California - Northern

[chiqita]

Yep. As long as you use the right colors

 

[AmyPaperlady]

*peeks in*

That's a lot of backlog... I'm caught up to about the last week, though...

Anyway, I'm up here in Crescent City (on the coast, 19 miles from Oregon), and I've been working on my coop (details and photos at https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/811612/converting-a-not-a-greenhouse-to-a-chicken-coop ). I think I'll be done by the end of the month--at least to the point of predator-proof-ness and having roosts etc. set up. Since I'm not wanting to set up an incubator or a brooder, my original plan was to get some started pullets at the local feedstore (Parkway Feed)--just 3-4 to start out with, all of breeds that tend to broodiness, and then get some chicks later. Our limit is 11 birds, no roosters, so I'm wanting a colorful egg basket and lots of variety in the run (we have a dog that loves to grab stuffed animals and run, so free ranging probably isn't the best idea...) Well, when I went to Parkway today to pick up some dog food (and the BOSS that was on sale. Is $15 for 25 pounds good?) all their chickens were gone, and they're not ordering any more this season

I talked with my husband, and we still don't want to deal with a brooder. We can't afford the shipping on a pair of started pullets. I've looked at the Humboldt County Craigslist pretty steadily for the last month or so, and there just aren't that many non-roosters. There are a few more on the Oregon Coast and the Medford Craigslists, but then I'd have to worry about the Ag stations. Any ideas? Anyone here close to me? How much do I have to worry about the Ag stations anyway?

 

[chrissyr]

Has anyone had problems with chickens foraging on pasture and impacted crop? I planted a "chicken forage blend" and oat hay. Let them out on it and some of the pieces they were eating were about 3". Usually they ate small pieces, but the occasional long one. I only let them out for about 45 minutes. They usually don't have access to this long of grass, so wondering if I should be cautious. Any input would be appreciated

 

[debs_flock]

I talked with my husband, and we still don't want to deal with a brooder. We can't afford the shipping on a pair of started pullets. I've looked at the Humboldt County Craigslist pretty steadily for the last month or so, and there just aren't that many non-roosters. There are a few more on the Oregon Coast and the Medford Craigslists, but then I'd have to worry about the Ag stations. Any ideas? Anyone here close to me? How much do I have to worry about the Ag stations anyway?

Welcome to the thread! Crescent City is a great area, I love the north coast.

I've driven chickens through the Ag Stations before coming back from shows and never had anyone question it, and they were crowing in the back seat.

We drove cross country with my son's rabbits once (before I realized how much easier it was to fly with them) and I only had one Ag Station coming into CA say anything. They just want to know where I had come from, how many rabbits I had with me (about 50) and then they took my information. It was just so if an outbreak of something popped up from where we had been, I could be contacted.

I doubt you'd have an issue.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I've driven chickens through the Ag Stations before coming back from shows and never had anyone question it, and they were crowing in the back seat.

We drove cross country with my son's rabbits once (before I realized how much easier it was to fly with them) and I only had one Ag Station coming into CA say anything. They just want to know where I had come from, how many rabbits I had with me (about 50) and then they took my information. It was just so if an outbreak of something popped up from where we had been, I could be contacted.

I doubt you'd have an issue.

That's good to know, thanks! I was envisioning confiscation (without a vet certificate or something)--my husband once almost had a Christmas tree taken, because it didn't have the right tags for the fundraiser he bought it from.

Of course, now I'm going to have to ignore the ad I saw from Cave Junction, because although I'll be going up later this week for a retreat, I'm not going to have the coop predator-proof by then. My daughter just had to share the new germs from her new school (to be fair, it could've been one of my new students, but her throat was scratchy a couple of days before mine was).

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Has anyone had problems with chickens foraging on pasture and impacted crop? I planted a "chicken forage blend" and oat hay. Let them out on it and some of the pieces they were eating were about 3". Usually they ate small pieces, but the occasional long one. I only let them out for about 45 minutes. They usually don't have access to this long of grass, so wondering if I should be cautious. Any input would be appreciated

you will be fine. Just go through the returning or local line.
worst case just say that they are yours and you where going to sell them but the taker did not take them all .

 

[ronott1]

Has anyone had problems with chickens foraging on pasture and impacted crop? I planted a "chicken forage blend" and oat hay. Let them out on it and some of the pieces they were eating were about 3". Usually they ate small pieces, but the occasional long one. I only let them out for about 45 minutes. They usually don't have access to this long of grass, so wondering if I should be cautious. Any input would be appreciated

I give mine lawn clippings each week and they are fine.

Make sure they have grit where they are. If they only get out for a short time you might want to give them some once a week.

 

[OR4-hmom]

AmyPaperLady,
I called Sac. To see what was required to bring in chickens. On the books they can require a health cert. The cert should state they are free from exotic newcastle and avian influenza. In reality the inspectors are not concerned with domestic animals. It is within the states power to impound them but they are extremely unlikely to take them. Not sure how often you head North but I think the Smith River station is only open part time anyway. You could always go up to Bookings for lunch and come through later.

Are you looking for a certain breed/variety? I'll keep my eyes are ears open for you. FYI, there are a number of adds lately. I think they are older birds people don't want to feed over the winter

 

[Happy Chooks]

tommysgirl............here are some Icelandic eggs.

 

[chrissyr]

I give mine lawn clippings each week and they are fine.

Make sure they have grit where they are. If they only get out for a short time you might want to give them some once a week.

Thank you Ron