Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

So you could say we are rescuing chicks when we get them from a hatchery. I haven't ordered direct from one, but I know all our local farm stores buy the ones they sell from hatcheries. It has been my only source because I'm new to this area. However, I'm joining a new chicken guild that is starting up at the end of the month and I think we will all have better local sources of chicks and eggs in the future.

I like the idea of a chicken guild. That's cool. @CrazyChookChookLady Have you heard of anything like that around here?

 

[BY Bob]

I thought the American Eagle is basically a carrion eater a bit like the buzzards here. The buzzards will take a chicken if it's injured or sick but generally they are not interested in hunting as such.

American Eagles eat what they actually kill. They are not scavengers.

 

[ValerieJ]

I thought the American Eagle is basically a carrion eater a bit like the buzzards here. The buzzards will take a chicken if it's injured or sick but generally they are not interested in hunting as such.

In some areas, they are. I've talked to a couple Canadians and Alaskans who say so. But if you watch their eagles, there will be dozens in the same area living in harmony. Not so here. They are very territorial. We've had the same eagle's nest on this bend of the river for the 5 years I've been here and I don't know how long before that. They chase any other eagles and osprey away from their space. They eat salmon, ducks and baby geese almost exclusively, none of which are available to them right now. So, like I said, they took down a newborn calf this week. The calf wasn't dead first, it was just newly born. They did this last summer too. I have never seen them eat carrion, and we watch them all the time. Really majestic and awesome birds. I just don't want them to eat my chickens.

 

[Shadrach]

So you could say we are rescuing chicks when we get them from a hatchery. I haven't ordered direct from one, but I know all our local farm stores buy the ones they sell from hatcheries. It has been my only source because I'm new to this area. However, I'm joining a new chicken guild that is starting up at the end of the month and I think we will all have better local sources of chicks and eggs in the future.

It's a difficult problem if you really want to keep chickens. The enthusiasts here travel as far as necessary to get their chickens, or get eggs shipped early Spring to catch the broodies.
The Marans here came from Maran in France. Shipped eggs. My friend with the Fayoumies went to Egypt and Germany for his. The guy on the next mountain got his game fowl from Thailand. My sisters friend from who she gets her chickens from has traveled all over for her breeding pairs.

 

[ValerieJ]

I like the idea of a chicken guild. That's cool. @CrazyChookChookLady Have you heard of anything like that around here?

You could start one! This lady that's starting this one has just decided that chicken people are the best people. She has folks coming from Olympia, WA to Portland, OR and all in between. I think it will be great fun!

 

[ValerieJ]

It's a difficult problem if you really want to keep chickens. The enthusiasts here travel as far as necessary to get their chickens, or get eggs shipped early Spring to catch the broodies.
The Marans here came from Maran in France. Shipped eggs. My friend with the Fayoumies went to Egypt and Germany for his. The guy on the next mountain got his game fowl from Thailand. My sisters friend from who she gets her chickens from has traveled all over for her breeding pairs.

I love that! I wish I knew where to go here. But, that's why I'm joining the guild.

 

[Shadrach]

You could start one! This lady that's starting this one has just decided that chicken people are the best people. She has folks coming from Olympia, WA to Portland, OR and all in between. I think it will be great fun!

We have a small chicken club here.

 

[Shadrach]

American Eagles eat what they actually kill. They are not scavengers.

https://www.baldeagleinfo.com/eagle/eagle3.html

 

[BY Bob]

I know that if anyone goes broody this year they are getting @CrazyChookChookLady eggs to hatch and raise. My plan is to then offer them to her and then the public just to offer some diversity out there.

 

[ValerieJ]

I know that if anyone goes broody this year they are getting @CrazyChookChookLady eggs to hatch and raise. My plan is to then offer them to her and then the public just to offer some diversity out there.

That's a great plan! What breeds does she have available?