North Carolina

[wildriverswolf90]

got a question: none of my bantam groups are laying, not a single one they all have 3lbs feeders in their pens that are filled daily(the groups range from 2-5 birds in each pen) They are given fresh water in the mornings, and then ice water in the afternoons. the smaller groups/pairs get moved to floor pens everyday for 3 hours everyday so they can be on the grass to "Free range" for a while. they are given laying crumbles. and their waterers almost always have ACV in them. any tips on how to get them laying again? or is it just a product of the heat?

also the all the girls are between 8 months and 18 months. the breeds are silkies, cochins and bantam orps

 

[Lizabelsherrill]

Quote:
I live in Stoneville and work in Greensboro.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Hello and WELCOME to all the new folks!!
Adjusting to life with 3, 3 and under has been fun. My 3 yo is my mini helper and my "mini-me" is having a rough adjustment "sharing" mommy with the new baby. Despite all of this, we had 7 chicks hatch from under one of our broody hens (lol...the one sitting on duck eggs that drowned, we gave her chicken eggs, but she kicked the other mama off the nest and went back to sitting on new duck eggs?!?). Should I be worried about the other broody? By the time these duck eggs hatch, she will have been sitting for almost 2.5 months!! We changed her feed (gave her the same feed as the chicks as well as scrambled eggs and such to give her added nutrients since she's just sitting) and give her treats as we can...is there anything else we should do?
I spent my morning feeding time reading the past gazillion posts...LOL boy you all talk a LOT!!

We are looking for some chickens in case anyone has some...we're looking for a pair that will be our main meat bird stock...I was thinking Jersey Giants because they are a dual purpose breed, but what would everyone else suggest? We will be building a new coop specifically for the meat birds, but I'm not sure what breed to go with. We thought about the Freedom Rangers, but I don't know if I want to deal with 25 chicks (along with the 7 we had hatch AND my own 3...LOL) and wait to sex them to see if we get a pair...then we'd either have to get an incubator or use someone else's incubator to hatch out more birds...I guess we're looking for suggestions!! We use to just buy our chickens through our co-op (in addition to processing the extra roosters) but they switched farms and the chicken is no longer soy-free...poor DD1 was SO SICK from eating it, I didn't even THINK to look.

Anyway...suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Time for me to head on out. Have a great day everyone!!

 

[KristanB]

Where can I get the form for my "Green Card" to be able to sell at the Fall Chicken Stock? Thanks!

 

[Lizabelsherrill]

Where can I get the form for my "Green Card" to be able to sell at the Fall Chicken Stock? Thanks!

www.ncagr.gov/forms

It is under "Veterinary Division Forms", Poultry section. Poultry Dealer License Application Form.

 

[Coop Scoop Boogie]

Good morning folks

It's another lovely day and I don't have to go to
work just quite yet

NH.......why not go with the 25 rangers, grow them up
because aren't they like the Cornish cross and mature
earlier than the average chicken, you simply process
all the ones you don't want. If you don't have the freezer
space then just can the meat.........or sell the extras

hope everyone has a good day

 

[ericlorette]

Hi NC members. I'm in West Asheville.

 

[doubleatraining]

Hello and WELCOME to all the new folks!!
Adjusting to life with 3, 3 and under has been fun. My 3 yo is my mini helper and my "mini-me" is having a rough adjustment "sharing" mommy with the new baby. Despite all of this, we had 7 chicks hatch from under one of our broody hens (lol...the one sitting on duck eggs that drowned, we gave her chicken eggs, but she kicked the other mama off the nest and went back to sitting on new duck eggs?!?). Should I be worried about the other broody? By the time these duck eggs hatch, she will have been sitting for almost 2.5 months!! We changed her feed (gave her the same feed as the chicks as well as scrambled eggs and such to give her added nutrients since she's just sitting) and give her treats as we can...is there anything else we should do?
I spent my morning feeding time reading the past gazillion posts...LOL boy you all talk a LOT!!

We are looking for some chickens in case anyone has some...we're looking for a pair that will be our main meat bird stock...I was thinking Jersey Giants because they are a dual purpose breed, but what would everyone else suggest? We will be building a new coop specifically for the meat birds, but I'm not sure what breed to go with. We thought about the Freedom Rangers, but I don't know if I want to deal with 25 chicks (along with the 7 we had hatch AND my own 3...LOL) and wait to sex them to see if we get a pair...then we'd either have to get an incubator or use someone else's incubator to hatch out more birds...I guess we're looking for suggestions!! We use to just buy our chickens through our co-op (in addition to processing the extra roosters) but they switched farms and the chicken is no longer soy-free...poor DD1 was SO SICK from eating it, I didn't even THINK to look.

Anyway...suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Time for me to head on out. Have a great day everyone!!

Heck, I'll take 5-8 of the Freedom Rangers! I'd love to grow some out and use 1-2 for breeding.

 

[dutchbunny83]

My Pet Chicken order arrived this morning

I put them out in the yard with the other birds and watched them to see if they'd be okay (Lav Orps are 5 weeks, Turkeys & Freedom Rangers are 2 weeks) and they're all getting along great. There's a bunch of space and different feed and waterers. I'm glad I don't have to set up an additional brooder inside. We're building the second coop & pen this weekend and I'll separate the meat birds. Question-- the Lav Orps are loving the turkeys high protein food. Is it okay for them to eat it for a week or two while they're all together?

Do any birds besides top hats have that weird nose thing??? One of my chicks is a "mystery rare breed". It doesn't look like it has much of a top hat (at least not yet), but it has those weird nostrils that I've only seen on the polish. It's a standard size with clean legs.

EDIT: I figured it out, it's an "Appenzeller Spitzhauben" Haha never heard of them! They're pretty birds, though it says they don't do well in confinement and like to roost in trees. She may need to find a new home...

 

[dutchbunny83]

I missed the start of the Freedom Rangers conversation, but want to add I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THEM so far!!!!
I haven't eaten any yet, so can't comment on that, but they are NOTHING like the cornish crosses.
We got cornish crosses once and after 1 week I gave them away, I hated them, all they did was sleep, poop & waddle around even at a week old.

I've had my freedom rangers for 2 weeks now and they are VERY active. They fly, they run up to you, they like to be held. They are very docile and a couple of mine are in the coop snuggling with my new baby chicks that just came. They are also VERY pretty (though it may be easier to eat an ugly bird?). All of mine look different.

I went through freedom ranger hatchery in PA and they were really nice. I bought 25 for $67.50 with shipping to NC and I was sent 27. All are really healthy and doing great. I would DEFINITELY recommend trying these out. They act and look like heritage breeds, but are ready to process in about 12 weeks.