2021 Chick Order

[Iluveggers]

I thought 20 was bad…

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I thought 20 was bad…

Oh just wait, that was at 3:00, the hottest part of the day. Now it's dark out and just going to get colder

 

[lilmillefleur]

I read through the entire thread, apparently, I was following this early in the year but forgot about it. I'm so sorry it sounds like you've had some lousy luck. Hopefully the new year treats you and your birds a bit better! And YIKES that's cold!
Maybe you could try a super cold-hardy breed, like Hedemoras. I imagine they would be pretty hard to find though. GFF used to have them but I don't think they do anymore

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I read through the entire thread, apparently, I was following this early in the year but forgot about it. I'm so sorry it sounds like you've had some lousy luck. Hopefully the new year treats you and your birds a bit better! And YIKES that's cold!
Maybe you could try a super cold-hardy breed, like Hedemoras. I imagine they would be pretty hard to find though. GFF used to have them but I don't think they do anymore

Impossible to find eggs or chicks unfortunately. And even cold hardy birds have hard times here sometimes.

And sadly -8F is actually not nearly as cold as it gets in the winter here.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

We lost a pullet yesterday. She looked like they smothered her by accident when they were all under the coop (don't ask why, there was no reason for them to be down there).

Also almost lost out resident hermaphrodite (No, we're not certain she is, she lays eggs and brooded chicks last year, but my mom is utterly convinced her saddles are male saddles. Phoenix breeders though have mentioned females sometimes get pointy saddles though and she doesn't have other male traits). She's at he bottom of the pole I'm thinking, and she was doing those big shiver ticks where it's like constant twitching. She's 110% better today though and she'll be going back outside in a few hours when it gets to the warmest part of the day

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Starting the new thread in 4 days

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The cull males have been out and about for 4 days now. The snow has made it impossible to close their run door. However, they have yet to mess with my mixed flock next to them that also free ranges.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Getting supplies to start my rooster shelves on Friday. Then I can finally start moving guys out of the 2021 pen and moving birds around a bit more.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I'm going to move Ratchet, my silver legwork with the bad toes, up to the red coop. After losing Peanut and a little mix (Cashew), I'm down to 10 girls between 3 males. I got by with around 8 between two, but with the third being here, I don't think I can risk that. Might bring Roach, my little roach backed Phoenix up too, but I'm not sure yet. I will be ordering a few pullet chicks for this coop though. Any suggestions? (I don't care about rate of lay or broodiness level. Just breeds that aren't going to be total bullies or let everyone walk over them constantly)

 

[STACEYH]

Rhode Island red heritage I think are great. They are cold hardy, lay well, and good meat birds. Personally I like the breed friendly top of the pecking order in a mixed flock.
I have heard the buckeyes are good.
Plymouth Barred Rock are another one I have middle to low pecking order. Cold hardy, meat, and they lay well.