Consolidated Kansas

[JosieChick]

So sorry about your pea. Such a bummer.

I went out & found one of my peahens dead in the pen today, I'm really upset. I had noticed one of them sneezing yesterday & started some Tylan in there. I don't know if it was just too late or she had something else wrong with her. I haven't gotten her out of there yet because she's all the way to the back of the hoop coop. So that just leaves me a pair now, I sure hope the others don't get sick.

About the only solution to too many roosters is to get rid of the rest of them or keep them separate from the hens. I would always take the most gentle of roos myself. If they don't dance for the girls they aren't gentle enough for me. Yup, we are a no rapist roo zone as well. If they are young and clumsy I give them a chance to figure it out but if it keeps going its off with their head!
I spent the afternoon out working trying to get the water heaters set up and stuff. I really thought I was more prepared but it took a lot more work than I anticipated. I really really need to go to Ottawa and get some more heated dog bowls.
Speaking of that Josie, I think with your advice I solved my goose problem. I have a big heated bucket I use for the dogs water. It has the wire covering all the way down the cord and it is pretty weighty too. I think I can hook the bale to the fence and plug it in and at least they will have drinking water......at least until one of them decided to take a bath in it. I had to laugh at one of the girls late this afternoon. She obviously didn't want to get in the water so she was standing outside their big bin they bathe in and was catching water in her beak and throwing it on her chest. I guess she thought the water would be warmer that way! silly goose. While I was out freezing my tooty off I kept thinking if I had the chicken trailer done I wouldn't have to be setting up any heated water bowls for whomever was in there. I really really need to concentrate on that and quit putting it on a back burner. My geese do that too when they only have buckets, they take mouthfuls of water and "wash" with it. The bucket sounds perfect. Just don't give them a regular 5 gallon horse bucket. I gave my geese one once and my white gander tried to get into the bucket and fell head first in with his feet up in the air and could barely get back out! I had to haul him back out, I think he would have drowned himself in there!! No more five gallon buckets for those ding dongs.

Hi guys! Thank you so much for all the well wishes! It seemed to take forever but I finally had my first normal day a couple days ago and I just hit the ground running. It feels so good to feel normal again. I haven't caught up with everyone on here yet, but will soon. The kids and I managed to "spring clean" the house and get the birds ready for the cold weather just in time, and in one day. We worked like a bunch of dervishes! I've also managed to get my Christmas shopping almost completely done. I'm going to try my hand at making my own laundry detergent today and hand soap this week. I've always wanted to make my own soap and just never got around to it.

So glad you are feeling better!!!!

I wish I was more thrifty and crafty to make the cookie tin heaters!!! I had the best of intentions of making some and just didn't get to it. I did score a bunch of heated bowls at our new DIY store in Ottawa on their store opening sale for $12 a piece which was a great deal. I wouldn't be so upset if they had offered a low price but told me they had a beautiful pen all set up and would take wonderful care of them etc. It just worries me that the want a deal and didn't offer any other info about themselves. I don't think anyone knows what cameo is either. I had a guy call tonight and I had to explain to him that cameo peas are not sexable until 8-12 months of age. They aren't run of the mill colored peas. Most of the unique colors demand a higher price and I had them priced super low already.
I would love to buy those dog water bowls, but I'm so cheap! LOL I just have the cookie tin heaters instead, about half the price. The down side is that I had to make them. I'm with everyone else on the low ball offer. IF they truely knew what pea's go for and what they are worth, they never would have offered that. I mean..... 2 shows ago, I low balled a lady for one of her roosters I wanted to buy, but she had him listed for $175 and I offered $100. I felt a bit embarrassed just asking that!! LOL I know the value of a bird and if you pay the price for a GOOD bird, then you're darned well going to take every measure to make sure you don't lose your investment! I would be tempted to respond with the fact that your birds are very nice and investment birds and worth every penny of what you were asking.

I think you are looking for exhibition quality buff orps. I usually classify my birds when I sell as hatchery, pet quality (non hatchery but not breeding quality either), breeding quality and exhibition or show quality potential. I try not to state that my birds are exhibition quality because I haven't shown them yet so they aren't "proven." I would look for a breeder that would ship a pair or trio for her to start with. Be sure to mention she is a 4-H member. A LOT of breeders will do a really good deal for a 4-H kid because they want to excite the next generation about their breed and variety.

