IA here

[Clay In Iowa]

Hi and Welcome to BYC skyedobb,

I'm just north of Durant. I'm getting started as well. I currently have BCMs, and a few Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas. I'm due to hatch some BBS Orpingtons and Barnevelders next week and more Blue Wheaten Ameraucanas the week after that. My split Lavender Ameraucanas went in last night and then next week my Welsummers and French BCMs will go in the incubator.

Should be a hatch fest for a few weeks. I'll let you know if I get too many.

Clay

 

[farmgirlie1031]

Welcome skyedobb. I got my first chickens at the Burlington swaps. It's lots of fun if you get a chance to go. I got my 1st incubator at Burlington swap also and my chicken flock has grown a lot since then

 

[momof3]

Welcome skyedobb! I live only ten minutes from you. I live out near Donahue. I'm thinking of parting with my Cuckoo Marans. I have four hens and one rooster. The Burlington Swap Meet is fun to go too. We have added many more animals because of going to it. I have welsummers, americuanas, cuckoo marans and buff orpington crossed with salmon faverolle to hatch the first week of April. Plus an order of 95 chicks coming in May.

 

[skyedobb]

Hi all! Well my small flock of 13 is down to 12. Very sad to have that happen so soon. I think I had an incident with one of my dogs getting into my run through the chicken wire. Of course, it could have been anything since we're rural and live on a farm surrounded by fields, but 2 of the dogs have been known to kill various animals around our farm, so I'm betting on one of the dogs pawing through the wire. We've made some adjustments and hopefully the birds will be secure now.

I'm so happy with my flock! I'm pretty sure I'm obsessed with the birds (my fiance thinks so!)...I could just spend hours hanging out with them and watching them and the myriad of personalities I have!

However, a few questions:

Anyone with any experience getting dogs to not want to kill chickens? They're fine with the birds when I'm in the coop watching them, it's when I'm not around that I don't trust the dogs.

Anyone familiar with Iowa or Scott County ordinances/laws as far as selling eggs? Not that I'm close to doing that yet, but I'll get there eventually and would like to be apprised to the rules.

Anyone with any extra hens or pullets within an hour of the Quad Cities they need to part with? My fiance really wants a standard buff hen or two. I'm waiting to hear if I'm going to be sent away on business next month before I order chicks, but that's likely my next endeavor! With 3 roos, I'll also be acquiring an incubator and hatching my own eventually, too!

I think I have dates for either Waverly or Maquoketa - can someone post 2009 dates for eastern Iowa/western IL swaps, please?

Yeah for chickens!!

 

[momof3]

Sorry to hear about your losses. I seem to lose some june through september.

On getting dogs to not kill chickens once they start good luck on that one. We have a jack russel that would herd our chickens back into our yard at our old house. Well I usually just let them roam now. She cannot handle that. She has killed at least 5 since we moved here. We cannot have polish chickens or guineas because of her. I do not let her outside when the chickens are loose.

There is a swap in Kankakee that I hear is really neat to go to but I do not know the dates. I wanted to go last year but with gas prices we didn't.

When you say standard buff is he wanted any breed as long as it is buff colored?

Don't order chicks yet. I have 95 coming in May 1st from Cackle. I ordered 50 brown egg layers and 25 americuanas(all pullets). I'm only charging what they cost me if people pick them up the same day I get them or the next day after that it will be an additional 5cents a day. The rest of my order is for my kids and the turkeys I wanted.

On scott county's egg selling policy I'm not sure about. My husband sells ours to coworkers and I sell some at church. I did check out the farmers market. For what they charge(100.00 a season, plus you have to have insurance) it wouldn't be worth it. I would be losing a lot more money then what I am now.

I have hens I need to part with but my kids may not let me.
Now I'm trying to arrange how to pick up my appleyards from mothergoose. Anyone for a road trip? lol

 

[skyedobb]

Mo3: Thanks for all your info and support - here and PM. I'm so glad I found this website! I was perusing and think I've found dates for some swaps:

Burlington & Kankakee 4/5
Maquoketa 4/18
Wavery 4/19
Others??

>When you say standard buff is he wanted any breed as long as it >is buff colored? Yes - I think he'd like Orpingtons or Rocks, something of that nature.

>Don't order chicks yet. I have 95 coming in May 1st from Cackle. Awesome! I just might want to take a few off your hands if you're willing, esp. a few Ameracaunas.

Yeah, i saw the farmers' market license info - No way!

I'm still keeping your marans in mind. Waiting to make sure I have my flock secure, and then will start adding.

 

[skyedobb]

Whoo hoo! I posted that my flock was down to 12....well, the prodgical hen returned!! I have no idea where she was, but she must smell bad because no one ate her! She went missing on Monday, I think, and was out playing in the muddy corn field yesterday evening! I counted my flock at least 5 times...yup, back to 13!!

 

[Clay In Iowa]

Mine just went up to 31. I just hatched 6 BBS orpingtons and 9 Barnevelders.

And 3 dozen+ eggs just arrived at the PO for me.

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Yay Skydobb! The AWOL hen is back.

Clay, you have got to post pix of the new babies! What kind of eggs did you get in the mail?

 

[Clay In Iowa]

I'll get some pics tonight when they come out of the hatcher.

I got 2 dzn + welsummers and a dzn + french BCMs.

Can't wait to get home and put them in the incubator.