North Carolina

[yonder]

Well we've got the hardware cloth around the bottom of the run now. That hawk has been back. He just sits on the tree stump, boldly, inches away from the chicken wire. He makes noises almost like he's either trying to lure the pullets to him or psyche them out. Grrrrr. Hopefully he'll give up once he realizes he can't get through the fence anymore.

Tomorrow the kids are either getting more of the same kind of bird (generic "red pullets" from Tractor Supply) or to a hatchery about an hour away that has some Dominiques. I've been lobbying for the Dominiques but Mrs. Yonder seems inclined to save half an hour in each direction and just go to Tractor Supply.

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Hello Ben & welcome!! It's nice to have someone a little further East and not in the mountains!!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, there are some wonderful people on here who will help as best they can. Others of us are new (like myself) and welcome all questions to help us as well. Be sure to tell us what kind of chicks you have and most importantly...post pictures!! It feeds our addiction!!

We will patiently wait.

COOP UPDATE: Have I mentioned what an amazing DH I have??

He chose to go into work at 4am this morning so he can get off early tonight (while there is still light) and get the run finished (well all but the door). This way on Saturday (his birthday), he can just focus on the doors and we can then begin work on the inside of the barn while the boys & girls are enjoying their time outside.

I am so blessed & spoiled by this man. I was going to go take him lunch today, but he packed his own and plans on working straight through lunch so he can get home even earlier.

I need to do something extra special for him now.

I have NO clue what that special thing could be now. BAH!! So tonight...I am hoping to let them all out in the secured run for the first time (supervised and with HWC tacked up as a makeshift door until we get the door up tomorrow...didn't want you all to worry)!!

 

[BHep]

benjoycei


Hey yonder...maybe get a plastic owl, goose or dog and set it on the stump

Maybe that will send the hawk off.

EFudd... when you get those BR, post pics, we will help you sex them. I BELEIVE (and don't quote me) that the roosters barring is thinner. Plus he will have a bigger redder comb at an earlier age then the hens.

HT... I am holding on to the rest of those CM until they grow up a bit. Then I will see who stays and who goes. The eggs I got to hatch were not very dark either so I assume thats the color they will lay.

I am hearing chirping from my Dickey !!!!!

I cannot see in there ! This is the first time hatching in there. I hate to get it dirty but I cleaned & packed up my hatchers and put the in the attic. Because I was only going to do small hatches in the Brinsea.

I have 63 in lockdown in the Dickey.

AND I have 8 brand new 1st generation OEs that hatched yesterday.

FBCM x pure Ameraucanas.

And I have another batch going into lockdown on Sunday. Mollted Java and barred OEs.

post office just called... I have eggs waiting for me !!!

Gotta go

 

[Miss Lydia]

HT thanks for that beautiful picture. should be in a frame! and

benjoycei, you have come to the right place we're all addicted!!

Ruthann I know your chicks will be so happy to get out side looking forward to seeing pictures. and tell dh Happy Birthday from all of us. Congratulations on the hatches BHep the eggs in the mail etc. [hard to keep up with you]. yonder maybe TSC will have some different breeds this time.

Everyone have a great day.

 

[HenThymes]

Quote:
I got an idea Beth, seeing that I have already culled and kept the perfect "French" group AND they just started laying... you can just get some eggs from me and you'll know what they are going to be!

 

[NewHomesteader2010]

Ht - what beautiful photos!!

I can't wait to see photos of your English ones!!

BC- I am sorry you are having Wilma withdrawals. How did she do in with the others??

hope you are doing okay with her not in the house.

BHep - not only do I need a mini breeders shorthand dictionary when I read your posts but I also feel like I need ... no make that NEED to start getting in on the hatching fun!!

. Can you recommend a good shorthand dictionary so I can follow what you're telling us??

my newness is showing!!

Update: well the two LO are slowly warming up to me. They will not come near me much but the girl is brave enough to eat a treat out of my hand, the roo...not so much...still that's progress. I love

LOVE walking in there to see them (mostly) all run to see what goodies I have for them. Jeremy Fisher actually makes a "purring"

sound when I come in. Yep, I am smitten by him. He is quite clever too...always the first one to great me and thus the first to get a cricket or whatever else I found in my garden (grub anyone

). Now if only he would let me cuddle with him...

Have a great day everyone.

hoping this rain goes away quickly!!

 

[vfem]

Quote:
Sorry to hear about your hawk issue

They are quite terrible around here. Maybe you should try Sumner & Byrd Hatchery in Holly Springs? I got my first silkies there.

benjoycei,

 

[yonder]

Quote:
Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. When the hawk disappears at dusk, a real owl takes his place stalking my coop.

 

[Chickeninthemeadow]

Quote:
Dunno if it's the hatchery you're talking about. However I got my birds from Sumner Byrd in Holly Springs NC and I've been very happy with their customer service and the birds I've gotten look SUPER! They will also take back any roos that may have accidentally been hatched with their pullets.

http://www.sumner-byrdfarm.com

 

[yonder]

Quote:
Thanks! Yes, those are the folks with the Dominiques that I mentioned earlier. Mrs. Yonder is picking up the new pullets today so it's sort of up to her. I've been advocating for the Dominiques but she seems to not want to drive so far so she might end up with the mystery "red pullets" from Tractor Supply instead.