IA here

[mrandmrschicken]

Thanks for the info, i"ll try and send an email. It was a double show but the NE poultry club has re-routed itself, everything may be changed.

 

[karimw]

Easter has come early! I took this with my phone this morning! 6 out when i left for work and many more pips! A nice early hatch again. Alas no IA Blues

 

[sammileah]

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I have none so far sigh darnit

 

[pbjmaker]

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What is the green thing?

 

[pbjmaker]

Black Cochin - I like the combs on the columbians better - do the tips frostbite pretty easily? I only have a couple of frizzle cochin hens that I use for broodies (they are the best and co-parent) and their combs are tiny since they are hens and actually about 1/4 silkie.

Speaking of hatching and brooding - my silkie hen who I miscalculated dates on is actually due to hatch on Easter - she knew what she was doing all along!

 

[mrandmrschicken]

I am officially prepared now for the poultry presentation tomorrow for the 4-H kids and parents. I will be speaking and answering question for the better part of an hour so I need to be fully prepared. No way I will have time to wash the chickens.

I will just have to freshen them up! Do you suppose the roosters would mind old spice? or would poultry seasoning be better?

I know I'll be ready for some Old Crow afterwards, or perhaps wild turkey!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

When Phil did his presentation, he didn't have time to wash birds either. He did set up his wash tubs though to show the kids what to do.

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[Lilandra]

when I did 4-H presentations, I found the birds did better if they weren't washed before hand. They were more social with the kids and calm in their cages.
Its a great idea to show them how to wash the birds - a lot of the kids I worked with were afraid to scrub the legs and vent area. The wings gave them pause too.

hope the presentation goes great!

btw - poultry seasoning if you must

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

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The tips can get frostbite but it doesn't happen often. My building is insulated but not heated. I have little problem as long as I keep a deep bed of chips and heated waterers. On the coldest (below 10 degrees)of nights I may plug in a 250 watt heat lamp. More tips get damaged by fighting than cold weather. I personally think the old males comb is beautiful but I am trying to breed for smaller comb than his. Like the young one or one of the Blacks. Cochins do make good broodies but I prefer my genesis hovabator with auto turner.. Mine is holding perfect temps and I have only had 1 quitter so far. I candle eggs at 4 days and throw out any not fertile at that time. Set my lockdown eggs in my old Little Giant to hatch, Works great for me.

 

[pbjmaker]

Quote:
The tips can get frostbite but it doesn't happen often. My building is insulated but not heated. I have little problem as long as I keep a deep bed of chips and heated waterers. On the coldest (below 10 degrees)of nights I may plug in a 250 watt heat lamp. More tips get damaged by fighting than cold weather. I personally think the old males comb is beautiful but I am trying to breed for smaller comb than his. Like the young one or one of the Blacks. Cochins do make good broodies but I prefer my genesis hovabator with auto turner.. Mine is holding perfect temps and I have only had 1 quitter so far. I candle eggs at 4 days and throw out any not fertile at that time. Set my lockdown eggs in my old Little Giant to hatch, Works great for me.

My hovabator is packed full right now

The temp holds really well for a Styrofoam box. I just also let those two raise a couple of clutches each year just because I enjoy watching a good mama hen with her babies.

My husband is getting ideas to build a cabinet incubator right now.

I might want to get some eggs from you someday down the road once I get an acreage.

We don't heat our coop either - never have. I did have one bird frostbite her toes this winter. She is a blue ameraucana. Her new name is "Pretty, pretty gimpy" I call all the un-named hens Pretty, Pretty.