Maine

[ashandvine]

Does anyone in here keep Anconas?

Thanks everyone for letting me (not that you had a choice) vent. I hate to cull without premeditation. I don't put my birds in purses (despite my avatar) but they are cared for and rather like pets. Useful ones It seems that everyone is recovering fine and despite that one Brahma having an issue its only my Houdans who have the eye issue. I'm taking a guess that because of their cavernous nostrils they are more likely to get crud in there and have issues but I am still reading. Their eyes are still a bit wet from being treated but otherwise no crusties. I am hoping that the weather will even out and I won't have anymore issues. I am hot n heavy on some of my breeding now so having to take a break to build a whole new coop or not bring the ones I bought here would be a pain in the can. Quarantine is just not big enough an area.

 

[buckabucka]

I have only one Ancona. I really like her, -good layer, and pretty, somewhat skittish.

 

[MustardTiger]

One of my Roo's is stumbling around like he is drunk and I don't know what is wrong with him. I have him isolated, and he is drinking fine and eating like a pig, but his legs don't seem to want to work. I don't feel a break (but I'm no medical expert), and he seems bright and alert. Has anyone had this problem or know what it might be ?

It sounds like what happened to my hen with Marek's disease (or so is my very best guess). Google it, also there are some youtube videos of it.

 

[ashandvine]

I have only one Ancona. I really like her, -good layer, and pretty, somewhat skittish.

I was thinking about using them to try to breed with my Houdans to try to get the correct mottling back into them. No one seems to have good Mottled Houdans anymore. I love the appearance of the Spangled Hamburgs and now Anconas. A great source directed me to try this. If my Houdans survive this sinus thing I would like to try anyway. DH calls all my crested Muppet birds. I just love that-- old time Muppet fan here. I want, at this hopeful, sunshiney moment, to breed Ams, Muppets and Marans. What I read about Maran roos doesn't make me excited but maybe it will be okay. How did you get yours?

 

[buckabucka]

I have only one Ancona. I really like her, -good layer, and pretty, somewhat skittish.

I was thinking about using them to try to breed with my Houdans to try to get the correct mottling back into them.  No one seems to have good Mottled Houdans anymore. I love the appearance of the Spangled Hamburgs and now Anconas.   A great source directed me to try this.  If my Houdans survive this sinus thing I would like to try anyway.  DH calls all my crested Muppet birds.  I just love that-- old time Muppet fan here.  I want, at this hopeful, sunshiney moment, to breed Ams, Muppets and Marans.  What I read about Maran roos doesn't make me excited but maybe it will be okay.  How did you get yours?

The way I got my Ancona was to make my poor DH drive all the way to Lubec to pick up some birds! What I was really after was the Ameraucanas she advertised. The ad specified they were not EE's, but alas, two of the three were EEs. But the birds were cheap, and I got a Barnevelder too, and my favorite, a golden cuckoo Marans. She lays a beautiful dark egg when she is not broody, and she is big and round like my lone Brahma, which I like too. So overall, good purchase, but really long drive for DH.
Now I will finally get a few Ameraucanas at chickenstock!

 

[MaineGigi]

Where is chickenstock? I'd definately like to go to that!! I just noticed that your in Fairfield, so am I! Small world!
Cathy

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Does anyone in here keep Anconas?

Thanks everyone for letting me (not that you had a choice) vent. I hate to cull without premeditation. I don't put my birds in purses (despite my avatar) but they are cared for and rather like pets. Useful ones It seems that everyone is recovering fine and despite that one Brahma having an issue its only my Houdans who have the eye issue. I'm taking a guess that because of their cavernous nostrils they are more likely to get crud in there and have issues but I am still reading. Their eyes are still a bit wet from being treated but otherwise no crusties. I am hoping that the weather will even out and I won't have anymore issues. I am hot n heavy on some of my breeding now so having to take a break to build a whole new coop or not bring the ones I bought here would be a pain in the can. Quarantine is just not big enough an area.

I was thinking about using them to try to breed with my Houdans to try to get the correct mottling back into them. No one seems to have good Mottled Houdans anymore. I love the appearance of the Spangled Hamburgs and now Anconas. A great source directed me to try this. If my Houdans survive this sinus thing I would like to try anyway. DH calls all my crested Muppet birds. I just love that-- old time Muppet fan here. I want, at this hopeful, sunshiney moment, to breed Ams, Muppets and Marans. What I read about Maran roos doesn't make me excited but maybe it will be okay. How did you get yours?

I have two ancona roosters that are thisclose to being butchered... This was one of them many weeks ago, they're much more mature (and delicious) looking now. Let me know if you're looking for roosters. I got them from someone here on BYC as part of a swap...

 

[buckabucka]

Where is chickenstock? I'd definately like to go to that!! I just noticed that your in Fairfield, so am I! Small world!
Cathy

Chickenstock is a very long drive (4 and a 1/2 hours), in Claremont, NH. I've already paid for some lavender Ameraucanas, so I'm definitely going, despite the drive.
You can read all about it here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...chickenstock-nh-july-7-2012-come-one-come-all

 

[echosrevenge]

Ooh, I wish our second coop was done! We're just down in Damariscotta, and he is gorgeous. But our current awesome rooster is part game cock, and while he's OK with the Faverolle cockerels for now, I'm hesitant to introduce another adult bird to him. I hope you can find someone to take him!

 

[superchemicalgirl]

I have an opportunity to pick up two young nubian goats, half-siblings, boy and girl. The boy isn't fixed yet, and they aren't weaned yet (but will be). The friend has also offered instead 2 females that are milkers, but said that's probably too much for me to handle right now being goat-naive, that at least young ones will give me some time to get used to them as they grow up before adding more responsibilities.

I've been thinking of doing goats for some time now, and the major thing stopping me is a lack of "clear space" on my property. I have a narrow property (although it is 4+ acres) and most of it is wooded. I really don't have a good area to keep them in. I'm also worried a bit (if I figure out where to put them) about the time commitment in winter. My birds take a lot of time because I have to shovel and snowblow after each storm or they won't come outside. Their pen is really big so it takes at least an hour to do after each storm. Are the goats similar in that they are wussies in snow? He has a 3 sided shelter that he's also willing to give me, is that enough in the winter or will I have to build a barn? He's only had goats the one winter, and it was mild last year so I guess the shelter worked. Do goats need winter jackets? How do you water them in winter?