Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[Lacy Blues]

I understand that I need to get the pen and supplies first. However, I don't want to be stuck waiting until next chick season to get the chicks I want. We are only allowed to have 6 hens, and we won't be showing them or breeding. Another reason I asked about coop plans is because in WI it gets very cold and snowy and I assumed that would affect how the coops needs to be built in order to protect my hens.

You're right, but chick season is right around the corner. By the time you get your coop built and their run area set up, there will be chicks available. If you can find someone who has been breeding buckeyes for a while, they can probably tell males from females at a young age.

 

[hellbender]

You probably just need NPIP papers from the breeder or papers saying they tested negative for pullorum and Avian Influenza. Then again I'm far from an expert.

Thanks...all squared away.

You have plenty of time to consider what you want when you move out. By the time you're in your 20's you may want to manage a farm in West Virginia while the owners live-it-up (un-armed) in Costa Rica!!!

 

[Lacy Blues]

Stevale, here is a link for you.

http://www.americanbuckeyepoultryclub.com/Breeders.html

I didn't see any breeders in Wisconsin but there are a few in neighboring states that you could contact. If you explain your situation to them and they inadvertently sell you some birds that turn out to be roosters, maybe you could make arrangements before hand to send them back? Breeders are used to culling birds and that's probably what would happen to them if they did end up coming back but if they're willing to part with just females, maybe this would be an option for you.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Thanks...all squared away.

You have plenty of time to consider what you want when you move out. By the time you're in your 20's you may want to manage a farm in West Virginia while the owners live-it-up (un-armed) in Costa Rica!!!

I would not complain in the least bit about that. The plan has been to move WV one day anyways. I just love how pretty it is down there!

 

[Strevale]

Stevale, here is a link for you.

http://www.americanbuckeyepoultryclub.com/Breeders.html

I didn't see any breeders in Wisconsin but there are a few in neighboring states that you could contact. If you explain your situation to them and they inadvertently sell you some birds that turn out to be roosters, maybe you could make arrangements before hand to send them back? Breeders are used to culling birds and that's probably what would happen to them if they did end up coming back but if they're willing to part with just females, maybe this would be an option for you.

I found this website in my searches for Buckeyes: http://www.americanbuckeyeclub.blogspot.com/p/breeders-directory.html

I was thinking of going with one of the bigger hatcheries since they offer shipping. Is this a bad idea? I would end up paying like $60 for 6 chicks, but I don't know of any other places they are available that are within an hour or so drive. How long is it safe to drive with chicks?

 

[Lacy Blues]

I found this website in my searches for Buckeyes: http://www.americanbuckeyeclub.blogspot.com/p/breeders-directory.html

I was thinking of going with one of the bigger hatcheries since they offer shipping. Is this a bad idea? I would end up paying like $60 for 6 chicks, but I don't know of any other places they are available that are within an hour or so drive. How long is it safe to drive with chicks?

As long as you keep them warm (not hot) and have a dish of food for them they should be fine. I would have a cardboard box with shavings that will fit on the front floor board of my vehicle and keep the heater on low. I would also mix their crumbles with some water so that it is a wet mash, that way you don't risk spilling water during the trip. I wouldn't make the mash soupy but add water til they stop absorbing it and it is very damp. If you mix in some chick vitamins and/or plain unsweetened yogurt into it too, they should be able to survive any trip you need to take them on.

I wouldn't pay $60 for six hatchery chicks. Chicks from a breeder? Maybe. Its up to you though. Most hatcheries will only sell 25 chicks to be shipped so they an keep each other warm.

Duane Urch is up that way somewhere so maybe you could get something worked out with him. He goes to shows on occasion and I know he carries birds so best of luck to you.

 

[thedragonlady]

What if I got a pair

?

If you haven't had parrots before, I'd advise a pair of African Red Belly Parrots They are small, fun birds, and very good talkers.They won't do a 1/10 th of the damage that a Cockatoo can do in 5 minutes. Breeding Cockatoos is not for the faint hearted. In captivity, quite a few males crush the females' skulls when ardor overcomes them

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: For 6 hens you just need a 4x6 (acceptable)or 4x8 (roomy) coop. I have mine 4ft high but raised 2 ft. off the ground. that makes it easy t clean. Plus, I went to Lowes and for that translucent vinyl carpet runner protector. Tacked it around the three outside edges of the platform on which the coop sits. That gives the birds a foul weather shelter if they don't want to go inside. My yard is connected to the coop and also roofed with chicken wire. So the birds can come in go out, and play in the yard without worry from predators. Plus, I get to count the area under the coop as yard sq. footage for the yard ...so to get the 60 sq. ft yard, I only have to extend the yard out 6 ft. beyond the coop. That makes the footprint nice and small for the neighbors. Also, make the run 6 ft. high so you can walk into it. Makes it easier to shovel snow and care for the birds. Something like this with that curve or slant on the roof so rain and snow slide of. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chichen-paradise-coop There are a lot of similar coop designs in the BYC coops gallery.
Best,
Karen

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I found this website in my searches for Buckeyes: http://www.americanbuckeyeclub.blogspot.com/p/breeders-directory.html

I was thinking of going with one of the bigger hatcheries since they offer shipping. Is this a bad idea? I would end up paying like $60 for 6 chicks, but I don't know of any other places they are available that are within an hour or so drive. How long is it safe to drive with chicks?

Where are you located?

 

[3riverschick]

Sorry, I did want chicks. I just noticed that some people only sell straight run and we aren't allowed to have roosters.

Okay. Why chicks? In Nov. I sold 6 point-of-lay Light Sussex which I didn't need after I selected my breeders.
The family only wanted an egg flock and I didn't want the hens bred as they failed in some show points .
That kind of thing happens all the time in the poultry world. Plus, if you can pick up some adult or point-of-lay
pullets, you can hatch your own chicks this year. My point was, unless you specifically want to raise the chicks
and wait 6-8 months for eggs, buy some laying pullets or hens, hatch your own chicks while you are also getting
eggs for the family.
Best,
Karen