Arizona Chickens

[maryhysong]

whew. 8 boys off to freezer camp. Still need to do a final rinsing and cleaning, and go clean up outside, but I've been on my feet since 830. I didn't think to check the propane tank and of course ran out before I even really got started. So had to haul scalding water from the house. Averaged about 30 min a bird. figure I could shave that some if I have gas for the big outdoor burner to keep the water hot. Would also shave a lot of time off if I ever get a plucker.

 

[flower]

So I've never seen a silkie in person but I heard they are larger than many bantams. I also read a lot of advice about mixing bantams and LF. I've read lots of posts of people successfully mixing them into larger flocks. Would having a single silkie with 6 LF be a bad idea? I'm assuming when mixing LF and bantams you should probably have several bantams so they can band together. Am I wrong? A silkie is one of the birds on my list but I'm not really a bantam fan otherwise so if I got one it would be the only bantam. My RIR is really small though so maybe they could be buddies. Grrrrr I hate being so limited on space, I need to move to a farm lol

Silkies look larger because they are fluffy. Seabrights are the smallest bantam then Seramas. Both of these ARE smaller than Sllkies but one needs to consider breeding also. I have seen some bigger Silkies that were some ones "project" trying for a different trait. Silkies like most other bantams can be scrappy and take care of themselves unless they are truely the victum of lots of bullies. I have a flock with six tiny birds, three intermediate mixed breeds and I think four large older hens. But there has been plenty of time and space for them to acclimated to each other. For new introductions I like to have two or three birds that are familar with each other. Plus I do see preferences for some birds to "hang out" with others that look just them. So get two or three of any breed. I wouldn't mind having all bantam flock. Don't mind the small eggs and they require less space and feed. But when it comes to processing, well them I like 'em BIG.

 

[flower]

whew. 8 boys off to freezer camp. Still need to do a final rinsing and cleaning, and go clean up outside, but I've been on my feet since 830. I didn't think to check the propane tank and of course ran out before I even really got started. So had to haul scalding water from the house. Averaged about 30 min a bird. figure I could shave that some if I have gas for the big outdoor burner to keep the water hot. Would also shave a lot of time off if I ever get a plucker.

Well DONE ! All that work but some good eats ! Yes wouldn't a plucker be a big asset ! I like your web-site BTW

 

[flower]

NORTH DAKOTA has four feet of SNOW with 15 feet drifts.............YUCK !

 

[maryhysong]

NORTH DAKOTA has four feet of SNOW with 15 feet drifts.............YUCK !

oh big yuck here too. I like where I live; just enough snow to be pretty for a couple days then goes away. Rarely much below 24 degrees and then it still warms above freezing during the day most of the time.

Well DONE ! All that work but some good eats ! Yes wouldn't a plucker be a big asset ! I like your web-site BTW

Thank you,yes good eats. I am hoping I can find someone to go halves on a plucker. Thank you, glad you liked the website.

 

[Twinklin]

Silkies look larger because they are fluffy. Seabrights are the smallest bantam then Seramas. Both of these ARE smaller than Sllkies but one needs to consider breeding also. I have seen some bigger Silkies that were some ones "project" trying for a different trait. Silkies like most other bantams can be scrappy and take care of themselves unless they are truely the victum of lots of bullies. I have a flock with six tiny birds, three intermediate mixed breeds and I think four large older hens. But there has been plenty of time and space for them to acclimated to each other. For new introductions I like to have two or three birds that are familar with each other. Plus I do see preferences for some birds to "hang out" with others that look just them. So get two or three of any breed. I wouldn't mind having all bantam flock. Don't mind the small eggs and they require less space and feed. But when it comes to processing, well them I like 'em BIG.

I have 4 of all different breeds that were raised together and I'll be adding a group of 3 to them. I'll be getting all 3 new birds at the same time so they will be brooded together in the garage like the first group and then I'll do the "see but not touch" method of introducing them to the older girls when the time comes. I will be getting 3 different breeds again as my first 4 did great being raised together. I have a short list of breeds I really want. I will be getting 2 LF and a silkie or 3 LF. I do like seabrights and seramas but I don't want to clip wings so the birds on my short list are not very good flyers for the most part. I don't have any meat birds because I'm vegetarian. I'm not very concerned with egg size either. I just didn't know if getting one bantam vs all LF would guarantee the little one get pecked to death.

 

[desertmarcy]

oh big yuck here too. I like where I live; just enough snow to be pretty for a couple days then goes away. Rarely much below 24 degrees and then it still warms above freezing during the day most of the time.
Thank you,yes good eats. I am hoping I can find someone to go halves on a plucker. Thank you, glad you liked the website.

I love my Featherman Pro plucker. Bought it last year when I was faced with processing so many cockerels. It can handle a heritage turkey, too. Yes it was expensive but worth it. I use it all the time and expect it will last many, many years.

 

[City farm]

So I've never seen a silkie in person but I heard they are larger than many bantams. I also read a lot of advice about mixing bantams and LF. I've read lots of posts of people successfully mixing them into larger flocks. Would having a single silkie with 6 LF be a bad idea? I'm assuming when mixing LF and bantams you should probably have several bantams so they can band together. Am I wrong? A silkie is one of the birds on my list but I'm not really a bantam fan otherwise so if I got one it would be the only bantam. My RIR is really small though so maybe they could be buddies. Grrrrr I hate being so limited on space, I need to move to a farm lol

Our rooster Kent is a silkie, we also have 3 bantams; 1 pure silkie that came into the
flock as a single girl.. Poor thing.. Even though there is a large flock she is always by
herself.. No one bothers her.. Our lavender Ameraucana is smaller that an pigeon,
though it seems.. & boy does she run the show.. Hope that helps.. Chicken drama?

 

[Mikey D]

Howdy Folks!

I know I've not been around recently (or not even lately) but we're about to order a bunch of peepers.

From the original flock of 28 we have four left (the infamous poultry show virus incident);

The two Gretchens (barred rocks)
Meow - (Production red)
and Princess'es sister (Wellsummer)

We are going to split an order with our backyard neighbors and prolly wind up with a dozen and a half or so peepers.

Not sure if Ideal or McMurry. The state vet (when he came out to check on the girls) mentioned McMurry as the one he'd go with.

Does anyone have a link to the old breeds page. It was set up like a spread sheet with picts and attributes and was all alphabetized. I'd like to share it with out neighbors.

With a little luck you may be seeing me around here a bit more.

Gallo - what's with the name change?

CYA'll

Mikey

 

[MandyFitch]

My wife is having second thoughts about giving up our Buttercups. So, in exchange for her indecisiveness, I'm hoping to procure a chicken who lays large eggs. Preferably already laying or just about to lay. No babies.

If anyone has a lady they can't keep, don't want or is just for sale. Let me know! I'd rather not go commercial as I'm sure we have some fellow AZ Chickeners here who I can win-win with.

PM me.

A guy on Valley Permaculture Alliance posted:

We are downsizing to a smaller flock and have 2 Barred Rock hens available. Both are approximately one year old, have had free range, are currently laying and have been consistently good layers. Asking $15 for both. I live in central Phoenix near Indian School Rd. & 15th Ave. Call/text me at 602-471-3085 if interested.