Michigan

[RaZ]

A pullets wing feathers are much longer than a roosters when they first get their wing feathers. That second picture looks like a rooster to me. In the first picture look how much longer the Isa Browns wing feathers are.

Thanks, It was hard to get decent pictures of the SLWs but I think I have 2 pullets and 1 cockeral, just based on wing feathers and what you guys have said tonight. On the other hand, 1 of the ISA has much shorter feathers but is a tad smaller than the other 2, so maybe she is a day or so younger.
I'll try to get individual photos of them tomorrow.

Everyday is a learning experience on this chatty thread.

 

[taprock]

The first one looks alot like my very first chicken, Dawn,

Dawn looks a lot like this chicks mom, although she has some of the blue in her.

P.S. The ideas expressed above and not those of chicken grandma. They are just my best understanding of the presentation given today. I do have most of this in writing on handouts which I picked up today at M.S.U. and will set out at Chickenstock.

What you posted is exactly what they have been telling me every time I talked to them in the past year. I had never heard of the sacrificial chicken before.

How old are your chicks, Tap?
Is tail development really a good way to tell? My chicks are only a week old and just have the round fuzz butt. But I have 5 sex link pullets and I'll be comparing their tales to the SLWs.

My chicks were super bowl chicks, I skipped a party to stay home and watch them hatch! I noticed the tails last spring on my Ameraucans. It was the shape of the tails that I really noticed. The boys had skinny and longer tails the girls shorter but much fuller. This time the two began to get tail feathers a good week before the others. There is still a big difference but they are all different breeds so I wasn't sure how accurate it would be. I haven't really paid attention to the wings.

 

[M.sue]

Carl mixes his as soon as they are near the same size...

Just gotta ask....Who's Carl? lol

 

[RaZ]

Other than quarantine, I've violated the separation rule several times over the past year. I guess I've been lucky.

 

[chicken grandma]

What you posted is exactly what they have been telling me every time I talked to them in the past year. I had never heard of the sacrificial chicken before.

Yes, it is very awkward to argue with PhD Veterinarians about their recommendations. I think they were giving us their best ideas and then we do what we can for our flocks.
Dr. Mick Fulton said that in the 1950's and 1960's people were losing 30-60% of their flock to Mareks disease and since the vaccine that number is way down. So in order to get on top of some of these other illnesses - they are looking to vaccinating chicks. Makes sense. I will post more info tomorrow. There is a lot more..........and I will summarize what I can on here and then I will bring the paperwork to Chickenstock. If anyone needs any info on a certain topic like Disinfection, Getting Started with a Backyard Flock, Handling Eggs, Avian Handling, How to build a shelter for 125 Pullets, Raising Broilers, Raising Ducks, just p.m. me your address and tell me what you need and I will drop it in the mail. I am happy to do that.

One last thing to set you all off on a rampage. Dr. Mick Fulton said 'Do not keep Turkeys and Chickens together, eventually the chickens will cause the turkeys to get sick with respiratory disease'. The chickens won't break out with it but the turkeys will. He said, 'yes you can get away with it for few years but eventually you are going to run into trouble'. He said when he gets calls on sick turkeys he says, 'so do you also have chickens on your property? Ah yes, thought so.' So there you go - another new idea to ponder. More tomorrow.

 

[RBahmer]

Well I made a super buy tonight. I went into our TSC and knowing they are getting more chicks in tomorrow I said to the manager, Brian, I am going to make you a deal. Brian just laughs at me and says I deal with you everyday. We spend so much money on a yearly basis there that we always get 10% off anything we buy. Brian once said we are their biggest customer. Anyway, I said I know you are getting new chicks tomorrow and I know you need to get rid of what you have so I will give you 50 cents for every bird you have. He looked at me and said deal. I have no idea what I am going to do with all these but I got Isa Browns, Black sex Links, New Hampshires, 42 pullets for $21.00. AND 43 straight run black Jersey Giants for $21.50. Anyone need chicks LOL ?

 

[RBahmer]

One last thing to set you all off on a rampage. Dr. Mick Fulton said 'Do not keep Turkeys and Chickens together, eventually the chickens will cause the turkeys to get sick with respiratory disease'. The chickens won't break out with it but the turkeys will. He said, 'yes you can get away with it for few years but eventually you are going to run into trouble'. He said when he gets calls on sick turkeys he says, 'so do you also have chickens on your property? Ah yes, thought so.' So there you go - another new idea to ponder. More tomorrow.

That right there is something else my Grandmother always told me. You cannot keep chickens and turkeys together. I remember that.

 

[RaZ]

Well I made a super buy tonight. I went into our TSC and knowing they are getting more chicks in tomorrow I said to the manager, Brian, I am going to make you a deal. Brian just laughs at me and says I deal with you everyday. We spend so much money on a yearly basis there that we always get 10% off anything we buy. Brian once said we are their biggest customer. Anyway, I said I know you are getting new chicks tomorrow and I know you need to get rid of what you have so I will give you 50 cents for every bird you have. He looked at me and said deal. I have no idea what I am going to do with all these but I got Isa Browns, Black sex Links, New Hampshires, 42 pullets for $21.00. AND 43 straight run black Jersey Giants for $21.50. Anyone need chicks LOL ?

Well that is just chicken math run completely amok!

 

[chicken grandma]

Well that is just chicken math run completely amok!

X 2 !!!!!!!

 

[LST Poultry]

Couldn't go had to work. I work for a Roofing and Remodeling Co. Was in Three Rivers doing a roof today. Do you know any certified testers in my area? I was very fortunate my mother who lives in las Vegas helped us tremendously. Bought all of my starter birds and most of the NPIP eggs she purchased to get us started and them bought me a 1202 hatcher and a 1502 incubator, so I am blessed to have all her help. She is still helping and is planning to visit in May. We are building an avairy outside for some of our birds. She loves chickens and lived here in Michigan until 15 years ago. Very supportive.