Cream Legbars

[ChicKat]

Hi everyone! I'm a relatively new member, but long-time lurker here....and due to city ordinances just recently (November) finally allowing up to 6 backyard HENS) I am just starting to get my small flock together. I became interested in Cream Legbars when I first saw a picture of a crested one. I'm not a fan of the "crazy feathered" birds like Polish or Crested this or that, but THESE are beautiful, just something about them.... ANYWAY, when my hubby decided that 2 of our hens MUST lay a colored egg, then I found out that CL's lay blue ones, I almost fell over. This was it! We simply must have 2 of these for our flock. LOL

However, I have been hitting roadblock after roadblock trying to get 2 pullet chicks, or laying hens... It seems they are only sold in pairs or trios (except for this one website that had females for $45 each!!ack! I don't need a SHOW bird, I just want pretty chickens to lay pretty eggs for my family--for now)...being new to this, I couldn't figure it out, what is the deal? They are auto-sexing... doesn't anyone have any chicks for me? I could find some hatching eggs, but I was definitely NOT ready to go that route...

Then, I began to see that apparently this is a rare breed (here in the US) and I didn't even know it. (come to find out one of the other breeds I had decided to get was pretty hard to find too) All this has been kind of frustrating...and maybe I am being picky about breeds,,,but when you can only have 6!!! I guess I want what I want... Believe me, if I had more land and no limit on chickens, I wouldn't hesitate to get a bunch of roosters too! *sigh*

OKAY, so looking through this LONG thread, I came upon a thought... If I could find someone near me wanted a rooster, maybe we could go in on a trio together so I could have my 2 ladies.
Possibly you, Laingcroft, I don't know where in VA you are, but I am in Chesapeake.... I found someone online selling a trio of chicks for $55...not too bad, I think?

Well, if anyone else has any idea where I can get 2 girls from (pullets or laying hens) I would appreciate any advice and help.... I'm about ready to give up on getting this breed....

Thanks, and SO SORRY for the long post.

Welcome to BYC - and to the Cream Legbar threads. NO - don't give up on this breed...they really are charming, and well worth the hoops that one needs to jump through. -- Keep trying to get the ones that you want. JMO.

 

[Bama1]

It's been a rough couple if days here. I went into the hospital Sunday night with chest pain. Thank goodness it wasn't a heart attack. Will follow up with cardiologist. Came home yesterday afternoon. Two hours later we have tornados here in DeKalb county Alabama. My parents lost their shed, gazebo and their pontoon boat was blown out of their pond and into the field. We were out of power all afternoon and night and my incubator with 20 cream legbars and 14 sulmtalers were at 72F degrees by the time power was restored despite being wrapped in quilt. Going up to parents this morning to clean up for them.

 

[1muttsfan]

Bama, sorry to hear about all your troubles! Those eggs may hatch yet - don't give up on them.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Oh so sorry! How far along are the eggs? That can make a difference.

 

[GaryDean26]

Yep, those eggs could still hatch.

Momma hens get off the nest all the time to run in the yard and get a few bugs to eat. Their eggs cool down but they still hatch without any problems.

I had one hatch with tempuratures down to 72 degrees on four different days and we still had pipping on day 21 and chicks hatch unassisted and healthy.

 

[Bama1]

Oh so sorry!  How far along are the eggs?  That can make a difference.

They were set for the Easter hatch-a-long so about day 10 when they got down to 72F degrees. I am going to leave them and hope for a happy Easter surprise.

 

[dretd]

It's been a rough couple if days here. I went into the hospital Sunday night with chest pain. Thank goodness it wasn't a heart attack. Will follow up with cardiologist. Came home yesterday afternoon. Two hours later we have tornados here in DeKalb county Alabama. My parents lost their shed, gazebo and their pontoon boat was blown out of their pond and into the field. We were out of power all afternoon and night and my incubator with 20 cream legbars and 14 sulmtalers were at 72F degrees by the time power was restored despite being wrapped in quilt. Going up to parents this morning to clean up for them.

Gosh, Bama1, I hope you have continued health and no more chest pains, how very scary!

Last year I let a novice broody hatch a clutch. She kept getting booted off the nest since she was low on the pecking order. More than once I came home from work and found her on the wrong nest and the eggs were cool to the touch. I put her back on and kept going. Not a perfect hatch, but there were 4 that made it through. Not sure how many were fertile to start since its a mixed flock and some of the older hens say 'no thanks' to the roo. It would have to be Cream Legbars and Sulmtalers and not just a common breed! Best of luck and let us know how it turns out!

 

[sol2go]

Bama1 I was glad to see you had another post after you went to help at your parents place!
Hope you get whatever you need to recuperate.
I remember the tornado events when I used to live in Alabama and I don't miss them.
When I was a kid, we used to vacation at Guntersville Lake, which might be close to you.

 

[Bama1]

Bama1 I was glad to see you had another post after you went to help at your parents place!
Hope you get whatever you need to recuperate.
I remember the tornado events when I used to live in Alabama and I don't miss them.
When I was a kid, we used to vacation at Guntersville Lake, which might be close to you.

Yes, back home now. Cut up two big pine trees that were down in their front yard. Will wait until the insurance adjuster comes before we tackle the gazebo, the shed and its contents blown all over. The tin roof from the shed is wrapped around the neighbors trees. Lake Guntersville is about 40 miles SW from here. It is so pretty there. I heard that DeSoto State Park up here at Lookout mountain had lots of damage to the Lodge and the cabins and won't be open this summer.

 

[faykokoWV]

so excited, I finally got my first eggs today! 2 pullet eggs... now if I can get them all laying.. and in the nesting box I'll be happy!