California - Northern

[tommysgirl]

@farmhand I could not agree more about the CA Greys. Great chickenality, middle of the pecking order, non problem causer, curious and funny. And enormous bright white eggs.

 

[Flowers of Abba]

neither of those will lay year round. Muscovies are tastier. we are not terribly far from metzer farms a great duck company if you can't find a serious breeder. Also check out @fowlman01 muscovies if he sells babies or eggs. They are breathtaking.

They seem the best for a family setting. The girls think there quirky . I LOVEduck and was thinking of my freezer along withs culls in the fall season. I have found an inexpensive mobile butcher.... My hands are to full and imso slow. Promised the girls if we did bring them in they could keep the friendliest and favorites Togo broody over winter . Lol let me know if you have juries please.

 

[lualshannon]

Lual, so sorry for your friends loss.
I do have a similar set-up. I have 1x2 and 1x1 welded wire with 1/2 chicken wire on the inside. So far the ladies have been safe from exploring hands.
I need to put roosts in the pigeon lofts but that's a project on hold since I'll have to mount plywood to keep the coons from reaching in and grabbing them off the roosts.
I know the foxes, skunks possums, and coons are here, they will cut through the yard even when the dogs are outside with me.

Thank you! Yesterday was a very sad day. The worst part was that, two of the chickens which were attacked still alive, but beyond the possibility of recovery which I had to tell him, step by step how to end the poor chickens misery, and stay on the phone while he did it. He is not a breeder, and never killed an animal before. The sounds, and his crying during the process just tore my heart apart.

How nice! Your set up sounds quite safe with triple wire. You are right! they can be quite bold. I remember feeling quite safe during the day until my chickens were attacked by Bobcat and Fox early afternoon hours. I used to think all was safe as long as the coop they slept in was very secure. All the attacks took place in the middle of the day, and we had to make drastic changes.

Lual

 

[tommysgirl]

@lualshannon thanks for sharing your experience. I am so sorry for your friend's loss.

 

[lualshannon]

Quote: I am really glad that your rabbits survived the attack, Deann! That was a very nasty wound; poor little rabbit. Wouldn't be wonderful if your chickens and rabbits could just run free at your ranch? Oh, I remember the Mountain Lion attack on your chickens which was a horrific experience for you. Do you know that at Frizelle Enos and W.Farms, they still talk about it when ever someone asks if it is safe to let the chickens or small farm animals free range. As I hear, the Mountain Lions are on their spring time migration. So interesting that they pass through the same route each year.

Lual

 

[TheKeeper]

I am not very familiar with the basque but that is what i am going to hatch this spring. i just want two...and the bantam barred rocks...just two...i want the basques because i heard they are so friendly and sweet. my silkie is broody now....i think she could handle 4-5 large eggs? she is small....was hoping she would wait for the bantam eggs....i had never heard of the pita pinta, very lovely.....

My basque is a beauty but has never been particularly friendly. She has not gone broody in 2 years either.
These are terrible photos - but you get the idea...



I got hatching eggs from Deann @juststruttin

 

[tommysgirl]

When I used the LG to hatch I set it up like 10 days in advance and fiddled with it to get it right. Now I have my brand new Brinsea Mini Advance and I don't know if I should plug it in early was planning on setting eggs on Monday.

 

[chiqita]

When I used the LG to hatch I set it up like 10 days in advance and fiddled with it to get it right.   Now I have my brand new Brinsea Mini Advance and I don't know if I should plug it in early was planning on setting eggs on Monday.

no reason not to.

 

[joydix]

i emailed Deann. i had gotten several birds from her and the quality is always FABULOUS. I did not hear back and found someone in Santa Rosa who has them and had gotten her stock from Deann...so that works!

 

[chrissyr]

This is not chicken related :So this pic doesn't show it but the color was a bright mustard yellow.
Curious if anyone has seen this before. It was by the fruit trees in some tan bark.
I found what looks like older stuff that hardens up.
Seems like a fungus or mushroom relation but no one here knows what this is. Any ideas?

edited to add: it wasn't animal vomit, and it is liquidy until it dries out