Hatching Eggs / Paypal CHAT Thread

[cjwaldon]

Thanks!

 

[BHep]

Herducks... HAhahahaa ... great pictures, but that silkie picture cracks me up.

They need bibs and booties.

Not all my birds will eat the fermented feed so I quit making it.

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

Quote: Snow here is rare. We'll get cold, and I'll sit and knit. I need my fingers for that. Eyes too, so I can't cross those, either! Toes it must be!

On the hatchery bird issue...it depends on what you are keeping birds for. Most of my layer flock are hatchery birds. Seems to me that when people start working harder at conformation for showing, the quantity of eggs kinda falls off.

On the other hand, that's just another aspect that should be worked on with good birds.

I'm currently rebuilding my flock after a MG filled fall.

The first thing I did after we got out of quarantine was order hatchery birds. Then I looked around for the sources of good birds I wanted. I've got Whitmore Farms Wellies and Amerauacanas coming, good English Orpingtons, (although I still want one more source) and I'm still hunting a source for good Brahmas. So I'll keep both...birds for breeding and showing, and pretty birds that don't meet standards for egg laying. That's where I'll make EEs and OEs, rather than with the "good" birds.

But that's my opinion, and I'm sure there are many who would disagree!

 

[RedBrush Farm]

Snow here is rare. We'll get cold, and I'll sit and knit. I need my fingers for that. Eyes too, so I can't cross those, either! Toes it must be!

On the hatchery bird issue...it depends on what you are keeping birds for. Most of my layer flock are hatchery birds. Seems to me that when people start working harder at conformation for showing, the quantity of eggs kinda falls off.

On the other hand, that's just another aspect that should be worked on with good birds.

I'm currently rebuilding my flock after a MG filled fall.

The first thing I did after we got out of quarantine was order hatchery birds. Then I looked around for the sources of good birds I wanted. I've got Whitmore Farms Wellies and Amerauacanas coming, good English Orpingtons, (although I still want one more source) and I'm still hunting a source for good Brahmas. So I'll keep both...birds for breeding and showing, and pretty birds that don't meet standards for egg laying. That's where I'll make EEs and OEs, rather than with the "good" birds.

But that's my opinion, and I'm sure there are many who would disagree!

I have purchased all my birds from folks that I feel have "quality" stock and I have worked (am working) hard to improve traits by introducing from other stock etc. There are people I know, however, that do not want to pay a lot for chickens as they just want them for their kids, for eggs only or just to look at until winter comes and they disappear into the sunset.... I just wanted others opinions on where they would be most likely to get "good/healthy" birds at a price they would consider more "reasonable".....

 

[kraftyladies]

I am waiting very impatiently on my NPIP paperwork. I am sure Christmas mail is just slowing it down.... Sheesh.

 

[cluckitall]

I have purchased all my birds from folks that I feel have "quality" stock and I have worked (am working) hard to improve traits by introducing from other stock etc. There are people I know, however, that do not want to pay a lot for chickens as they just want them for their kids, for eggs only or just to look at until winter comes and they disappear into the sunset.... I just wanted others opinions on where they would be most likely to get "good/healthy" birds at a price they would consider more "reasonable".....

Well, I've still got seventeen Meyer birds from two year olds to pullets -- sold off a bunch to make room for my new babies hatching out! -- and they're a delightful mixed daily layer flock Reasonably priced, sturdy, and a good cheap way to get a "sampler pack" of different breeds and see which ones I liked the best. One of these days I'll get pics of my two columbian wyandottes from Meyer -- very pretty birds! Nice fat fluffy "bloomers", although their coloring is a little smudgy

 

[Brookhavens]

My birds love the fermented feed. They get more out of it nutritionally and there is a lot less waste too. I add organic apple cider vinegar with the mother and let it sit overnight. Some people let it sit for a lot longer but I worry about botulism.. Amazing feather qualities and good for the gut. I haven't had any cocci issues at all since starting it either, so that's a bonus.

I started using Kombucha Tea as the ferment and my birds absolutely love it. So easy to make and cheap too.

 

[madamwlf]

Goodness, I hope everyone's chicks arrive in good shape. It's so heartbreaking getting chicks that didn't make it.


On another note, I think I have out-done my problem rat. I've been putting out plain wet cat food a few nights in a row. Last night I laced it with rat poison and it eat every bit of it. Put more out tonight. I'm going to keep putting it out until I see it's not being eaten anymore!!

 

[Hollowoakfarm]

I have purchased all my birds from folks that I feel have "quality" stock and I have worked (am working) hard to improve traits by introducing from other stock etc. There are people I know, however, that do not want to pay a lot for chickens as they just want them for their kids, for eggs only or just to look at until winter comes and they disappear into the sunset.... I just wanted others opinions on where they would be most likely to get "good/healthy" birds at a price they would consider more "reasonable".....

I've purchased from Ideal, Mt Healthy, McMurray, and Welp. Ideal is usually my go-to, and the chicks are strong and healthy when I get them. I particularly like them because there's no minimum of breed or sex, although they do charge a fee each time you swap around to fill a box. But I can order five pullets and a roo if I want. Ideal will also call you up if there's a question on anything. I've had them call to see if I wanted to move my hatch date up, because they knew they could fill it. Good for me and them. I've also never gotten "accidental" roos in my pullets from them. The chicks I recently got from Welp had pullets that weren't. Three of them that I can see so far.

 

[RedBrush Farm]

Goodness, I hope everyone's chicks arrive in good shape. It's so heartbreaking getting chicks that didn't make it.


On another note, I think I have out-done my problem rat. I've been putting out plain wet cat food a few nights in a row. Last night I laced it with rat poison and it eat every bit of it. Put more out tonight. I'm going to keep putting it out until I see it's not being eaten anymore!!

"There's more than one way to kill a rat" or is the old saying "There's more than one way to skin a cat"? Never really understood where that originated????? Either way - Congrats on getting rid of the RAT.....