After a couple "dry" (as in blogging inspiration, NOT weather!) days, I am suddenly flooded with blog fodder. Where to start?Ram-ada Remodel
Yesterday Rick decided to improve the Ram-ada Inn. Since building it, we have used horse panels for the divider and front, which has worked but didn't allow easy access to the left side - not to mention that the divider panel was always askew thanks to ram antics. By the time Rick and Brian finished last night, the center divider was standing straight and firm, and both sides had new, wooden gates (they still need hardware). As requested, the divider is still removable to make one larger pen. I am hoping that Blackberry, Blake and Bunker can cohabitate peacefully, in and out of the Ram-ada Inn, once breeding season is over. (Rick keeps talking about two rams; I've decided it's not worth the stress to this recent heart attack victim to remind out that I now own - and plan to keep - three rams! ;-)Farewell, Fair Lady
Last night after dark, to make both catching and introducing less traumatic, I delivered Ebony to her new home down the hill. It was hard to give up the prettiest hen we had, but pretty is as pretty does, so she left to make room for some new layers. I hope she settles in well in her new flock; maybe she'll even start laying green eggs again for them! By the way, I'm still up on the air on two of the four new girls we're getting. I'm trying to decide whether to get two silver-laced Wyandottes, two Ameraucanas, or one of each. I really like the latter, but have gotten very mixed reviews on them. Some say they lay great, others say theirs are much less dependable (like Ebony) than other breeds they have. Help me out here!Happy Birthday, Dear Jackson!
Our handsome, lovable Aussie is three years old today. Brian bought him a new "flat raccoon" toy with his own money, and he got a bran muffin for his birthday "cake." May we celebrate many more happy birthdays with our "floofy dog"!On your mark, get set....
Only four more days till breeding season! That means only five more months until this shepherd's "Christmas" - WOOT!
That's it for now at . . .
8 comments:
I am not a fan of Ameraucanas, as the few I have have not been good layers, are aloof and testy. If you're having a vote, I'd go for Wyandottes. I LOVE the new improved Ram-ada Inn. Having separate access to each side is a great idea.
I'd vote for something completely different - Dark Brahmas. They're a dual purpose breed (not that important to you), but lay nice light brown eggs, with light will reliably lay through the winter, and are very docile. I love mine - that's all I have...
You are obviously a better shepherd than Rick - everyone knows that 2 rams mean trouble, 3 is ok. They don't spend all day bashing each other, and settle into a "bachelor" flock very well once breeding is over. At one point, I had 7 rams, and they were so easy - no fence testing, no bashing each other, just walk in and feed!
My sister has Ameraucanas and they do not lay as well as the others in their mixed flock.
My two cents on the Ameraucanas and Wyandottes--I've had very good luck with the Ameraucanas. They may not crank out the high production, but they are steady consistent layers, go through a short moult and are ready to start laying again. They like to roam and take care of feeding themselves so that is great in a free range situation. Of course I'm sure that it depends on the stock you get too, as it is probably pretty variable across the country. As for Wyandottes. Beautiful birds, calm, good layers. (Again not PRODUCTION layers). The only 'negative' experience I had with the Wyandottes was they were crazy to set. Pretty much all summer it seemed. So that might be something to think about if you are wanting layers only. Wish you lived closer I'd take the rest you didn't want off your hands. They might revive in free range conditions.
Tammy
I wish you were closer, too, Tammy! I think I've made my decision, but you'll all have to wait until Thursday to see what it is.
Gary Sue and her sister were here last weekend and helped me shear Carmine and George so she could take George home. Carmine suffers horribly from separation anxiety so he got to go in with his girls a week early :)
I would love to have some wyandottes, but too expensive to order just a few chicks from the hatchery, wish I lived close to one.
My Ameraucanas are good egg layers. They lay the largest eggs of all my hens and just as frequently as the others. Of course, this is just the first year for all of them. I've read that folks don't care for Ameraucanas on the basis they are less friendly than other breeds. I haven't found that to be true though. My Welsummers are the least friendly actually. My Ameraucanas always come running to see if I have anything for them. They are flyers though.
Not familiar with Wyandottes as we decided to only buy heritage breeds. I think the Wyandottes are really good lookers though. Still want to try speckled sussex.
Love the ram shack. We're going to do something similar for our goats, so we like seeing your good ideas.
Michelle,
My Silverlaced Wyandottes are NOT my favorite. Smallest eggs out of my mixed flock and not as a consistent layer as the rest. The most difficult to get into the coop at night. I have to lock them in because of the neighborhood fox. Now I love my Buff Orpingtons, far and away my favorite. Two rams not good...three or more no problem.
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