Nice sunshine here in Pomona, but chilly wind.
I just came back from town and now I'm going through chick withdrawl. Please everybody remind me to stay away from Orscheln's Farm Store. The chicks are just too cute!
kipepeo: snow?! Oh,my! It feels pretty warm here in Wichita, even tho it's only in the low 40s. Sun and no wind make all the difference.
Welcome, cricketsilkies & averytds! avery, my mom grew up in Coffeyville, and I visited my grandparents there for many, many years. I myself grew up in Wisconsin, but I LOVE KANSAS!!
Just ordered some hooded dryer-type vents for the coop I'm creating out of a big ol' Rubbermaid shed. I plan to line the inside of the openings with hardware cloth.
I can hardly wait til the end of March, when I can get my three chicks! Anybody have a preference for where to get them -- we have TSC, Atwood's, and Orscheln's here in the Wichita area. Is any one better than the others?
prairiepearls, I didn't know we have an Orscheln's - learn something new everyday. Where is it located? I was at Atwoods on Feb 11th and they had just got chicks in that day. I stopped in at TSC on the east side on Saturday and they were all set up but the brooders were empty. I asked the gal at the checkout when they were getting chicks and was told "Monday". But when I asked what hatchery they use she had no idea, and when I asked what breeds of chicks they get, she didn't know that either. She asked an older woman who said "Rhode Island Red", "Cornish" and "Bantams". I wasn't sure if she meant Cornish X meaties or what, but didn't press her because I don't think she really knew anyway LOL. Part of me wants to run back to TSC this week but the sensible part of me is staying away because I'm afraid I'd be tempted and I really don't need any more at this point. I have two BO's and I'm hoping one will go broody this year so I can put some eggs under her and add to the flock that way instead.
In addition to the feedstores, I know of several people around here from whom you could buy chicks, that are local breeders. PM me if you'd like their contact info. The only problem is, they don't sex their chicks, but one of them did say that if you end up with roosters, she'll trade you back for a pullet....
Oops! What a dummy I am sometimes! The Orscheln's I was eyeing is actually in El Dorado - drat the phone company for no longer always putting the city name in their listings, instead of just the zip codes! There's also one in Wellington and one in Newton, so I suppose you COULD say they're in the Wichita "area." I'll PM you, HEchicken.
Orschleins in Manhattan has their chick days! Got some in today- of course I got my chicks last week so I couldnt stay and play. But they are beautiful.
Mostly, RIR, NHR, BR (straight run) and Ass. Bantams. I think I saw a chipmunk patterned chick, but didnt look too closes to see what it was. The "EE" bin was empty, but they had a bin for it. IDK.
I went to the Wichita Garden Show yesterday, and there was a booth selling chicken coops!! They're all (almost all) metal and appear very sturdy, though they are kinda pricey, $700-$1000. They're I guess what they call chicken tractors -- they have wheels to move from place to place, a what looks to be a very well-designed mechanism for raising & lowering them for moving. They call it the Egg Cart'n -- cute name, isn't it? They're made near Yoder. The guy said this was their first year at the garden show. Oh, and they were running a garden show special, giving away chickens with every coop. Anyway, it was great to see the whole idea of backyard chickens getting some visibility at the garden show! Hooray for chickens!