BREEDING FOR PRODUCTION...EGGS AND OR MEAT.

[hellbender]

Guess what I got today???????? I got the extra 7 Chanteclers (straight run) and 18 Buckeye pullet chicks. All live and healthy...I was prepared for a death or two and wouldn't have even complained.

BUT...I thought they had over done when they sent two boxes for 25 chicks. The first box I opened should have given me a clue...I couldn't recognize what breed these 25 cuties were and I didn't have time to look at the invoice because I wanted to get everyone 'dipped and settled) plus, I had the second box waiting.

I haven't called the hatchery yet but it's clear what happened...sorta'.

The second box was perfect...just what was expected but the first box contained 25 Black Laced Red Wyandotte pullets, the ones I had canceled. Both invoices indicate that everything is paid for but I don't think they have charged my account for the Wyandottes and the kids are rolling on the floor....laughing at me! I really was going to order the things for my daughter and they swear they didn't order them again...on one of their cards.

After I contact the Hatchery, I'll try to take a picture. I'll have to make some quick changes because I have those in a small brooder area, designed for about 20-25. no worries, just a matter of cleaning out another bigger one.

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

This is on my mind this morning, Angela. You have one or two birds who require fluff trimmed from around their vent to produce fertile eggs? I am curious if you are merely tolerating this for a generation or two until you can get the fluff back under control, or if you will be doing this as a matter of course? I am genuinely curious about how you view this.

We are both doing Wyandottes, and while I have heard about some getting too fluffy and needing this, I don't believe Luanne tolerates it, and I have no intention to tolerate that at all. In my mind, that level of intervention just to breed/propagate is a fault that will remove itself from my breeding pool. Trimming butt fluff is just a bridge too far for me.

I suspect we both know what George will say on this subject. LOL

X 222222222 Had that experience with SLW's not happening!

 

[RattlesnakeRidgeWV]

JRNash,
Get the APA SOP Book, you will not regret it. I look thru it all the time. More breeders should pay attention to the pics and the text of it when breeding IMO.
Kurt

 

[neopolitancrazy]

This is on my mind this morning, Angela.  You have one or two birds who require fluff trimmed from around their vent to produce fertile eggs?  I am curious if you are merely tolerating this for a generation or two until you can get the fluff back under control, or if you will be doing this as a matter of course?  I am genuinely curious about how you view this.

We are both doing Wyandottes, and while I have heard about some getting too fluffy and needing this, I don't believe Luanne tolerates it, and I have no intention to tolerate that at all.  In my mind, that level of intervention just to breed/propagate is a fault that will remove itself from my breeding pool.  Trimming butt fluff is just a bridge too far for me.

I suspect we both know what George will say on this subject. LOL

I do not know if they truly needed a fluff reduction, or if it was a coincidence that I finally started getting fertile eggs from them less than 48 hours after the second trim. I, too, prefer the more closely feathered Wyandottes shown in the Sewell and Schilling plates. I expect as I select towards close feathers, this problem, if it is one, will resolve itself.

I still cannot believe I gave my chickens a "Brazilian"

 

[hellbender]

The gals at Cackle Hatchery are sweet hearts...The one put me on hold for about 5 minutes...got back to me and said to enjoy them...no charge. It's their fault. Those are fairly expensive chicks...about $8 bucks each for the pullets. Of course I don't know but I suspect other hatcheries would try to squeeze part of that money out of my fist and honestly, if they asked, I'd pay for them.

Still glad to get them free!

Pics coming shortly...

 

[DesertChic]

Guess what I got today???????? I got the extra 7 Chanteclers (straight run) and 18 Buckeye pullet chicks. All live and healthy...I was prepared for a death or two and wouldn't have even complained.

BUT...I thought they had over done when they sent two boxes for 25 chicks. The first box I opened should have given me a clue...I couldn't recognize what breed these 25 cuties were and I didn't have time to look at the invoice because I wanted to get everyone 'dipped and settled) plus, I had the second box waiting.

I haven't called the hatchery yet but it's clear what happened...sorta'.

The second box was perfect...just what was expected but the first box contained 25 Black Laced Red Wyandotte pullets, the ones I had canceled. Both invoices indicate that everything is paid for but I don't think they have charged my account for the Wyandottes and the kids are rolling on the floor....laughing at me! I really was going to order the things for my daughter and they swear they didn't order them again...on one of their cards.

After I contact the Hatchery, I'll try to take a picture. I'll have to make some quick changes because I have those in a small brooder area, designed for about 20-25. no worries, just a matter of cleaning out another bigger one.

Too funnny! But....didn't you once say you were minimizing the number of breeds & birds? It seems the chicken gods have bigger plans for you.

 

[DesertChic]

The gals at Cackle Hatchery are sweet hearts...The one put me on hold for about 5 minutes...got back to me and said to enjoy them...no charge. It's their fault. Those are fairly expensive chicks...about $8 bucks each for the pullets. Of course I don't know but I suspect other hatcheries would try to squeeze part of that money out of my fist and honestly, if they asked, I'd pay for them.

Still glad to get them free!

Pics coming shortly...

Wow! With that kind of service, if I ever decide to buy live hatchery chicks I'm definitely going with Cackle. Good customer service is everything nowadays....and so rare.

 

[DesertChic]

All the discussions on breeding has convinced me to order the APA standard. My goals fall more in line with a utility bird,form follows function. That being said I believe it's important to know the breed characteristics, the Standard,if you will in order to build your barn.lol

It's a very worthwhile investment. I refer to mine all the time both for specific reference and also as a simple learning tool.

 

[draye]

The gals at Cackle Hatchery are sweet hearts...The one put me on hold for about 5 minutes...got back to me and said to enjoy them...no charge.  It's their fault.  Those are fairly expensive chicks...about $8 bucks each for the pullets.  Of course I don't know but I suspect other hatcheries would try to squeeze part of that money out of my fist and honestly, if they asked, I'd pay for them.

Still glad to get them free!

Pics coming shortly...

Cackle is my favorite hatchery. I've heard of them doing this type of thing alot but I've never gotten that lucky with my orders. The most I've ever gotten was on an order if 25 chicks they put in two extra. One cockerel and one pullet. I'm not really complaining but it seems like good luck stuff like yours passes me up. Guess there is truth to the saying " No such thing as luck".

 

[DesertChic]

I can see where that might be needed. Before hurricane Ike. I had approx. 35 chickens consisting of 4 different breeds of white egg layers.I spent so much time with my birds when I wasn't at work that knew which hen did what. They all had different preferences and habits. Sadly hurricane Ike saw fit to relieve me of my birds (shop and part of my house.) I never had the need of a trap nest. I knew my birds. Is this strange sounding?

First, I'm really sorry about your loss....and not just of the chickens.
Secondly, there is nothing wrong with knowing your birds that well. I spend a lot of my free time with my chickens. They're my daily therapy and help counter the insanity of the rest of the world, and like you I know them well. I can tell each cockerel's crow by the sound of its voice and song; which egg was laid by which girl based on color and time of day; which birds favor kale and which would rather have spinach or Swiss Chard...... If your knowledge of your birds is neurotic or strange, then so is mine, and we should form a club and make T-shirts.