Maine

[hoppy]

I thought you learned things about showing! lol Yes, everyone is on about foxes. Thankfully I have none yet but I might have a bear which could prove interesting

I'm sure clover did learn about showing, it's all about watching what people do to get the birds ready from combing and fluffing, clipping nails and making sure your bird is clean, clean, clean. how to put it in the show cage get it to stand up and show its self off, you learn all this just by watching. you also see those that are not showing and you can tell because the birds really should have stayed home being that dirty. personally, i don't buy birds that look dirty, no matter how cheap they are.

 

[Clover Run]

I'm sure clover did learn about showing, it's all about watching what people do to get the birds ready from combing and fluffing, clipping nails and making sure your bird is clean, clean, clean. how to put it in the show cage get it to stand up and show its self off, you learn all this just by watching. you also see those that are not showing and you can tell because the birds really should have stayed home being that dirty. personally, i don't buy birds that look dirty, no matter how cheap they are.

Thank you Hoppy! Yes I did learn all that and that is why I went. Sorry AshandVine I should have been more articulate. It was my first show and I wanted to observe the process. I only stayed for the morning but I got the gist of it. And I agree Hoppy with your assessment on cleanliness!
I saw breeds I had never seen in person including some African geese that were pretty majestic. Too much bird for me, but cool to see in person. I look forward to having a bird to show and to continue to learn from all the great people in the chicken community.

 

[ashandvine]

Are people just taking their birds out of the dust bath?? I mean, even here without a show my birds look clean. A couple of my hens are getting overmated by the roo though and need those saddle things or for him to stay inside. The latter is easier right now. This year, outside of learning, has been a bit of a wash. I had all these hopes initially and LEARNED that I have a ways to go in setting myself up for what I was hoping for ie showing and breeding. I must share with the only folks who care at all that my DH got pallets to build with! You don't know how much of a step this is. He has been on about how he was going to build me this and that for a while. I would build my own but with the baby and what not that isn't as easy as it sounded initially. The geese need a house. The ducks too, and then there are my little Marans who are rapidly outgrowing the rabbit-size space they are in. I am eager to have a few small houses and runs so that I can be more careful about breeding who I want and not worrying about mixing things up.

Warning: Rant about to follow: I spent a lot of money on two geese this year that were 'guaranteed' to be purebred Sebastopols. yeah. Well, guess, what folks? (annoying buzzer sounds here) They are NOT. They are crosses and it couldn't be any more obvious than that they have tufts on their heads. They are Roman Tufted Sebastopol crosses. I am not a very confrontational person. It never gets me anywhere, but I am pretty peeved that I spent soooo much money on them only to have them be crosses. They are nice geese and I work with a little everyday-- bought them at two weeks, so they are friendly. Thebes and Gracie. I don't want him to take them back really but they aren't what I was intending to work with either. I don't plan to do anything with these and now I am in a weird position.

That's all. Thanks

 

[Clover Run]

Are people just taking their birds out of the dust bath?? I mean, even here without a show my birds look clean. A couple of my hens are getting overmated by the roo though and need those saddle things or for him to stay inside. The latter is easier right now. This year, outside of learning, has been a bit of a wash. I had all these hopes initially and LEARNED that I have a ways to go in setting myself up for what I was hoping for ie showing and breeding. I must share with the only folks who care at all that my DH got pallets to build with! You don't know how much of a step this is. He has been on about how he was going to build me this and that for a while. I would build my own but with the baby and what not that isn't as easy as it sounded initially. The geese need a house. The ducks too, and then there are my little Marans who are rapidly outgrowing the rabbit-size space they are in. I am eager to have a few small houses and runs so that I can be more careful about breeding who I want and not worrying about mixing things up.

Warning: Rant about to follow: I spent a lot of money on two geese this year that were 'guaranteed' to be purebred Sebastopols. yeah. Well, guess, what folks? (annoying buzzer sounds here) They are NOT. They are crosses and it couldn't be any more obvious than that they have tufts on their heads. They are Roman Tufted Sebastopol crosses. I am not a very confrontational person. It never gets me anywhere, but I am pretty peeved that I spent soooo much money on them only to have them be crosses. They are nice geese and I work with a little everyday-- bought them at two weeks, so they are friendly. Thebes and Gracie. I don't want him to take them back really but they aren't what I was intending to work with either. I don't plan to do anything with these and now I am in a weird position.

