California - Northern

[zooweemama]

It rained like heck in the foothills on the Hwy 50 corridor last night. It started around 7pm and was still raining when I fell asleep around 2am. Everything is wet and drippy here this morning, but hopefully it's done now for a few days.


I will most likely be at both (along with Stockton). I'm just thinking about my entries for Stockton now, I think it closes on 1/7, but don't quote me on that.

He is flirting, you must be one hot mama!

Deb

That sounds like the dance they do for the hens! Gary likes you a lot.

They do a different thing before they attack you.

You will know the difference.

That is SO funny. When I saw him do it this morning I thought he was hurt at first because he was dragging that wing loooooow. And then he was walking side ways like a crab and I laughed and picked him up. But he does it usually in the morning when he approaches me I just only half paid attention before. What a weird guy.

 

[zooweemama]

In all fairness to hubby I understand. While working on the door to our second coop he ran the tip of his right thumb through the table saw. It has been 3 years and it is still funky, numb, tingely in the cold, etc.

My daughter used to afraid of our Dutch Bantam roo. I explained that it was like batteling a moth, she stood her ground and he came at her with his all. She looked up at me and laughed, he can occasionally get a shot in but not often. he's not much bigger than the OEGB. Not like taking on the big roos.

I don't have many that I would take to show, probably only 4 or 5 and only 1 is a lf but I'll have to see how she fills out.

I've got family outside of Redding, and I've driven Arcata and back and that's not to bad. If it's like past years I may know one of the judges and I really like him. Very willing to share info about what to look for in the different breeds, etc. Great with the kids too!

We had to work with our gander a bit for his charging. He minds his Ps and Qs now. Our little banty roo doesn't charge us or anything but he sure does keep all the other males around that are 4 times his size in place. My ladies all adore him. They squat politely for him when he does the wing drop even though he is so tiny sitting on their fluffy backs. Looks like like a puppy trying to get a pony ride. But the hens really like him. They don't make a sound when he mates them. So I guess he's a good rooster in that sense!

 

[chiqita]

Good morning wonderful people!
Now that I'm done with coffee and chicken fantasy I can have a nice chat.
BDM, that puppy is super cute. My dog is so submissive the roos always win, poor Rufas is a wimp (short for Publius Rutulias Rufas, a historic homely wimp) .

Sorry you are still in a lot of pain, Cheryl, I'd love to help if I were closer but you are just a wee bit too far.

Zoo, Gary thinks you are Betty 2, and more accessible. Gary is looking for love in all the wrong places. If you are worried he will get aggressive, watch for him to fluff up his neck, that is the bad sign. My limited experience is watch for it when the boy pecking order changes, they test things out then.

Now for my eggageddon disaster. yesterday I happily set my NYD hatch eggs 6 dz trader joes fertile eggs, 47 of mine and swaps from the pp/HE swap. Stuck them in the incubator took my pictures and went on my merry way. Go out to check the temp and notice its a little low, will have Mario check it out tonight.

While eating dinner he looks up and says " I wonder if the eggs are turning too far and will fall off" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE RAN out to look, and sure enough, I have 119 eggs plopped down on the bottom. many unfamily friendly things were said, and I carefully took them out one by one to see what could be saved.

I saved 2 icelandics, about 12 marans and olive eggers( those eggs ARE stronger then others! its true) , some of the small eggs from my other swap, but no arkansas blues or silkie eggs or Sumatra's. I am going to get more tj's eggs today and refill. We put a bungee cord up the front to hold everything together so the trays wont slip. I think it must be a known problem because there are 2 little holes on the metal on the top and bottom of the turning rack for hooks. This is what you get for not having a manual or many people around that still use these incubators. Luckily I found a thread of a few people with this model and we are trading facts. I'll be posting over there next. ( and the NYD hatch thread, there are people trying to guess my hatch rate, I'm going with low)

The good news is it held its temp and humidity pretty well over the disaster, lol. SO I have high hopes for the long term use of batorius manilus maximus. And at least it was early. I don't think I could have made it if there were 119 little chicken babies down there Id just let fall to their deaths.

Other good news is all of a sudden people are wanting chickens again. Someone called wanting all my quails and a whole bunch of silkies . I'm putting up lights again this week so I can get some more eggs. I'm also thinking about doing an egg and incubator rental for people who want to hatch chicks with the extra incubators. I had a few teachers ask me about things last year, so ill see if it still seems like a good idea in a month.

Today I'm re dusting the silkies and their pen. I might have to wash a whole bunch of them too, depending on how the beards go. I put some stuff there because of bug eggs and it may or may not come out easily. I have decided I do not like mites. At least my big girls dust bath regularly so they are bug free, if only silkies liked it!

 

[OR4-hmom]

I spent to much time up the apple tree at my aunt & uncles to get geese, WH ducks are a different matter. DD has moved into the senior age group and there are more waterfowl questions asked in showmanship. It heally helps when they can see and hold the birds, besides, they are really pretty.

Really need to work on using the "quotes" on this thread, maybe my replies will make more sence then. Won't help my typing though.

