ALABAMA!!

[Tomtommom]

I got the camera out today. Figured I'd have a little update on my girls.

Hawk attack girl, Jadzia:


A small gap in her chest feathers remains. I think she's almost healed. Dealt with internal infection the past two weeks (pulled this horrific stinky membrane out of her chest). Some of the feathers aren't growing in well and we have to pull the little stubs out occasionally. I'm amazed by her progress, really. I don't think she's laying yet, probably wont until she's fully recovered.

The babies I hatched:




The past week I've been letting them out with the adult birds about an hour a day. First day, the girls tried to eat them

(or well, that's what the little girly thought, she screamed bloody murder) Now, they're a little more at ease and very curious. The little boy will stand up and protect his lady...

The new fence:





The ladies have been a little angry with me, and for about a week I was getting 3 eggs a day out of protest (instead of 5-7 eggs). They were very much enjoyed free ranging for as long as it lasted.. but they were never intended to take over my whole yard! So, 4 foot fence became a 6 foot fence and they're once again limited to their own section. Sorry girls.



They miss access to all the yummy grass and weeds (they've destroyed what was little left in their area), but this contraption seems to entertain.

So there you have it.

Almost done... fiance needs to hook up the rainbarrel system for me.

 

[chicdaddy72]

Great to have you abooard mejumpmore1!!!!!!

 

[RedneckGurl]

Looks like he's saying to the cat, "That's right, that's right...just keep walkin'! There's nothin' for you here. You're in the wrong neighborhood buddy."

 

[Tomtommom]

I love that cat... he's quite the hunter actually. But he's so lanky, most of the chickens weigh more than he does, so he doesn't bother them. The girly chick jumped on his head on accident and he barely flinched.

He's nibbling the kibble out of the scratch I threw down (I mix corn with a handful of cat chow, every once in a while, when protein is in short supply)

 

[ihavechickens2]

I am thinking about adding a new breed into my flock to breed! does anyone have any ideas?

 

[ihavechickens2]

oh and while I am posting, here are some pics I took of the flock yesterday.

 

[Wisher1000]

My advice is to pick some bantams that you are in love with. Most of the serious breeders/exhibitors in the southeast are raising bantams. That means more are available and there are more shows in which to compete. I have just gone through this process, myself. I had deciced and gotten my heart set on one breed of large fowl but came to realize that bantams may have been a better choice. I also suggest that you join APA and buy a Standard. You will need both of those things and they will help you understand what you need to do a little better. I am new at it myself, but I will help you in any way I can.

 

[ihavechickens2]

My advice is to pick some bantams that you are in love with.  Most of the serious breeders/exhibitors in the southeast are raising bantams.  That means more are available and there are more shows in which to compete.  I have just gone through this process, myself.  I had deciced and gotten my heart set on one breed of large fowl but came to realize that bantams may have been a better choice.  I also suggest that you join APA and buy a Standard.  You will need both of those things and they will help you understand what you need to do a little better.  I am new at it myself, but I will help you in any way I can.

Thanks, I have had silkies my hole life (note: I'm only 15 years old so it hasn't been that long ) and last year I visited a farm that breed and showed silkies and Cochins. she gave me a pair of silkies and I already had a Cochin roo so she gave me a hen. I told her I wanted to start getting into showing but, I haven't really started yet. I've been to the Chilton county bantam show at clantons fairgrounds before and really enjoyed it. Hopefully I can get started on everything next year!

 

[Tomtommom]

Your birds are gorgeous! You're in a good place too, close to Clanton. Maybe visit the auctions or Bantam shows and see if something sparks your interest?

We have tons of good breeders in the area, although they're usually not online. Word of mouth helps you find the good places. Feed stores would know where to send you (and I don't mean Tractor Supply.. half of those folks don't care if they work at TSC or Wal-mart). There's one in Thorsby, a little place in Columbiana as well as the co-op store there and a large mill in Wilsonville. Probably also some in Clanton.

I just got a mish-mash flock for eggs and fun. Can't have a roo so not even bothering to try and raise top quality birds

Healthy and pretty, sure. SOP... not so much.

 

[ihavechickens2]

Your birds are gorgeous! You're in a good place too, close to Clanton. Maybe visit the auctions or Bantam shows and see if something sparks your interest?

We have tons of good breeders in the area, although they're usually not online. Word of mouth helps you find the good places. Feed stores would know where to send you (and I don't mean Tractor Supply.. half of those folks don't care if they work at TSC or Wal-mart). There's one in Thorsby, a little place in Columbiana as well as the co-op store there and a large mill in Wilsonville. Probably also some in Clanton.

I just got a mish-mash flock for eggs and fun. Can't have a roo so not even bothering to try and raise top quality birds

Healthy and pretty, sure. SOP... not so much.

thanks. I have been trying to visit all the shows( that ik about) and looking. and i understand haha