Canadians check in here....

[Canadian Wind]

Could you explain to me how it works with them? I'm only looking for one Japanese Bantam. But it seems you buy a bunch of baby chicks right?

Yes, they do have a minimum order, and it must be the same breed and colour. For me, that was fine as I'm starting some breeder flocks.

 

[crizTK]

Hello from south central Alberta!

Bought our 1st seven chicks on May 1st 2024. We now have fifteen chickens, 3 coops and two runs totaling about 1000 sq/feet. I love it so much, I am now exploring the idea building a business selling a heritage breed, or maybe a ornamental breed.

Looking for feedback and advice.

 

[Canadian Wind]

Hello from south central Alberta!

Bought our 1st seven chicks on May 1st 2024. We now have fifteen chickens, 3 coops and two runs totaling about 1000 sq/feet. I love it so much, I am now exploring the idea building a business selling a heritage breed, or maybe a ornamental breed.

Looking for feedback and advice.

Welcome from Eastern Ontario!

I know this way too well, lol! I didn't even *want* chickens! I was happy with my ducks. But my daughter did and then I got addicted to hatching...

What breeds were you thinking of? I'm concentrating on Brahma and Chantecler for the heritage ones and Old English Game Bantams for ornamentals. My daughter has Bantam Cochin (guess who's raising them?).

My daughter is 32, btw.

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

Hello from south central Alberta!

Bought our 1st seven chicks on May 1st 2024. We now have fifteen chickens, 3 coops and two runs totaling about 1000 sq/feet. I love it so much, I am now exploring the idea building a business selling a heritage breed, or maybe a ornamental breed.

Looking for feedback and advice.

Only 15? Gotta get at least double that not to mention who knows how many chicks!! … I’m just kidding, I seem to forget not everyone as much of a crazy chicken lady as I am

Here’s a few questions that come to mind! Don’t feel as if you need to answer them all but if you’d like to get your thoughts straight you can, it may always strike more questions to arise from me!

-What breeds were you thinking of doing?
-Large fowl or bantam? *Some breeds only come in LF and some are true bantams meaning there’s no LF size of that breed (think Seramas, D’Uccles, Sebrights, etc.)
-For SOP/show quality breeding or pet quality?
-Do you know what sort of flock you’re going for? Egg production, dual purpose, showing purposes?

I’m finding a good mix of people who are looking for pure breeds that are bred to the SOP or for fun coloured mixes with fun coloured eggs but, that’s also over in Ontario! The poultry market could be a bit different in Alberta and the demands are set on specific breeds/purposes that aren’t being sought after over here so maybe there’s better market for the smaller bantam breeds your way!

I’m currently Breeding backyard mixes (BYM) for egg/feather colour, all around good foraging/predator persevering flock, and a self sustaining flock with roosters and broody hens! I’ve also got a group of pure bred silkies that I’m trying to get to strict colour sorted pens, and also my Old English Game Bantams (ft. two Serama hens Lemonade and Limeade) that I’ve been slowly trying to find breeding mates for certain females that are show quality while seeing what sort of quality my one hen and rooster can produce lol I’ve got way too many ideas and not enough coops I need at least 4-6 more coops

Also … I hope you enjoy this community as much as I have come to love it over the years!!

Welcome from Eastern Ontario!

I know this way too well, lol! I didn't even *want* chickens! I was happy with my ducks. But my daughter did and then I got addicted to hatching...

What breeds were you thinking of? I'm concentrating on Brahma and Chantecler for the heritage ones and Old English Game Bantams for ornamentals. My daughter has Bantam Cochin (guess who's raising them?).

My daughter is 32, btw.

Apologies for butting in here, I can’t remember what I’ve said ok this thread before or what and I can’t recall if we’ve chatted much but, I’m definitely interested to hear more about your endeavours into OEGBs!! I’m currently trying to put some pairs together for my OEGBs, same with Silkies as well lol

I’m in southwestern Ontario if you ever find a good breeder for OEGBs! I’ll let you know of some too, I’m currently in line for a really nice blue sport rooster and possibly some blue pullets as well

 

[Sequoia Raven Bird Farms]

Glad to see this thread so lively

 

[Canadian Wind]

Apologies for butting in here, I can’t remember what I’ve said ok this thread before or what and I can’t recall if we’ve chatted much but, I’m definitely interested to hear more about your endeavours into OEGBs!! I’m currently trying to put some pairs together for my OEGBs, same with Silkies as well lol

I’m in southwestern Ontario if you ever find a good breeder for OEGBs! I’ll let you know of some too, I’m currently in line for a really nice blue sport rooster and possibly some blue pullets as well

Right now, I only have Lemon Blues and Red Pyles. I had an absolutely GORGEOUS LB cockerel, really promising, but a raccoon got him!!!

I'm hoping to get my hands on some Mille Fleur OEGB next year, as well as Porcelain.

The crew I have right now are from May, so no chicks yet.

If you wanted, you can follow my adventures on my thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/falling-down-heights-my-daily-life.1613924/

 

[Bound to Sea]

DO NOT order from DC Heritage Poultry!! Check the reviews! Unscrupulous and practicing animal cruelty based on so many sick chicken posts. For me, I ordered 24 Fertilized Jubilee Orpington eggs - ZERO fertility rate - then when I brought this to their attention, they emailed and admitted to using an old rooster with a low fertility rate. ZERO! They replaced eggs with only 16 Jubilee, 2 lavender and 6 chocolate laced Orpington eggs - 20 were unfertilized again and 3 were clearly NOT Orpingtons at all, 2 may be Legbar, 1 is unknown, they admitted putting random egg in by mistake and the other chick, who knows what it is. $12 an egg. Plus knowing they sent unfertilized eggs, they still charged me an additional $72 for shipping. Looks like they switched from a puppy mill to a chicken mill! Anyone having this experience should also report them to the Quebec Government site for ensuring animal safety and welfare. quebec.ca/en/agriculture-environment-and-natural-resources/animal-health/ensuring-animal-safety-welfare
There is an online form for reports or you can call 1-844-264-6289

Thanks for the info. Sorry that happened to you. I am also on the search for Orpingtons. Not much out in the Maritimes. I have recently spoken with Westerdale Farm out of Olds, Alberta. I know Jean from when I used to live in the area. She has beautiful birds, chicks and eggs. I am on her list for Orpingtons eggs early 2025.

 

[ChickenTenderKesha]

Thanks for the info. Sorry that happened to you. I am also on the search for Orpingtons. Not much out in the Maritimes. I have recently spoken with Westerdale Farm out of Olds, Alberta. I know Jean from when I used to live in the area. She has beautiful birds, chicks and eggs. I am on her list for Orpingtons eggs early 2025.

What colour variety of Orps? My moms recently fallen in love with the breed (as have I ) and would love to see what kind of stock she has!!

 

[Bound to Sea]

What colour variety of Orps? My moms recently fallen in love with the breed (as have I ) and would love to see what kind of stock she has!!

Ck out her out, she has Isabel cuckoo, partridge , blue, black and splash. website:https://westerdalefarms.com

 

[Bound to Sea]

Ck out her out, she has Isabel cuckoo, partridge , blue, black and splash. website:https://westerdalefarms.com

Oh and Lavender, Creole and Chocolate!!!