California - Northern

[Papa Brooder]

I think Papa Brooder hatched some meat bird eggs from Debi, who sells at the Elvirta Feed Store. If so, how are they Jeff?

Ron

I did hatch two of the meat birds. Debi says they are actually excellent layers as well if you keep some of the hens for a while. Mine are still just a few weeks old but they are bigger than the other chicks I hatched at the same time. I'm sure I'll notice a big difference in a month or so. We will see.

 

[WasabiChicki]

ahh the limp is back... ikes. I think I need to bring the chick in a put her in the tub a few days with food and water.

If you can feed your chick fresh comfrey, that should help heal whatever it is super fast! Good Luck!

 

[WasabiChicki]

It's so late but I had to get on this thread & say hi! My schedule has been crazy but the chickens are are well lol.

Zoo: love the turkey pics!

Jeremy: I want that Platinum Roo!

Ron: Enjoy the processing... I'm so hooked on raising my own meat!

Cooper: I'm crossing my fingers!

And I LOVE those fatty Orps... What are they called? I only have buff...

Well, happy summer ya'll... Can't believe I had to light a fire tonight; woah what a difference huh? Last weekend we were all worrying about the chickens making it thru the heat & now I have rain & it's freezing! (Ok, not freezing but I did cover the babies' brooder outside w/ a wool blanket.)
Here are a couple pics of the babies... 4 weeks old tomorrow! (today I guess, better get to bed!)




I know of at least 2 roos for sure; a light brahma & a BR... there might be a RIR roo tho all those were supposedly females.
If I only get one or two roos, I'm gonna have a very hard time picking anyone to eat (the crowing & fighting was supposed to make it easy). That leaves me with about 38 layers...
Looks like I need to invest in egg cartons & get to the farmer's market! How much should I charge for a dozen organic eggs??

I'll post comparison pics in the breed/sex thread soon... I'd love people's opinions on the matter!

 

[WasabiChicki]

Ok, last post then to bed:
I want to talk to ppl about the feed!
I'm feeding a lot of birds... currently buying Modesto Organic feed for a very high price but have been ok doing that for a small flock.
They also get sooooo many scraps, plus oyster shells, egg shells, whatever I pull from the garden that we don't eat... totAlly spoiled!
My feed store bill today was over $80 just for the chickens. (Don't tell my husband lol.)
Who makes their own mixes & what is the ratios for what ages? I want to keep it completely organic & non soy, non GMO.
I have 31 little ones & almost a dozen 7 month olds who lay great plus 2 old girls, still laying (I think).
Is it really gonna cost me $80 a month to keep this many birds?? The feed store guy was thinking I should buy cheap chick starter since they're not laying, but I can't feed my family organic & not my animals... thats not me.
I plan to sell eggs to help pay for their stay, but thats still a ways off since the babies are only a month.
Any suggestions??

 

[Disco Hen]

ahh the limp is back... ikes. I think I need to bring the chick in a put her in the tub a few days with food and water.

Oh, i'm sorry to hear that! Did them limp go away and come back?

It's so late but I had to get on this thread & say hi! My schedule has been crazy but the chickens are are well lol.

Zoo: love the turkey pics!

Jeremy: I want that Platinum Roo!

Ron: Enjoy the processing... I'm so hooked on raising my own meat!

Cooper: I'm crossing my fingers!

And I LOVE those fatty Orps... What are they called? I only have buff...

Well, happy summer ya'll... Can't believe I had to light a fire tonight; woah what a difference huh? Last weekend we were all worrying about the chickens making it thru the heat & now I have rain & it's freezing! (Ok, not freezing but I did cover the babies' brooder outside w/ a wool blanket.)
Here are a couple pics of the babies... 4 weeks old tomorrow! (today I guess, better get to bed!)




I know of at least 2 roos for sure; a light brahma & a BR... there might be a RIR roo tho all those were supposedly females.
If I only get one or two roos, I'm gonna have a very hard time picking anyone to eat (the crowing & fighting was supposed to make it easy). That leaves me with about 38 layers...
Looks like I need to invest in egg cartons & get to the farmer's market! How much should I charge for a dozen organic eggs??

I'll post comparison pics in the breed/sex thread soon... I'd love people's opinions on the matter!

Cute chicks!

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I'm sorry. I hope with a few days to herself she perks back up and the limp goes away.

I moved her in the house last night and put her in the ER condo. so she would not get stepped on. My three Icelandic chicks are much smaller than my others up there and normally being quick it is ok but being hurt she can not get away..

 

[Hangtown Farms]

If you can feed your chick fresh comfrey, that should help heal whatever it is super fast! Good Luck!

will check this out.. thank you


What is up with the weather..
Rainy, cold and foggy up here at 2500 feet...

 

[ronott1]

Ok, last post then to bed:
I want to talk to ppl about the feed!
I'm feeding a lot of birds... currently buying Modesto Organic feed for a very high price but have been ok doing that for a small flock.
They also get sooooo many scraps, plus oyster shells, egg shells, whatever I pull from the garden that we don't eat... totAlly spoiled!
My feed store bill today was over $80 just for the chickens. (Don't tell my husband lol.)
Who makes their own mixes & what is the ratios for what ages? I want to keep it completely organic & non soy, non GMO.
I have 31 little ones & almost a dozen 7 month olds who lay great plus 2 old girls, still laying (I think).
Is it really gonna cost me $80 a month to keep this many birds?? The feed store guy was thinking I should buy cheap chick starter since they're not laying, but I can't feed my family organic & not my animals... thats not me.
I plan to sell eggs to help pay for their stay, but thats still a ways off since the babies are only a month.
Any suggestions??

The Last I saw a price for Modesto Mills, it was $34.00 for 50 pounds. The cascade layer was $30.00. If you have a drop site for Azure Standard near you, that might be an option. My chickens eat less of it than the Modesto Mills. King Feed has a non soy non corn natural, not organic. It is not very far north yet, but is moving into the Sacramento and Davis area. It is in the Central Coast area and maybe up to the Bay Area. The price on that was around $23.00 for 50 pounds.

Look for information on feeding with Ultra Kibble. You mix it at a 7 to 10 ratio(I hope that makes sense)--I use a half pound of Ultra Kibble for seven pounds of Wheat or scratch). It is supposed to be a complete chicken feed if you supplement with free choice calcium for the layers.

Ozbo.com has it with $4.99 shipping. No Tax. It takes a while to get to California though. The Tractor Store is supposed to be able to order the big bag, but they did not get back to me. I will try them again soon.

I hope this helps,

Ron

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Yes!

Cheryl Cohen, Papa Brooder, Megan and I have them. Cheryl should have some ready to breed sooner than us.

Ron
Cheryl sold hers to make room for Toblunt Polish I believe. So perhaps just the three of us.
I wondered if she was going to keep them.

At least we are spread out nicely now, Redding, Woodland and Concord. There is someone else in CA, probably south. There was a post on the Basque thread--First Basque Eggs laid in California...

Ron

Quote:
Thanks Jeff!

Are they Buff Cornish? If you, you can X them with White or Barred Rocks to make your own crosses.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

does anyone know of any Penedesenca and or empordansea breeders in Norcal??? or anyone who keeps them? tired of shipped eggs...