First Run of Cornish Cross Meat Birds and Super Excited!

[nj2wv]

Today the two silkies received names. Rooster - Stanley. Hen - Stella. He free ranges all over but won't let her leave the run.

 

[duluthralphie]

Today the two silkies received names. Rooster - Stanley. Hen - Stella. He free ranges all over but won't let her leave the run.

Stanley seems kind of sexist!

 

[mountain mom]

Jessica- Still no eggs from Sunny lately? Interesting. On Monday, almost every gal went to the nest box, came out singing, no eggs. Funny chickens.
While I was at the feed store, ordering my CX babies, the guy was SHOCKED that she was still kicking AND producing eggs. On a daily basis too. I would say I get 4-5 eggs a week from her.
Anyhow, I hope there is a normal one today. Or none. Take a break Pearl!
I too am loving hearing all about the new biz! And I think the smuggling of pullets is hilarious. Just think how happy everyone will be when they are on grass! Did you ever holler at the company supposed to ship your new tractor parts?

Ralph- Poor Bert. Being subjected to such parental brutality. I do wonder why he is picking on Ron or is it Ray...
Did I see something about an oversized packing peanut? I would love to take Nameless. I have some serious reservations about a Roo though. Mostly my sleep.
Yesterday my hubby asked, "So, we are butchering ALL the turkeys, right?" No answer from me. "ALL OF THEM, right?" "I want to keep a mating pair." Eye roll and sigh from hubs. I decided that was not the best time to tell him it takes the heritage breeds a bit longer to grow out. And that I am bringing home chicks tomorrow.
Really, he supports my addiction, he just doesn't like all the poo in the back "yard". But once the grass starts to grow, you won't even notice it. Much.

I think I have decided on chicks. At least I think so. It is narrowed down to the following:
Silver Grey Dorking
Americauna
Barnvelder
Russian Orloff
Cream Barabanter
Exchequer Leghorn
Or Maybe a Black Copper Maran (they are straight run though...)

I honestly can't believe I am having such a hard time. There is a part of me that likes my flock how it is. I know I will have my hands full with turkeys before too long too. Anyhow, just rambling, trying to decide.

 

[duluthralphie]

I know someone in Minnesota that would like some copper maran eggs to hatch............


MM.

It is Ray not Ron! And I am sure Ray started the dispute, Bert is too friendly to start anything. However, I did notice when I let him out this morning he tried to get with a little red sex linked hen. He grabbed her behind the head and started to climb into the saddle, when Ernie kicked him off...

I wish Pearl and Bert could meet and fall in love! The baby frogs would be so cool. I find it amazing Bert is as active as he is. I have seen him over 75 yards from the coop everyday. I am so glad the weather has changed, I am just scratch feeding him now. I figure it does him good to forage and not just sit at a feeder.

I am thinking the DW is a tad upset with me. She has figured out I am feeding wild bird seed instead of cheaper chicken feed to them all.. She is not buying the “ they like it better” excuse.

Like you I like my flock right now. I want more pens to control breeding but I am not sure how many more birds I will add. I assume there will be some unintended additions this summer.

I am also thinking of opening Guinea Fowl hunting season. The little “word deleted to keep me from being banned” are driving me nuts. I just chased them out tof the coop again. They have their own coop with game bird laying mash, but they prefer my chicken layer mash. I am actually thinking of listing them on Craigslist. Of course, what a waste to feed them over winter and sell them just before egg laying starts.

You need to have your DH read the last couple pages in the Minnesota thread, there was a lively discussion has to how many labs per chicken are needed to keep the yard clean. One person suggested a “mastiff” whatever that is. The consensus is there must be a perfect number.

Jessica, can I come live with you? I want 300 chickens running around. I sat outside with the birds yesterday and so loved it. I cannot believe how watching chickens do their thing can be so relaxing and enjoyable.

It is strange Sunny is not laying any eggs. BUT my diamond encrusted chickens have not laid an egg in a week now. Which is bothering me.

I am setting a few eggs today, maybe 12-15. Two diamond encrusted eggs and the rest EE. I am thinking of trying to sell a few for Easter. I know it's disgusting but, the more people the like chicken pets the better!

 

[mountain mom]

Sorry to offend his royal majesty, Ray! He must also be offended at Bert checking out his diamond encrusted ladies. I am sure he is just window shopping.
Poor Bert. Ernie just keeps swooping in and denying him any activity. Such is the way of the flock though, right?

I also wish Pearl and Bert could fall in love! They would make perfect little frogs! She is quite the looker these days! And so sweet. She doesn't love being pet, but she loves to come sit by you and chat.
I will post a pic of her a little later. Next to her best pal, Clyde the silkie.

