Colorado

[AlivianAcres]

So I finished the coop, just in time for another snow.  On the other hand I now have time to keep up with the forum, I was laid off today.  All contractors were...

I hope you find work soon! That's a tough place...been there with my hubby and that's how we ended up in CO. In hindsight it was a blessing <3

 

[skippyscage]

Welcome!! I was starting to feel lonely with so many people in Colorado Springs! I'm in Denver. I didn't know you could have chickens in HR, how many are you guys allowed?

HI To the new folks (even newer than me!) Highlands Ranch?! Chickens are allowed?! Even with the Nazi covenants? Oh, Man! I am thrilled to hear that! Parker! Waves... I'm not that far from Parker, we go to Merdocks all the time and same with Parker Feed.

thanks - yes even the HR N's are allowing chickens now - a max of four. You just need to get permission for the coop as it is considered an outside building etc.

I actually put in two different sets of plans as I kept changing my mind - both were accepted.

 

[wickedlees]

Oh No Minch, we just got laid off too, so we are freaking out a bit! 2 lay offs this year, hope you have good luck finding a job soon!

I'm so thrilled the HR lets you have the chickies! Yay for them! Honestly, MUCH less noise than my irritating neighbors dogs were! I've heard a couple of my neighbors making chicken noises and all the kids in the area come over and ask me "Miss Lisa" can we see the chickens?

 

[gardendufus]

Well, finally back from CA, and now catching up.

Minchi, so sorry to hear of the layoff. Hoping you find a long term job that you love soon.

Sorry about not having the names, but there were a few new people, and lots of posts, and I'm old and I forget the names........but welcome to all the new people.

There was a newbie asking about chicks in January. I didn't get mine in Jan, but my March 2 chicks were day old and went into the coop the day I got them. Kept them confined in a wire brooder with a heat lamp on top at first and they were just fine even in the cold weather. I swear I will NEVER raise chicks in my house, but then ten years ago I'd have sworn I'd never have chickens, who knows. Just be sure you build your coop bigger than you think you need it. For several reasons, chicken math being one. Also, while technically (by the 4 sq ft per chicken rule), my coop is large enough for 20, I would never put that many in it. Other things you put in it take up room, and the birds need room to keep the peace.

I came back to find that one of my birds looks sickly, all puffy and hugging the ground, while still walking around. Her crop is a hard mass, so I'm suspecting impacted crop, and have been reading a little to try to find out what to do about it. Have no idea how long she's had it, as my neighbor, while he was nice enough to watch them, isn't observant enough to have even noticed the changes in her.

Says that of my 6 definite layers, has still only been getting an egg or two a day. Hopefully by next spring things will pick up. SIGH, and STILL no blue or green egg out of my EE.

Anyway, glad to be back among people that don't think I'm crazy for having chickens pop into my conversation occasionally.

Oh yeah, took a couple of pics of this great looking turkey I saw at a tourist trap on the highway in CA. Someone mentioned a 'bronze' turkey earlier on. I asked what kind this was and the people that had them didn't know, but Bronze adequately describes them. Will try to post the pics later today after I get the car unpacked.

 

[wsmith]

Tony has Narragansetts and will ship with my Speckled Sussex, so if those who wanted them from Duane Urch would like to order from Tony I will let him know - I think we were up to a total of 15 Narragansetts and 2 Bourbon Reds from Urch, at my last count anyway.  Narragansetts are the only breed of turkey Tony has on his list.  I an expecting to get 25 Speckled Sussex in March or April, so if you want the turkeys from Tony I will let him know to ship my SS in April along with 15 (?) turkeys.

Yes. I want Narragansett s. If we can't get them from Urch-Turnland, lets get them from Allibritton

 

[wsmith]

That's a Wendell question, I've never had them I want to try one or two this year and see how they do here, and would also plan to keep them alongside chickens, although I am admittedly still on the fence and might wait until next year to try them.

We had two this past spring and summer. a female and a male. Beth were very mellow, though the jake tended to be a little...forward... Nothing that I would call aggressive, but he liked to peck at fingers, shoelaces, scraqtches, anything that might be some sort of food. I don't have little kids, but we have some kids that are over pretty regular, they call us papa Wendell and Nana Beth

Ages 4 and 5. They did fine with them. They do like to fly however...

 

[wsmith]

BTW, Big R in Colorado Springs (Widefield/Security) is having a 10% off sale on selected feeds.... I picked up an extra bag of scratch feeds for $10. Ran into Sharon while there!

 

[Chesterchook]

Seems like it'd be simpler to just get Narragansetts this year, getting the BRs can wait for another time. Count me in for just the Narragansetts plz thx Also thinking I should look locally for some good RIRs, does anyone know of a breeder in the front range area?

 

[Chesterchook]

OOH!  I like that heater idea!  I will definitely keep it in mind if I feel like they aren't getting enough heat when I put them out.

As for breeds, we were going to go to one of the hatcheries in Henderson and pick from the selection that they have available.  These are the breeds we are interested in and we want a nice mix so we can decide what we like in our birds.
orpington

star

wyandotte

brahma
golden sex link

leghorn

Also, I COMPLETELY forgot the name of the hatchery in Henderson that you guys recommended to me?!  Does anybody know off the top of their head?  I need to contact them to find out more details about what will be available in a month. e   SOOO excited!

Nice variety, we had the same thought, only problem is deciding which you like best We may be rehoming a few of our brahmas and red stars, about three months old if you're interested.

 

[gardendufus]

And here I am again, 150 lbs of feed and scratch still in the back seat of the car.....could be a week before I get it all out as I understand we can expect some snow tonight.

Well, I uploaded my turkey pics and they really don't do them justice. These were extremely large, beautiful birds. Faces were blue and red. Feathers were a goldish/bronze color, and curled along their back, like they had just been taken off rollers and not combed out yet. Did I say these birds were HUGE? The people that had them had no idea what they were, some guy just came by and said he couldn't keep them, did they want them. They keep kind of a menagerie there, chickens, goats etc., and they fit in quite well. I tried to warn them that they might fly over the 6' fence they had, but they either didn't believe me or were just totally unconcerned about it, even tho their fence borders Highway 99.

Here are the pics, sorry they aren't good ones:

ETA: The part of their head/face that looks white is really a vivid blue. And yes, both birds are the same, but different angles made their feathers look black.