North Carolina

Question -

I made a low roost for the girls in the run with an downed sapling today. So happy, girls loving it! BUT, they are peeling off little wood strips and eating it!!!!! Do I need to take it out or will they get over it quickly? Silly chickens!!!!!

Jloeffler - sorry about the egg! Hopefully it was just a rookie mistake!!! BTW, all my relatives are from Bertie County! So I've spent lots of time in your neck of the woods!

SCM, very cool! Bertie is only two counties over! I've put several logs in my coops and while I've seen the girl sick at it I've never seen them eat the bark, so ... hopefully someone else can help.

Haven't been on in a while and didnt see anyone mention this....I went to tractor supply in oak ridge yesterday and there was a flyer for the 2nd ole fashion chicks, chickens swap/sell on sept 24th from 7:30am till 1pm at tractor supply in oak ridge...says it's sponsored by wild oats organic farm.. Says open to the public for buying/swapping/bartering.

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Please don't think that ALL shows are like a fair. Sanctioned poultry shows are most commonly a one day event that you attend and take your birds home that same afternoon. There are some excellent quality poultry and very knowledgeable poultry people in attendance that will know if something is wrong with a bird or it looks ill.

I agree in regards to the condition of most poultry this time of year. It is molting season for most of us and they are definitely not going to looking their best. Right now around here is looks like a feather bomb went off in my barn. Also with the drastic change in weather we have had this week it is going to affect some birds. Some may become stressed over the temp change and express it in pale combs and faces or look lethargic as they try to adjust.

I absolutely agree with you and Miss Lydia. I have been to Morganton show in March and the Salisbury show from last year and there was nothing like this.
People with birds in the show took pride in the look of their chickens, polishing their feet and the comb and get them to look their best. This was very different. I am certain that some of those chickens could never even enter in a real show. A judge would not even take out of the cage a turkey with no toes and the remaining of the feet were so swollen (they were the size of my wrist) and black with scaly leg mites, or a rooster with the white foamy mold and black spots all over his comb. I regret that I didn't took any pictures. It was a mix of chickens. Some of those chickens were beautiful and very healthy looking. There was a beautiful OEG cockerel with shiny comb and very healthy looking, in a cage next to an OE Silver Duckwing pullet anemic looking who had the typical head shaking of heavy parasite infestation. I felt bad for the rooster (and it’s owner). And those ribbons, I think they were just handed to people in the show just for being there.
However this is not your typical poultry show site, this was very different. Anyone who wants to enter a show don't be affray to do it. It will be very different than this.
The rest of the Fair was wonderful, my 3 year old had a great time. Most people probable didn’t even noticed the chickens, only a chicken owner would care about their condition, when there was so much fun to have around.

Quote:
Please don't think that ALL shows are like a fair. Sanctioned poultry shows are most commonly a one day event that you attend and take your birds home that same afternoon. There are some excellent quality poultry and very knowledgeable poultry people in attendance that will know if something is wrong with a bird or it looks ill.

I agree in regards to the condition of most poultry this time of year. It is molting season for most of us and they are definitely not going to looking their best. Right now around here is looks like a feather bomb went off in my barn. Also with the drastic change in weather we have had this week it is going to affect some birds. Some may become stressed over the temp change and express it in pale combs and faces or look lethargic as they try to adjust.

I absolutely agree with you and Miss Lydia. I have been to Morganton show in March and the Salisbury show from last year and there was nothing like this.
People with birds in the show took pride in the look of their chickens, polishing their feet and the comb and get them to look their best. This was very different. I am certain that some of those chickens could never even enter in a real show. A judge would not even take out of the cage a turkey with no toes and the remaining of the feet were so swollen (they were the size of my wrist) and black with scaly leg mites, or a rooster with the white foamy mold and black spots all over his comb. I regret that I didn't took any pictures. It was a mix of chickens. Some of those chickens were beautiful and very healthy looking. There was a beautiful OEG cockerel with shiny comb and very healthy looking, in a cage next to an OE Silver Duckwing pullet anemic looking who had the typical head shaking of heavy parasite infestation. I felt bad for the rooster (and it’s owner). And those ribbons, I think they were just handed to people in the show just for being there.
However this is not your typical poultry show site, this was very different. Anyone who wants to enter a show don't be affray to do it. It will be very different than this.
The rest of the Fair was wonderful, my 3 year old had a great time. Most people probable didn’t even noticed the chickens, only a chicken owner would care about their condition, when there was so much fun to have around.

Well I have to say that the place where we got our 3 new little muscovies was horrible, this man said he loved his animals but if you looked at the condition of his coops or rather cages the poop was piled up high and dried hard as a rock, I was sick. thank goodness ducks are hardy because their living conditions were terrible too. but he does this to make money so even though he says he loves his animals it sure doesn't show in their living conditions. We just had to walk around very sick and sad that they were there. I honestly felt like crying. He seemed like a very nice man 70's but leaves alot to be desired as far as care taker of animals. He had very young baby calves[ males] goats, rabbits, peacocks and I saw 1 pea chick, 2 Emden geese I would have loved to have rescued, but haven't any place for them. call ducks, crested pekins look like some other kind of large duck beside the muscovies, I just wanted to round them all up and get them out of there. so very sad

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The new TSC in Pasquotank County is holding one the first Saturday of every month as long as there is interest. They've been getting busier every month, too. Last month I saw my first silkies there, unfortunately all Roos or DH would have had something to get upset about. Of course, there's always next month...

Quote:
The new TSC in Pasquotank County is holding one the first Saturday of every month as long as there is interest. They've been getting busier every month, too. Last month I saw my first silkies there, unfortunately all Roos or DH would have had something to get upset about. Of course, there's always next month...

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Organizing folks have to decide how to balance between drawing in crowds and having a sanitary events. In the end, its word of mouth reputation that determines a show's return visitors.

Wow - I haven't been on since yesterday and ya'll have added 7 pages for me to read

hope everyone had a wonderful day - went thru my boys drawers and closets today... so nice to have an entire clean house!!!!

I am behind but it you wish to be friend me on facebook - let me know!!! I do have some pics of our little flock on there too
here is my link https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000647486173

miss Lydia - Opie is spoiled for sure!!

Evening all, took just a few pics today and thought I would share.

This is my just turned 7 month old pullet who started laying just this past week. To give you an idea of her size, there is a pic of her beside a full grown silkie.




My now 6 month old boy her has surpassed his dad in size, he is going to be beyond a monster!!


And last a cute little bantam lavender ameracauna that is looking for a home, he ended up with a single comb.



PS- If anyone is interested I have some Bantam Silver Laced Cochin hatching eggs available.