Thanks for the compliments on my Splash EE -of course I didn't create her coloring, just got lucky.
TT! -- I love that pic of your silkie and her 1 little Black Copper Maran baby - I'm so sorry she didn't make it
.
Lyongirl -- You're right, it's not hard to sell pullets here, especially if you raise them up to at least 6 weeks old - that way the new owners don't have to put them under the heat lamp.
Regarding hawks - I've been letting my chickens free-range a few hours a day every day for the last 2 years and haven't lost one yet , but maybe it's my dogs. I do have two dogs in the yard and I've heard that hawks will kill large chickens, but that they will need to eat them on the ground because they're too heavy to carry off - I don't think the hawks want to eat their kill with my dogs in the yard.
Mahonri -- I do really love my Ameraucanas - they've finally started to lay and the eggs are gorgeous - large and blue. I saw your comment about your chicken with a crossbeak - one of my Wheaten Ameraucanas has one too, but it hasn't harmed her in the least - she's just as fat, fluffy, pretty, and as good an egg-layer as her 2 sisters. I read that Ameraucanas and Easter Eggers are more likely to get crossbeaks than other breeds - the only special care I've given mine is to trim her beak (top and bottom with fingernail clippers - I've only done it twice).
NewChickMom -- Mine have started laying, at least better than they were - most are done molting and the 10 month olds have finally joined the club of layers.
Becky -- I'm glad you're hen is doing better!
Crazier than Average -- Yikes! I hope you get it figured out. Has the rest of your flock already been exposed to the newcomers?
GoneHomeGrown2 -- I'm sorry about the coyote getting your chickens - very sad. We saw a coyote in our yard once (he had scaled the 6 ft block wall), but thank goodness it had visited before we let the chickens out. He was pacing right next to the coop/run and my ferocious guard dogs (1 cocker spaniel, 1 corgi mix, and 1 mini daschund) all took off after it and chased it away. We were inside, so it was definitely the dogs it ran from.
Regarding the shooter - definitely tragic! and a shock! I can't believe all the grief one angry kid has caused to the familes and to the nation. I was very impressed with the 20 year old man that when he heard the shots, instead of running away to safety, ran to check on the victims. He held Gifford up so that she could breathe and also attempted to stop the bleeding from her head wound while waiting for help.
Homeschooling --- I've homeschooled my youngest daughters since K and they're now 16 and 17. We're still legally "homeschoolers", but they've been taking high school classes with other homeschoolers in more of a school type setting - meeting once or twice a week and doing homework at home. I no longer am their 'teacher'. My 17 year old just finished taking a couple college classes as dual credit for her senior year.