Hi All...hope I can jump in here with a question. Up until joining BYC I thought a chicken was a chicken was a chicken. I knew a lot of different breeds but never knew about "pure bred" or vs. "hatchery grade." Personally, I order all my birds from a hatchery and it works well for me. However, I work with a gal who has a daughter heavily involved in 4-H and our county fair. She was disappointed last year when her hatchery (Murray McMurray) Buff Orps didn't past standard. She asked me this morning about breeders or smaller hatcheries that would sell pure (is that the right term?) BOs. I said I hadn't a clue but would post a question to some folks who might. So, what do you think? Should she be looking for a smaller hatchery or a breeder? And if anyone knows of one or both, please let me know. Thanks for all your help!!

I will have to take a pic of my big english orp boy with me holding him. He is enormous! I love him. He is nothing like my hatchery orps I had. I feel like a small child could ride him. The funniest thing is that he accidentally got into the serama pen and was being chased by a serama roo and was screaming!!! I about died laughing.

ABout the BO's: At the county fair in Cheney this summer, I saw a couple of BO's that were judged harshly. I can tell you what the judge told me (because I was clerking for him)-- they had the wrong color of legs, the wrong type and even the quality of the feathering was not right. I think he even said something about their eyes-- being wrong! Anyway, that's what a hatchery bird will get you, I guess. I don't even think you could breed it and get the right color of legs back and all of that other stuff. There was just too much wrong with it. However, I do believe there are people right here in the Wichita/HUtchinson area that are breeding exhibition BO's because I saw some at the Kansas Fall Classic and there were some NICE ones... OMGosh, very nice! They are waaaaaay bigger than a hatchery BO, too. You think those BO's you have running around are big?? Wait until you see someone who is breeding them for show. They are practically the size of a small goat! LOL Checoukan wanted to buy one! She said she thought it would be funny to feed it up and then have a contest at her 4-H club to guess it's weight!

Thank you for the hopes that we stay here in Wichita-- ME too!! I'm praying about it, for sure. At least we have a back up, but I'm certainly hoping we won't need it.
Oh, I really hope you get to stay!!!
oh-- I do use my cookie tin heater IN the shavings. But, I laid down a piece of flat particle board for the tin to sit on top of. So in the shavings, I laid down the board piece and then set the cookie tin heater and then the water on top. I have to brush off the shavings that get kicked up only every couple of days, it's not that bad. But my piece of board I'm using is about 2ftX2ft-- so large enough not to get shavings kicked up on it all the time.

Had our sonogram today and....


It's a GIRL!!!!!!

 

[HEChicken]

It's a GIRL!!!!!!

Yay for girls. I had always wanted boys, and then I had my DD - she converted me LOL. Now you can start thinking of names for her!!!

 

[HEChicken]

The last time I went to the state fair I spent quite a bit of time in the poultry barn so I know what you mean about those enormous orps. It was hard to believe they were really the same breed as the ones in my backyard flock!

 

[Hawkeye95]

So sorry about your pea. Such a bummer.



I think you are looking for exhibition quality buff orps. I usually classify my birds when I sell as hatchery, pet quality (non hatchery but not breeding quality either), breeding quality and exhibition or show quality potential. I try not to state that my birds are exhibition quality because I haven't shown them yet so they aren't "proven." I would look for a breeder that would ship a pair or trio for her to start with. Be sure to mention she is a 4-H member. A LOT of breeders will do a really good deal for a 4-H kid because they want to excite the next generation about their breed and variety.



Had our sonogram today and....


It's a GIRL!!!!!!

BIG HUGE SPARKLY PINK CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

The last time I went to the state fair I spent quite a bit of time in the poultry barn so I know what you mean about those enormous orps. It was hard to believe they were really the same breed as the ones in my backyard flock!

I know right?! My neighbor has like 30 Buff Orps, it's ALL he has. He loves them. His are teeny tiny compared to those at the shows! Which is funny, because even as hatchery birds, they are still big! ha!

 

[Hawkeye95]

Hey guys, its been awhile since i've been on here due to how busy ive been with school and junk lately but the city council fiiiinally voted on the new chicken ordinance and despite our thinking they were in our favor one that we thought we had on our side turned at the last minute and the ordinance was turned down.Soooo I hate to break it to myself but i'm really in a sticky situation right now because i have to find a new home for them and i have vacation and 2 family Christmas' coming up so if i could find a new home for them before all that takes place that would be great. So if anyone is interested please just send me a Personal Message. FYI: if you want them they're free but you'll have to drive to Marysville, Kansas to get them. There are 4 barred plymouth rock hens (1 years old going on 2 in the coming spring) 1 EE (black, and 2 years going on 3 in the spring) and 1 RIR hen (in mid-moult right now but other wise she's been a great hen) soooo If ive left anything out please just let me know via Personal Message (because, I hate to say it but, i honestly don't have time to scroll through all the pages to see what anyone has said. Sorry! Oh, i also have 3 chicks that hatched around the beginning of october (2 hens 1 Roo). I already have someone that thinks they'll take the roo and now that i know i have to get rid of all of them i'll ask them if he wants the to pullets to BUT if he defers And you might be interested please let me know and i'll ask him. Any feed back would be FANTASTIC and the sooner the better. Again if i have left out any important details JUST Personal message me. My email is [email protected] or PM me for my cell phone #. The reason i don't have a price is not only due to the fact that i don't know how to reasonably price chickens but I REALLY need to get these guys moving before the INSANELY busy holidays begin. (Free will donation would be accepted of course. I REALLY want these guys to go to a good home and have a happy rest of their lives. WEEELLLLLLLL for now this is farewell. I hope to hear back from anyone SOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Very Much Appreciated, Nick Hooyer -- "The ChicknBaron"

