California - Northern

[ronott1]

Looking toward the possible future flock of next year? What is do you think best small flock breed is for our weather? Thinking about adding 2-3 chickens, I have a Buff Orpington house chicken but she seems to suffer even inside when it gets to hot fans and swamp cooler going, so as much as a love this breed I don't want to torture chickens, because I am heat sensitive myself. My mom would love to add more, we've all come to adore Pancake and would love to add to the chicken family. I was looking at Welsummers, because I like the look of them and they are suppose to be docile + heat hardy. Any comments on this, or other suggestions. I really love heritage breeds, I'd love the look of Sussex and Orpingtons but like I said I really think I need heat hardy. Especially because of the drought. I'd like to avoid feather foot breeds, I've looked at possibly getting banties, since well I'm not picky about egg size. I love the look of many heat hardy breeds that are known for being flighty, I just don't want to be running around like a nut after one if I am moving them around in the yard, if one gets loose. I am setting up/planning various spaces for them in our good sized yard, but they will be locked up over night in a space predators don't come into often. Which means moving them/herding everyday to these spaces. So help? Please?

Orps don't take the heal.too well. Welsummers seem fine.

Best are not in the APA but they are Heritage. They have been in Spain for a long time. Black has been in the US for a long time.

Penedesencas!



Basque hens too.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

*Is vaguely surprised that Ron didn't mention Pita Pintas

*

 

[BCollie]

Well, it's official...my stepdad has agreed to help me butcher and process our cockerels when he gets back from vacation. He will do the killing, I will help with everything else as long as they don't have heads...can't look at their sweet faces while doing it.
It will most likely be next weekend as I imagine he's not going to want to do it on an evening after he's worked all day. And I don't think it would give us enough time to finish processing before dark, since this will be our first time.

I've been watching chicken processing videos all of last night and a little bit this morning, trying to desensitize myself to it and learn how to do it. It seems pretty simple.

Went out to the run and sat down, and the whole flock came over. Two of the three boys stood there with their eyes closed, just enjoying the sun. I'm going to give them a really good last week...free ranging every day, lots of treats, etc...
These are the three boys that are being processed this weekend. Biggest is 5lbs and smallest is 4lbs 9oz...enjoying the sun

 

[ronott1]

*Is vaguely surprised that Ron didn't mention Pita Pintas

*

Pita Pintas!

They are heritage in Spain and there is an SOP for them there and I think Germany.

They are a bit hard to get though. Maybe we can get more going next year.

 

[tommysgirl]

That's so cool! Hope they hire her.

X2!

-Kathy

Thanks you guys! I so appreciate any good thoughts sent in her direction

Looking toward the possible future flock of next year? What is do you think best small flock breed is for our weather? Thinking about adding 2-3 chickens, I have a Buff Orpington house chicken but she seems to suffer even inside when it gets to hot fans and swamp cooler going, so as much as a love this breed I don't want to torture chickens, because I am heat sensitive myself. My mom would love to add more, we've all come to adore Pancake and would love to add to the chicken family. I was looking at Welsummers, because I like the look of them and they are suppose to be docile + heat hardy. Any comments on this, or other suggestions. I really love heritage breeds, I'd love the look of Sussex and Orpingtons but like I said I really think I need heat hardy. Especially because of the drought. I'd like to avoid feather foot breeds, I've looked at possibly getting banties, since well I'm not picky about egg size. I love the look of many heat hardy breeds that are known for being flighty, I just don't want to be running around like a nut after one if I am moving them around in the yard, if one gets loose. I am setting up/planning various spaces for them in our good sized yard, but they will be locked up over night in a space predators don't come into often. Which means moving them/herding everyday to these spaces. So help? Please?

I have not had heat issues in my flock at all as long as I wet the ground under the shrubbery where they love to hang out. I have a mixed flock of:
Australorps
Delawares
Dorkings
New Hampshires
Plymouth Rock
California Grey
Marans
Ameraucana
EE
1 lovely Pita Pinta
and various barnyard mixes/ project birds. The temps here get into the 100s for days at a stretch in the summer.

I did loose one Dorking on a really hot day but that was my fault

Not the breed's

Ron makes great suggestions of breeds that are known for heat hardiness but if you feel like looking at a wider variety and are willing to make sure they have shade and cool dirt to lie in there are a lot of breeds you can look at.

Also once your flock knows their coop is home, they will mostly be putting themselves away at night and you won't have to herd anyone up. There are some naughty ones from time to time who choose to roost in other places but mostly they figure it out

 

[chiqita]

I imagine it is. I read on another thread on BYC that you can use ether (starter fluid) and put them in a jar with some on a paper towel and they just go to sleep and never wake up. I am probably going to go out and buy some in case this ever happens again. Is that a safe and humane way to put a chick to sleep?

Imo we do other methods for us not them. The fastest and most humane is destroying the brain stem. I cried and threw up the first time i had to do it and could not. So i did a lot of reserch and made my mind up on what to do. I still say im sorry and a little prayer and its hard.

Hi!   If you're willing to have chicks shipped, I highly recommend Papa's Poultry. Jeff is a great guy with great birds, I get all my birds and hatching eggs from him when I can.
http://www.papaspoultry.com/store/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/PapasPoultry

If you don't want chicks shipped then I'll be of no help, because I don't live near Placerville   

Jeff is great but if you want layers many fancy breeds suck after the first 6 months. Especially english orphs and fancy colors. I had mille flur leghorns and tbey layed twice a week as pullets! So prioritize on eggs heat etc then go from there. Ill add breese on as fablous layers. Marans don't lay as much but they lay for many years.

Hi all!

Sorry for the losses 

Happy for the revivals]

Wow on Chickee's chicken house

And this VVV
It made me think, "No wonder that little one revived...too much goodness to miss out on!"

Asking for positive thoughts and prayers for my daughter, Erin, who is hoping for a face to face interview with Canine Companions for Independence.  She would love nothing more than to become an apprentice trainer with them and had a phone interview yesterday.  She worked as a dog walker thought college graduated  in 2013, spent  July-May in New Jersey working in an eventing barn as a barn manager and has come to the conclusion that being a dog trainer would be her dream job.   CCC appears to be a solid company offering decent pay, benefits, advancement ops etc.  I know she would be perfect in the position but unfortunately they have a policy against mommies of applicants making any hiring decisions.   

Ohhh and of my three kids she is my go to chicken helper and is responsible for the fact that my most recent broody hatch all act like puppies instead of wild things when I go out there.  She spends time daily hand feeding and talking to them

Thanks peeps!

go girl go!!

 

[mamas15]

I always think of bay area as northern California and I'm in the Sacramento Valley right between Sacramento and Redding. When you drop below Stockton I think Central Ca. and after Bakersfield So. Ca.

 

[ronott1]

I always think of bay area as northern California and I'm in the Sacramento Valley right between Sacramento and Redding. When you drop below Stockton I think Central Ca. and after Bakersfield So. Ca.

Hi and welcome!

All are welcome here. Are you on I 5 or HWY 99?

 

[mamas15]

Hi - I'm actually on both I-5 and 99W in Willows. On the west side is I-5 and through town on the east is 99W.

 

[ronott1]

Hi - I'm actually on both I-5 and 99W in Willows. On the west side is I-5 and through town on the east is 99W.

Way back in the late 80's I worked once a week or so in the meat department at the Safeway in Willows.

What do you have for chickens?