Man, those guineas are a pain! Certainly a shame to sell right before laying season... but sometimes the trouble isn't worth it. I really enjoy watching the ones at the feed store though. Just don't think I can handle them for myself. I would get so mad there would be a mass homicide one day, I am sure.

Maybe I will get two Marans... maybe there will be a roo. Maybe there will be babies... Or maybe I will be a wus and just keep the flock as is. I have considered using 4H as an excuse for baby chicks. My kids are not in 4H... yet. Maybe they will be enrolled today.

I have so much to do now! All these maybes...

 

[JessicaThistle]

MM: Yeah, Sunny hasn't been laying. Maybe she's just taking a break for winter. Maybe the darn silkies are too broody to let her in the nest. Haha! I should have taken a pic the other day when I opened the door to the nest and Sunny was sitting in there with a silkie sitting on her back. It was so funny that my brain didn't even click to get the camera mode. Maybe I'll get a pic another time. These girls are kooky enough that they may do it again.

I'm not too worried whether Sunny lays or not. I didn't buy her for eggs. She's just my sweet, entertaining roly poly hen.

Oh and roosters, while beautiful, really do interrupt the beauty sleep. We are feeling roo heavy with the two that we have. One is a really good roo though and did a good job of getting the girls to hide from two huge circling hawks last week. The other roo is just kind of the unruly teenage boy who takes every opportunity to hang out with a lady. He really has a thing for Sunny actually.

Ralph: If you survive your illness, you are welcome to come here but I will have to put you to work. My poor hubby and I work until 10:00 most nights and would love an extra set of hands.

He and I were discussing the possibility of going full-time with the egg business and scaling back our other businesses. We both decided that this makes us both happy. It can be hard work but we are really enjoying it, while the other businesses aren't as enjoyable. Basically it would mean that we would both keep a few of our best accounts and stop trying to grow those businesses so that we can focus on growing the egg biz.

Ah, happiness!

 

[nj2wv]

Stanley seems kind of sexist!

Yes he is. Hence the name lol.

Today I let the meatheads out of their pen in the coop. They are having fun running around and testing their wings. I saw them venture out of the run so I just hope they go back in the coop tonight. I think I will put out another group of feathered out chicks in there today.

 

[mountain mom]

MM: Yeah, Sunny hasn't been laying. Maybe she's just taking a break for winter. Maybe the darn silkies are too broody to let her in the nest. Haha! I should have taken a pic the other day when I opened the door to the nest and Sunny was sitting in there with a silkie sitting on her back. It was so funny that my brain didn't even click to get the camera mode. Maybe I'll get a pic another time. These girls are kooky enough that they may do it again.

I'm not too worried whether Sunny lays or not. I didn't buy her for eggs. She's just my sweet, entertaining roly poly hen.

Oh and roosters, while beautiful, really do interrupt the beauty sleep. We are feeling roo heavy with the two that we have. One is a really good roo though and did a good job of getting the girls to hide from two huge circling hawks last week. The other roo is just kind of the unruly teenage boy who takes every opportunity to hang out with a lady. He really has a thing for Sunny actually.

Ralph: If you survive your illness, you are welcome to come here but I will have to put you to work. My poor hubby and I work until 10:00 most nights and would love an extra set of hands.

He and I were discussing the possibility of going full-time with the egg business and scaling back our other businesses. We both decided that this makes us both happy. It can be hard work but we are really enjoying it, while the other businesses aren't as enjoyable. Basically it would mean that we would both keep a few of our best accounts and stop trying to grow those businesses so that we can focus on growing the egg biz.

Ah, happiness!

How awesome!! Congrats!

I also am not too worried if Pearl does or does not lay, I just don't want there to be an issue. I love her and want her to stay alive and crack me up when I need it. Seriously, this gal waddling at you is too much. It is funny that both our CX are friends with the Silkies. I know you put Sunny in with yours, but I think it is cute how tolerant they are of the bossy little Silkies.

I rousted her from a dust bath so you could get the full effect. She was not thrilled.

I have caught my serial secret nest maker. The meanie, Keadis. I found her making a new nest... I am thinking I may let her have a go at brooding the babies I want to bring home tomorrow. But I am worried she may kill them. Or kill another chicken that comes close to them.

 

[JavaJones]

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[duluthralphie]

MM who is that huge white thing behind pearl?


And again no eggs from Ray's girls! I do not understand this. How can they just stop laying. They look happy in their new home.......


2 dozen eggs again today from 30 girls. Does that mean 6 are not laying or 6 are hiding nests?