I'm so sorry!!

They are doing that to us this year as well.. and those are the same fears that I have!

Well, I forgot to mention yesterday that mama pushed both the other unhatched eggs away, so I broke them open. One was only half developed, but the other looked like it was fully grown. Don't know what happened, but it must not have been able to get out of the egg. So sad. At least I have two baby chickies. They are doing fine!

Danz, I'm sorry you lost all those birds as well

Sorry about the eggs that turned out to be duds. But you're right-- you have two beautiful chicks and they might be girlsssss! hehe Well, we'll see! Crossing all fingers and toes for you!

 

[Trish44]

Josie, Congrats on the GIRL, Yay! I always wanted a little girl, but only got a boy instead. I have a grandaughter now though, so that kind of makes up for it. Now you can start getting things for a girl, how fun!

 

[maidenwolfx80]

Josie, congrats

Chicnbaron I am sorry about your situation

 

[WichitaKidd]

Hi All...hope I can jump in here with a question. Up until joining BYC I thought a chicken was a chicken was a chicken. I knew a lot of different breeds but never knew about "pure bred" or vs. "hatchery grade." Personally, I order all my birds from a hatchery and it works well for me. However, I work with a gal who has a daughter heavily involved in 4-H and our county fair. She was disappointed last year when her hatchery (Murray McMurray) Buff Orps didn't past standard. She asked me this morning about breeders or smaller hatcheries that would sell pure (is that the right term?) BOs. I said I hadn't a clue but would post a question to some folks who might. So, what do you think? Should she be looking for a smaller hatchery or a breeder? And if anyone knows of one or both, please let me know. Thanks for all your help!!

Might check out Heirloom Orpingtons down in Purcell, OK if you're looking for something reasonably close by.
http://www.heirloomorpingtons.com/
Prepare yourself for the price tag. Definitely more expensive than hatchery stock.

Personally, I'd take your chances with hatchery stock. Might give Meyer Hatchery a try. I was pleased with the BO I got from them last year.
http://www.meyerhatchery.com/

Good Luck!

 

[ChicknBaron]

dont feel bad, its ok.

 

[chicken danz]

So sorry about your pea. Such a bummer.



I think you are looking for exhibition quality buff orps. I usually classify my birds when I sell as hatchery, pet quality (non hatchery but not breeding quality either), breeding quality and exhibition or show quality potential. I try not to state that my birds are exhibition quality because I haven't shown them yet so they aren't "proven." I would look for a breeder that would ship a pair or trio for her to start with. Be sure to mention she is a 4-H member. A LOT of breeders will do a really good deal for a 4-H kid because they want to excite the next generation about their breed and variety.



Had our sonogram today and....


It's a GIRL!!!!!!

Told you so!! I knew it was a girl at the same time I knew you were going to have a baby. I'm so happy for you!! Woot!!
Oh my Josie. I think my bucket is a 5 gallon one. We bought a smaller one for the dogs last night. Maybe I'd better switch them out. I never thought about the ding dongs going in head first and getting stuck!

Sorry for your bad news. Hope you can sell your chicken tractor that your Dad built. That would help make up for some of your loss

Well the saga goes on. I lost a cream legbar and another maran early evening to the cold. Both of them in the same situation, directly under the heat lamps and a group of other chickens. The floor in the brooder is cold. I have shavings in there but it doesn't seem to keep it warm enough. We went to Emporia last night and I checked when we got home. I haven't been out this morning. This is starting to get expensive. I could put another bale of shavings in there I guess but I don't know if it would help. And that means more mess in the water and the feed. I haven't had this problem before this winter. I used the same brooder last winter and another house the year before and I've never had this problem. I really can't afford to keep loosing birds like this. I am so ready for the weather to break and for it to warm up some. I was filling waterers yesterday for the brooder outside and as the water landed it froze. That was mid afternoon when it was the warmest.
I've always liked raising fall hatched chicks before but this isn't working for sure.