Introducing my chooks

[AllenK RGV]

Hi Allenk.
We currently have 8 samartura eggs in the incubator.

If you free range your chooks you are going to love Sumatra they are hawk proof and great foragers. Sure they lay small eggs, but their ability to evade being prey items is amazing they are good fliers as well for avoiding day time ground predators. We have had two hawks slam into the house trying to get at them(at least we have observed 2). During the spring/summer/fall months we don't bother with supplemental feed for them outside of oyster shell and some wild bird seed as scratch in the AM and PM. Do be careful around Sumatra roosters in spring as they can get aggressive and require being put on tie-outs or penned as that is their breeding/fighting season. I have yet to have a cockerel not get hormonal and fiesty to date. The one I raised out to the rooster stage was great for me until Springtime happened. Some folks think I am unconventional but those people don't keep Sumatra with year round forage.

The silkies on the other hand do require year round supplemental feeding but shaving vision back on to their heads helps them to be much better foragers and all around chicken. The silkie roos are the first in line for their haircuts as we need them alert. The silkies belong to my wife I don't claim them or name them like she does.

 

[Chicken boy 111]

Which ones are your favourites.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Which ones are your favourites.

If that was directed my way, my sumatra and the feral OEGB as I never have to worry about them. I always worry about those silkies, some day this winter my wife is going to wake me up screaming because a hawk got one. Most of the lower 48's hawks either come through here or reside here for winter. To get a better idea watch Birders on Netflix. It is a short documentary on my part of the world. It is just our geography it funnels so many transient hawks through our region. To be fair we are fortunate in that it also funnels so many other desirable song birds through as well.

Now how did your hatch go? I have had two(Sumatra) hatches in a row fail for me with mailed eggs. I guess I need to drive up to north Texas and pick up eggs from a breeder who has the stock I want so I will be able to baby those eggs as USPS hasn't. I just looked at the trip up there it is only $75 or so in gas money(in the small FIAT Renegade) and since I am already out $150 in ruined eggs seems a bargain at only an 8 hour drive each way. Plus the renegade rides so smooth on the road vs that off road vehicle so shouldn't shake the eggs so badly.

 

[CalBickieMomma]

Such sweet little bickies!!!

 

[Chicken boy 111]

Allenk they haven't hatched yet but so far one has pipped. I will keep you updated on the hatch.

 

[Chicken boy 111]

Can you see the pip in the egg it's a bit blurry.

 

[Chicken boy 111]

The samartura close to hatching,!.

 

[Chicken boy 111]

He's pretty close.

 

[ValerieJ]

He's pretty close.

That is exciting!

 

[Chicken boy 111]

He's getting closer.