Minnesota!

[minnesotachicken]

When are there swaps coming up? I have never been to one, but really want to!

 

[destiny_56085]

I keep a list of the major ones on here. www.bcppa.com

 

[ParadisePoultry]

Amy-

Thanks so much for posting all this important information. I remember reading on here about someone stealing your beautiful breeding birds. I felt so bad for you.

I keep meaning to get down to one of your shows or swaps, but just haven't had the chance yet. You are so famous for your Silkies, and I would love to see them. I have a few I have hatched, but they are all very small yet. Cute as the dickens though. Sadly, some of the nicest ones, don't have 5 toes!

As they get older, I will have to evaluate further and cull the ones that don't measure up, and hopefully puchase breeder quality birds to improve on things.

All my chicks, I have hatched from eggs from BYC or ebay. Most of them came from NPIP breeders, with paperwork included. I was so stupid (ignorance is bliss?

) as to throw it all out thinking I would never need it.

Well, I intend to get my birds tested now and " get with the program". I will call the lab on Monday and inquire about the classes to become a tester. Maybe I could make a few pennies doing that. My 3 month old Orps from Gumpsgirl are eating me out of house and home already.

What do you think of Showgirls? I have to admit, I used to hate 'em, now I love 'em. But when they aren't good, they are HORRIBLE.

I got all mine from Angie and Neil in Texas (Fowlrus). They are really nice birds. Very feisty and funny.

I am really looking forward to meeting you someday at the shows and seeing your Silkies. Sorry, not trying to a$$ kiss, just excited.

Barbara

 

[destiny_56085]

If you really want to see an awesome display come to either the New Ulm or Hutchinson shows. The New Ulm one is going to have alot of silkies there especially. I have a few people lined up to be there that make most of my birds look pale in comparison. I can't wait.... If anyone is interested in showing, we are trying to get the program and entry forms out by no later than Labor day. When everything is ready I will also put a printable copy on the club's website.

When I had birds taken this spring, it was not only a monetary loss but a loss of privacy. I can't feel safe anymore walking out in my own barn. What if I walk in on someone or I'm working out there and someone drives up? It put an end to any farm visits for potential buyers. My neighbors in town are getting annoyed with all the birds I keep dragging in.

Just remember on the birds...you get out what you put in, doesn't matter what breed you have. It takes time, effort, sweat, and knowledge as well as money. There's an old phrase about not being able to make a golden purse out of a sow's ear..... Sometimes you need the proper foundation to build on and that takes money. The time, effort, and knowledge come into play for what you do with those birds. If you are very knowledgeable you can take take a mediocre line and improve on it. If you start out with totally awesome ones, you do your best not to screw them up.

I've learned over the years that to seriously get into this hobby, it takes money for good birds, proper feed, bedding, travel expenses, show entries, etc. When you are wasting your money on all the cute lil pets running around, pretty soon it eats out of the money you are devoting to the good birds. Its why I have no time for showgirls or any of the oddball fad colors like lavendar/calico/etc. They are not in the standard of perfection and if you show them the best you can do is best AOV. What good are they doing to further your breeding program? I've been getting those pastel silkies popping up this year. I have no interest in keeping them. They are sold to pay the feed bill on the rest.

We do have 1 more BCPPA swap coming up on August 21 in St. James. I hope to see some of you there. I need to make alot of cuts to the growout pens so should have alot of birds along.

 

[GlitterKitty]

Heya guys, What do you do to keep your chickens warm in winter? I have an 8 by 8 coop thats insulated and I have 18 chickens in it.... I used a heated water bowl last year for their water which worked well. And last year I had a heat lamp but I deicded I didn't want the heat lamp this year so they have that natural break from laying...

 

[Haazegirl]

We put a heated waterer in the coop and no lights. Our coop is not even insulated, it's inside a very drafty old barn. I choose breeds that are cold hardy, and they really are! Only a few little knobs on the Dominique's comb got frost bit and fell off. After a bit you couldn't tell anything happened. It was a bad winter for cold days too! The kids missed a lot of school.

 

[Gridrebel]

I'm a transplant from Oregon, been here a little over a year and absolutely love it. I am right where SD, ND and MN meet. It is just great.

 

[GlitterKitty]

Quote:
Welcome! ^_^



I have a question for everyone in Minnesota...Do any of you want an 18 week old testosterone filled Speckled Sussex Cockeral? His name is Zeus:

And he's reaaaaaaly sweeet! And loves people! Doesn't mind being helf either. But I have to many roosters...

 

[dadsdeercamp]

Hello All I'm In The Pine City Area Looking To Start A Flock Of My Own. Anybody In The Area Selling Any Chickens Please Let Me Know. Thanks Scott

 

[colleensstuff]

Hi, I live in the Pine City area too. What kind of chickens are you looking for?