Colorado

[lomine]

It seems my broody hen is no better at hatching eggs. We are well past day 21 and nothing. Anyone know any places near central Colorado that has day old chicks right now? All my new ones are over a week and I don't think they will take to her or her them. Otherwise I'll have to try to break her.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I looked around a bit. Sadly it looks like you may have to order some.
Ideal has a sale going on. They list Amaracana and several other breeds in the advertised sales tab.

They are Texas based so may be an easier trip for chicks.
It looks like Elizabeth and Kiowa country corner stores are both permanently closed. That is from my google search.

 

[lomine]

Thanks. I was hoping not to have to mail order any but I'll take a look at Ideal.

 

[PirateGirl]

Thanks. I was hoping not to have to mail order any but I'll take a look at Ideal.

I saw chicks in a Bomgaars last week. Maybe call around the ones closest and see what they have. Not sure if you are picky, but they only had one type of broilers, but it was the first I'd seen chicks anywhere in awhile.

 

[lomine]

I've checked in the stores I know of near me but no luck. It's not the right time of year. I went ahead and ordered some chicks from Meyer that should come tomorrow or Wednesday. She's just been so very diligent I hate to see all her effort go to waste. She even handled me moving her nest really well. Just settled right back on them. I'll let you all now how it goes.

I may have to sell some pullets in the spring if this keeps up.

 

[Elyrian1]

My broody did a great job too, for it being just her first time and her only seven months old. Day 22 like clockwork she got off the nest and hollered for me. She was done and they weren't hatching. Candled the eggs to check development, all quitters and duds. I'm not faulting the hen, she did great. I can count on one hand how many times she got out of that nest. If she hadn't promptly decided not to be broody I was going to look around for some chicks too. It is such a wrong time of year... And I wanted more buffs, they're so sweet and affectionate. Dang it, lol

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have to ask.... So what breeds are headed your way??

 

[lomine]

I picked Silver and Gold Laced Wyandottes, Partrige Cochin, and selected the free meal maker.

 

[DenverB]

It's getting cool and I'm getting worried. We have a 4 x 4 x 4 coop elevated two ft off the ground that I built for our hens to shelter in when it gets cold or at night time. The problem is that we have only one hen left so I'm concerned that she'll get too cold being all alone with no one to snuggle with. She's healthy, about five and a half months old, and has started laying.

I've looked at getting started pullets shipped but the cost makes this option not possible. The way I see it, I have only two other options which are to order some chicks and hope they've grown enough by the time it gets cold that they can stay with her in the coop or obtain some hens from a local source--someplace within reasonable driving distance.

So, I thought I'd ask here--Does anyone have a couple of hens they'd be willing to part with before I try ordering chicks? I think at this point I'd take on mature or even retired hens. Thanks. Brandon in Denver

 

[21hens-incharge]

Folks will want to know what happened to the other birds?

What breed is your remaining gal? You will want ones of similar size to reduce the risk to her and them. For example putting Rhode Island Reds in with a single bantam is probably a bad idea due to size and temperament differences.
Your coop is small so don't go crazy and get a bunch.