 

[chiqita]

I would love to go to the Humblodt show... I have to get more info. I dont know about the Red Bluff show... need to look that one up. I have never shown before so have no idea of time requirements etc. We have a hard time both being away from home for too long because of our dogs I think it is about 3 hours from me and the closest show I have found. I might wait until the summer show though.

I think there are less shows in summer because of moulting? I think the season is sept to feb or something. Not really sure, I just go to look, but am thinking about entering a roo in stockton because it was so fun to see last year.

I know the chickens have to be ther for the whole show, so it is at least overnight, sometimes days. OR that sounds like an awesome judge. I love to watch and ask questions, not that i'm a kid anymore .

 

[Gomes Bantams]

*Yawn* morning!

how is everyone?

 

[OR4-hmom]

I think there are less shows in summer because of moulting? I think the season is sept to feb or something. Not really sure, I just go to look, but am thinking about entering a roo in stockton because it was so fun to see last year.

I know the chickens have to be ther for the whole show, so it is at least overnight, sometimes days. OR that sounds like an awesome judge. I love to watch and ask questions, not that i'm a kid anymore .

Website only has Feb 9th for show date but if like other shows check-in starts on the 8th and coop-out would be the 10th. Some shows have had early show day check-ins but most serious show people want their birds to get used to the cage and new neighbors.

 

[debs_flock]

Someone called wanting all my quails and a whole bunch of silkies .

Months ago I put a flier up at the feedstore for bobwhite quail chicks (long gone). I got a call this morning from a guy wanting to know if he could put out feeders and free range quail. He wanted to naturalize his yard. I told him........................ummmmm, NO. He said he may build a pen and call back. He was pretty impressed with the turn around time on coturnix.

He said his daughter was no longer interested in her d'Anvers and wanted to get rid of them. Then he talked wistfully about how much he enjoyed going to the Stockton show. I told him my showing poultry was the result of missing the times when my 32 year old son was in 4H. You could almost hear the lightbulb go off when he realized HE could take over the birds.

It was cute!

Deb

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Great Story! Another Chicken convert!

 

[zooweemama]

Good morning wonderful people!
Now that I'm done with coffee and chicken fantasy I can have a nice chat.
BDM, that puppy is super cute. My dog is so submissive the roos always win, poor Rufas is a wimp (short for Publius Rutulias Rufas, a historic homely wimp) .

Sorry you are still in a lot of pain, Cheryl, I'd love to help if I were closer but you are just a wee bit too far.

Zoo, Gary thinks you are Betty 2, and more accessible. Gary is looking for love in all the wrong places. If you are worried he will get aggressive, watch for him to fluff up his neck, that is the bad sign. My limited experience is watch for it when the boy pecking order changes, they test things out then.

Now for my eggageddon disaster. yesterday I happily set my NYD hatch eggs 6 dz trader joes fertile eggs, 47 of mine and swaps from the pp/HE swap. Stuck them in the incubator took my pictures and went on my merry way. Go out to check the temp and notice its a little low, will have Mario check it out tonight.

While eating dinner he looks up and says " I wonder if the eggs are turning too far and will fall off" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE RAN out to look, and sure enough, I have 119 eggs plopped down on the bottom. many unfamily friendly things were said, and I carefully took them out one by one to see what could be saved.

I saved 2 icelandics, about 12 marans and olive eggers( those eggs ARE stronger then others! its true) , some of the small eggs from my other swap, but no arkansas blues or silkie eggs or Sumatra's. I am going to get more tj's eggs today and refill. We put a bungee cord up the front to hold everything together so the trays wont slip. I think it must be a known problem because there are 2 little holes on the metal on the top and bottom of the turning rack for hooks. This is what you get for not having a manual or many people around that still use these incubators. Luckily I found a thread of a few people with this model and we are trading facts. I'll be posting over there next. ( and the NYD hatch thread, there are people trying to guess my hatch rate, I'm going with low)

The good news is it held its temp and humidity pretty well over the disaster, lol. SO I have high hopes for the long term use of batorius manilus maximus. And at least it was early. I don't think I could have made it if there were 119 little chicken babies down there Id just let fall to their deaths.

Other good news is all of a sudden people are wanting chickens again. Someone called wanting all my quails and a whole bunch of silkies . I'm putting up lights again this week so I can get some more eggs. I'm also thinking about doing an egg and incubator rental for people who want to hatch chicks with the extra incubators. I had a few teachers ask me about things last year, so ill see if it still seems like a good idea in a month.

Today I'm re dusting the silkies and their pen. I might have to wash a whole bunch of them too, depending on how the beards go. I put some stuff there because of bug eggs and it may or may not come out easily. I have decided I do not like mites. At least my big girls dust bath regularly so they are bug free, if only silkies liked it!

Thank you for the tip! I will be sure to look out for that. Despite my love for Gary...if he is rude and mean...he's gone.

I would have a heart attack if that happened to me with all those eggs. Holy moly!

Thanks for the dusting reminder too. Yay for people wanting chickens! Smart people!