Maine

I really don't know how you can weed out the folks who want them for a free meal, vs the ones who want them for breeding, to tell you the truth. Hoping that folks would be honest, but... that's not always the case. I'm fine with processing them for my table, but would be willing to send them to an other flock for breeding purposes.
 
I think you're right, and that's almost exactly what hubby and I figure is at work.  He still buried it out in the woods to be safe.  The rest of the flock, including the silkies, seemed to be quite robust and active tonight, so life goes on.

On a brighter note, one of our easter eggers has started a tentative attempt at a crow.  It's coming out a bit like "Cock-a-do-a-CRACK" but he's trying.  Very precocious! There is also at least one silkie with a comb developing, which is great to see.  Am I right in assuming that even though they're tough to sex, a comb is a male indicator?

Hi & welcome! This is my first year with Silkies & of the 5 chicks I raised/sold/rehomed, 2 were cockerels. I know they are really hard to sex but I had my suspicions early on with both of them by their more aggressive behaviors. I also read some posts about how the males will have more of an area on their fore heads for a comb. It's almost like a small triangle area. I definitely am NO expert but this is just what I've noticed & read. I now have 2 Silkie pullets & one is broody & sitting on 5 fertile eggs (3 Silkie & 2 Polish). I purchased the eggs because I'm not allowed to have a rooster where we live. The hatch date should be around New Years-so exciting! Definitely will be pictures!!
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I was wondering how you guys find homes for excess roosters? I have four that are crosses between a RI Red and a WCBP who hid and hatched them out who are absolutely stunning. The few CL responses  I have gotten all want them for eating and I would rather them not be, though I know that sounds sentimental. So is there a way to weed out those who just want a cheap meal (and a very small one as they are on the scrawny sided because of the polish)?

I've had good luck finding homes for my roos on the local chicken FB pages. It seems like most of the people on there have their chickens for pets. Good luck!
 
Hello all,
Sadly I think I must part with my flock. Right now we are moving 2 hours away and selling our house. I am also pregnant and unable to do much of anything because of how sick and exhausted I feel all of the time. There are about 17 hens and one bcm roo. Mixed flock with some pure ams, buff orps, black giants, silver Gray dorking, wyandottes and barred rocks. If you are interested, I would need them moved by Dec 30th. I am located near cumbetland center. I would love for one person to take all but I know that may be a stretch. Please pm me if interested.
 
Coyotes were out howling up a storm when I went out to tend the flock this morning. Interestingly enough, they stayed in their run most of the day. Didn't venture out until around 3 PM. I wonder if coyotes came in close b/c I took the 2 cockrels out of the coop last night. They weren't happy. They spent about 10 minutes slamming into walls and screaming their heads off before I finally caught each of them. Those boys were very good fliers, but obviously blind after dark. They spent the night in the little coop, then... it was roo rodeo again this morning. They're much quieter in the fridge. Egg count up today. I think I got 16!
 
I always thought egg numbers were strictly bound to day length(and age of the hen), but this year, with our warm weather, I'm finding that temperature is a factor too. Egg numbers are climbing. Too bad I just wormed them, since I am tossing the eggs. Winter appears to be imminent, so I expect egg numbers will go down again.

I found some rat tunnels in the chicken run today, - the run which is totally lined with hardware cloth. I dug down, and the tunnels don't appear to exit anywhere. One thing I noticed when the rats were digging into the hoop coop, is they always tried to create another exit. They would come in one way, and then I would find several attempts at digging their way out (sometimes successful, sometimes not). Maybe they do this for safety? Anyway, since the run is totally sealed under the floor, I started looking for other breaches. There is a small hole at ground level by the door hinge, so I sealed that up today. I'll be interested to see if any new tunnels appear overnight...
 

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