That's all. Thanks

This is my first year too. Getting set up has been slow going. Similar reason a husband who doesn't see the urgency. Although I think he sees differently when I explained I could either get $3 a dozen for eating eggs or $10+ for hatching eggs! He now see why I need separate smaller coops and runs for breeding etc. So we have made a little progress. I too have a baby - 15 months as well as a 3 yr and 5 yr old. Doing things on my own is a laugh... He also just brought home some pallets - finally! We are using them as the base to build some summer coops for my new silkie flock. I need two since I will have whites and black, blue, splash. He is finishing up a small coop for my new w/c black polish. Just trimming it out now and we will put up the pen this week. I feel as though I should be further along.
What town are you in? Maybe we can go together to a show to observe etc since we are both just starting out. Also very sorry about the geese - they are my favorite and I looked into them and they are super expensive. Is it an option for you to get some hatching eggs and have a broody hen hatch them for you? Maybe you could get the real deal at much less?
Also - I would definitely be calling the seller and asking him how he would like to rectify the situation. If he did not give me a satisfactory answer - depending on how much you spent and it seems like it was alot I would probably force the issue. You did not get what you paid for and were promised.

 

[hoppy]

I found this, first paragraph regarding tufted and sebs.
http://s14.invisionfree.com/Aus_Poultry_Breeders/ar/t14.htm

I will say i know nothing (NOTHING) about geese.

Are people just taking their birds out of the dust bath?? I mean, even here without a show my birds look clean. A couple of my hens are getting overmated by the roo though and need those saddle things or for him to stay inside. The latter is easier right now. This year, outside of learning, has been a bit of a wash. I had all these hopes initially and LEARNED that I have a ways to go in setting myself up for what I was hoping for ie showing and breeding. I must share with the only folks who care at all that my DH got pallets to build with! You don't know how much of a step this is. He has been on about how he was going to build me this and that for a while. I would build my own but with the baby and what not that isn't as easy as it sounded initially. The geese need a house. The ducks too, and then there are my little Marans who are rapidly outgrowing the rabbit-size space they are in. I am eager to have a few small houses and runs so that I can be more careful about breeding who I want and not worrying about mixing things up.

Warning: Rant about to follow: I spent a lot of money on two geese this year that were 'guaranteed' to be purebred Sebastopols. yeah. Well, guess, what folks? (annoying buzzer sounds here) They are NOT. They are crosses and it couldn't be any more obvious than that they have tufts on their heads. They are Roman Tufted Sebastopol crosses. I am not a very confrontational person. It never gets me anywhere, but I am pretty peeved that I spent soooo much money on them only to have them be crosses. They are nice geese and I work with a little everyday-- bought them at two weeks, so they are friendly. Thebes and Gracie. I don't want him to take them back really but they aren't what I was intending to work with either. I don't plan to do anything with these and now I am in a weird position.

That's all. Thanks

 

[Paulajon]

WOW, you're going to have to be super vigilant. You're lucky it didn't turn on you. Dogs, cats and people have been attacked in the past month by rabid fox in Maine. I wouldn't let the birds out til DFW get out there, and would even call them today and leave a message. Sounds like you have a real problem, and unusual behavior for a fox to be so bold with you right there. Be very careful, and keep an eye on your dogs if you have, don't let the cats outside. Scarey stuff!

last year we had a fox who had a den right in the door yard under a storage building, she had three babies, we caught the babies in a hava -heart trap they had started coming out and running around, we never did get the momma fox she moved on after we blocked the den entrance and trapped the babies.we had contacted wardens and was told to not relocate them and to do away with them because of rabies, even tho they didn't appear to have problems. as far as I know because of cuts to the state of Maine, it is now up to the homeowner to take care of it themselves, not sure if this is the case with all wild predators as the laws keep changing all the time.

 

[hoppy]

for all you mainers that go to the swaps, I had to start a new thread for maine swaps. byc did an update that no longer let me update the first page where all the swaps are listed due to the age of the thread. so I started a august-dec 2012 thread.
here is a link to the new thread, please update your subscriptions.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/696822/maine-chicken-stocks-swaps-and-shows-august-dec-2012

 

[bwockbwock]

I have lots of catching up to do on past posts. It has been a rather eventful summer. First I hurt my back building a portable tractor, then as I was just getting back to moving about well I broke both bones in my ankle. Yee Haw! I sent my horse to summer camp in Albion, and my roomie and friends and caring for my birds and Porky the Potbelly pig. It sure takes a lot longer to accomplish things with the use of only one foot. The Dr said 5 weeks of non weight bearing, I am rounding out week 4 this Saturday, and have a Dr appt and Xray this afternoon so if anyone wants to send some healing mojo my way, bring it on. I have been following instructions hoping I will heal fast.
I sure hope everyone's summeris going better than mine!

Julie

 

[hoppy]

oh my gosh Julie, what a summer you have had. feel better soon.

 

[ashandvine]

I lost my first two birds to a fox. It HAD to be my favorite Marans, of course, AND the ONE cockerel...