Consolidated Kansas

[chicken danz]

@sharol, I have thought many times about taking the time to vent sex chicks but I know I couldn't cull the males just because they were males. And I do sell or use many of the boys. My freezer is about full of poultry though. And finding the time to butcher is always a problem. I just keep feeding these guys and hoping I can get out of butchering. At least it gives me a good opportunity to pick the best flock roosters.

 

[Trish44]

What to do with extra roosters is always a problem. I have been lucky lately to sell my extras so I haven't had to deal with them, but that's not always the case. There is no way I'm going to vent sex all of the chicks I hatch.

I'm in the middle of incubating for orders now. Unfortunately 3 of the Orpington colors I need for an order I'm supposed to ship haven't turned out fertile yet. I know it's the lack of daylight hours affecting the roosters. There isn't a thing I can do about it but it's frustrating waiting.

 

[lizzyGSR]

Ugh. If you believe in luck, you could say I have had really bad luck with chickens from day one (which coincidentally was a year ago yesterday). My Cookie bird (my special bird. She is the chick that lost her feet to frost bite and then lost her mama). My cookie bird got a leg caught in the chicken wire today and the other birds picked on her mercilessly. She has a serious wound on the back of her head. I have done everything I can for her, and she is now in a small bathroom with a space heater going just trying to keep her comfy. I can only hope and pray that she lives up to her name (Cookie - as in Tough Cookie) and gets through this. Why is it always the special birds!?!

 

[chicken danz]

What to do with extra roosters is always a problem. I have been lucky lately to sell my extras so I haven't had to deal with them, but that's not always the case. There is no way I'm going to vent sex all of the chicks I hatch.

I'm in the middle of incubating for orders now. Unfortunately 3 of the Orpington colors I need for an order I'm supposed to ship haven't turned out fertile yet. I know it's the lack of daylight hours affecting the roosters. There isn't a thing I can do about it but it's frustrating waiting.

I candled day before yesterday and still have fertility issues as well. But I am hatching plenty, especially since I haven't out an add out yet and am going to be overloaded with birds. But laying is going too well except for a couple of my orps which are being stubborn. I have young birds I need to add to the breeder pens but need to band their legs first and the bands I got take two people. Very crappy to get on. I also want to switch out a couple of flock roosters for younger birds.

 

[sharol]

You want me to come up on Monday and help band birds? The day is free otherwise.
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[JazzyChicks]

Heya! Beautiful day in north western Kansas! I just relocated here and was hoping to get some ideas of what breeds are preferred in these areas. I'm from a cold climate so we always had super winter hardy girls. Looking for some that are mellow as we have lots of kids running around. Would love an easter egger! I also have no clue where to find these guys! Again, new to the area (greater Hays area) thanks everyone

 

[chicken danz]

You want me to come up on Monday and help band birds? The day is free otherwise.

Quote: I would love that and could really use the help, but I am going to be tied up all day Monday.

Heya! Beautiful day in north western Kansas! I just relocated here and was hoping to get some ideas of what breeds are preferred in these areas. I'm from a cold climate so we always had super winter hardy girls. Looking for some that are mellow as we have lots of kids running around. Would love an easter egger! I also have no clue where to find these guys! Again, new to the area (greater Hays area) thanks everyone

We're getting ready to get hit by another thunderstorm. Looks vicious out there. It's pretty chilly up where you are it in typical winters but also can be miserable hot. I'd be much more concerned about heat than cold for birds. Do you have any shade trees? Are they where a coop and pen could be somewhat protected by them? I have too many pens without shade. The best location is to have a tree on the southwest side of a coop around here. I don't know any one in that area that has birds but I'm sure there are some.

 

[sharol]

I would love that and could really use the help, but I am going to be tied up all day Monday.
We're getting ready to get hit by another thunderstorm. Looks vicious out there. It's pretty chilly up where you are it in typical winters but also can be miserable hot. I'd be much more concerned about heat than cold for birds. Do you have any shade trees? Are they where a coop and pen could be somewhat protected by them? I have too many pens without shade. The best location is to have a tree on the southwest side of a coop around here. I don't know any one in that area that has birds but I'm sure there are some.

 

[chicken danz]

I could also do Thursday, but that is a ways off. Let me know.

SC
Quote:
Thank you. I'll send you a message.

 

[Trish44]

Heya! Beautiful day in north western Kansas! I just relocated here and was hoping to get some ideas of what breeds are preferred in these areas. I'm from a cold climate so we always had super winter hardy girls. Looking for some that are mellow as we have lots of kids running around. Would love an easter egger! I also have no clue where to find these guys! Again, new to the area (greater Hays area) thanks everyone

Welcome! We always like to see new people here. As chicken danz said you will need some shade for the birds & protection in the winter from the north wind, so you will want to plan for that. As far as laid back breeds the Orpingtons are the most laid back & good for kids. There are quite a few cold hardy breeds, you can Google that & there are sites that tell which breeds are more cold hardy. I run some swaps on Facebook if you're on there, but I can't post links on here. Send me a PM if interested & I can send you some links. There are people from all over the state on there, so I'm sure you could find someone fairly close to get chicks from. Let us know what you end up getting & how it's going.