I have some of Candy/ Chickee's Ameraucana hens, who lay crisp, bluest of the blue eggs, and the debth of the color fades just slightly when the laying season advances.
Contrary to common belief about the Ameraucanas, the birds have very gentle and quiet temperament. Whenever I am outside, they are my little shadows, and when I need to pick them up, very easy to reach down and hold. They are always one of the first group to come inside to roost. Simply, most delightful, elegant, and beautiful birds to have.
I got rid of 7 cockerels yesterday; and just in time since I'm about to be overrun with chicks.
I went to pick up Orpington eggs from Jeff last week and, of course, came home with more that would fit in my Eco 20.
I borrowed a Farm Innovations from a friend and couldn't leave it half empty so I filled the remaining spaces with my pet bantam eggs.
It's a good thing my 2nd Premier heating plate my husband told me to order has already arrived.
And now, just in time for the Easter HAL; I've got not 1 but 2 broody girls!
Todays job: sorting the 6 week olds from the last broody batch.
Way back in 1979, I got my first poultry, a duck that I named Lucy. She lived in my garden, ate all the snails and was a friendly pet. I enjoyed her very much and loved having a duck. She stayed with the garden when we moved to Nor Cal.
I didn't get ducks again until about ten years ago. I was taking herding lessons and the trainer had some (mixed) Runner Ducks. She wanted more but said they wouldn't sit and hatch the eggs that they laid. I had a flock of super broody mutt chickens at that time. So, I brought some duck eggs home and put them under a hen. I was so excited at the thought of having ducks again. I thought that I would love having them, since Lucy was such a delight.
The eggs hatched and I had ducks all over the place. Because it gets so hot here, we have many water dishes and troughs everywhere. Those ducks found every single water source within about an acre and mucked them up. I couldn't keep any water clean around them. I also couldn't stand the smell of their manure. (This is coming from someone who raises pigs.) I was so glad to take those ducks back to the herding trainer!
I guess I'm no longer a duck person. I do enjoy looking at their photos, though.
Hey, peeps. It's been a while since I've been on here, but I'm having a small problem. My chocolate Orpington is making a high pitched sounding sneeze. Her nose and eyes are clear, no discharge and she is eating fine and poop looks normal. She is acting normal and even squatted for me for the first time this am. I was wondering if this could be serious and If I should get her some antibiotics? And, if so what kind? What dosage? etc????? This is one of two of my very first chickens and I'm not sure what to do.
Hey, peeps. It's been a while since I've been on here, but I'm having a small problem. My chocolate Orpington is making a high pitched sounding sneeze. Her nose and eyes are clear, no discharge and she is eating fine and poop looks normal. She is acting normal and even squatted for me for the first time this am. I was wondering if this could be serious and If I should get her some antibiotics? And, if so what kind? What dosage? etc????? This is one of two of my very first chickens and I'm not sure what to do.
