Congrats PeepsCA

[trailchick]

Wow, that you did all that hatching with smaller incubators!
I kinda figured you had a big cabinet model..... Would love to get one of those Brinsea.
Thanks for your hatching info.

 

[lizzard14]

CONGRATS PEEPS!
I know you have helped me out alot.

 

[TNGuineaGirl]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with others!

 

[PeepsCA]

Again... Just want shout out a big huge Thank You to everybody for all the nice complements!!!

Not only did I never ever expect a BYC Educator award, I certainly didn't expect all this recognition for it either!
Where's the blushing smiley on here, lol. I'm kinda shy, so all the complements and positive things everyone's typing about me are makin' me blush

 

[Fenika]

Peeps, you've changed!

Randomly, what do you think I should do next year for guineas (and even chickens)? I'm going to move my coop and make the run larger, but I don't want too many keets at once (12 at absolute max- easier to start them in the tractor after a brief brooder phase). I also want to get dual purpose chickens and end up with 4-6 birds max over the winter (mostly laying hens, but maybe 2 guinea hens too. Don't ask me how I plan to breed without males, LOL. Okay, maybe a rooster...)

 

[PeepsCA]

LOL, I change with the seasons

I'll change again when I start hatching next season

Ohhh what should you do next year... Since you are great at the home processing thing I think I'd plan for an early batch and then later batch of keets/chicks so that they mature (to butcher and/or laying age) at separate times... the oldest can be in the coop/pen fattening up (and free rangin' bugs), and the youngest can be in the tractor 'til the coop is vacant. You could extend your meat bird "harvest season" that way.

I'm not really a chicken keeping type person, so I don't really have any suggestions there, but I have been contemplating some hardcore fail proof broodies, for all natural incubators, and also a few tried and true layers so I have fresh eggs thru the off season while my Guinea Hens stop laying... I don't want any roosters tho, Guinea cocks provide more than enough testosterone for around here, lol. I can always borrow one if I need his services for hens if I get any! 1-800-RENT-A-ROOSTER!

 

[Fenika]

LOL, yes, those guinea cocks and their testosterone. Did you see the thread with the giant cahoons??!! I think it was an old thread in the meat section. They were from a rooster and he must have been crazy with hormones!

Two batches sound good. If I start early I should be able to hatch my own. When do they start to lay eggs? Around 20 weeks?? ...Hm, well, not quite enough time to get in a batch from my first group (No July babies again. I don't like fattening up lots of birds in the cold!). So your plan sounds good. I'll have to order eggs to keep the numbers down, or split an order of keets with someone.

I've also been considering a larger 'tractor' of panels for the older birds to spend some time on grass but not drive me crazy wandering. I probably won't get such well behaved and trainable birds again (and they were becoming impossible and braver that last week, week and a half)

I could always drive to the hatchery near me, but I'm not bothering with Jumbos from them again when they clearly don't care about overall genetic health.

I wouldn't mind two nice pet silkies to do my broody work, but a good dual purpose could do it and still provide full sized eggs.

Hmmm, so many decisions.

...you could go into a rent a roo business yourself. Encourage folks to make sex-links with your ruggedly handsome boys

ETA: Actually, July 1st would probably be the hatching cut off. I could slaughter closer to 12-14 weeks if the weather went bad early... Hmmm.

I really do miss having guineas around, even though the plan is to eat the poor things! Such a strange mix between enjoying life and enjoying home raised meat. It's a relief not to have to take care of the flock right now, but I don't get to see their antics or care for them and it's a little depressing.

 

[bemba]

Oh wow, good on you.... a absolute joy to chat with

 

[PeepsCA]

Thanks bemba

Been having a blast chatting with you and sharing all the pics and info too! Glad to have you here on BYC!