Illinois...

[Faraday40]

Ok here are my pics of the cockerel.


His legs are thick and long and He looks like he is going to have an awesome skirt too.

So how old is this BIG Boy? I agree it's a boy. Funny how you can tell & his feathers aren't even in yet!

I again sold out of lav orps. More are in the incubator, so we'll see what hatches. If you remember, my last hatch was called a "fertility test." I also set a friend's Bielefelder eggs. I only got one Biele, so I was offered more eggs. How could I turn down more eggs? I accepted & told DH that this is my "back up hatch." ........Not really sure why I set more of my own eggs in there, but I think it has to do with having very little self-control.

My "Peck N Play brooder" and "heating pad mama hen" are working well. They moved out to the garage & it's nice to have a dust free (sort-of) house again. I do miss holding them while watching TV, though.

 

[Faraday40]

Hello everyone! I'm Ashley and I live up in northern Illinois. We have lots of farms up here with chickens, but I really got interested in backyard chickens when I noticed one of the neighbors for a dog I petsit occasionally had chickens in their backyard. I live in Mchenry county and thanks to a group of great people on this site, unincorporated Mchenry county can have up to six hens on property zoned residential. So now here I am with my barred rock chicks and I'm excited to help them grow into lovely little egg-laying ladies.

Nice to meet you all!

Welcome!
There are a few of us in the Chicagoland area.

 

[cavemanrich]

Hello everyone! I'm Ashley and I live up in northern Illinois. We have lots of farms up here with chickens, but I really got interested in backyard chickens when I noticed one of the neighbors for a dog I petsit occasionally had chickens in their backyard. I live in Mchenry county and thanks to a group of great people on this site, unincorporated Mchenry county can have up to six hens on property zoned residential. So now here I am with my barred rock chicks and I'm excited to help them grow into lovely little egg-laying ladies.

Nice to meet you all!

Welcome....
I just recall a time not long ago, I was in Blaine's Farm and Fleet in Woodstock, getting some feed supply. They had chicks on display and for sale. I was just LOOKING at the cute baby chicks. A worker there asked me where I lived. I kind of thought that it was awkward for them to ask. Not being a criminal I had no reason not to tell her. I told her Melrose Park IL. and then said " Out of curiosity, why do you ask??? She proceeded to tell me that they were not allowed to sell to peeps living in the area where chickens were PROHIBITED.. Now I hear from you that the ban has been lifted. IT'S ALL GOOD. 6 hens is sufficient for residential backyard lots. ( way better than none)

 

[Pixie]

...She proceeded to tell me that they were not allowed to sell to peeps living in the area where chickens were PROHIBITED..

I think it is entirely sad that the store clerks are/were part of the municipal enforcement process.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

So how old is this BIG Boy? I agree it's a boy. Funny how you can tell & his feathers aren't even in yet!

I again sold out of lav orps. More are in the incubator, so we'll see what hatches. If you remember, my last hatch was called a "fertility test." I also set a friend's Bielefelder eggs. I only got one Biele, so I was offered more eggs. How could I turn down more eggs? I accepted & told DH that this is my "back up hatch." ........Not really sure why I set more of my own eggs in there, but I think it has to do with having very little self-control.

My "Peck N Play brooder" and "heating pad mama hen" are working well. They moved out to the garage & it's nice to have a dust free (sort-of) house again. I do miss holding them while watching TV, though.

He is 4 weeks. And yes a big boy. Hoping chickendreamer will take him for hopefully her pullet? If not, he is available.

Sorry to hear about the Biele hatch, perhaps better luck the 2nd time around. I had a huge mishap with my little giant incubator, and cooked just about all of my eggs. Lost a total of 17 eggs. So now that I am done kicking myself, I added some more eggs also. Like you said, it has to do with very little self control.

I have the 3 brooders going, the Large Orp and easter egger in one. My 7 spangled orps and 3 of mine in another, and 14 bantams in the 3rd. I have reinstated the heating pad mama also in all 3 brooders and everyone does seem happy. I lowered my initial one and seems to be working much better. My mistake having it a bit too high or perhaps my basement was just too cold a couple of weeks ago.

 

[chicksdontmeow]

Welcome....
I just recall a time not long ago, I was in Blaine's Farm and Fleet in Woodstock, getting some feed supply. They had chicks on display and for sale. I was just LOOKING at the cute baby chicks. A worker there asked me where I lived. I kind of thought that it was awkward for them to ask. Not being a criminal I had no reason not to tell her. I told her Melrose Park IL. and then said " Out of curiosity, why do you ask??? She proceeded to tell me that they were not allowed to sell to peeps living in the area where chickens were PROHIBITED.. Now I hear from you that the ban has been lifted. IT'S ALL GOOD. 6 hens is sufficient for residential backyard lots. ( way better than none)

I was just out there the other day picking up chick grit for my babies I got at Big R and they had signs posted that they're not allowed to sell chicks to anyone under 21 and while I understand the reasoning for it, I just find it funny that the age they chose is 21. Are they seriously going to card people before they can buy chicks? While I'm only two weeks away from turning 21, Big R had no problem letting me get my girls. What a strange little world.

And six is definitely sufficient. I've got five girls right now and I really only think I'll be keeping three, but they're all so cute I just want to keep all five. The coop I bought can only comfortably fit four girls at max though unless I made some of my own additions to it.

 

[MeepBeep]

Hello everyone! I'm Ashley and I live up in northern Illinois. We have lots of farms up here with chickens, but I really got interested in backyard chickens when I noticed one of the neighbors for a dog I petsit occasionally had chickens in their backyard. I live in Mchenry county and thanks to a group of great people on this site, unincorporated Mchenry county can have up to six hens on property zoned residential. So now here I am with my barred rock chicks and I'm excited to help them grow into lovely little egg-laying ladies.

Nice to meet you all!

\

Welcome, I was born in McHenry and still spend a decent amount of time out that way with family...

Knowing the 'atmosphere' of the county in general all my life it amazes me that it took as long as it did to allow chickens, but not surprised to the reluctance due to the influx of new housing and people as the farmers get pushed out...

 

[MeepBeep]

I was just out there the other day picking up chick grit for my babies I got at Big R and they had signs posted that they're not allowed to sell chicks to anyone under 21 and while I understand the reasoning for it, I just find it funny that the age they chose is 21. Are they seriously going to card people before they can buy chicks? While I'm only two weeks away from turning 21, Big R had no problem letting me get my girls. What a strange little world.

Even though McHenry has grown a lot, it's still run like a very small town where the elected officials (and law enforcement) do a lot of 'hand on the shoulder suggesting' about how local businesses should operate within the city as to be a 'good neighbor'...

 

[ducks4you]

chicksdontmeow,

Keep the chickens you like, but if you don't know what breed, I suggest those with pea combs. They can handle our cold winters better.

 

[Faraday40]

CUDDLES was in a nest box!!!!!
This is a sight i haven't seen in a very long time! She was panting a bit & then jumped out. There was a warm egg. (not wet, so I can't be 100% sure it was her.) It's not a pullet-sized egg, so i'm hopeful that it was her & she's OK/healthy. Her last egg was Sept 1st, 2015, so this is a big deal here. For those of you who don't know Cuddles, she my fav chicken whom I talk about all the time. She's trained to do all kinds of tricks, responds to her name, & of course is well loved by everyone in the neighborhood. (as well as a few fans from BYC)

As for the "panting" her beak was open, but I didn't hear any noise. Kind of like a hot summer chicken, which she could feel hot in this crazy fluctuating weather. I'll keep you updated.