California - Northern

[8machines]

Have had my 3t months old pullets with the big girls after being in their own cage for two weeks. It is nerve wracking watching them. Wish they could be accepted without any pecking.

 

[SpringPeeper]

Everyone got free time in the yard today.


The buff on the left is getting huge. Still not laying though.


Sabrina off on her own




The delawares and my Cream Legbar girl. The dels are still dealing with molt.


Lurk's good eye (rag-a-muffin) kind of looks like she lost a fight with the lawn mower.


The weed pretty effectively. They didn't touch the garlic coming up.


Yeah lots of meal worms,scratch grain and yummy weeds (and a few bugs im sure) All seemed pretty happy and really didnt want to go back in the run. The CL girl is fast because she is so small we call her our little road runner. She led me on a chase around the yard.

They're looking good!

Chick report:

The little one with the unabsorbed yolk sac had it drop off in the night.

He has been living in the house but I put him under Gracie Belle the wonder broody tonight. She has 5 -3 day olds from the NYD HAL and the little guy I am grafting to her is 8 days. I think she will accept him as she has co brooded before and willingly sits on any and all chicks who have sought her out regardless of who had hatched them. I slid him under her after dark and she did a little adjusting but seemed unconcerned.

If you want to read a bit more about this little chick and see a pic you can check him out on my daughter's blog https://butthefunnythingis.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/the-funny-thing-about-chickens/#more-35

@PetRock I googled images of Langshan chicks and this little one sure favors that side of the family. I of course have no idea if it is a cockerel or a pullet but could see the Langshan in it from the get go. It stands tall, is HUGE and the coloring and markings reminded me of pics you had posted last spring. Hoping the pullets stand tall too but am fully prepared for this to be a cockerel. The whole family is quite smitten but I do hope the mama takes to him.

Yay! Such a relief when one you've given special care to pulls through.

 

[alibra]

Hello, everyone! Hope you all had awesome holidays! Here's my Christmas morning family photo

 

[PetRock]

Hello, everyone! Hope you all had awesome holidays! Here's my Christmas morning family photo

Love it!!!

 

[tommysgirl]

Hello, everyone! Hope you all had awesome holidays! Here's my Christmas morning family photo

Beautiful! Happy New Year!

 

[tommysgirl]

Last year we talked about placing an Urch order but it sort of fizzled. I think I want to order Houdan from them but not 25 of them: They charge 7:00 a chick plus shipping and here is their pricelist saying what else they offer

I remember last year a show back East where Urch Turnland birds were very successful but welcome input. I can pick up Houdan from Ideal at a local feed store but ick...No one else seems to have them though people at University of Arkansas are working with them.

If anyone has ordered from them in the past can you share your experiences please.

Hmmmm I can't get the pricelist to paste or attach...

PM me your email and I think I can get it to you that way if you want me to.

They have a nice variety LF and Bantam

 

[capayvalleychick]

What are folks doing to keep their hens warm?

All that I did was to cover the completely open air coops with plastic. I make sure none of them are getting wet or wind blowing on them.. Otherwise, they are fine with the cold. We have been getting frost, but no signs of frostbite on any combs or wattles.

Does it snow where you live? If not, your hens are probably fine if they have a place to stay dry and out of the wind.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Kerin]

It doesn't snow in Elverta, but the grass is crisp in the morning! And it's windy here. Usually 3-4 degrees colder than what it says on the weather report. My girls have a solid henhouse with fluffy hay inside. If it gets below freezing, i've been filling up a big jug with very hot water and putting it inside under their roost. I have lights on my lemon tree, and my neighbor thought that was in the henhouse - suggested i get the girls some sunglasses. I know my grandpa used to put a light in the henhouse in winter, but i think the girls need the dark. I've also been making a little warm corn mash for just before bed and early morning. The girls haven't quit laying, so they must be happy. So yes, i confess, i spoil my girls and i fuss over them a bit...and if i had more than 4 it would probably be less practical. But they are sweet and gorgeous and give me great breakfasts, so... I was just wondering if anybody else has tricks for keeping things comfy in the henhouse/coop.

 

[TheKeeper]

Yay! I'm getting pullet eggs from my BCMarans that I got from @One Chick Two . It is the egg in the center at the top of the bunch (12 o'clock position).
Clockwise from the dark spotted BCM egg are a UofA blue, my older very mossy BCM, bantam modern game (I think), & my mystery orpington (pink eggs with white spots)

They are very solid, hefty BCM girls with gorgeous, glossy feathers.
I'm not well-versed in the Marans SOP but I do know these are amazing, healthy, strong birds and would make great additions to anyone's laying flock - even culls like mine.

#2


#1
This is also the one with "whiskers" on her thighs.
They are silvery, hair-thin feathers - very cool.

 

[ronott1]

It doesn't snow in Elverta, but the grass is crisp in the morning! And it's windy here. Usually 3-4 degrees colder than what it says on the weather report. My girls have a solid henhouse with fluffy hay inside. If it gets below freezing, i've been filling up a big jug with very hot water and putting it inside under their roost. I have lights on my lemon tree, and my neighbor thought that was in the henhouse - suggested i get the girls some sunglasses. I know my grandpa used to put a light in the henhouse in winter, but i think the girls need the dark. I've also been making a little warm corn mash for just before bed and early morning. The girls haven't quit laying, so they must be happy. So yes, i confess, i spoil my girls and i fuss over them a bit...and if i had more than 4 it would probably be less practical. But they are sweet and gorgeous and give me great breakfasts, so... I was just wondering if anybody else has tricks for keeping things comfy in the henhouse/coop.

The light in winter was to make them lay eggs.

They do not need heat in Elverta.

It is good to have you posting here!