Consolidated Kansas

[Dani4Hedgies]

My husband just asked me after reading about the dust how bad is the dust,when they are chicks in the brooder? And what can be done to help keep down the dust? Based on the plan to have them in a guest in our house due to winter

 

[sharol]

My husband just asked me after reading about the dust how bad is the dust,when they are chicks in the brooder? And what can be done to help keep down the dust? Based on the plan to have them in a guest in our house due to winter

When I have had incubated chicks, I usually kick them out to the outside coop when they are 3-4 weeks old. Usually the weather is warm, though. The dust is seriously bad. By 4 weeks, they are getting big, fully feathered, and a real pain in the house. They take way more room than you think they will, and they begin to smell. You may want to reconsider how long you keep them in the house. ONce they are feathered out, they can handle cold weather. I do give them a Sweeter Heater over the roost so they have a place to get warm.

 

[chicken danz]

Chick dust is a lot like sheetrock dust if you've ever lived in a house where sheetrock was sanded. It tends to go everywhere and get on everything. If you keep the room with the door closed and there is no return air to pick up air from the room you can fairly well contain it. And wiping down surfaces on a regular basis helps a lot. It's not a hazardous dust, but it's there. If you clean your bins or whatever you use for a brooder on a regular basis that will keep the smell down and the amount of dust. I've had incubators running and bins of chicks in the house for at least 5 years. It's a lot of dust, but then I'm not a fanatic about a clean house either.
I live on a gravel road so dust is going to be present regardless . I guess it all depends on how high your standards are.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Danz,
Great thank you

 

[JaneAusthen]

Where are you located Jane?And are you just after Bandams? As I am having 16 chicks normal sent to me from Meyers next week and I know in the spring I will be looking to rehome some hens which would be almost to egg laying. Depending on where your at and what you want I may be able to help?

I'm in Hays. Bantam Ameraucana are all I'm interested in right now, yes. While I only want one, I am open to receiving multiple chicks, even fertilized eggs to hatch--I have an incubator that my current Buffs never gave me the opportunity to use. My rooster seemed to have failed on his one duty... Anyway, I'm pushing one on here, because I am willing to pay the extra to get one. Meyers offers EEs, but as far as I can tell, I don't think they have straight Bantam Ameraucanas.

What do you think you'll have available this spring? I'm more than willing to drive.

 

[Dani4Hedgies]

Lol so not close as Im in Merriam in Kansas City but not to bad lol. I don't believe I will get any Batams. However I will be happy to ask around as we have quite the chicken group up here and see what I'm able to come up with.

 

[JaneAusthen]

Lol so not close as Im in Merriam in Kansas City but not to bad lol. I don't believe I will get any Batams. However I will be happy to ask around as we have quite the chicken group up here and see what I'm able to come up with.

Thank you so much! That's very kind of you!!

 

[chicken danz]

I don't think there is any chance at all of finding a true Bantam Ameraucana from a hatchery. Many of them call their EEs Ameraucanas but they are in fact an EE of some kind. That is also true of most breeds from hatcheries. They cross breeds to get more laying capability or meat production. And they sell birds that are a large percentage pure but they are by no means bred to standard. It's all geared toward production not proper standards. If one just wants some layers or birds for meat or yard art there is nothing wrong with them. I started out with hatchery birds and still have some mixed hatchery stock for my general egg layers. I am assuming however, that since you are being very specific about what you want, you aren't just seeking an egg layer.

 

[Trish44]

Hatcheries definitely do not have pure Ameraucanas, they are not truthful about what they sell, they're Easter Eggers. You will have to buy from a breeder to get a pure Ameraucana. I know of someone who raises the bantams now if you don't mind having them shipped from Washington. Send me a PM if you're interested & I'll tell you how to contact her.

My roosters are supposed to be shipped today, I sure hope they make it here OK. I am always holding my breath when I have birds shipped. Last time it took 3 days for express guaranteed 2 day shipping. Even my post office was disgusted about it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

There are several breeders in Missouri.

http://agriculture.mo.gov/animals/pdf/poultry_yearbook.pdf