Consolidated Kansas

[Trish44]

checoukan, that is a good price for pullets, I've never found them for less than $8 when I bought them, but that was in the peak season too. People are probably just wanting to pare down for the winter now.

I know that we have bobcats here too, we just usually don't see them. There was one hit by a car not far from my house a couple of years ago, big guy. We also have mountain lions here, they have been seen. A few years ago a guy shot one that was threatening his livestock & brought it into town to the newspaper to get a picture. I saw it in the back of his truck. We have quite a few red foxes too, my neighbor has had trouble with them eating his chickens, but then he doesn't even shut them up at night, just an invitation for whatever around here wants a chicken dinner.

 

[Hawkeye95]

Well, I have the two new birds home now. They are smaller than my cockerel. I put them in and let them eat and drink and then after about 30 mins, I put him back in there with them. (I wanted them to have a chance to eat first) and he tried to jump on one of them! He grabbed the other one by the back and then let go and then bumped her with his chest. I was so worried about them, I took him back out. But is this normal??? He is going to hurt them? Is he trying to mate them?! What is he doing??? None of it was too vicious... but I didn't let him stick around in there for too long after I saw that.

 

[keckels]

You left out the "show" part ~ pic, pics, pics.

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[Ivywoods]

If you put a cockerell in with a couple pullets they do what chickens do! He will grab hold of the feathers on their head, hop on their backs.... well you know... you had chickens when you were younger. Sounds like normal chicken stuff.

Here's the thing, though. If you are going to show these birds you will have to keep the pullets separated from the male. He will not leave them in show condition. If you are wanting to raise chicks, you will leave them together of course, but then they won't be in very good show condition unless you separate them a number of months before the show.

 

[Hawkeye95]

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Okay-- so he wasn't trying to kill/hurt them... just mate them? Hmmm... I want chicks, but I also need them to be ready to show in the Spring for my oldest. Shoot. Can they all be together for now and then take out the ones I'm going to show after winter? Or is that not enough time? Zorro was walking sideways at them and dropping down a wing and doing a low call to them. Crazy me!! I didn't even consider them being mauled. Sigh.

 

[Hawkeye95]

OH!! What about a saddle? If I buy them saddles, will that help?

 

[Hawkeye95]

Okay, here are the two new ones. I'm wondering if the Splash is actually a little cockerel! The lady told me that the Splash was an "It" because she could not determine if it was a boy yet. He has zero comb growth at all. Totally flat, just like the black hen. The hen is likely to have one copy of Blue, so we'll see what we get with her. But for sure, I know the Black is a hen. Zorro likes her, but hasn't tried to get on her again. In fact, they are all getting along-- except that my new little Splash is picking on Zorro! Zorro is so BIG compared to them- crazy. These two also have better foot feathering than Zorro does. But Zorro has a better rounder body and crest than the new Splash (that looks like him). I named them-- Zelda is the black hen and Yoda is the potential new cockerel. Does it look like a boy to you?? Why doesn't he have a comb yet? It's as flat as the hens!

 

[Ivywoods]

Oh, they are so pretty! I have no idea on the sex of the splash. Time will tell.

As far as leaving them in with the male, I really don't know how long it takes for them to get their feathers into show conditioin after being in with a male. Even with a saddle that male is going to really thin out the crest or pom pom. (I don't know what they call it on silkies) I know it can take a long time for them to get back into show condition. If you plan to show in the spring, I would not put them in with the male this winter. Wait until after you show to start saving eggs for hatching. If you are going to show late this summer, such as at a 4-H show, maybe you could put them together and raise some winter babies soon and then take them back out and get them all into show condition. Your babies would be at a great age then for a spring show next year.

 

[LN2008]

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Oh my goodness I'm in love with your little ones!!

 

[LN2008]

One more thing! Is anyone in Eastern Kansas going to be hatching/selling/whatevering Silkie or Polish chicks in the spring?? I think I'd be interested in two pullets and I'd like to plan ahead a bit.