California - Northern

[tommysgirl]

Did you get a chance to call them the other night?

No but will try tomorrow. We had a busy weekend!

 

[capayvalleychick]

What incubator do you have?

I have an R-Com, and a Genesis that I'm going to sell. I want a hatcher to go with the R-com. What I really want is a redwood incubator.

 

[capayvalleychick]

My 13 yr old just joined 4H and he would like to get a couple of show quality birds. He is interested in large fowl. I just ordered the American Standard of Perfection and know nothing about showable chickens. I just love my scruffy girls to pieces. Does anyone have advice on what would make an interesting exhibition breed and where to acquire them? His group is going to Modesto on Saturday with the intent on picking out their chickens there, but I don't want to put all our eggs in one basket...Please let me know and thanks for any help in this new endeavor!

You might ask @fowlman01

He might have some New Hampshires, or know of another good choice for your son.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

...though if the rest of the winter is like today that won't be an issue.

Yesterday and today, the only difference between now and summer is day length! Well, there's been a 25 degree difference between the high and the low for the day, and that's pretty unusual (seriously unusual--in a typical year there's a less than 40 degree spread!)

 

[A Bit Scrambled]

Thank you capayvalleychick.

 

[Audio51]

@Audio51 If Williams is too far I am flexible. Let me know how close you can get to me and I will do my best to make that work...I am a little possessed with making this Urch order happen. Right now we are sitting at 16 chicks so just need a commitment for 9 more...there are a couple of other people interested who might help us get there but it would be fun to meet you.

I could probably get as far as Willows. I would be interested in some of the Crele Penedesencas of they are at that price. I can't really figure out the website to find prices. If you are able to fill out your order without me that would be fine, but if you need mine that would be what I would want.

 

[caychris]

Chris if you are serious I will need to know for sure breeds and quantities and get the money upfront before I place the order. The order already looks like it will include Buckeyes so you could add to that quantity. They are straight run so I recommend ordering more than you want to make sure you get pullets. Chicks are 7.00 each and we will split the 20.00 shipping between all participants. Where do you live? I am 1.5 hours from Santa Rosa and can meet you there or in Williams or in St, Helena if you decide you want to order.

I won't know when to expct them until I order but I am thinking when the weather warms so I can move them outside sooner...though if the rest of the winter is like today that won't be an issue.

Im in antioch Im trying to decide between Lakenvender or Silver Pencil Hamburgs I can probably order 4 maybe 5 and get you about half way there. I'll PM you tomorrow does anyone have a suggestion on either breed

 

[Audio51]

Quote: I just found the link to the 2015 pricelist and don't see penedesencas on there (thought I saw them on the website...:/) Mottled Javas or Buckeyes look very nice too though so they would be fine.

 

[Sylvester017]

That sounds like you had a very distressing situation. I guess sometimes we have different experiences. My laying flock and my old gals flocks have quite a mix of chickens up to and beyond 2 years old, including Ameraucanas, Marans, Cream Legbars, and a gob of other pretty chickens. It has worked out well, although I think having a rooster with each flock helps to settle them down. Thanks for your comments.

Yes, having a roo is a help but we aren't zoned for one. I also understand that larger flocks don't have the distressing squabbles of a small backyard flock like ours. We can have only 5 and those hens get really clique-y and possessive about their pecking order -- that's why we reduced our breed choices to the non-combative types so there aren't any violent competitions. They still do slight squabbling but very mild compared to the aggressive Marans and Legs we had before.

 

[Sylvester017]

I had a cockerel with twisted feet and spraddle legs. while I was treating him in the brooder I put a barrier between him and the other chicks and one EE pullet kept jumping over and hanging out with him. It made me nervous at first but she just wanted to be his buddy. It was really sweet!

I am glad you have such a mellow group. My silkies...the sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Broodiness...are sweet but don't take any nonsense from the larger girls. I feel fortunate that I don't have much of a problem with bullying either. My Chocolate Barred Rock does like to make sure that the newest/youngest don't get into the coop until after everyone else has their roosting spot but we have never had any real problems

Thank you for that sweet story! Amers and EEs are sweet in spite of their kookiness. And Silkies like so many bantams can be fearless for their diminutive size - especially when hormonal - but their 2-lbs is no match against 7 to 9-lb hens should pecking order battles take place. Even the gentlest giant like a Sussex or a Brahma can be tempted to bully a smaller breed. In larger flocks or where there's a roo the problem seems less prevalent than in a small 5-hen flock like ours. Our small group is clique-y and they have a pecking order but there are no violent incidences with these gentler breeds. When we had our Marans and Leghorns in the group they ran rough-shod over the smaller or gentler girls so no more assertive or dual purpose breeds for us until the Silkies and Amers go to bird heaven. However I love the gentles so much I may never go dual purpose again