Michigan

[keyt1969]

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I don't know how soon you need them but have you checked ebay too? My neighbor gets them on there all the time and they're pretty reasonable.

 

[M.sue]

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hahaha yeah, giving away FREE because they're the worst birds ever!!!

We were laughing today with our neighbor about how they're a terrible bird and we couldn't understand why some people love them. No one would buy mine even at $3 a piece when i wanted to go to chickenstock, then a guy who was just getting into chickens offered $20 for all 8 and I was SO excited!!! Aric hated those birds and he's the chicken fan!!

We do love the Araucanas we got from Aric's friend and another lady. They're all Araucanas but all look so different! Now if only I knew why we only get 1-2 eggs out of 30-some chickens a week!! I realize it's getting into winter but that's ridiculous! Today I walked into the barn when Aric was getting upset (not really) with them and lecturing them. I just stood there watching and trying not to laugh. It was hilarious!!

Just curious as to why you feel that ISAs are awful birds? I have 4, they started laying around 20 wks and I get an egg a day from them.
Is there something specific or you just don't like the breed.

 

[LyonFuzz]

I'm curious about that too....I plan to get a few in the spring and have only heard wonderful things about them so far.

 

[babigyrl22]

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Does yours have a fan or is it still air?

Still air. Its old and was free. I found it very easy to use.

Keyt - I thought ISA's were nice birds from what I heard, especially for egg laying.

 

[M.sue]

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Same here, thats why I got a few and they are angels. They perform like clock work. Every morning when I go out to the coop to feed I can always count on eggs already in the nesting boxes from those gals.

 

[Olive Hill]

Well, Michiganders. Looks like we're supposed to get some sun again today. Yesterday was such a nice afternoon. I could certainly stand a repeat. Just waiting for the sun to come up so I can get out there and start morning chores. Hoping the litter of pigs we had farrowed yesterday morning fared the cold night alright with their mama. It's cold out there with a good, solid frost on everything.

Speaking of daylight, it's beginning to get to that point where it's a bit of a struggle to get nighttime chores done before dark so I need to wrap up the fall prep to hopefully make it a bit easier. Last night we filled that last water trough by flashlight in the pitch black. DH has a great little headlamp that makes it not so bad, but I do prefer to do my work by the light of day when possible.

On the ISAs, if you go back through the Michigan Thread archives Keyt has said on a number of occasions that she thinks ISAs are "stupid". One reason I remember specifically is that her's preferred to stay in the run, rather than going into the coop on their own at night. I think there were other reasons, too. But that was one I remember off the top of my head.

Personally, we've always been pleased with our ISAs. Vigorous, hardy, adaptable, consistent egg-a-day gals. Couldn't ask for more.

 

[KrisRose]

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hahaha yeah, giving away FREE because they're the worst birds ever!!!

We were laughing today with our neighbor about how they're a terrible bird and we couldn't understand why some people love them. No one would buy mine even at $3 a piece when i wanted to go to chickenstock, then a guy who was just getting into chickens offered $20 for all 8 and I was SO excited!!! Aric hated those birds and he's the chicken fan!!

We do love the Araucanas we got from Aric's friend and another lady. They're all Araucanas but all look so different! Now if only I knew why we only get 1-2 eggs out of 30-some chickens a week!! I realize it's getting into winter but that's ridiculous! Today I walked into the barn when Aric was getting upset (not really) with them and lecturing them. I just stood there watching and trying not to laugh. It was hilarious!!

Both Chickflick and myself loved our ISA's. Very friendly and smart. lol Always working on how to get out of their enclosures and go free ranging. They where large egg layers which was their downfall. My 4 and Chicks 3 all died after becoming internal layers at around 2 years old. Thats the only reason I dont get them anymore.
Hard frost overnight

. Total bummer. Why cant we have just spring, summer and fall?
Only 2 eggs from my 29 yesterday. Everybody is molting!!!

 

[chickflick]

Really Keyt?? Someone is trying to give away ISA's and you go to say they are the worst birds??? REally???

Just becuz you didn't like them, don't do that. I loved my ISA's. The sweetest birds I ever had. Great layers.

Shelleyb1969 sells eggs, I believe. I know she breeds them and pretty sure she sells the eggs also. She has beautiful birds. Healthy, too. I've gotten several of her birds.

Wow! Look at that frost!! That''s bad. Means winter is not too far behind.

 

[taprock]

I posted in Turkeys but I will also ask you "locals". Does anyone have experience in overwintering turkeys? I have fallen in love with a friends Narragansetts and she said I could have a pair and just give her some hatching eggs next spring. I have no idea what is involved in turkeys or what they need for the winter. If anyone has experience.....

 

[Olive Hill]

Nothing more (and IME even less) than is involved in overwintering chickens. Wind block, food, water.

Ours don't even make use of a wind block. They roost in a big, old Black Walnut tree at night. I'll have to see if I can find the picture of my breeding tom after the ice storm we had last year. Poor thing was iced up like the trees. Didn't bother him a bit. Occasionally, they will seek refuge in the coop with the chickens and they seem to have a good bit of wits about them as to when they should. Ours have always done it when there is a big blizzard coming in with high winds. Other than that, they stay out in their tree, happy as larks.