Need advice about Green fire

[Chickndaddy]

outcrossing to another breed is ok as long as the offspring result in SOP stock of the breed being outcrossed.

Wasn't so much thinking another breed but crossing one of their Light Sussex roos over some nice hens. You'd lose some size but gain some genetic diversity. Cross the daughters back to dad for a gen or two and then bring in a new roo. That's just an example of course. With something rarer like Swedish Flower Hens, Hedemora, or even the Silver or other Sussex colors you may not have anything to outcross to...​

 

[rancher hicks]

chickndaddy - now you see my dilemma.

I could afford ten of the swedish and I do like them but then would I be able to sell them for the same $39 each. I expect some would buy them if they didn't have to order so many. What do you think?

 

[klf73]

ok, I have some Greenfire chicks, 2 shipments actually. I asked about the relation of the birds. I have swedish flower hens from 2 different lines and Jenny let me know exactly what I have so I know who will safely go together. They have as many as 3 lines with a lot of the breeds they have (or at least the breeds I have). If you question the lines then just ASK them....they don't seem to hide it IMO. As for cost...I looked into importing. It costs almost $600 PER CHICKEN to quarantine and that is just quarantine, not shipping, not vet bills, not cost of the bird, so I don't blame them for a lot of their prices.
I decided this year to buy chicks, yeah, could have waited till next year and bought eggs but seriously, I have wasted over $2000 on shipped eggs over the past 3 years to end up with not enough to come up with a breeding flock of anything. Either I hatch 75% cockerals or end up with a single comb silkie that came from a "show" breeder that cost me $40 by the time I was done with the eggs(spent more than that on eggs and got two chicks).
I have spent $1000 on chicks this year but I have enough birds to breed and have some of the rarest, beautiful birds to boot. Do I have money to burn? nope but by the time the end of "egg season" comes I won't be disappointed.
I am a very satisfied customer and appreciate the honestly that I was given by Greenfire

 

[rancher hicks]

KLF- I can't say I disagree with you on the egg buying thing. I've only bought eggs once and got 6 chicks from 26 but I couldn't complain as I only paid for 12 eggs. Still of those 6? 5 were roos.

I have recently bought chicks from a breeder driving 8 hours round trip and of those two look like runts and I'm afraid to ask the breeder if that is so. There are 4 different colors and they aren't exactly something I'll invest a lot of time breeding and selling. However I understand the dilemma in buying eggs and sometimes chicks so I'm not upset.

Even show stock can throw ugly birds. The genetics is just not exact. Especially with breeders working on project birds. Anyhow I do understand the risk. It's just that Greenfire prices are high and I do understand why, but can I afford the risk?

How are your swedish doing? Nice assortment of colors? Are you breeding and how is that going? Hope I'm not out of line asking but I do like them and they are affordable.


Rancher

 

[klf73]

I am not breeding as mine are still babies. I have 8 of them and they are still filling/feathering out. Honestly, for the price, I would buy 12 of the chicks to assure they are guaranteed and at that price, it is a little more than a juvenile pair, but you will have 12 birds for $468 + $30 for shipping, and if you ask for different pens they will oblige. That way you can grow out, keep the colors you want, and maybe find someone that wants them that is closer to you. You will also be able to pick the ones with/without crests(whatever you desire). They are very vigorous, curious, and nice.....am still thinking about getting more but need to see what I will have for room as these will definitely get their own pen....I just look at the overall picture. Also, if you find out what pen you can trade with another BYC'er later on

. I don't regret buying them at all, it is actually a relief.....and yes, the bator is going but mostly with some of my oegb....one set of project eggs in the bator(shipped) and they are causing me so much anxiety

still thinking about getting some more....if you were closer I could split an order with ya

maybe you could find someone that wants to do just that....a friend maybe?

 

[rancher hicks]

Well right now she's getting ducks. I just bought lav orps from hinkjc for $20 a chick, plus some white, blck and buff.

We've got some nice BR's and CR's in the incubator. She's hatching as I just went to AL and couldn't be here for the whole hatch. Fingers are crossed.

However I like the Swedish Flower and her and I trade pretty much. She has some nice SLW's and I know I'll be getting some of those too. I've got new silky chicks from AL and she's growing out some RIR from there and I've got one Blue orp. So things are busy here for sure.

I'm leary of working with others just not Trylin. No one else I trust. Don't want to get into a feud you know what I mean. I'd rather order them for me and then sell what I don't want. Though that might not be much.

I do breed Delawares too.

Keep all this in mind if there is a trade of eggs we can work out.

rancher

 

[klf73]

well rancher, I get you on the trusting thing...I don't have anyone here that "does" chickens so everything I do, I do solo....well, with dh's help

. Catch me later on in the year....not sure how old they are when they start to lay.....

 

[keesmom]

Quote:
Wow Krista! That's quite the nice assortment of breeds you have!

I got some Coronations two years ago from Greenfire. I'm also a happy customer, and I was very happy with the birds I got from them. I even got an extra pair of light pullets, so I could add genetic diversity to my 2 trios.

 

[muddyhorse]

I ordered the chick special for $129 I got a pair of lemon cuckoo orps, 2 silver sussex, 3 swedish flower hens, 3 shamo, 2 wheaten marans, and 3 shamo. they are now almost 2 months old

 

[klf73]

unfortunately they don't do the rare breed special anymore

that was awesome and such a great surprise when you open the box...fun too