Barnvelder hen in DFW (hatched Aug 2018)

[slippednfell]

She is beautiful. Any health issues?

 

[carikermoon]

She is beautiful. Any health issues?

None that I have observed. Bought her from the feed store a year ago—I think they source chicks from Meyer’s but I could be wrong. The Barnevelder chicks were a week older than the Australorp chicks that day and I wanted one of each... so I deliberately grabbed the biggest Australorp and the smallest Barnevelder so that they would be similar size to prevent the older (and typically bigger) chick from being mean to the younger (and typically smaller) chick. When I got home, Coco (the smallest of the feed store Barnevelder chicks) stretched out limply on my lap and promptly fell asleep. I was immediately concerned that she was ill—maybe she had been the smallest chick because of some sort of congenital defect—and so warned my youngest (who had named her) not to get too attached, just in case. My son bawled as if Coco had just died. The next morning she was fine. No pasty butt, no eating problems, and never had any crop issues.

In any event, I also never observed the two chicks fight. Those girls were thick as thieves—they did EVERYTHING together. Coco was more of a wild child but she never wandered far from her Australorp BFF. I don't know if we can wait until December, today she kept trying to get over to the dogs for companionship. I worry about her being lonely.

 

[Kabootar]

Looks like something tragic happened with your flock. You sound like a very dedicated chicken mama. The way you talk about your birds gives me the impression that you love your birds a lot.

 

[slippednfell]

None that I have observed. I don't know if we can wait until December, today she kept trying to get over to the dogs for companionship. I worry about her being lonely.

If you have plans to travel up this way before December, let me know. Good luck. She is a beauty. Hopefully you will find a home nearby.

 

[carikermoon]

If you have plans to travel up this way before December, let me know. Good luck. She is a beauty. Hopefully you will find a home nearby.

Maybe there is someplace in between? You mentioned 6 hours... what about a 3 hour drive to meet somewhere midway?

 

[carikermoon]

Looks like something tragic happened with your flock. You sound like a very dedicated chicken mama. The way you talk about your birds gives me the impression that you love your birds a lot.

I do love my chooks... but I have learned the hard way that this can be heart-breaking.

When I started this, I had no idea that there were raccoons, foxes, coyotes, hawks, and bobcats around here. Not to mention that it stays above 100 degrees F for weeks at a time. Plus one lousy neighbor who complains to the city about any rooster--which are legal here, so he gets me written up on "noise" violations--and I tried all the anti-crowing gadgets.

I just need to find 1-2 acres somewhere where it is not quite so hot and build a good sturdy predator-proof coop with plenty of room for chickens to roam. That's my new goal.

 

[Kabootar]

Hola LindaB220, no Experto NINGUN soja, si Pero él capado Pocos UNOS. Con Resultados de Todo tipo, y del siempre Prefiero intervenir Por Los Dos costados, ya Que Tiene Menos Riesgos párrafo el pollo Expertos hijo Los Chinos, CUANDO MENOS ES el los vídeos. 1,5 libras es Contacto Muy Poco peso, sí HACE Difícil Coger bien el los testiculos; Es Mejor Hacerlo en los pesos Que indiqué.

Living in unsuitable neighborhood can be a real challenge. Thankfully we don't have such problems here. Here people keep chicken and goats in the middle of the city. Most don't even know about city laws if they even exist.

I just need to find 1-2 acres somewhere where it is not quite so hot and build a good sturdy predator-proof coop with plenty of room for chickens to roam. That's my new goal.

I would suggest that you find a larger parcel of land in a rural community. Why buy 1-2 acres when you can buy 10-20. Surely more land is not something that's going to harm. In rural areas the land must be cheaper. Btw you can also caponize extra, it makes the hormonal cockerels quiter than a hen and it's meat is more tender than mother's love and have the flavour of a mature chicken. Much better than the Cornish crosses that you buy from the market.

Good luck.

Plus one lousy neighbor who complains to the city about any rooster--which are legal here, so he gets me written up on "noise" violations--and I tried all the anti-crowing gadgets.

 

[slippednfell]

Maybe there is someplace in between? You mentioned 6 hours... what about a 3 hour drive to meet somewhere midway?

I will have to check with my husband. He might be willing to go 2 hours south (near Little Rock), if you'd be willing to go four hours. I will let you know what he says tomorrow.

 

[slippednfell]

I can get my husband to go to Conway. He wasn't willing to drive any further "for just one chicken". I know this would be a much longer drive for you. We will literally be in Dallas in December. I know that is a long time to wait, but it would save you a trip. Just let me know how you want to proceed. I wish you were closer.

 

[texsuze]

Hello, I'm down in the Hill Country. If you can reply to me with your email address, or, private message me through BYC I'd like to discuss possible adoption of Coco and get more information from you. I can then give you all the details of my setup, too. I have 6 hens, ages 2-6.

My brother lives in Aledo and will be coming down to visit next weekend (Sept 6), so, if the situation looks good to both of us, he could bring Coco when he comes next weekend.

Signing off for now, heading to the barn to pull out the ice packs and crank up the fans for my hens!