Michigan

[keyt1969]

So, lots of talk about chicks, but I want some full grown, laying hens. Anyone want to let go of some? Want a couple roosters?? (Hope Aric doesn't see me say that! LOL)

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
Well what does that slacker think she is doing? Tell her people are WAITING!!!

LOL! If you don't mind, I'll be patient. I'd really like some just plain Partridge, though I'll take some color crosses with them and see what we get too when the time comes. That might be interesting.

 

[michickenwrangler]

I lecture her everyday, but it doesn't seem to help.

In mid Feb. I'll start them on their breeder diet. Around what time of year does everyone else's non-winter laying hens lay? Is it around the equinox? After?

I've got my breeder vitamins, meal worms and grass-fed beef. So I should have nice, healthy chicks this time around.

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
Everyone likes their layers! LOL! I do have some ladies slated for cull in the next couple of months, but I can't let them go for free and have no use for a rooster unless you've got a roo of exceptional dual purpose quality and then it's dependent on his breed. I would be happy to sell you a couple, but honestly if you wait until spring and then frequent some swaps you'd probably be able to find some older (2 year old) hens for less than what I can let these ladies go for. Even the little ones -- which are the ones I've got to cull -- make $12-$15 worth of chicken sausage. Mine would be younger, but if you get some 2 year old ISAs or other hybrids they'll lay just as well as a younger heritage breed in good care.

It's a bit of a drive for you, but there's almost always ISAs at the spring swaps in St. Louis if you can't find them elsewhere. They have a swap up there at the stockyards monthly, Spring through Fall. I believe they generally start in March. If not April. Laying hens usually go pretty quickly so if you go, get there early. Only draw back to that route of course is 1) you have the gas into driving all over to swaps and no guarantee there'll be anything suitable at any of them and 2) you can never be sure of the health status of the birds. You can't straight from someone else's farm either, but it's at least a little bit safer getting them from someplace you know the keeping habits of. Anything can be at a swap and if someone parks their good, healthy birds next to someone's unhealthy birds it could come down with something once you get it home.

Good Luck in your search!

 

[keyt1969]

Quote:
Everyone likes their layers! LOL! I do have some ladies slated for cull in the next couple of months, but I can't let them go for free and have no use for a rooster unless you've got a roo of exceptional dual purpose quality and then it's dependent on his breed. I would be happy to sell you a couple, but honestly if you wait until spring and then frequent some swaps you'd probably be able to find some older (2 year old) hens for less than what I can let these ladies go for. Even the little ones -- which are the ones I've got to cull -- make $12-$15 worth of chicken sausage. Mine would be younger, but if you get some 2 year old ISAs or other hybrids they'll lay just as well as a younger heritage breed in good care.

It's a bit of a drive for you, but there's almost always ISAs at the spring swaps in St. Louis if you can't find them elsewhere. They have a swap up there at the stockyards monthly, Spring through Fall. I believe they generally start in March. If not April. Laying hens usually go pretty quickly so if you go, get there early. Only draw back to that route of course is 1) you have the gas into driving all over to swaps and no guarantee there'll be anything suitable at any of them and 2) you can never be sure of the health status of the birds. You can't straight from someone else's farm either, but it's at least a little bit safer getting them from someplace you know the keeping habits of. Anything can be at a swap and if someone parks their good, healthy birds next to someone's unhealthy birds it could come down with something once you get it home.

Good Luck in your search!

haha thanks but umm, my Isa's are the dumbest birds out there! Not to mention the piggiest too. I know everyone likes to hold onto their layers, that comment was more of a joke. These roo's are very gorgeous and huge but they don't like being separated from each other so they make too much noise and they're getting on my nerves. If all I had were big birds then they wouldn't have to be separated.
I've wanted to go to one of those swaps but yes, they are far away. All we have is Aric's older model Silverado which is only ok on gas mileage. I can't wait til I can take my car out of storage, it's so much better on gas!!!

 

[chickflick]

No walking today. Got a cortisone shot in my foot today and man it is hurting!!

It's snowing and looks so pretty.

 

[wansul]

Quote:
Hey Celia,

They are beautiful!!!

Wanda

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
Youch! Hope you're feeling better soon.

 

[wansul]

Quote:

I'm sorry.. couldn't help it, but rabbit farm... feckin farm..

 

[Olive Hill]

Tonight I brought home a new toy that will keep me busy throughout -- and thus brighten -- the rest of my winter days (or at least some of them). I thought I'd give you all some clues so you can busy yourselves speculating as to what it is until I get some pictures uploaded. (Where is that evil genius smiley when I need it?

)

1) It's Brown
2) It's Heavy
3) It may result in many, many MORE things to occupy my time

Ready.... Set..... Guess!