Yes, I have. Twice. But I also drive to the hatchery. Might be different having them shipped. There are times when certain breeds aren't available, even at the start of the ordering season. Jason is happy to recommend an equivalent bird though. They are healthy birds, (only lost 2) but will not...
Hi! I'm about 45 min. East of Toronto. I'm in my first year of raising the rare Belgian Cuckoo Malines. I'm very pleased with the results so far for this great dual purpose bird. :) Incubators are dangerous things, lol! So much fun though! Enjoy Mt. Forest! I don't have time for shows or B/S/T's. :)
Sounds like what I want to do with the Belgian Malines. No SOP here in North America yet, though. I'm being mentored by the sole breeder to keep these rare guys going.
Love it!!! Well said! I'm lucky enough that I could retire early from that rat race. Corporate ladder climbing is SO exhausting & soul sucking! Ugh!
I never felt right in the city. Now we have a piece of paradise full of interesting & some challenging creatures. Now I'm just waiting for hubby...
Once you get an incubator, I have found where the term 'chicken math' really comes from! So addictive & so much fun! I've got 18 eggs in right now. 8 days until hatch day! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Yeah, I don't get out much. Lol!
This is my 4th year raising chickens & I'm still learning new things! Good thing they're so much fun & interesting! I've got 4 - 6 week old EEs among other breeds. They are the cutest of my motley bunch! :)
Hubby & I grew up in Winnipeg! Got relatives in Minnedosa & Brandon. Now living in a more temperate zone in Ontario. Welcome to the best chicken forum in North America! Woo hoo!
I totally agree! Had an owl swoop down on one of my ducks just before daylight a few years ago. Maybe a hawk? Just saw a blur & duck flew off & landed safely on the pond nearby. Close call! Had chipmunks going thru feed like crazy one summer. Don't have them around anymore. Ah, the challenges...
I don't know what it is about my property, but the coyotes I have (eastern coyotes) never come out of the woods to dine on my free range chickens. The one & only coyote that did, was after ducks I had at the time. He was legally shot dead for his efforts. I've also had a pair of them (caught on...
Yeah, I raised ducks & chicks at the same time once. I always had them separated from day one. Ducks grow like weeds! I'm hoping to have ducks again next spring. Got new bridge installed over my big pond & could use some waterfowl decor, lol!
For sure! Just set up a separate pen in main coop with extra window, chicken door & gate for a separate yard for younger birds. Also put a window in grow out coop for even younger birds! Phew! So glad to have chicks out of the basement. Need to move brooder to garage.
My sentiments exactly! I give my birds the best life they could have. Makes no difference whether the birds are for meat or pleasure of watching. All are treated equally!
That sucks, losing chicks. I lost a couple last year in my order. I was sad, but got on with focusing on the living ones.
Update on Shawville puppy mill running DC Heritage Poultry! The names to watch out for are Charlene +/or Danielle Labombard. She/they are making the auction, buy/sell/trade...