June Hatch-A-Long

[chickiebaby1]

Anyone else joining on the broody train?

I have 2 right now. They each have their own space.

 

[GhislaineDel]

So, I have a week to get the brooder ready. Heat source, bedding, food and water containers I have already. I need to buy chick feed and maybe electrolytes/probiotics to have on hand. Anything else you folks like to have on hand? While I have hatched and raised quail and guineas, this is a first for chickens.

 

[Hucklekree]

We currently have 7 guineas from a batch I raised 3 years ago. I am done with the noise of them. When the chickens from the batch in the incubator start laying, I will be learning how to butcher guineas! My 11-year-old keeps asking when we are going to murder them. I think she's done with the noise too!

I too ventured into guineas and everyone in my house by the 7 month of ownership was over the noise. We went from 12 guineas to none in about a week. I only bring up getting more for a good laugh. I believe, regardless of how useful they are for tick control, that they are at the bottom of the list of animals we like and the top of the animals we don't like and will never have again.

 

[GhislaineDel]

I need to find the reference I saw to a study that somehow tracked the number of ticks eaten by a guinea versus the number eaten by a chicken. The difference was minor enough to make me decide to switch to chickens!

 

[FortCluck]

I need to find the reference I saw to a study that somehow tracked the number of ticks eaten by a guinea versus the number eaten by a chicken. The difference was minor enough to make me decide to switch to chickens!

Hmmm interesting. I honestly want to free range a few of my chickens, but I have to convince my husband

 

[jolenesdad]

Hmmm interesting. I honestly want to free range a few of my chickens, but I have to convince my husband

If they’ve been cooped, they should convert to “yarding”’well where you can let them out just a few hours to range while you’re home. I can get my chickens that are normally out 8-10 hours back in within ten minutes even when I had 50-60 meat birds and 20-30 layers at once.

 

[jolenesdad]

Probably by the time you find a buyer she will be all done with the chicks. And I'm betting in the stress of the change she would dump the chicks if you sold them all together. Besides, with her fighting the hawk so well I'd think she'd be an asset at the new place. If you are taking chickens I mean.
When I moved I brought only some of my chickens with me, but chose them carefully for specific reasons.

This covid stuff is crazy. I had a buyer for the chicks in 20 minutes. I also sold five twelve week olds for 100 bucks and had ten responses. Should I have charged MORE?!? Wow.

I left one olive egger pullet with mom. She is happy with that. I think they’ll avoid the hawk it was too much with 13 babies. We will see.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

We have pulled tons of ticks off so far and it’s not even summer. It’s ridiculous.

I did have less ticks when they were around. But I also found a bottle of bug spray to be easier to use and much quieter.

I too ventured into guineas and everyone in my house by the 7 month of ownership was over the noise. We went from 12 guineas to none in about a week. I only bring up getting more for a good laugh. I believe, regardless of how useful they are for tick control, that they are at the bottom of the list of animals we like and the top of the animals we don't like and will never have again.

Ditto that

I need to find the reference I saw to a study that somehow tracked the number of ticks eaten by a guinea versus the number eaten by a chicken. The difference was minor enough to make me decide to switch to chickens!

Pfft, my chickens were like- Tick??! Ewwww, NO.

This covid stuff is crazy. I had a buyer for the chicks in 20 minutes. I also sold five twelve week olds for 100 bucks and had ten responses. Should I have charged MORE?!? Wow.

I left one olive egger pullet with mom. She is happy with that. I think they’ll avoid the hawk it was too much with 13 babies. We will see.

Sheesh, I need to live in TX.
More? Probably, by the time you figure time, hassle, and chick starter feed, you probably just broke even at $20 each.

 

[jolenesdad]

I did have less ticks when they were around. But I also found a bottle of bug spray to be easier to use and much quieter.

Ditto that

Pfft, my chickens were like- Tick??! Ewwww, NO.

Sheesh, I need to live in TX.
More? Probably, by the time you figure time, hassle, and chick starter feed, you probably just broke even at $20 each.

Eh, who cares. Needed ALL the room for my geese.

 

[SnapdragonQ]

**melts into a complete puddle**