Consolidated Kansas

[Katy]

Not sure how smart I am, but I do have decades of chicken experience.

 

[Ivywoods]

Katy- Well, it sounds to me like you might have been "right-on" with this one.

Fondofchicks-Be sure to let us know how she is doing.

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Here are my babies on their first day outside....... They loved it.

One of my lil' Silkies wanted his few seconds of fame.

Daren

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Quote:
@Ivywoods,
do you have any eggs from your Black Copper Marans?
I have a buddy looking for some come spring

 

[Ivywoods]

Quote:
@Ivywoods,
do you have any eggs from your Black Copper Marans?
I have a buddy looking for some come spring

My pullets are laying right now, but not laying a lot. I am currently saving eggs to hatch some. I have a new incubator on order that SHOULD HAVE been here by now, but I'm still waiting.

This first hatch will be a bit of a "crap shoot." I have a pretty good rooster in with them, but I haven't culled my hens, so I have no idea which egg came from which hen. I'm going to see what I get. I'm only hatching eggs that are a 6 or better on the chart. After this, I intend to only breed selectively.

I should have some good hatching eggs or chicks in the spring.
Susie

 

[mikeksfarmer]

In regard to Mareks disease I think I am isolated enough to not have it brought in by the wind. However I also will not bring any chicken from swap meets or auctions to my flock. I think if any chicken raiser has a chicken suspect of this disease they should atopsy it upon death. Poultry sheers and just cut it open for a good look around. Leasions are tumors= unnatural growths on organs or bones. If yoiu have it in one they are all exposed.
It seems from what I read that many birds can survive this and we should consider all birds cariers. I wonder if hatcheries vacinate before shipping? Some thing to look into.
Just my thoughts.

 

[mikeksfarmer]

update on my new duckies; I have two lightbulbs on them so the mother spends less time brooding them and they have more time to eat. Little frustrated with mother hen as she seems to try and scratch in every food container and speads the food so the duckies dont really know what to eat. I keep trying new feeders.
As to black copper Murans I really would love some hatching eggs when your ready Mrs Ivy woods. I read in the catalog that they get lighter over time; I would like to know if you observe that in your flock when they lay a while. My friend Kenny in Junction City says/ thinks he has to have a dark egg to hatch and that is the way to select for the darker egg flock.
Too my brown egg layers this year I have added welsummers in hopes of influancing darker eggs. I do have one Americana in hopes that darker greens and blues may be produced some day. Next year I would like to replace my welsummer roo with a black copper roo and maybe some black copper hens. In the end it may be the shotgun aproach, where the roo delivers most of the genes. I am I guess breeding for the egg not the bird.
Oh yes Darin nice silkie she looks like a Howanza sp? rainforest primitive bird that eats leaves and does little flying. Thus you must now name her Howanza! LOL

 

[sharol]

I can't speak for all hatcheries, but MPC has mareks vacination available for $1 per bird at the time of order. I thought it was probably a good investment.

Quote:

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Thanks Mike,
As a rule that my Father told me when growing up. Never name any farm animal because you never know when your named pet becomes your next named meal. But being these are Silkies this will never happen too them so I may start nameing only the Silkies.

 

[OzawkieBantams]

Quote:

Is there a place that carrys a vaccin. I have been thinking about treating my birds for the winter i want to prevent any problems.