Colorado

[Mtn Margie]

Nice egg!

 

[PirateGirl]

So my husband was home. He said the chickens never came out. When I got home there were no tracks in the snow and the wind was blowing, so I gave them some food and water in the coop for the first time due to weather. They were not happy when I checked on them before bed. I pulled the food and water overnight (which had frozen in 2-3 hours anyway), and gave them food and water in the coop again this morning. They were happily eating and drinking and scratching around in the coop despite the near zero degree weather when I left them. Hopefully they venture out this afternoon when it warms up a bit.

 

[uzisuzuki]

My chickens are very much against walking in the snow. The peafowl will because they can’t not be nosy about everything. I definitely baby my birds, compared to a lot of other people, and they have a covered pens so I don’t have to feed them in their coops. Usually, once the snow starts to melt more, the chickens will start coming out.

 

[PirateGirl]

My local Murdoch's cashier is a dangerous enabler. As I was checking out (with a bag of all flock feed), he gave me their chick schedule and then was telling me how I might really enjoy some geese to protect my flock! I haven't even brought my ducks home yet and now I kinda want geese too! I didn't even ask about chick days or ask for a schedule! I'm trying to be somewhat responsible.

 

[Mtn Margie]

Don't get the Chinese ones unless you really want tending toward mean. That said, I did have one that was extremely cuddly. I found him a good home.

 

[lomine]

He knows how chicken math works. Or maybe I should say fowl math.

 

[MaryVic]

I'm in Pueblo, Colorado, I currently have 5 Wyandotte hens, they are awesome and very sweet, however I was looking into purchasing some Golden comets for their laying ability, I am also wanting a smaller breed as I can't bring myself to dress my wyandottes out (they are my girls after all) some of them are no longer producing. Does anyone know where I can get a couple of Golden comets locally? What are your thoughts on this breed? The weather here is moody, as we can have spring like temperatures in winter and it drops down to bitter cold at night in the early spring, winter and fall. I need excellent laying birds that do well no matter what mother nature has in store, my chickens must do well in an enclosed environment. I am unable to free range, but have a substantial coop and run, I will be adding chunnels this spring as well. Any help or recommendations on breeds would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

 

[PirateGirl]

Hi @MaryVic ! I don't have experience with golden comets, and my Wyandottes are my favorites from my flock too. I just got the chick schedule from my Murdoch's, no golden comets coming to Silverthorne. That being said, other Murdoch's, TSC, and Big R's in the state should have their chick schedules anyday, so start calling around! Good luck finding some! If you can't, see what chicks are coming near you and I'm sure the BYC community can help pick which will be best for you! I didn't end up with all my first choice breeds last year, but they all ended up being a great fit!

 

[MaryVic]

Hi @MaryVic ! I don't have experience with golden comets, and my Wyandottes are my favorites from my flock too. I just got the chick schedule from my Murdoch's, no golden comets coming to Silverthorne. That being said, other Murdoch's, TSC, and Big R's in the state should have their chick schedules anyday, so start calling around! Good luck finding some! If you can't, see what chicks are coming near you and I'm sure the BYC community can help pick which will be best for you! I didn't end up with all my first choice breeds last year, but they all ended up being a great fit!

Thank you PriateGirl, I will be calling around!

 

[lomine]

Welcome @MaryVic. Would love to see some pictures of your girls.

Are you absolutely set on Golden Comets or would you be okay with any Red Sex Link? I’m sure any number of feed store will be selling RSLs so they shouldn’t be too hard to find. Another option is to ask if a feed store will add chicks onto their order for you.

RSL are egg laying machines but only for the first couple of laying cycles. Then egg count drops significantly. Some folks also note that they die at an early age; supposedly due to problems in their reproductive systems. I’ve never had one but they are very popular so folks must have good experiences with them.