California - Northern

[Chickengirl1304]

The rooster was being shy, but here is a shot of my new girl! Isabel partridge cuckoo orpington

 

[debs_flock]

The rooster was being shy, but here is a shot of my new girl!

Isabel partridge cuckoo orpington

It's a very pretty bird, but I don't understand the color. Partridge is a color/pattern and cuckoo is a pattern. That would be like saying I have on a zebra striped plaid shirt. Also, I see no barring on her. Where did she come from?

I'm assuming they are using Isabel to describe a dilute color, like they do in Doberman pinschers.

 

[chiqita]

*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 moreon 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! I'm far away but you made me count starter pullets. I may put up a colorful basket ad. I have blue olive mayyybe chocolate and white egg pullets laying soon. I'm in silly valley and no use to you but I bet that would be a good ad!

If you do get older chickens remember they will need lights to lay over the winter.

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 need to get that. The stuff I got last year did not take. Mine keep my lawn clipped well. They eat a huge amount of grass. But they eat a lot of dirt too.

I have a customers eggs coming from cat dance silkies.today. she ordered 60 eggs. They are at the pro now. That is gonna be a lot of packing!

 

[Chickengirl1304]

She's only 15 weeks old so her coloring/barring isn't clear yet. I got her from ewe crazy farms. He imported them from the UK. They're still very rare over there too. Bryce at ewe crazy farms and I are the only ones with a breeding pair in USA. Here is his picture of the mature rooster.

 

[chicksnthestiks]

*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 moreon 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?

Hi and welcome!

 

[PetRock]

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 haven't had any problems with the chicken forage blend that I get from Pleasant Valley groworganic.com. But I did have one hen get an impacted then sour crop after my DH fed them some long (8-12 in) grass weeds. Now we just chop up those long weeds and have had no more crop problems.

 

[debs_flock]

She's only 15 weeks old so her coloring/barring isn't clear yet. I got her from ewe crazy farms. He imported them from the UK. They're still very rare over there too. Bryce at ewe crazy farms and I are the only ones with a breeding pair in USA. Here is his picture of the mature rooster.

Ah, he's pretty and you can just make out a light barring in his feathers. It's probably similar to lemon cuckoo orps, only the male is barred. The female is solid buff.

 

[chrissyr]

I need to get that. The stuff I got last year did not take. Mine keep my lawn clipped well. They eat a huge amount of grass. But they eat a lot of dirt too.

Hi Chiqita, It's done well, but have had to keep it quite wet to take off. I also got the "dry land pasture" mix. Mostly clovers, but would like to not have to water everything as much. Just mixed some of that with a little more alfalfa in. Was hoping that would take off with less water. But they really like it. I've had Japanese Millet(from earlier planting) take off a little and they jump up to reach the seeds

I haven't had any problems with the chicken forage blend that I get from Pleasant Valley groworganic.com. But I did have one hen get an impacted then sour crop after my DH fed them some long (8-12 in) grass weeds. Now we just chop up those long weeds and have had no more crop problems.

Hi PetRock,
I think from the Forage Blend is where I'm getting the long grasses. I'm hoping it was just a "hey this is new...Let''s eat it all up now!" kind of phase. I hoping that's worn off a little, and they're taking some smaller bites. I checked their crops late last night and they all seemed pretty empty after being in the coop. I figured chickens have been foraging since the beginning of time, but would rather avoid issues.

 

[PetRock]

Hi PetRock,
I think from the Forage Blend is where I'm getting the long grasses. I'm hoping it was just a "hey this is new...Let''s eat it all up now!" kind of phase. I hoping that's worn off a little, and they're taking some smaller bites. I checked their crops late last night and they all seemed pretty empty after being in the coop. I figured chickens have been foraging since the beginning of time, but would rather avoid issues.

Our longer weed grasses are very tough and fibrous. I think that is what caused the problem with my hen and her sour crop. The grass that grows from the forage blend seems more tender (is that how to describe it?) and thus easier to digest. My chickens keep our backyard completely weeded so all of the grasses back there get eaten when young. We just have to be careful when we weed the front beds and throw them those greens. My DH pulls the weeds and I cut them into smaller pieces before we give them to the flock.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

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

If money/flock size were no object... (* marks will be getting at some point)

BA*
Buff Brahma
Speckled Sussex*
Orp (color not decided)*
BLRW*
Maran (color not decided)
Welsummer
Easter Egger*
Silkied Ameracauna, splash (read the whole thread, know I can't have a rooster so can't help breed, and by the time people are culling for type I'll probably be full, but still...)
Silver Penciled Rock
Leghorn--preferably Mille De Fleur or maybe Exchequer*
New Hampshire*
Olive Egger
Swedish Flower Hen