California - Northern

[jeremy]

My Dorkings really need cage training. The Delawares that I trained got so relaxed that they were too relaxed. Every time that I looked at them, at the Expo show, they were laying down.

Yes.
I had a conversation with someone who shows a lot. She told me never to enter just one bird because it won't catch the judge's eye. She said if you enter a group of them, it creates sort of a wow factor, so they stop and spend more time. I was thinking it would be the same for visitors. And that they would like to see both sexes. So, I entered three cockerels and three pullets of each breed.
And now, I've got to bathe and groom a DOZEN birds! I don't think I've even got 12 crates. We'll have to transport them with the horse trailer.

@capayvalleychick did you get Dels from Kathy's recreated line? Will you be showing those birds?

 

[capayvalleychick]

@capayvalleychick did you get Dels from Kathy's recreated line? Will you be showing those birds?

Yes. These will be F5s that I bred from the F4 chicks that I bought from Kathy.



It will be nice to see you all! I'm always trying to figure out who's who at the shows.

 

[jeremy]

Yes. These will be F5s that I bred from the F4 chicks that I bought from Kathy.



It will be nice to see you all! I'm always trying to figure out who's who at the shows.

I can't wait to see them! I always drooled over pics of those birds that Kathy would post...

How's their size?

 

[capayvalleychick]

I can't wait to see them! I always drooled over pics of those birds that Kathy would post...

How's their size?

They are all at or over standard weight, good width & type. Color needs work.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of you at the show!

 

[PetRock]

I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of you at the show!

Are we going to set a time and place to meet?

 

[caychris]

Are we going to set a time and place to meet?

Yes Lets Ill be there Saturday with Neal

 

[Audio51]

I won't have more than 5 hens, so this seems like it might work.

I think that is exactly what I told my DH when I had him build my coop that is far too small for the 20 chickens I have now......

Quote: What is the correct leg color for Splash Orphington? I bought 5 pullets from a local breeder for a good price because she said they had incorrect leg color (3 had slate and 2 willow). Since I am not breeding I didn't care about leg color. The willow legs are very interesting to look at in contrast to the white-with-blue-splotches on the feathering.

Thanks to all who gave me processing solo advice...I am exhausted. I did 4 cockerels. Had the dispatching done pretty quickly and was surprised at how fast the plucking went but then things stalled. Took 4 hours total but I did get quicker as it went on.

Also sold a hen and a pullet...Speckled Sussex who is a sweetie but not much of a producer and a Blue AM who irritated me because she was so skittish. Ironically I am pretty sure the SS started laying again this week AFTER I made arrangements for her sale but I spent 75.00 at the feed store ( for 3 weeks worth) last week and need to cut down my flock and feed bill.

Anyway,,,it was an emotional chicken day. I know I did right by those boys and that they lived good lives up to this morning but it is hard on the psyche. Still I am proud that I was able and as my daughter said. I now have a marketable skill in the event of the zombie apocalypse.

Congrats! That is a days work for sure. The plucking was the longest part for me
. I have had to do all of it for all the ones I processed since DH refuses to participate (he doesn't mind eating them though

). is the most I could do on any one day

Update on my hen.

Over the past few days she has gotten stronger, and today, while she was out and about with the other birds (I let her out to socialize for a little while every day) she stood up to her full height and took a few steps. Hurray!!

I'm so happy that she is improving. I really thought that I was going to loose her.

Also, she's been living in a cardboard box in our living room, so at first I was really dreading having to clean it out two times a day because of stink, but she has practically potty trained herself! It's so interesting. She only pooped in her box once, the first day (I think), but since then, nope! Only outside.

That is wonderful news! It is such a great feeling when the recover from something like that. Well done!

Quote: It amazes me how big an impact that little bit of additional light has on egg laying.

Quote: My Blue Wyandotte has been my most reliable layer all winter so far. She was just finishing up her molt in mid November and had laid 5-7 eggs a week since then.

Quote: How exciting! I am sure you will do very well. I think we are our won worst critics in things like that. I had a bunch of barnyard chickens when my kids were you that we entered in the local and the state fairs just for fun. Mine always did better than expected (sometimes they were the only entry of their breed so that helps...

Quote: Agreed! We are definitely too critical

I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of you at the show!

I sure wish I could go...but it is too far. I will have to wait for the one in Red Bluff....

 

[Audio51]

Oh...I forgot to mention....I got my first Olive Egg today! I had forgotten I even had one and was so surprised to find it in the nest box! It is one I got from @Chickengirl1304 up in Dunsmuir last year. I am very pleased with the egg color! It is shown next to my Blue Wyandottes egg.

 

[ronott1]

Quote:

It amazes me how big an impact that little bit of additional light has on egg laying.

My Blue Wyandotte has been my most reliable layer all winter so far. She was just finishing up her molt in mid November and had laid 5-7 eggs a week since then.

Yes, Wyandottes have a blue snow flake which indicates a wither laying breed. Good Choice for a winter layer too.