Illinois...

[MykaMom]

I lost a BUNCH of chicks to a marauding cat. It was pulling their heads out and biting them off. We caught it in the act so finally identified the predator. Grr.

 

[Duckman 17]

Welsh Harlequin and one Blue Swedish - Free to Good Home
We have two Welsh Harlequin and one Blue Swedish purebred drakes that I need to re-home. They were incubated in the house in April. Just have to many drakes for my hens. Located in Illinois zip code 60408. Will partially deliver.

 

[MykaMom]

Thanks for the welcome! I don't post often, but I've read many threads over the past year or so. So I finally joined up.

I currently have 16 maturing teenage brown layers, all from two late spring and early summer Tractor Supply orders. The 6 month olds just started laying, lovely sized eggs for pullets. I look forward to the mature eggs, they're going to be extra large.

My only surviving Easter Egger has turned out to be an Oliver, not Olive, lol. He gets along with my two adult roos, a Japanese white black tail banty and a grey Silkie. Those boys are both a year and a half: only now the Silkie is trying to kill my other banty.

Anyone want him? Free to a good PERMANENT home. As a Silkie, he's not an eating bird. He is protective of and good with the girls. He's also sweet with people. I'm in west central IL, 61419 zip code.

My banty was here first, so he has rights, lol.

Your project looks awesome! How are you at building outside steps? Mine are falling down and need replaced!

 

[MykaMom]

How is everybody?
Welcome @MykaMom to the IL thread.
It has been stressful around here. Work has me drained. I started a project this weekend though that turned out to be quite the stress relief (while I work on it at least). I am building a mud bench to but near our front door for the kids' shoes, jackets, bags, etc. View attachment 2414454

In bird news, I need to send the turkey hens and a drake to freezer camp. The turkeys will be Thanksgiving dinner. One might be saved for Christmas. The drake will be a lovely meal at some point. He needs to go because two drake's is one too many for our small duck flock. I so want to raise a few more turkeys. They add a but if character to the chicken run. Any visitors we get find them interesting. @Molpet I hope you'll let me have another attempt at raising some. I should mention the chickens too. We finally started getting blue/green eggs! I don't have a picture unfortunately but on November 6th we got our first blue/green chicken egg. We had a few more since. Is either the Easter Egger or Araucana. We got them both as chicks this past Spring along with a Brown Leghorn.

What type of turkeys do you have? I've wanted a Royal Palm or two for years, but not for eating.

 

[MykaMom]

It's been a dramatic weekend here. On Friday morning, one of my dogs very unexpectedly died. I know our oldest doesn't have much longer with us but the middle one was healthy (for a 12 year old) and I thought she'd be with us a couple more years. My son was holding her when she passed. I had asked him to sit with her so I could clean up some of the blood and "other stuff" while we waited for the vet to open. But she died right there with him. She was his favorite and he was her favorite so at least she was with her best person when it happened. Had we gone to the vet, they are still only doing curbside visits so I would have had to say goodbye in the car. It's awfully quiet here with only 2 dogs, 12 chickens and a gecko now. I'm sure we will adopt another but probably after my 14 year old dog passes because she probably doesn't need a rambunctious rescue with no manners stirring up her golden years. And luckily, my youngest has the chickens to keep her occupied now that her partner in crime is gone.

I had hoped today might be the first day of letting the little chicks play with the big girls without a crate but with all that wind yesterday, I kept the babies inside all day and Saturday wasn't the best weather either so I guess a few more days in the crate before we can try. I am ready for them to move outside though! They don't want anything to do with their brooder anymore. They just want to fly free and roam the house!!! Will definitely be easier once they are outside chickens.

I'm so sorry for your loss. They're just like our kids, only with four feet and not two.

 

[BReeder!]

Welsh Harlequin and one Blue Swedish - Free to Good Home
We have two Welsh Harlequin and one Blue Swedish purebred drakes that I need to re-home. They were incubated in the house in April. Just have to many drakes for my hens. Located in Illinois zip code 60408. Will partially deliver.

Best of luck. I would love the variety to add to my dock of ducks, but I to have an extra drake already. For me, he is on the way to freezer camp. That's not an easy act for many though. I do hope you find them homes.

 

[BReeder!]

What type of turkeys do you have? I've wanted a Royal Palm or two for years, but not for eating.

Mine are from @Molpet. The two I have right now are Narraganset mixes I believe. I specifically raised them for eating. I would like to keep some around for amusement, but they are too tasty and my run isn't large enough for more than a few at a time with the chickens I already have.

 

[BReeder!]

@WhyDoILikeChickens I have driven past your house at least a dozen times in the past two weeks. My sister moved into her new home and the route to get there takes me right past your house to get into Van Esch (I think I spelled that correct). I've been helping her and my BIL paint and get settled in. I'm not creeping on you in case you notice the same minivan going by so much. LOL.

 

[Faraday40]

I lost a BUNCH of chicks to a marauding cat. It was pulling their heads out and biting them off. We caught it in the act so finally identified the predator. Grr.

Oh that sounds like a horrifying sight! I'm glad it didn't get all of them.

 

[Faraday40]

Mine are from @Molpet. The two I have right now are Narraganset mixes I believe. I specifically raised them for eating. I would like to keep some around for amusement, but they are too tasty and my run isn't large enough for more than a few at a time with the chickens I already have.

I agree!

.... But I decided to only eat one - since my dad's 91 & we won't be getting the big family together this year bc of Covid.

Due to my kids (and less need for turkey meat this year), I rehomed the other 2 - where we can visit.


@Molpet 's turkeys are great.
Not aggressive, offer some predator protection, and taste good.
Mine like to photo-bomb. These pics were taken a few days ago.

He thinks he's so handsome that I must always take his photo. I may actually miss him next week (only a little). I'm sure by spring I'll forget all about how much I complained about the turkeys, and want poults again. LOL