Colorado

[trsturself]

Trsturself- what is BR? Aww no, I kinda was fancying slw, but had already committed that these are going to be meat chickens. I guess I should start a bew thread in the meaties section.

I havw no clue what I'm doing.

Don't believe the guy at big r. They don't know. They buy an assortment that is hatchery choice. They are just guessing. BR = barred rock

Hope those with out as meat birds. I picked up our 24 week roo today and he's still bone. I don't know if he'll ever fill out. He might just be dog food if he doesn't start putting some muscle on.

 

[Percheron chick]

I have since the picture separated out the light colored ones (7-10?) Which the guy at big r said white star?

Why separate them out? They are nothing more than leghorns. Leghorns are laying birds and don't make decent meat because they are slim 4-5# mature birds. I also wouldn't separate a color from the group if they ultimately will end up together. You create integration issues.

Take everything the clerk at Big R says with a grain of salt.

 

[Latestarter]

X2 (grains of salt that is)

 

[Double Kindness]

Ok, well I had a greyhound/baby chick attack, lost one, one very injured, 2 pecked on looking, so I took those out. Turned off the light in the warm barn and let them rest a few hours then just turned the lights on.

I guess I will have to figure out which are females and see which of my urbanite friends and those in the rural area that have hogs and greenhouses that want egg layers want to buy the females and see about getting cornish x from my regular chicken guy if he ever contacts me with the info.

 

[Pozees]

We made her move off the nest. I've went out to check on them a couple more times since we put her back and she's back on the eggs diligently. We're on day 24, and I dont have an incubator. I'll leave them until tuesday and see what develops. If nothing, I'll throw together a cheap quick incubator for the rest of the week.

Oh if they're day 24 then they aren't going to hatch, sorry, I thought it wasn't quite that far. That's too bad, but at least you have 2 beautiful chicks for her to raise and it looks like they're both pullets!

 

[Mtn Margie]

Okay, well, lots of stuff going on here, so- my 2 cents

Do the water float test to check for viability on the eggs. Most likely they are quitters.

Greyhounds are hunting dogs. Sorry about your chicks. That is always so hard to deal with.

Hatcheries are breeding for eggs, so the extra males are usually less heavy in body muscle. Your 24 week roo will still make great delicious soup and pot pie. You can also put him on some finisher ration if you want a bit more, mainly fat at this age, but more.

Heritage breeders of dual purpose birds have much better body muscle and size, but usually less egg production.

Alright, time to go coffee up and get chores done. Everyone have a beautiful day!

 

[Double Kindness]

The injured chick is still ok, and a br, and very alert. Just refilled waterers and feeders, moved more chicks to the chick triage as the other bin was crowded. My crew can't get here until Friday to erect new run/coop. 26 chicks and 10 grown chickens, 2 greyhounds and a huge garden are a lot to take care of by myself. bf is off at work. Wants nothing to do with these new chickens... is like you better be getting stuff ready for the cemanis and legbars crazy chicken lady, pretends these 26 chicks don't exist.

I should get coffe started, looks like I''m on round the clock chicken watch for a while.

 

[katie5668]

sorry to hear about the attack...sucks! Yep understand the got more to do than seems possible at times...
Like you..tis up to me mostly...DH put the chicken house up...and other than eating the eggs he is done with chickens.

One of my ducks got bit by a spider or something & had a weird food for a time..now is ok..but DH was like ..put it down ..it is sick . No Way...& now it is fine.

Hang in there..they grow up & need less care..just like kids..

you will do fine!!!

 

[katie5668]

Marge missed your post..so this is for you....

 

[elbertchick]

 
Hi Colorado folks!  have you guys seen this?  

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=559175380870961

It's a duck slide?  what darling little critters to have such personalities.

I have. Makes me want duck just to build them something like that. 

I went to Big R today. The pen I thought were meaties was empty. They have lowered their price of straight run chicks to .99 though.
Looked like BR, SLW, and a white breed. They still had a few pullets left but looked like all BR and GLW.

Looks like we'll be getting a horse before the end of the month. Just need to fix a few fences, replace a gate, and cut a whole in the back side of the loafing shed so she can access it without going around through the goat area. I'll be busy tomorrow!

I work at BigR Elizabeth store, the chicks you thought were meatys are most likely white leghorns, we have never had meatys at the Elizabeth store and I have been there since day one, 10 years ago.. So I would know.The chicks were seperated from the others for aggressive behavior, severely damaging our other baby chicks. So the lead in that dept seperated them. The chicks we receive are an assortment of what ever is handy at the hatchery, to keep the cost down. The hatchery is Privett. I pick up the baby chicks as soon as the post office calls usually at seven am. So they get water quickly. We get them hydrated ASAP then feed 1 hour later, less pasty butt. Sometimes we have had some cochins, but mostly black star, production reds, and leghorns, and then sometimes BR and other varieties. You can order chicks SO during chick seasons. Just wanted to save the trip for those looking for meatys