calling any one from missouri

[teddiliza]

Well I did it! I got my entry all filled out, check written and in the envelope for the April 16th poultry show in Sedalia. Now I just need a stamp- entry deadline has to be postmarked by April 2nd. I am bringing 5 porcelain d'uccle bantams 2M 3F and my one Jersey Giant rooster for fun. It is a double show, and my husband decided after the long last one, I'd be on my own this time, plus he has to travel for work the next day. I've got some of my d'uccle test eggs about ready to mail out Monday (after I wrap them). I wonder how they'll do with the cold temps. Maybe I should think about a heat pack in the box.

My husband was nice enough to let me purchase 4 pullets (I hope- because they were in the pullet bins) from Tractor Supply for egglayers to teach the chicks (favorelles and sussex) I am getting in about 4 days from Estes to eat and drink, etc. 2 that look like Barred Rocks (unless they are mistakenly black male sexlinks) and 2 that are supposed to be either RI red, New Hampshire, or Red sexlink pullets. These 4 will tide me over for my chick fix until I get my others in.

Bantams are coming in on tuesday to Orschelns......so maybe I can pick up some mille fleur chicks.

I am so sick of this weather. I want warmth, green grass, and sunshine!

 

[NewHopePoultry]

I want to go to the show in Sedalia! I forgot all about it,lol.
I would love some d'uccle test eggs, I just dont have a way to hatch them right now,lol.

 

[smoothmule]

Thanks

I just moved the black hen in with T-Roo so I'll know which eggs are which now. The chocolate hen and Blu-T have the pen to themselves and I'm anxious to see what this cross will be like. I have some eggs in the incubator that are from one of those two and I'm hoping there might be a black cockerel in the bunch but the roosters were not black so they won't be black to black breeding which is what I wanted, however, if there are any black cockerels there's a chance it is out of the chocolate hen and will definitely be bred back to her.

The chocolate orpington thing has become so big and expensive that I dropped out of trying to get one. I thought I might try a chocolate cockerel to a couple of my smaller Araucana's. I might still do it but not until the price isn't so crazy. Have you seen what they were selling for?? hundreds and hundreds! Heck, they're bantam anyway and if I get lucky and get a chocolate Serama rooster here that is larger, that will be a fine project just the same. Actually, I have crossed my Serama roosters to a bantam Araucana hen and got some of the nicest little crosses, add chocolate and drool is all I need to do now but it will be a lot of work to have some Serama's set in the color, if ever

 

[teddiliza]

Quote:
Tell your husband that you can order eggs in less quantities than chicks, and then make a strong case for the $44 little giant incubator, $10 accurite thermometer, $40 egg turner, and you are in business! It's a whole new addiction beyond just owning chickens-- the whole hatching thing! I'm so excited-- 22 of 23 of my d'uccle eggs in my incubator are fertile for SURE on day #5! I might be short on brooder space if they all hatch though......

I'm happy with the 95% fertility rate for the first week of March. My husband let me buy 4 chicks from the pullet bins at TSC today, I told him they were to teach my chicks that are being shipped this week how to eat and drink, oh, and of course for eggs when they grow up.

 

[davony's chicks]

Tedzilla-
I would like to go to the show in Sedalia too. I have never gone to a show before. I think we had a conversation on here last fall about the Sedalia show. Can you post a reminder as the show gets closer?
I would really like to try and make it to the show this time.

 

[teddiliza]

This was my impression of my first all day poultry show. Noisy (and smelly as the day went on) not too comfortable, and Loooong. But it was nice seeing what birds people are showing, and figure out which breeds you like, and their size and color in person vs a picture on the internet. We did find a decent italian restaurant down the road from the fairgrounds, though for a lunch break. I'll know to bring a good book to read for the 'wait' time while the judges go through each cage. I do kind of worry about my birds getting exposed to something, as I did not see the judges wash their hands between birds or sanitize, or wear gloves. I would kind of like to have time to ask questions of the judges about their experience and knowledge of my breed and any pointers. This year I'm bringing a LARGE fowl and my d'uccle bantams which will be on opposite sides of the room, so I won't get to babysit them both at the same time. *sigh*. But hopefully I'll have more time to visit with some of the other 'chicken addicts' while I'm there, and rehome one or two pairs.

 

[NewHopePoultry]

If Im able to go to the Sedalia show, what would you want for a pair of your d'uccle bantams?
What do the prices usually run at the show?

 

[teddiliza]

I think the prices per pair tend to be higher because many of the birds are from breeders, but there are also people who have extra chickens to sell that just come to sell their birds-- they have to pay for a 'for sale coop'. But I think the quality of the birds for sale there will be much better than Jacob's cave, if less quantity, plus you could always make some contacts and network with someone in your area. I'll PM'd you for other details.

 

[teddiliza]

davony's chicks :

Tedzilla-
I would like to go to the show in Sedalia too. I have never gone to a show before. I think we had a conversation on here last fall about the Sedalia show. Can you post a reminder as the show gets closer?
I would really like to try and make it to the show this time.

I will set my calendar. I'm going to try and get Friday April 15th off so I can get my birds foot feathers washed and combs moisturized. I'm not much of a groomer.​

 

[misschickenlittle]

Quote:
Double the Congrats!

No... the RIR's are not molting... they did that in the fall...

2 of the Polish are, but when I get an egg from them I feel lucky anyway.