layers at the same age?
Posted by: shannon at May 23, 2005 4:48 PM
Posted to Farm Collies | Misc. | Poultry