Bay Area BYCers!

[jeremy]

Cheryl, the ranch would be FANTASTIC! If not, we could use our East Bay SPCA facility in Dublin or Oaklands - really nice kitchenette and conference room opening to a big grassy areas with chairs. And of course plenty of dogs and cats to look at

Allison, using the Oakland SPCA facility might be a great avenue for another smaller get together for Oakland/Alameda/Berkeley chicken people. I think that's a great idea, too.

 

[jeremy]

How large a group? I have seating for 14 outside and could eaily add to that.

Tressa, in previous years we've had anywhere from 30 - 80 people at these events! Last years "big" meet up happened a bit later in the year and I think the weather really kept a lot of folks from coming. I hope we can all plan this years event to happen somewhere in the spring/summer so that we can draw in a bigger crowd.

 

[cherylcohen]

The ranch can accomodate hundreds of people

 

[jeremy]

Hi All,
Sienna Ranch sounds nice. FYI the local Marans people are having a get-together on March 31st, so I don't know if that matters to anyone but me when choosing a date for a picnic. I can always picnic hop...!

Hope everyone is well. I was on vacation, then of course work pays you back for having fun...

Updates from Healdsburg...My Splash Marans are back from the Land of Molt (similar to the Land of OZ, but scarier!) and so I have hatching eggs if anyone is intersted! Got a 1st place in the Stockton show with them, too! Both Wheaten AM's that I kept from my last March Blehm chick order are also done molting, and look spectacular! I'll have to post a photo...of them in their new nesting boxes! Yippee!! (Thanks to Judy and Cheryl's helping hands!) Making a new pen for meat birds and BOYs. Any comments on what to get for meat bird chicks?

I have about 4 hatches I want to do NOW and no stinkin' broody hens this year at all! Last year I couldn't PAY my cochins not to go broody... (OK, bribe with treats, I mean.) GRRR... I can't believe I'm thinking of doing chicks...what a pain. Here, broody broody... Here, broody broody....

Cheers!
Dawn

Dawn, where are the Marans folks getting together? Will there be eggs for sale?

I considered Rhode Island Reds for meat birds last year, Heritage lines. After we processed our boy though I don't know if they would be the best choice. The cockerel we processed had great big meaty legs but very little breast meat to speak of. I am a big fan of white meat so it was a bit of a disappointment for me. The Sussex we butchered was a lot meatier overall, I bet if he was a few months older he would have made an excellent table bird. Chanteclers are supposed to be a good meat bird. Norm up in Vacaville (I think he's in Vacaville? Or maybe Vallejo?) I believe planned on raising the Buff Chanteclers that we got from our Blehm order specifically for meat birds. I'm also considering crossing my Orpingtons to something that is a bit faster growing, but still meaty, in hopes of maybe producing a meat bird that way.

4 hatches? Sounds like you need an incubator...

 

[jeremy]

The ranch can accomodate hundreds of people

That's great! But you just said a few posts ago...

Quote:
Hey Alison, I think it would be fun too, but maybe it's not for the whole group.

I know you have been trying to plan your own get together for awhile now...

I was just trying to find venues that could accommodate everyone in the Bay Area to start planning the big regional events like we do every year. It sounds like most folks are wanting an earlier Springtime get together this year so it might be good to start planning that soon too.

 

[jeremy]

Is anyone interested in a little Swedish Flower Hen chick with crooked toes?

 

[Tressa27884]

Is she able to hold her own in a flock? If so I'll be happy to take her!

Is anyone interested in a little Swedish Flower Hen chick with crooked toes?

 

[jeremy]

Pictures from today!

My Swedish Flowers, they're about a month and a half old.


Lafayette.



Either Sookie or Pam, they look exactly alike. She was sleeping.

My favorite, Jessica.




The madness has started...

This is broody #1 for the year, I haven't given her eggs yet. I honestly don't plan to. The only thing I have that is fertile here are Sumatra eggs and they're all going into my Brinsea.



My Wheaten Olive Eggers have started laying pretty camo green colored eggs.



Oh and I've got lemons that are almost ripe!

That's all.

 

[sewandgrow]

Jeremy,
I posted pictures for you on the Eng Orp thread

 

[capayvalleychick]

Does anyone have suggestions for a good location for a poultry class in the Santa Rosa area?

Thank you,
Kim