Bay Area BYCers!

[deannd]

Hi Bay Area BYC friends. I am relatively new to BYC and am really enjoying getting to know other chicken enthusiasts. I am even more thrilled to meet other local chicken peeps.

I live in Novato, which is in Marin County north of SF. I have about 120 chickens; 11 roosters and the rest hens. I have 19 breeds and 29 color variations. My kids have started selling eggs to our neighbors and friends and we can't keep up with the demand.

Looking forward to getting to know you all better.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Welcome to the Bay Area BYCers thread deannd!

We don't live there now but it's still home to DH and I.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Good morning, and welcome!

120 chickens!!?? wow! that's a lot of feathers!

Sunny, we heartily claim you for our own!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Sunny, you'll be glad to know that I tried a little chicken whispering on the General earlier. When I let him out of the coop this afternoon, he seemed to have a new respect for the barnies. He still clucked a little "I looovvveee you," at them, but then looked at me and walked away without chasing them. I don't know how long it will last, but

maybe he can be taught to be a gentleman.

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
Wow, that's a lot of birds! Do you sell hatching eggs and chicks? What breeds? (I'm always looking to add more birds to my flock, even when I shouldn't be...

)

Have you checked out the Bay Area Meet Up thread? There's a link in my signature, we'd love to have you there!

 

[tls_ranch]

Quote:
Jeremy I don't think so, but thanks. She was the very last born from this hatch and didn't get to the food as much as the others. I had to separate her with a buddy for a few days until she got stronger and thus has always been smaller.

The breeder tls_ranch commented on wanting the rounder head in early post so I think it's probably a good trait for this breed

I haven't seen Cheryl's pullet in person, so I don't know how big she is. Barnevelders aren't really big birds to begin with and I hope to select for larger size in my flock. The legs of the three lines I have appear at first glance to be shorter than some of the other breed, but I believe this was what the original breeders were looking for. I don't it's related to the lethal gene for short legs like some bantams have though. I've only have one pullet that turned out a little smaller than the rest of my hatches this year, but by no means is she a dwarf or even a bantam.

I believe that Cheryl's pullet has her mother's head. Her Mother is a standard size and I think meets or is very close to the breed standard for hen weight. I have been told that the very round, broad head and short beak shows good quailty rather than some lines that have crow heads that are too long and narrow.

Here's a head shot of the hen that is most likely Cheryl's pullet's mother:

 

[cherylcohen]

AHHH Minnie will be so happy to see a picture of her MOMMY!

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:

You're gonna have to teach me that chicken whispering technique.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Quote:
http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-038.gif

You're gonna have to teach me that chicken whispering technique.

yeah, he's only forgotten his manners once this afternoon. the rest of the time, he just crows, flaps his wings, and grumbles to himself.

oops, make that twice (pant, pant!!).

The barnies have gotten much better at side-stepping him, too.

still, much better than before.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Happy/happy-038.gif

You're gonna have to teach me that chicken whispering technique.

yeah, he's only forgotten his manners once this afternoon. the rest of the time, he just crows, flaps his wings, and grumbles to himself.

oops, make that twice (pant, pant!!).

The barnies have gotten much better at side-stepping him, too.

still, much better than before.

How loud is his crow? My guys aren't crowing yet (or I'm just not hearing them through the double paned glass... I think it will be nice to have a rooster around that crows. Well not too loudly or the neighbors may change their minds about letting me have a roo.