Eastern Tennessee Thread

[tnchickenut]

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better about them getting into the feed. I also have the problem with the chickens getting into the goat feed too. I am so thankful for this thread, I have learned so much on here.

That is what we are all here for... bet everyone here asked a question in the forum at least once.

 

[Lunar]

I have been seeing these as Golden Comets or maybe even Red Sex-links?? They are the small, brown egg layers that seem to be the top of the heap for production. Most any hatchery has them, but they either want too large an order or they won't sex them for me. So I am looking for a closer breeder that I can get them sexed. They are supposed to be sexable upon hatching, due to color. I really don't want roosters yet...and my neighbors might appreciate it if I ease into this and don't end up with a yard full of crooners. lol

The plan is to get some buffs and a couple silkie hens....down the road add a buff rooster to enlarge the flock naturally. Then I can work through any problems that might arise early on before I get chicks. That is the plan anyway....

 

[tnchickenut]

I have been seeing these as Golden Comets or maybe even Red Sex-links?? They are the small, brown egg layers that seem to be the top of the heap for production. Most any hatchery has them, but they either want too large an order or they won't sex them for me. So I am looking for a closer breeder that I can get them sexed. They are supposed to be sexable upon hatching, due to color. I really don't want roosters yet...and my neighbors might appreciate it if I ease into this and don't end up with a yard full of crooners. lol

The plan is to get some buffs and a couple silkie hens....down the road add a buff rooster to enlarge the flock naturally. Then I can work through any problems that might arise early on before I get chicks. That is the plan anyway....

Yes, there are variations on names for Red Sex Links.... and not being smart but sex links are sexable at hatch by their color. Try Meyer Hatchery or My Pet Chicken. Those are the two I like the most... I think MPC ships out of Meyer for some breeds though so you can get a slightly better deal just going to Meyer.

Golden comet... Golden Buff... Golden Sex Link... many other names - same hybrid bird. Here is a link: http://www.meyerhatchery.com/produc...ickens&grd_prodone_filter=PRODUCT_ID = 'GBUS'


BTW Both Meyer and MPC do minimum of 3 chicks.... not 25 like some old school hatcheries.

 

[Contrastphoto]

So I FINALLY got my coop and fence built. It took all summer, but I've taken all the measures I can to ensure we're predator proof. So it's fall time and I'm looking for chickens to start my first flock, well, my son's first flock. This is going to be his responsibility. I'm looking for hens (4-6 to start) that are laying or very soon will be because my son won't understand, or like, all the work we've put into this and not have eggs anytime soon. Does anyone have a few hens they would be willing to sell to a good home? Would preferr orpingtons, barred rock or americana's...

Thanks so much!!!!!

Hello, congrats on finishing the coop before getting chickens! I got the chickens and then talked DH into building a coop. How old is your son? My kid's like the chicks more then the chickens. They do like collecting the eggs, but they would much rather play with the babies. They are ages 4 and 9. If you are set on hens/pullets, check out craigslist in your area and/or put a wanted ad up. Also there is going to be having a show in Nov. There should be lots to choose from there. Here is the link for that info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/698527/shows-near-eastern-tn

Mypetchicken is always an option.

 

[edford]

I mean my young barred rock and black sex links 21 weeks old it slipped in one night and ate my favorite pullets head and nothing else and the other night it killed a black sex linked pullet in the run. it must be slender though cause the biggest crack is 3 inches wide tops. and yeah im from the boon docks ... i own several guns but no traps. i waited the next night but no return and 7 days later still no culprit.

 

[littlechicklet]

Whew! I have caught up on 38 posts. So in no particular order here goes:

and

glad to have the newcomers along for the ride on the E. TN thread (this is coming from one who still considers herself a newbie)

Since you nominated ADHD to do the picnic consider yourselves for warned. I will ask a blue million questions repeatedly and would appreciate some insight!

Are we meeting at the Knoxville Zoo? Do they still have a picnic area on the Fairgrounds? Does anyone know where the natural spring is on Love's Creek Rd? I go by there some & I think they have a picnic area. It is not far from the zoo. If you get off I-40 at the Rutledge Pke Exit & go the opposite direction of the zoo I think its the 2nd traffic light & you turn left, go through the tunnel & its the first right. Its very easy to find & I think its a public park. Just a thought.

Now for the food. Do we get a head count on those planning to attend, allocate out the buns, meat, side dishes, drinks, desserts, cups, ice, napkins, plates, condiments, etc. I know Sam's sells some decent frozen burger patties (18 -20 count not sure) for around $20, they have hot dogs, buns, etc. There is also a Merita bread store close to the mall. And what about charcoal and/or grills (if they do not have them there)?

How many ppl at the last one? How did you do it? We are not bringing pets: does this include kids & spouses (just kidding). See I warned you.

All kidding aside I will gladly help if someone else wants to do it with me.

