Thanks for posting the SOP info. I was going to look it up and post it when I got back in but you beat me to it!
I hope it doesn't sound like I am dissing Frank Reese or his birds. I do think he is a great breeder and has done a tremendous job of maintaining the integrity of the breed - and he has some stunning birds. BUT - any breeder is going to get some not-so-great birds even from great parent stock - culling is just a part of it. I had the choice to buy from his breeder barn and pay a lot more for the birds - I remember that $300 figure too, and could never have justified to DH, spending that much for one bird, especially if it got sick and died a week later. So I picked from his cull barn, knowing that they are the ones he didn't think good enough to remain in his breeder barn. I am really okay with that. So I am not trying to diss him, so much as be aware of what I have and form a plan to use them to get where I want to go. Even though my birds may not be top-notch, because of the strain they come from and the breeding, my hope is that they have the genetics to throw offspring better than themselves. Knowing what to look for, and being willing to cull what doesn't make the grade, I will eventually - I hope - end up with some really great birds.
I think you have them pegged on gender. I love the fourth chick - she has great barring. On the other pullet, I wouldn't worry too much about her barring at this point. She may never feather out better than that but on the other hand, when she goes through her teenage molt, she may feather in much better - it is so hard to tell at this age. That is really wild about the gold leakage though.Okay, here we go! Pictures of my Reese Plymouth Barred Rocks!
Chick 1. This is the one with the Gold leakage on his face and neck! Isn't that crazy?? I'm pretty sure this is a cockerel. But you know what? The coloring looks like a pullet??? (I just dont know)
Chick 2. (BELOW) My guess is a pullet, but her barring is not that great. Very poor, I think. Maybe she'll grow in better barring??? I don't know enough about the breed to have a guess. She might end up being a cull... or trying to breed her and see if the boy will bring out better barring. Otherwise, she's probably a lost cause on coloring alone. At least she's "clean"-- no leakage.
Chick 3 (BELOW) Gender guesses on this one?? The coloring would suggest a boy. But it sure "looks" like a girl with the comb. I like the barring on this one and it's a clean bird-- no gold leakage. My guess on this one is a boy because the coloring suggests two copies of the barring gene. Thoughts, ideas???
Chick 4. I'm guessing a pullet on this one. What do you think?? Darker color would suggest one copy.
Minis are certainly cheaper to feed and you can teach the kids some horsemanship but if their goal is to ride, I would look at something bigger. They will get bored putting a halter on and leading it around, pretty quickly. Also, minis are cute but ponies can be really naughty and intimidating to a child. Horses, despite being bigger, are often more even tempered and even more tolerant of and patient with, the little ones. Whatever you decide, it is a huge commitment and a huge expense and it would be best to do tons of research before you make a move. If you aren't very experienced with horses yourself, I'd recommend finding a friend who is, and have them go with you to look at anything you think about buying. There are a lot of shysters out there selling horses who will be only too happy to unload a problem horse on an unsuspecting person who doesn't know what to look for.
The frost date for my area is April 15th, so I don't plan outside before then, unless it is about a week before and the 7-day forecast indicates much higher than freezing overnight temperatures. If its not too late, I would recommend returning the compost bin and building your own. When I lived in the city I purchased a bin but it was a waste of money. The commercial bins generally don't do a good job of composting as they don't let in enough water to keep the pile moist. Mine had rain holes in the top but they were a joke. Plus, the commercial bins make it really hard to turn it, and they usually don't hold nearly enough. I used mine for 3 years at the old house and it never did compost anything despite my best efforts to turn it and keep it moist. When we moved here, I grabbed some pallets, and set up a 3-bin system where there is a pallet on 3 sides of each bin and the top and front are open. The pallets are 4x4 which means each pile is also 4x4, much larger than my commercial bin. When I clean out the coop, I just create a pile in a "bin" and then leave it to do its thing. I started it last spring and by last Fall I already had real, live compost in there - something I hadn't achieved in 3 years with the other one.This will be our first year at gardening and I'm very excited to get started. When do you all start planting? I've read its best around end of April. My hubby bought me my first compost bin yesterday and we set it up today but i think I'm going to need something bigger
Your multi didn't show the question asking if others have photos. If you look in my signature line, I created a page devoted to the Hoop Coop build, detailing each step along the way and the materials I used. I didn't do a coop in mine like Danz is doing. After the coop was built, I moved a dog house in, and my broody hen is using the dog house to brood in.
Yes, I keep meaning to do that but forget to take the camera with me. I took pics of them shortly after they arrived here but I don't know if it will show it. It isn't in the cushion area, but the actual back.
Oh no. Please update us as soon as you know anything.
I did think about the mini but since DD needs it as a therapy horse so not sure if it will work or not. I'll be checking with her therapist. At any rate, we will have to wait till the move is done. I totally agree with what Josie said, taking it slow and make sure we are completely ready before taking on new animals.
