California - Northern

[Ali707]

I know most of you have seen bunches of broody hens before but wanted to share mine because she is my first...Say Hi to Beakface She will return your greeting with a BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKKKK and puffed up feathers. that she sticks after I move her tonight.

That's pretty much what I sound like every day before my coffee. Sort of a bitchy growl!

 

[Ali707]

Sierra Hay & Feed in Wheatland is where the scratch came from. I just finished rebagging it in gallon zip locks. Most went into the freezer. I went to a poultry session this spring at the feed store. Turned out to be geared towards larger scale flocks, but they passed along good info. Bringing home the free bag of organic scratch was an unexpected bonus. Later I went to a local coop tour sponsored by Western Feed here in Sacramento and bought $5 in raffel tickets. The next day they called. I'd won 2 sacks of any size/type of chicken feed they carry! Got 50 lb bag of starter and gift certificate good for another bag, my choice, later. Totally amazing to me to have all this feed coming my way

.

Dang! Will you go buy me a lottery ticket?

 

[debs_flock]

That's pretty much what I sound like every day before my coffee. Sort of a bitchy growl!

Sounds like me, but only if someone is foolish enough to say more than a quick good morning before I get to the coffee maker.

 

[Grandmas Basket]

He IS funky cute! Good luck rehoming and don't forget the listings here on byc for a local pick up... He will make adorable babies!!!

I managed to get a classified up for Tango. Thanks for the suggestion. I had not considered it as I didn't realize local pick up was an option. Actually, I'll consider delivery for free if I find a suitable new home.

My fall back plan: If neither CL nor BYC posts turn up any takers, Bradshaw Feed occassionally has open cages for roos. They do not give you any $ for roos and they do pocket what they get when they sell. I opted for that with my first cockerel as he was fully feathered and already getting super bossy at a very young age. When his CL ad expired with no responses, I took Blue to the feed store. He was itsy compared to the other roos and as tame as a dove when held. They didn't think there would be any problem finding a home for him. And they volunteered that he wasn't anywhere big enough for soup - possibly to make me feel better, but I like to think they were right.

 

[Grandmas Basket]

The webs the weevils make in the grain can choke a chicken. Never give them weevil infested feed.

They would live eating just the Weevils though

I'm having flash backs to snarfing a hanful of trail mix years back. I didn't look before I popped it in my mouth. Felt a tickle about the second chew. I was feeling a web tickle my chin. OMG the realization of what was in my mouth hit like lightening. It was years before I would buy trail mix again. And I had to cut out granola as my gag factor was hyper reflexive. TMI.

I do appreciate your cautionary note. I gagged but I wasn't in any danger of expiring. Am glad you mentioned this as now I will be on alert. I keep the feed closed and bagged and in a sealed trash bin dedicated to pet food. I have no bug problems to date. When buying large bags of poultry feed, etc., is there any easy way to tell when you buy it if the bag is infested?

 

[ronott1]

I'm having flash backs to snarfing a hanful of trail mix years back. I didn't look before I popped it in my mouth. Felt a tickle about the second chew. I was feeling a web tickle my chin. OMG the realization of what was in my mouth hit like lightening. It was years before I would buy trail mix again. And I had to cut out granola as my gag factor was hyper reflexive. TMI.

I do appreciate your cautionary note. I gagged but I wasn't in any danger of expiring. Am glad you mentioned this as now I will be on alert. I keep the feed closed and bagged and in a sealed trash bin dedicated to pet food. I have no bug problems to date. When buying large bags of poultry feed, etc., is there any easy way to tell when you buy it if the bag is infested?

That is a good question! I have read posts from people that did but moldy or weevil infested feed.

It is hard to tell when you buy it, but take it back if bad feed is purchased.

I keep moth traps by the feed to be safe. I have not had a problem with weevils because feed does not last me that long.

 

[tommysgirl]

This is funny she is pretty much filling the space and then some.

So, I guess I was wrong about the Cornish-X being able to lay in the nesting boxes. How she got her fat (14 pound) self in there, and kicked out my two broodies, I'll never know. I put some of the eggs in the incubator. If they hatch we'll get to find out what a Favorolle/Cornish X chick looks like.

That's pretty much what I sound like every day before my coffee. Sort of a bitchy growl!

Sounds like me, but only if someone is foolish enough to say more than a quick good morning before I get to the coffee maker.

Hahahaha I used to be that way. Tom is a cheerful morning person. That was quite a shock then gradually I am afraid he wore off on me.

 

[threadgeek]

Oi, I'm gone for 4 weeks and missed over 1300 posts! I'm never going to catch up! I hope everyone's chickens are well.

I came back to find the now 18 week babies had grown substantially and some of the boys were crowing! Luckily someone took 4 of the boys today. Speaking of which... DH doesn't have the stomach to kill or process birds and I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for processing facilities in the Santa Cruz area. I thought about putting up a CL ad where someone could keep some percentage of the birds as payment for processing, does anyone have ideas for this newbie?

 

[HighNDryFarm]

I've been reading and reading! Then had to pay some bills, clean house and read again! Dang this thread moves fast.....I need to share my broody fiasco! I have 3 black EEs that all went broody together. I think two were broody last year but they're really hard to tell apart. One has a little bit of a different comb and she likes to screw with me by changing nests but by morning everyone's back in their spot.

The first girl to commit (I've named Cindy, short for Cinderella because she's a sweetie and the other two are skin twisting, biting, evil step-sisters). She hatched out her first two fine. Before we left for a weekend on the lake two more were pipping and we returned to 4 chicks and a squished one still in the egg with eggshell pecked off. Since the first was a couple days old I put a little water bowl in the nest. They drank a bit and we got the boat stuff done and I check back a couple hours later and one was drowned in less then a cup of water! What kind of animals sits within inches of thier offspring drowning and doesn't do anything? I mean these girls will go 4 nests over, tuck an egg under their wing and bring it back to sit on but not grab a soaking chick out of a cup of water? The morning there's another wet dead chick under her and another squished so I decide she's done, pass off the remaining eggs to the next step-sister.

Tonight I see that evil stepsister one has a chick half out and obviously the pecking of the shell was from the outside more then the inside. Chick was still alive when I tucked it back under.....then I see another squished egg. Pick it up and yoke is pouring out so I open it to see what stage it's at ( these girls are steeling eggs before I can get them in the morning), it was about 1/2 way...and moving. Big huge eyes, little tiny feet and wings. I held this little life until it died. I hate broodies right now.

 

[MossyoakLane]

I have a squatter!!!!!!

I am so excited!....our first egg should be within weeks!


Terri