Illinois...

[ChicagoClucker]

Hi, Congrats, isn't it so exciting! My Rhode island red starting laying at the end of August and my buff orphington and barred rock just started laying 2 weeks ago. You have a Wellsummer, that is another one on my wish list. Speckled eggs

 

[Faraday40]

Hi, I am Mary. I am on the south side of Chicago (Mt. Greenwood area). I have 3 hens, Rhode Island red, Barred Rock and Buff Orp. I wanted some blue eggs, so I got 10 cream legbars eggs and hatched them on 10/18. 6 out of 10 hatched, which I thought that was pretty good since they were shipped to me. I am now the proud mom of 3 hens and 3 roos. Need to find homes for 2 of the roos, but I think I am going to wait. I have 1 that has a lot of brown coloring, 1 with a lot of white/creamy coloring and one in between. I need to do some research on what is more along the good gene line for legbars. Next are blue copper marans and black copper. Going to crossbreed maran with legbars so I can get some olive eggers. I am sooooo addicted! I need to move to the country!

Welcome neighbor! We're from the western suburbs of Chicago. I'm also addicted to hatching eggs. I did it for many years in the classroom until I hatched & fell in love with some Easter Eggers. We decided to build a coop last year which started my chicken adventure. I love them & now have Crested Cream Legbars & Orpingtons as well as my lovable mutts. I'm not sure which color is more desirable, so I kept one female of each. I also preferred the crested ones, but I did hatch one female without a crest. My Legbars are not glued to the ground like my Orpingtons. I have seen the Legbars on low tree branches or sitting on top of our 4ft fence from time to time. Because they have never tried to leave the yard, I have not clipped their wings. I agree that Welsummers are on my wish list, but I'm at capacity for now.

Make sure to share eggs with your neighbors. Supportive neighbors make all the difference. Ours helped build the coop, donated supplies & even throw treats over the fence to my little flock.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Thanks for the advice! And I have read that the cream legbars are flighty, so I am sure I will be finding out soon. This morning, I went and let the girls out of their coop, gave them their food and water and was standing on the deck enjoying the beautiful morning and noticed a very large coyote in my neighbors yard. I never moved so fast! I grabbed my chickens and put them in my house with the dog. Then ran and woke up the neighbors so they didn't let their dog out. I don't think I live in the city anymore! Chickens and Coyotes!

 

[JustHenny]

Aaaaah. Good rescue! I live in the country and have a pellet gun for when the coyotes get too near my coop. So far I haven't actually had to shoot anything, but it's scary even seeing them around. Don't eat my babies! I hatched mine too and couldn't bear to think of anything happening to them.

 

[latenighter]

I believe I am close to you are these still available?

I live in West Central Illinois. About an hour from Hannibal, MO and Keokuk, IA. Are there any poultry swaps near me? I also go to Springfield, IL a lot so are there any there? I have 2 9-12 week old Silver Laced Polish pullets I need to get rid of.

 

[drumstick diva]

Coyotes are all over Chicago and in most of the suburbs - they are not anyone's friend. They are very used to the traffic and people and don't get scared off easily. Be very careful they have even grabbed dogs on a leash standing by their owners.

 

[MeepBeep]

Coyotes are all over Chicago and in most of the suburbs  - they are not anyone's friend. They are very used to the traffic and people and don't get scared off easily.  Be very careful  they have even grabbed dogs on a leash standing by their owners.

Yep, many are way too people friendly... My mom had one on her property that would walk around all day as if it was his own yard, always staying about 100 feet away but never afraid to make full eye contact and shrug you off... The last draw was when the Coyote was actually bold enough to start coming into my mom's enclosed porch (she usually leaves the porch door open) and emptying the cat's food bowl on a daily basis... I had to dispatch him for her after I heard that... But, basically he had no fear of humans and pretty much welcomed himself into her house...

 

[drumstick diva]

I've read in the Tribune some time ago, a coyote followed the family dog to the dog door. When he couldn't get through he started attacking the glass in the human door part. Man inside shot at him - the paper showed how badly the door (with wooden frame) had been scratched & bitten up. Too many people feeding them indirectly or leaving dog, cat food out that lures them to your yard. They especially go after the little foo foo dogs and ankle snappers, even though they are only good as a snack.

 

[4stakes]

I will start trapping for all the animals that like to kill chickens on the 5th of Nov. We have to control the populations of these animals, otherwise they will die of starvation and disease. If you have problems with these animals there are trappers around that would help you out.

 

[MnmMonster]

Hello! I am wondering if anyone near springfield is selling any hatching eggs or hen? My mom is jealous of my little flock of birds so I am getting her a few she can baby! If anyone's is selling (I will look at all breeds but I love buffs!) pm me!