Michigan

[Ooopsy_daisy]

FLYINGFCHICK Our first ISA was so friendly and curious that we went and got 2 more from Opa. They are by far our favorites. I would love to see them free range to see what mischief

Im sure the ISA's you got from Opa are from my birds. I gave him 4 that were from March 30 2010 hatch. I love my ISA browns. They are the most loving birds I have ever raised. So if you happen to want anymore to add to your flock just send me an email. As I dont come on BYC very often. Glad you are enjoying them as much as we do.​

 

[A2SciTeach]

We have no voles, groundhogs or rabbit damage - our killer miniature dachshund makes short work of them all. He's nine pounds of viciousness, digs them up, chases them down and shakes them dead.

Of course we have to keep him away from the chickens and ducks or he would treat them the same way.

You Isa owners, can you tell me if they are a dual purpose bird? How large do they get and are they avid free range birds?

 

[wyliefarms]

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Not much meat on my Isa's. I think they are worth it for the size of the egg though! They are our most requested size egg from customers.

 

[wyliefarms]

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Way to go!

 

[wyliefarms]

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Sarah,
Our first ISA was so friendly and curious that we went and got 2 more from Opa. They are by far our favorites. I would love to see them free range to see what mischief they could get in to, but we have a chocolate lab that would love them for lunch and our neighbors dog would be there to join her

One of them will fly up and sit on my husband's shoulder or head. I am so happy to have them!

I know what you mean about time flying. I can't believe that my daughter is 4 already. I had time to enjoy her and have vowed that I will enjoy Kaitlyn while she is tiny too. I am not looking forward to Cassie starting school next year as I have heard that one day they are starting Kindergarten and the next day they are going off to college. Once they start school they get their own little lives that don't involve you as much as you would like, I guess. Wow, so many c-sections in 5 years is a lot. They say that they are harder every time. This was my 2nd and it was harder on me. My friend just had #3 and her Dr said it was pretty difficult for him with all of the scar tissue.

Have a great day! Wish the weather from Friday and Saturday would stick around, but I guess it is going to get steamy again!

Our black lab is fine with the chickens, but they were here first. He was standing in the coop door this morning and all the bantams flew right over him and he just watched them. He is very friendly with them...he follows them around waiting for them to go poo so he can eat it!

I have loved homeschooling my kids. We get to know each other better and I dont' have to deal with all the social dramas that the school kids do. The girls are pursueing their hobbies and my oldest two each have a little business. Rachel is the chickens-eggs and chicks. Emily knits hats and scarfs and sells them. Mainly newborn size/doll size, but she takes custom orders too.

Yes, I agree on the c-sections. If I remember right, this may be the last one her doctor says she can safely have. (We dont' see them much, they live in Grand Rapids) But then, she will be adopting kids. They have been trying to adopt one from Africa, but my cousin is always pregnant it seems and cannot travel over to finalize an adoption. With that many young ones, I would go insane! I would have to have lots of chickens to fix that

 

[wyliefarms]

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Still just 2 chicks but at least 5 eggs have pips!

 

[Ooopsy_daisy]

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The ISA's are a med sized bird. Not much meat to them at all. But being color sex linked you know you have all hens. Their eggs are Large to Jumbo and they will lay usually one a day. I cannot say enough about how friendly they are. Mine follow me around while Im doing chores, talking away like I know what they are saying. When its popcorn time in the morning and Im late, I hear about it. LOL I love my Isa's. Mine free range all day and stick close to my yard. Only once in a while they'll venture down where I cant see them , but not often at all. They are great free rangers and cost hardly anything to fee in the warm months. If you want to add some to your flock just let me know, I usually have a bunch of chicks a few times a year. Will have some here in the next month or 2

 

[FlyingFChick]

Oopsie,
I am sure you will have some next spring, right? We are at full capacity right now, but who knows what will happen over the winter and we want to expand our coop and run. Being a chicken owner is so addicting!!! We want to fill in with ISAs and Americaunas. (My little girl gets a big kick out of the blue eggs!) I would love to get some ISAs from you next year.

 

[Ooopsy_daisy]

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Yes I usually have hens at point of lay come spring. They sell out quickly too. And once in a while I'll have some chicks then to. Dont worry if I dont have anything when you're ready, we'll find someone that does.

 

[Ferrret]

So 5 is now 4. Our brahma has been showing signs of being a rooster, red comb and face, wattles are starting to get bigger, possessive over everything and grabbing the black silkies by the back of the neck. Well the past couple of days we have also started hearing the beginnings of crowing coming out of the brahma, and he nearly got a whole crow out today, so a friend has just left with him. He's gonna live out on some farm land with a few goats and hopefully he isn't gotten by any hawks, cats or coyotes.

The other chicks were a little panicked and called out for brahma for a little bit, but they seem to have settled down now.

As for the groundhogs, the ultimate plan is to use a .22 on them, but catching them in a live trap makes it easier to get them than trying to shoot a moving target.