I do not have any ideas on the predator or the goat posts. I do agree with giving too much treats affecting chickens. I have cut way down on my treats & they are giving me the "look"

 

[littlechicklet]

I mean my young barred rock and black sex links 21 weeks old it slipped in one night and ate my favorite pullets head and nothing else and the other night it killed a black sex linked pullet in the run. it must be slender though cause the biggest crack is 3 inches wide tops. and yeah im from the boon docks ... i own several guns but no traps. i waited the next night but no return and 7 days later still no culprit.

I do not know but we tried to keep guineas once and a raccoon somehow scared them until they all went to the corner of the pen where the coon proceeded to pull the head off one of the keets. We put in an electric fence & did not have anymore problems while they were in the pen. Once we turned them out something started picking them off 1 or 2 at a time. It would take one kill with it & leave the other. I don't know if it was a fox or a neighbors dog. We gathered the remaining 2 & sold them and have never tried guineas again. If you read back probably 8 to 10 pages someone was having problems with either a mink or weasel (I think mink). It was getting in a small space but I think it only sucked the blood of the victims. Wish you luck in catching & killing it.

 

[tnchickenut]

I mean my young barred rock and black sex links 21 weeks old it slipped in one night and ate my favorite pullets head and nothing else and the other night it killed a black sex linked pullet in the run. it must be slender though cause the biggest crack is 3 inches wide tops. and yeah im from the boon docks ... i own several guns but no traps. i waited the next night but no return and 7 days later still no culprit.

I have seen oppossums go through chainlink holes and raccoons are crafty. Once I had a problem and finally figured it out.... oppossum would kill the bird eatting the rear... then a fox learned this and took the rest of the body. I only learned this after two weeks and 12 birds.... got the fox trapped and hauled off and not had that big a issue since. Tag teamed. errrrrr

DId you find carcasses? Lots of feathers? Just a MIA bird?

 

[stanglover2001]

Whew! I have caught up on 38 posts. So in no particular order here goes:

and

glad to have the newcomers along for the ride on the E. TN thread (this is coming from one who still considers herself a newbie)

Since you nominated ADHD to do the picnic consider yourselves for warned. I will ask a blue million questions repeatedly and would appreciate some insight!

Are we meeting at the Knoxville Zoo? Do they still have a picnic area on the Fairgrounds? Does anyone know where the natural spring is on Love's Creek Rd? I go by there some & I think they have a picnic area. It is not far from the zoo. If you get off I-40 at the Rutledge Pke Exit & go the opposite direction of the zoo I think its the 2nd traffic light & you turn left, go through the tunnel & its the first right. Its very easy to find & I think its a public park. Just a thought.

Now for the food. Do we get a head count on those planning to attend, allocate out the buns, meat, side dishes, drinks, desserts, cups, ice, napkins, plates, condiments, etc. I know Sam's sells some decent frozen burger patties (18 -20 count not sure) for around $20, they have hot dogs, buns, etc. There is also a Merita bread store close to the mall. And what about charcoal and/or grills (if they do not have them there)?

How many ppl at the last one? How did you do it? We are not bringing pets: does this include kids & spouses (just kidding). See I warned you.

All kidding aside I will gladly help if someone else wants to do it with me.

I do not have any ideas on the predator or the goat posts. I do agree with giving too much treats affecting chickens. I have cut way down on my treats & they are giving me the "look"

Park sounds good, we try to keep it free to very inexpensive, and everyone brings a dish. Can be whatever! Rodney is the grilling king, but we only need charcoal if we do hamburgers, last time since a certain somebody didn't come our main course was actually lasagna.. LOL! Grawg brough a salmon dip... so, we just bring a variety of things for the guinea pigs, I mean members...

 

[tennesseeckn]

It would PROBABLY be OK for me to come to the meeting if I took precautions, but even though my flock looks healthy there's no guarantee they're not shedding the virus. I could have the virus on the floorboards of my car, the tires, a jacket... I just don't want to risk it. If someone's birds got sick, even by coincidence, I'd never forgive myself. So, I'll just be content with a cyber connection with y'all for now.

When I want to give my girls a protein boost, I give them Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. They love them and it makes their feathers nice and shiny. It's not too expensive, either.

The area of Knoxville around the zoo is considered pretty rough. You all might want to consider a park off of I-640. Maybe Fountain City or something...

I work with a guy that owns feed mills. He can mix up anything we would want, but it's only worth it for large batches. Maybe next spring we can divvy up growing the ingredients and ask him to mix it for us. He'd charge us, but it could still end up being healthier and more economical. He offered to mix some up for me using his ingredients but he grows GMO corn and soy as his main ingredients, so I wasn't interested.

Littlechicklet, I looked at the pictures and the one black is still looking girly. The other black is starting to look boyish, darn his hide. The darker blue still looks like a cockerel. The lightest blue looks a little boyish, but there's still hope. I really, really hope it's a girl since it has FANTASTIC lacing already.