Bay Area BYCers!

[jeremy]

Very cute babies Cheryl.

I've been told that Wheatens with smutty colored down is indicative of mixed genetics in their background. Not necessarily from their parents, or even the grandparent stock but somewhere another Marans variety may have been crossed in to improve the line for one reason or another.

 

[PetRock]

Hey, Jeremy, do you know the exact date that we will be receiving our babies at the end of March? I'm going to ask for the day off work! If I have to ask for two days off just in case, I will!

 

[cherylcohen]

Quote:
Thanks for the feedback.. do you recall how told you that, I'd like to speak to them

Actually I'll email Bev as well, as these are supposed to be pure bev davis flock

 

[wolftracks]

Cheryl I hope you get your chick answer.

I'd like to get a couple more pullets here too, but I'm not really a Wheatie person, so not really trying hard.

I have hatched several though and they were all different shades of yellow, but never had any other markings.

Then again I haven't hatched a ton, so wouldn't have an answer for you.

So many wheaten people out there though, someone has the answer.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Thanks for the feedback.. do you recall how told you that, I'd like to speak to them

Actually I'll email Bev as well, as these are supposed to be pure bev davis flock

Well, I'm not doubting that they are pure Marans, or their line. All I'm saying is that essentially Marans are project birds still. No one line is perfect and in breeding some of the newer varieties unwanted traits are bound to occur.

Like how some breeders of Black Copper Marans have unexpectedly hatched a yellow chick from what they thought was a line of only Black Coppers.

When any breed is established, especially those with a small pool of genetic diversity, other varieties oftentimes are crossed into the line to increase vigor, fertility, rate of lay (egg color specifically in Marans), etc. in hopes of bettering the original line.

So then you breed and cull for birds that exhibit only desired traits for the specific breed and color, that's just common knowledge.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
In the email John sent me he said the chicks will be shipped on the 22nd, so my best guess is they will be here probably on the 23rd or 24th. I'm trying to decide whether or not I'm going to take off work for them, too. I just don't want to take the wrong day off.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Thanks for the heads up Dawn!

I actually just placed my order for the Brinsea 20 Advance EX.

 

[wolftracks]

I say you take both days off. That way you can prepare for the big BBQ we all expect as we pick up chicks.

oooo I kill myself.

Forget how far they're traveling, but usually takes 2 days. Thing is it would be upsetting to be wrong.

But! They usually call in the wee hours of the morning to let you know to pick them up. Maybe you should take day 2 off and if you have to pick them up on day one, set them up and have people come in later or just make pickup the second day.

 

[PetRock]

Maybe I'll ask for the afternoon of the 23rd, all day the 24th, and the morning of the 25th. Half a day to prepare for the little ones, one day to pick them up, and another morning to play with them!

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Speaking to this.

We just moved into our new home last October, mind you we bought a fixer. Well we haven't really fixed much.

I honestly wouldn't be comfortable hosting any sort of get together or party for the chick pick up, I'd probably just be embarressed because my house looks like something out of the early 70s...

On top of that we have begun repairs in some rooms, primarily the living areas and the bathroom and I don't think I would have the ability to host a group of folks comfortably.

I would however love to have a get together of sorts, I feel like it would be really fun! A lot of you who ordered chicks are North of me in the Bay, would someone closer to everyone else want to host a mini chicken party?

I can hold everyone's chicks until the weekend if it makes it easier for someone to host, then we can all drive to whomever's house and meet up! Granted I'll be sure to supply everyone with photos periodically throughout the week.

Whaddya say guys? I'll be more than happy to bring a couple of potluck dishes to sweeten the deal... I make a killer buttermilk pie.