Minnesota!

[farmrDAN]

Hello, don't get on and reply to often but I read this tread as often as I can. In response to the question about the Cornish X, we had that happen last year. We've never had that problem with ones we've ordered from Sunnyside, but have had it happen with some from L&M. I can't remember which hatchery they came from. I agree that it's not "flip". Its almost like they have an inner ear problem or they're drunk. When the first one did it I was worried about it having got into some chemical or something, but it wasn't that because that was the only one it happened to in that batch. In 4 batches we had 3 that did it. When it happened I butchered each one and did a pretty through post-mortem on them. For the life of me I couldn't find anything. They're internal organs all seemed fine. The leg bones were OK. I finally came to the same conclusion as was mentioned that they must just have been on the low end of the gene pool.

We raise ours on pasture and feed them twice a day, morning and evening. They are allowed to free range from about 8AM to 7pm.

I'm not a vet nor do I play one on TV, but did go to the U for Natural Resource Management so it's just my $.02. Hope it gives a little explanation.

On a side note I have to agree with Triplell that ours don't grow as fast but they don't have as many leg problems. Plus its funny watching those fat wide bodies chasing bugs. Makes me think of what a T-Rex probably looked like .

Matt

I'm glad someone on here has experienced what I've been dealing with. As a first time chicken owner I kinda went "all out" in my opinion as I got 6 layers and 15 cornish X. I did my research and knew what I was getting into, but having this many problems with my first set of meat birds is very discouraging. I'm not sure I even want to have meat birds next year, but it's tough because I want to know where my food comes from and what my food has eaten. Maybe a different breed next year. Maybe try the cornish cross and hope for better luck. I don't know.

 

[farmrDAN]

I haven't used it.  I have heard other MN or upper Midwesterners say that the birds don't like it in the winter as it retains a lot of cold and cold on their feet.  Others say that they love it for cleaning.

Yea I like the cleaning aspect and everything, just concerned with how hard the sand will get in the winter. And if it will be that cold on the birds feet.

 

[bantiesrule]

We have a lot of low spots in our yard and this year has been horrendous mosquito wise. My birds are constantly shaking out their legs and combs & wattles like I've never seen before. I walk down to the coop and my arms and legs are gray with Mosquitos. I'm hanging mint in the coop and today I threw out some mosquito dunks (bacterial larvicide) in our potholes. I've never used them before and wanted a biological approach with my birds free ranging and all -- I didn't want chemical sprays or granules in the lawn. Any body else use "dunks"? I'm just curious how fast we'll notice a difference. Lol. Today we have sustained (nice) winds and they are still ferocious! Crazy! I guess I can google lifespan of skeeters! Thanks all and happy swatting! Egads!

I still haven't tried it but I've heard that Bounce dryer sheets are supposed to keep them off you (you put a sheet in your pocket). Maybe you could try hanging a couple in the coop?
Let me know if it works.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I'm thinking with our winters as of recent if you don't heat it will be about -20 to -30 on their feet. My birds love straw on their feet in the winter it lofts them above their uninsulated floor. It's also messier. So I put down pine shavings 2-3 inches thicker. And when it's really really cold I put down the straw fluffing turning it every other day or pulling out and composting the really soiled stuff. You'll have to watch your birds and find their own comfort level. When it's really cold they are roosting a lot keeping feet warm anyways. But I figure they need to get down and eat and drink. And I see them flamingo-ing a lot on pine shavings. IMHO sand would be too cold in the winter.

 

[Angiebubs]

I have my 3.5 week old Salmon Faverolles chicks listed on craigslist if anyone has any interest let me know. I am still unsure if they are males/females. They appear to have a lot of black on wings but light colored secondary flight feathers. (I know that SQ need to have some black in wing feathers so that may be what I am seeing.)

 

[baylybreeze]

Angiebubs - How fun. How far are you from the twin citites? I am loving the unusual chickens and although am not breeding specific breeds - have enjoyed the differences. Have a few cochins, polish, americana and barred rock. I'd be interested in a couple babies.

 

[Angiebubs]

I work in the North east suburbs of the cities but live about an hour away.

 

[jbher]

Hi all! I can only have 5 pullets since I live in Hudson and unfortunately my English splash orp is a boy. I need to find him a home. But more importantly I would like to find a Speckled Sussex pullet to replace him with. I'm open to other breeds. Would like something colorful and a good layer. My 4 others are all sort of in the tan/brown family so I'd like to avoid that color (I have a salmon fav, gold laced eng orp, crested Creme legbar and an olive Egger). Anyone know where I may be able to find a speckled Sussex or similar in the twin cities area? Prefer non-hatchery stock and would like a 8wk-3mo old.

 

[destiny_56085]

I have several birds available for local pick up right now. I live over in Sleepy Eye, southwestern MN. NPIP #1058 and MN Hatchery #10504. I'm off mon-wed every week.
*8 bantam polish for sale. 7 frizzled and 1 smooth white crested black left. 1-4 months old. $15 each
* I do have pair or trio of showable 6 month old white silkies for someone truly interested. $125 for the pair or $200 for a trio

 

[silkielover5]

This is an odd request but im looking for a black show quality rosecomb rooster to borrow for my senior pictures. I use to raise them but life got crazy and I no longer had the time or money for them