calling any one from missouri

[karenerwin]

I think June chicks will be fine for our winter. They may even lay eggs over the winter!
Chickens with smaller combs have a better chance of NOT getting frost bite. I have barred rocks, Easter eggers and just got 2 Sussex (those 2 haven't experienced a winter yet). The barreds & EE's have been fine. The 2 breeds that have gotten frost bite have been the Rhode Island Reds and the Black Penedesencas ( a Spanish breed). They both have upright combs. They have also had frostbite on their wattles. Good ventilation is a KEY component to preventing frostbite. Also low moisture in the coop, so don't keep water inside the coop.

I don't know any thing about Stover Hatchery, sorry. Almost all of my chicks, except for the Black Penedsencas & the chicks I have hatched from eggs, have come from the feed store (mostly Buchheit's).

Are you a track coach?

 

[jeria]

I just discovered Cackle Hatchery is 137 miles, so closer than Springfield and they have Sat store hours, so YAY! Not too worried about when they start laying just that they would be OK and I can take care of them properly. They have a $10.00 charge for Mareks vaccine for 1-66 or something chicks would definitely do that. A 3 day weekend coming up so off for some building supplies tomorrow and start building next weekend.

No way a coach LOL. Very athletic granddaughter made state in 300 meter hurdles and 4x1 relay. She came in 9th in the prelims so just missed the finals and her relay team came in 3rd today. Awesome for them! She was thrilled just to make it to state in the hurdles as a sophomore. Her 3rd state medal so far -- 2 for 1st in state for softball.

 

[karenerwin]

I just discovered Cackle Hatchery is 137 miles, so closer than Springfield and they have Sat store hours, so YAY! Not too worried about when they start laying just that they would be OK and I can take care of them properly. They have a $10.00 charge for Mareks vaccine for 1-66 or something chicks would definitely do that. A 3 day weekend coming up so off for some building supplies tomorrow and start building next weekend.

No way a coach LOL. Very athletic granddaughter made state in 300 meter hurdles and 4x1 relay. She came in 9th in the prelims so just missed the finals and her relay team came in 3rd today. Awesome for them! She was thrilled just to make it to state in the hurdles as a sophomore. Her 3rd state medal so far -- 2 for 1st in state for softball.

I wonder if there is more than 1 Cackle Hatchery in Missouri? I think there is 1 about an hour away from me, but I've never been there (Yet).

Congratulations to your granddaughter! That is quite an accomplishment!!

 

[jeria]

Lebanon only, you are so right. Looked again and it is a lot further and the map is now showing up. I'm betting that my goggle map was still homing in on me being in Jeff City. Actually it's further than going to Springfield because there is no direct route from here. Off to privately owned feed stores after work this week, nothing is open on Sundays, hoping they can refer me somewhere. Also will give the one in Stover (only 90 miles) a call.

Now nearly $250.00 poorer after buying lumber, patio tiles, chick feed, pine shavings, heat lamp bulb, baby waterer and feeder. I didn't get everything but figured I had about all that was going to fit well into my SUV that I use as a truck. Will order hardware cloth online yet today. Enough to get started on the frame and get some cut and painted next weekend. Also enough supplies if I find chicks. I forgot a thermometer but that's easy.

 

[karenerwin]

I am sure you will be able to find some chicks somewhere!
I found out, the hard way, that turkey poults have much sharper toenails than chicks do!! I was taking one of the turkey poults out to let it get some ground time, it panicked when I was picking it up and I have 4 or 5 good scratches on my left arm and 2 smaller ones on my right arm.

 

[jeria]

Ouch!! Someone suggested Craig's list and even went out and looked. I did and they seem to be mostly straight run, still would end up with roosters to find homes for.

 

[jeria]

OH my the chicken math is already affecting me!! I just ordered 4 chicks from www.mypetchickens.com, I started planning for 2. I couldn't quite decide. Too much maybe for shipping ($50.00) but they will do as low as 3 the only one I have found and driving somewhere is going to cost me more and lots of time. 2 Easter Eggerers,a barred rock, and an austalorp. All heat and cold hardy and ship date is 05-31. Sexed and vaccinated for Mareks. The only thing I still for chicks is some chick grit. Then to push it to get my coop constructed.

I also ordered hardware cloth on Amazon and it should be here before the weekend.

 

[jeria]

Found out tonight that my neighbor who was getting chickens, did get them the night I talked about but they were killed by coons the same night. They dug under the dog kennel rails where she had them to get to them. She and I had both been busy and lots of rainy weather so I simply had not seen her. Mine will definitely have a skirt and be locked in the coop overnight. I worry about getting home shortly after dark in the winter and not being able to secure the coop. auto doors are pretty dang pricy. The cloth for the skirt arrived today. Might add some extra 3 ft rabbit wire to that because I already have that left over from something else.

 

[karenerwin]

Found out tonight that my neighbor who was getting chickens, did get them the night I talked about but they were killed by coons the same night. They dug under the dog kennel rails where she had them to get to them. She and I had both been busy and lots of rainy weather so I simply had not seen her. Mine will definitely have a skirt and be locked in the coop overnight. I worry about getting home shortly after dark in the winter and not being able to secure the coop. auto doors are pretty dang pricy. The cloth for the skirt arrived today. Might add some extra 3 ft rabbit wire to that because I already have that left over from something else.

We've lost several to coons over the years. Once/twice the coon was able to reach through the wire and grab a chicken. The 1st time it was able to kill the chicken. It was pretty bad, the coon pulled parts of the chicken through the wire. The 2nd time was in a different coop. We all heard a commotion and went outside with the dog. The dog chased the coon off and the rooster only lost some feathers. We installed solar powered motion activated lights, so now if a creature comes by looking for a free chicken dinner, the lights come on and scare the critter away.! Haven't lost anymore chickens except when they were free ranging.

 

[jeria]

Karen, coons are a main reason I'm being cautious with my coop and run. Sorry bout your hen..I want to get solar motion sensor lights up in the backyard this summer as there is no light in my backyard. If it helps with coons as well that's an additional plus. Neighbor never thought about them digging under the fence.