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I tend to stick em in my bra between my you-know-whats, and forget about them. I find them several hours later. I wonder if I could incubate eggs?? If I just turned them everyday????
And I get grief for being a chicken groper????
I know! At least the chickens you grope are not minors.
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I'm thinking I may try them when I'm ready to order.
My original chickens that are now 2-1/2 years old came from My Pet Chicken. I got 10 chicks, day-old. Two died within a week or so of arrival (not sure why, seemed to be a "failure to thrive" but not contagious since the others were completely healthy). I found the company really good to deal with for what it's worth. (I called to change one chick in my order long before the hatch date, and knew there was an additional charge to do this, but they put me on hold for like forever, then were super apologetic when they finally got back to me, immediately offered to do the change at no charge since I'd been on hold so long. First time I think I've ever gotten rewarded for being put on hold for an excessive amount of time!)
I understand their birds are hatched and shipped from Meyer Poultry in Polk Ohio, which should mean a shorter shipping time to Michigan than the Texas or Missouri or wherever hatcheries. But you could just order directiy from Meyer too and I believe get the same chicks. Meyer also has a 3 chick minimum, and I have heard tell their prices are lower than MPC (haven't actually compared prices myself). I did not know about Meyer when I ordered mine. However, I still would have gone with MPC because to my knowledge, they are the only hatchery that offers sexed bantam chicks. I was ordering a few bantams in the order and I had some crazy idea I wanted all girls.
Don't know if MPC employs someone just to sex their bantams at Meyer or how that works, because Meyer, like everyone else, sells bantams only straight run. There was a significant upcharge for sexed bantams (like a bantam pullet was $10.00, but straight run was $3.50), but to me it was worth it. And they were eight-for-eight in getting it right. (Though as per industry standard, they only guarantee 90% accuracy in sexing). Their shipping charges are kinda high, too, I believe, because they put a heat pack in with the small orders.
I've been very pleased with the health, appearance, production, and personalities of the chickens I got. I know, I know, $10.00 for a day old chick that's not even show quality?
For almost the same amount, could have got 3 straight run bantams and culled the rooster(s). But didn't want to do that, and never had to make the decision... so it was worth the money. I'm not so anti-rooster any more, in fact was sorta kinda hoping for a roo out of the five chicks I added this summer, but only got one (unless one of the other five-plus month olds starts developing a comb and crowing...), and the one roo was picked off by a predator fairly early on. Yeah, I know, never ever happens, four pullets out of five. I think I might have sucked some excessive pullet luck away from some of you who had extra cockerel karma this year
Sorry sorry sorry!
And NO, I am not currently looking to take in an extra roo or 16, thank you just the same!
"Educator"--totally deserved, can't think why they waited this long!
(Oh, I'm sure there are a few people who comment on other threads who also maybe have contributed something, of course). (I'm just speculating, I occasionallly stick my toe into another thread but always come back here because with work, chicken and gooser chores, and keeping up with the Michigan thread, I barely have time to shower and sleep).
But of course, as all us Michigan addicts know, this thread gives you the "best of the best." Lots of awards for the regular posters here, as there should be! Let's all bask in the reflected glory. Then think up some hard questions to ask Olive Hill.
Darn!!! More snow this morning. The news last night said just a dusting. Crap. I got over an inch!!! But at least the girls came out of their coop this morning without a problem lol. Michigan !! What ya gonna do? Lol
Geez...it is still dark out! I would be afraid a critter would get my chickens if I let them out this early. (PLus...I have to admit I'm scared of going out back in the dark....one year something made a growling like noise when I was out in the night and I ran as fast as I could while picturing a big bear lurking!)
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I never worry about letting them out in the early morning as my pen is so secure a cat can't even get in it. I have never had any problems with predators in that pen. We raised pigeons in it for many years and nothing ever got in. When my hubby builds something he looks at all the angels of it to make sure it is safe. It is covered and the fence is buried under the dirt so nothing can fly in or dig in.
hey fife, my boss has a cabin up there on fife lake. Maybe you know him. He works for the grand rapids press, name is Ross. He goes up every few weekends.
I was expecting snow today. Nothing. Do have some slick spots though. I can't wait for snow tho. I am looking forward to the expressions!
