"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[LindaB220]

I've got the run set up with the doors in the coop to divide it into three sections when the birds get to that point. I'm guessing I'll be dividing the roosters from the hens when needed and the new chicks from the older birds in the future. The ultimate goal is to let them free range in the areas surrounding the coop. I may build another run in the future. Right now I have to recuperate from the present build and let my pocket book take a break.

Cody

I can imagine Cody, so proud of you. I have been reading an article (which I can't find) that tells about a woman that has raised chickens for years. Really going into egg production the last 4-5 years. She has feed back on the best birds to get. I think she started with Brown Leghorns and was enthused for a while. They did not reach hype on production. Especially 2nd yr. Then she tried Easter eggers. Nope. Not good enough. Third year she tried New Hampshire pullets. Bingo! She said they are the best at production, good at foraging and feed thrifty. Big enough to be a good meal. Now she plans to order 50 pullets in Sept. Why? She said that spring chickens usually don't start laying before 6 or 7 mo and by then it's molting time and they won't lay good until spring. She said the Sept pullets start in spring and start off with big eggs and produce about one a day. Or close. I think I'm going to order some for production next year. I wish I'd known about this a couple of months ago. All six of my girls are at leat 6-7 mo old and nobody is laying. Getting red on the comb so I'm hopeful.

Another thing I've been thinking about is the winter weather. Here's a site about how to get internet when the power is down.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...214f12-21b9-11e2-8448-81b1ce7d6978_story.html

 

[LindaB220]

She's in the bush area close to my area. Good to see you back on! You've been missed.

Thanks Sweetie, computer problems are a pita.

 

[LindaB220]

Thank you Pam. I'll certainly keep your offer in mind.

It leads me to the question I've been wanting ask for advice or what would you guys do?

First, my goal is for eggs and meat using a dual purpose breed to free range. From what I've read the barred rocks are a good dual purpose bird.
Since I've started with the rocks albeit not my first choice but pickins are slim this time of year. I'm considering another order of rocks from a different hatchery to prevent inbreeding.
Right now I have a straight run of 32 from Ideal. I could order another straight run of 30 from another hatchery. I know I will have to do some heavy culling on the cocks and some of the hens will become table fare also. In other words I guess I'm trying to build a good base to work towards breeding. I've read that hatchery stock can be improved upon by introducing better blood lines(which I could do in the future).
I've also read that if breeding hatchery birds your just gonna have hatchery stock. I don't want to show the birds but I'd like to have good quality genetics to produce healthy, egg and meat producing birds. I've certainly got a lot to learn when it comes to picking out what I would want to breed for and understanding the different types of breeding methods.

Anyone have some input for what I should do? Or what would you guys do?

Cody

Don't buy any yet. I have got the best birds in the country. One rooster and 3 hens. I can be raising them in the next couple of months. Or get you eggs if you want. I want the quality of good White rocks to be down in the La area. People don't know the difference. Do a search at the top for Blosl White Rocks and you will find threads and pictures. Oh man, quality. Also search for Weaver Rocks. He inherited them when Bob died last year and he also has XW Ranch poultry. I have both. They look the same but the Blosl has the silver gene and will make sex links with New Hampshire pullets. With these you will have over 20 years of breeding done for you. Seriously. I'll help you.

Edited: Of course, these are whites. If you want Barred Ken Weaver sells those also. $40 + $15 shipping for eggs. Here's a picture.

http://www.xwpoultryranch.com/Home_Page.php

 

[campingshaws]

Thanks y'all. I really don't think there's much more I can do for her, short of a vet visit and antibiotics (which aren't really options right now). If I can manage to get some food in her I would feel a lot better.

History: A few weeks my roo got fowl pox. Last week I noticed it really affecting the whole flock with several decreased appetites and a few eyes affected. I went bird by bird and took pictures, then gave drops of VetRX, washed and treated eyes, and swabbed combs/wattles with iodine. Almost total flock improvement overnight. Except Evangeline. I isolated her so I could monitor her food/water intake.

Now she's in my bathroom. At this point, she hasn't eaten in two days and the only water I've given her with a dropper. Every few breaths she raises her head and gasps (reminds me of sleep apnea). I've removed all the patches I can from her mouth, but I can't see if there are any in the throat. She does seem overly weak in the basket, but as soon as she gets in my lap she's fast asleep. I'm sending husband to town for something to tube feed her with.

That's where I am right now. Everyone else seems fine.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

Don't buy any yet. I have got the best birds in the country. One rooster and 3 hens. I can be raising them in the next couple of months. Or get you eggs if you want. I want the quality of good White rocks to be down in the La area. People don't know the difference. Do a search at the top for Blosl White Rocks and you will find threads and pictures. Oh man, quality. Also search for Weaver Rocks. He inherited them when Bob died last year and he also has XW Ranch poultry. I have both. They look the same but the Blosl has the silver gene and will make sex links with New Hampshire pullets. With these you will have over 20 years of breeding done for you. Seriously. I'll help you.

