California - Northern

[OR4-hmom]

I drive through GP to get to the coast. If you want, the next time I go I could pick some up for you and hand them off.

Rachel

Our place is about 3 miles off Hwy 199, just past the Applegate river.

 

[ronott1]

Quote: Well... I was sort of wondering if they were kidding. I did have one person tell me years ago that those fluffballs couldn't possibly be a chicken - they didn't look ANYTHING like a chicken! That was where the "walks like a chicken" criteria came from.
I was only kidding. We joke about them and since I hatched some in the Fall I have been resisting them. They are very cute and friendly and If I had space I would set up a little play area just for them.

Who knew a chicken could cuddle?

 

[debs_flock]

I didn't go with the far more graphic picture. I didn't want to offend anyone's sensibilities.

It might have to be soup only and close my eyes..................

I was only kidding. We joke about them and since I hatched some in the Fall I have been resisting them. They are very cute and friendly and If I had space I would set up a little play area just for them.

Who knew a chicken could cuddle?

Silkies truly do cuddle. When I was prepping for the last show. I was sitting in my bedroom (so the dogs didn't drive me nuts) and blowdrying one of the cockerels. My husband walked in with the next bird to be done. He had to do something else, so he just set him down on the bedroom floor and left.

That bird just stood there and never moved anything but his head for over a half hour until it was his turn. When you blowdry them, they just stand there and seem to enjoy the attention.

At the show, I was showing my serama at the table top show. I got my pullet out for best in show. They weren't ready for almost 45 minutes. The bird (about one pound) tucked her head into the crook of my elbow and went to sleep. When it was her turn, she came to life on the table and strutted with the best of them.

I'm amazed by how docile some of these birds are.................on the other hand, I have breeds I would never try anything like that.

Deb

 

[chiqita]

So far silkie = fried chicken. Skin is a bit thick however. I like to make sure the little smooth ones we know are boys have a good happy life but I can't keep em all. There was one guy who was trying to recreate the market silkie for free ranging who wanted to chat about it on the silkie show thread. That did it go well.

Speaking of it, what do people do with their extra autosexing boys? Cream leg bars seem like an awful small chicken to raise to 20 weeks.

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote: Well... I was sort of wondering if they were kidding. I did have one person tell me years ago that those fluffballs couldn't possibly be a chicken - they didn't look ANYTHING like a chicken! That was where the "walks like a chicken" criteria came from.
I was only kidding. We joke about them and since I hatched some in the Fall I have been resisting them. They are very cute and friendly and If I had space I would set up a little play area just for them.

Who knew a chicken could cuddle?

The really don't take all that much space being banties and not all that flighty... and they do cuddle... and are great mommies.

Resistance is Futile.

 

[ronott1]

I did some checking on Bresse and found out that most of them in Europe were "imported" into Ireland. There are different lines out there and of course some are better than others. Many of them came from the outskirts of the Bresse area in France: a 25x75 mile stretch along the Rhone River. One line grows a bunch faster than the others.

They are not all caponed. Cockerels are butchered at 4 months if not caponed. Pullets are butchered at 5 months regardless. Caponed are butchered at 8 months.

A non Caponed Rooster has flavor changes after 4 months from hormones. Me, I like the flavor but it is a much stronger taste. The one Delaware that I slow cooked tasted a bit like Beef Pot Roast!

The question is, did GreenFire import them from Ireland or did they get them out of the center of the Rhone River Bresse area? Are these the ones that develop quickly? The pullet that I have has a nice wide stance to her. If they are the slower developing line, would it be a good idea to try to breed for quick growth? The fast growing line is a Dual Purpose breed with POL at 14.5 weeks. The eggs are said to be small large to Jumbo in size and they are supposed to lay a good amount of eggs a year.

http://frenchchicks.webs.com/labressegauloise.htm

 

[ChickNmamma]

So far silkie = fried chicken. Skin is a bit thick however. I like to make sure the little smooth ones we know are boys have a good happy life but I can't keep em all. There was one guy who was trying to recreate the market silkie for free ranging who wanted to chat about it on the silkie show thread. That did it go well.

Speaking of it, what do people do with their extra autosexing boys? Cream leg bars seem like an awful small chicken to raise to 20 weeks.

Did you mean to say that DIDN'T go well? .. I can just imagine somebody coming into the thread and suggesting they wanted to eat their show birds/pets

They are almost too friendly to eat - but in two years if I get 50 mixed roosters I can't find homes for - I may find out what they taste like too... but first I have to send a defective hatchery BLRW rooster to freezer camp - and I can't even do that yet.. phoey!

 

[ronott1]

Does anyone know how the new USPS cuts will change getting chicks and shipping eggs?

Definitely will not get chicks from McMurray....

I tried to get an hatching egg shipment held for pickup but could not get the Woodland PO to answer the phone. It was busy for 2 days straight. I called the toll free number and they would not hold it for me and did not have a number that worked.

 

[ChickNmamma]

Does anyone know how the new USPS cuts will change getting chicks and shipping eggs?

Definitely will not get chicks from McMurray....

I tried to get an hatching egg shipment held for pickup but could not get the Woodland PO to answer the phone. It was busy for 2 days straight. I called the toll free number and they would not hold it for me and did not have a number that worked.

My understanding is this will not affect packages, only regular mail. However, they are talking about reducing hours at the post offices again - and most rural areas only have a few hours that the post office is open on Saturdays anyway.

I also have a heck of a time getting anything "held" for me at the post office if it doesn't already say so on the box. This is WITH talking to the people at my local post office. The 800 number knows nothing either. I also have a hard time finding packages that the online tracking says are at the post office - I call in and they don't know what I am talking about - they say they haven't arrived, etc. So I drive down there - show up at the counter and wait - and hmmm.. why there they are!

 

[tommysgirl]

On a quest for Speckled Sussex, Partridge Rocks, California Greys, Delawares and Easter Eggers would like to get all chicks within a week of each other but am willing to hit multiple spots. The EEs and the SS are the most highly desired on my list.

Any of you Mendocino County peeps buy your chicks in Ukiah? Rainbow Ag Orders from Ideal, TSC orders from McMurray and I don't know where Medocino Farm Supply orders from but was wondering if you had any knowledge or reviews. I am looking for someone to include a special order with their store order if neccessary.

How about Northern Sonoma County? I have no experience with these either. Our Rainbow Ag won't special order and the chicks I want won't be coming in at the same time

Ron I hope your eggs are still viable! since I followed your advice about canceling my order with MM I have read on hear about loads of people who have lost all or part of their MM shipment. Hence my feed store scavenger hunt

Oh and I am quite envious of you with incubators...hoping to have natural incubators in the form of broody hens this time next year so I can get started exploring that end of chicken fun

Good Luck with all of your hatches and your new babies!

Thanks for any information you have for me.

. I think