Edited: Of course, these are whites. If you want Barred Ken Weaver sells those also. $40 + $15 shipping for eggs. Here's a picture.

http://www.xwpoultryranch.com/Home_Page.php

Absolutely what I was going to say -- buy from a breeder & you have years of work already done for you.

I had good bloodlines for a while, then both my husband & myself got laid off, he retired early, I am finally back at work but family illness & setbacks in the meantime forced me to end my breeding program. I am fixing to get back into it with Rhode Island Reds -- hatching from the same breeder I originally had bought some -- lines over 60 years old & I know from personal experience they are big enough for dual purpose and also good layers -- and also want to add some Bielefelders. My RIR's crossed on Barred Rocks will produce Rhodebars, which will also make sex links.

I started w/hatchery birds, got hooked into the fever, had some excellent quality lines of Welsummers, still have 3 of those, some Cuckoo Marans, still have 2 of those - -both near 10 years of age but still producing occasionally - and one lone Andalusian I've had forever, my only white egg producer -she's a good 8 yrs old herself. Quality lines live longer & are healthier overall than hatchery.

 

[Cody A]

Don't buy any yet. I have got the best birds in the country. One rooster and 3 hens. I can be raising them in the next couple of months. Or get you eggs if you want. I want the quality of good White rocks to be down in the La area. People don't know the difference. Do a search at the top for Blosl White Rocks and you will find threads and pictures. Oh man, quality. Also search for Weaver Rocks. He inherited them when Bob died last year and he also has XW Ranch poultry. I have both. They look the same but the Blosl has the silver gene and will make sex links with New Hampshire pullets. With these you will have over 20 years of breeding done for you. Seriously. I'll help you.

Edited: Of course, these are whites. If you want Barred Ken Weaver sells those also. $40 + $15 shipping for eggs. Here's a picture.

http://www.xwpoultryranch.com/Home_Page.php

Ok. I'll take you guys advice(couldn't get the multi quote to work) I won't order anymore hatchery birds.

Linda, wasn't it you that had the Marraduna eggs going? I've actually wanted to talk with you about this since were close together on the map. Perhaps we could get something going. I'm open to all ideas and suggestions. I'd love to get some help from you. It would be great.

Cody

 

[rlcrow]

Okay did some research and got a farm bulk price for scratch and peck organic non GMO later feed. For a ton it brings the price if a #40 bag down to $19.91 per bag. It would take quite a few of us to make it work though. I'm in the Covington area and we can meet there after it is delivered. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[rlcrow]

Victoria had her beautiful baby girl!! Congratulations!! Welcome little one!!

Aww! So precious!

 

[Ron Skekel]

Thanks y'all. I really don't think there's much more I can do for her, short of a vet visit and antibiotics (which aren't really options right now). If I can manage to get some food in her I would feel a lot better.

History: A few weeks my roo got fowl pox. Last week I noticed it really affecting the whole flock with several decreased appetites and a few eyes affected. I went bird by bird and took pictures, then gave drops of VetRX, washed and treated eyes, and swabbed combs/wattles with iodine. Almost total flock improvement overnight. Except Evangeline. I isolated her so I could monitor her food/water intake.

Now she's in my bathroom. At this point, she hasn't eaten in two days and the only water I've given her with a dropper. Every few breaths she raises her head and gasps (reminds me of sleep apnea). I've removed all the patches I can from her mouth, but I can't see if there are any in the throat. She does seem overly weak in the basket, but as soon as she gets in my lap she's fast asleep. I'm sending husband to town for something to tube feed her with.

That's where I am right now. Everyone else seems fine.

You should add raw honey to the water it will give her added nutrition with the dropper. Do you have experience with tube feeding chickens? I would try to keep getting her to drink on her own. I would also get the 3 packets of electrolytes and probitiotcs. This will help establish the good bacteria which is killed when on meds. If you don't get her to respond soon you will lose her. Cook her an egg of you can try raw. This is some of the things we did to save primrose. With out these other things she would have died. Pam

 

[LindaB220]

Ok. I'll take you guys advice(couldn't get the multi quote to work) I won't order anymore hatchery birds.

Linda, wasn't it you that had the Marraduna eggs going? I've actually wanted to talk with you about this since were close together on the map. Perhaps we could get something going. I'm open to all ideas and suggestions. I'd love to get some help from you. It would be great.

Cody

Sorry, that's one of the things I had to put on the back burner. Until spring, that is. Yes, we definitely will get with you on those. CackleJoy in Ca is selling them $30 + $15 or so shipping. Cheap at the price because it's a breed that came over several years ago and she has the new breed rooster that comes directly from Spain. No inbreeding at all. We need to both do these and occasionally swap chicks to diversify the strain. Sandhill Preservation sells them in the spring but you can only get 10 at one time and make up the 25 ct order with other birds. I'm thinking about doing this as another strain. They also have very good New Hampshires and Delawares. But it's not one of the instant order places. I ordered in Feb. last year and set a delivery date of maybe May. But I cancelled it. This time I'm ordering when I get the money in December or so. Contact me PM if you want to split an order. I'll gett NH and Delawares and you get the Marraduna.