Northwest Colorado anyone??

[coloradochick]

Well Lori, I am truly envious. I'm happy for you that you escaped the jungle. Maybe the cold weather

in Montana will keep the droves of people out. Just don't let it out the the weather is better than ours right now. You're supposed to tell people that there's 5 foot of snow on the ground.

My Hubby drives his own truck. What's the job market up there look like?

So do you have the chick addiction also?

 

[coloradochick]

Ks, thanks for the offer I wish I could right now but hubby is still working on the coop. I'm going to start with two Buff Orps and two Blck Austros that I'm getting from LoneCowboy in March. And then from there I think I'm in trouble. I never thought there were so many fellow Chicken Freaks in the world. And I'm on this site way more than I should be. Hubby just looks at me, smiles, and shakes his head. Oh well, there are worse addictions

Cara

 

[ksacres]

No problem, I give the extra roosters away as long as people come pick them up

Like I said, I should have chicks next spring all through the summer time, no rush

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Hi Cara, and to all those in Colorado!
It was cold here last winter but low on the snow, Mt is still enduring the drought that Denver was having before we left. We're just having a weird weather pattern. It's kinda like western coast snow mix with rain.
We've got a front coming in now and it's too warm for snow (50 deg. yesterday) so I expect rain with this one. It's 46 right now. Job market in Helena is good, depending on what type of work your in, they are erecting businesses like crazy there and it doesn't seem like there is enough people to run them. They predict a 26% growth over the next 5 years. Get this, no traffic! I went into town early yesterday during what we would refer to as rush hour, there 10 other cars total on the hwy!
Any other time, I'm lucky to see 2 or 3! I'm 25 miles NW of Helena and it takes me 25-30 min to drive in. Only obstacles are an occasional deer or elk in the road. Speed limits are higher out here because of the lack of traffic. You couldn't drag us back to Colo. Even for the Holidays to see family & friends, I suggested it and DH said no way! MT's total state population is less than Denver alone. About 900,000. Helena is about 30,000. It's a much slower pace here, took me about a year to adjust. The big things to do here are boating, fishing, skiing(we have a resort 10 min from us and lift tics are $35 adult $15 kids, again NO crowds) camping and hunting(if your into that, we're not!)and golfing! It's a life of leisure. Come one, come all! You'll love it here!

Ok, back to your questions, (sorry I got off on a MT sales pitch)
They are DYING for truck driver up here!!!! DH is multi talented, by trade, he is a Graphic Designer/Branding Consultant but also has a class B license for driving so he applied for a various number of driving job as well an a couple for GD job and the phone rang off the hook for the driving positions! DH took a GD job & one of the trucking industries tried to outbid them for the job!

Yes I'm addicted to chickens now as well! Never had them before moving here but rather have this than my previous obsession which was battling a perfect green lawn during water restrictions!

We have well water here so those days don't exist anymore either!

Well this is way too long for the forum chat so I'll stop!

Lori
P.S. one more thing, my boys attend a little school house across the road (which is a 1/2 mile from us) and it's 1 teacher, 1 aide, 1 "after school program director", that's me) and 9 kids total

 

[coloradochick]

Alrighty then, we shall see you within the year.

I wish. I told my hubby and he said maybe within the next 5 yrs. I don't know if I can wait that long but my daughter will be graduating in 2011. Then the 2 younger ones can enjoy small town life. Yikes that seems forever. Then maybe we'll get the h--- outa Dodge. There's some snow clouds comin over the mountains right now and the wind YUCK! has been blowing. Hopefully it stays in the hills. Have a wonderful day!!

Cara

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Cara,
I got started, as far as chickens go, with Murray McMurray Hatchery (www.McMurrayHatchery.com) I got their "Bargain Special" of assorted brown egg layers (their known as " Heavy Breeds") They were so fun to raise from babies! Min. order is 25 though and they will ship extras. I had to give away 12 of them as I received 27. I just got their 2008 catalog yesterday and they start shipping in Feb thru Nov. The prices start low then increase mid summer then drop back down in the fall. I started originally with 2 Guineas from a local feed store but not to go into a long story (again) I lost them so I will start again next spring with some more. I don't recommend them for city dwellers, they're noisy!
Hope this helps you get started along with LoneCowboy's selection.
Lori

 

[back2basics]

Quote:
I just got my catalog yesterday and am debating between 1 breed and the "bargain Special" Were you happy then with the mix of breeds, and was it a good mix?

 

[LoneCowboy]

Oh, I would mix the breeds. So much more interesting that way. I like a colorful laying flock. Besides, if the eggs are all different colors and shades, people know they are farm fresh.

 

[back2basics]

Thanks LoneCowboy,

I just think Ive made my mind up one way, and now I have to rethink it

You are right though it would be more interesting and colorful. and probably lots more fun... really thank you for the input and its really what I wanted to do any way, but thought you shouldnt mix breeds for health reasons? or is that just if you are breeding?

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

B2B - I absolutely loved the mix I received! But the reason I went with the bargain mix was because I was just getting started & was afraid to invest too much money for the start. My DH didn't want more than 6 to start with and since we missed our window for chicks at the local feed store, I didn't want to wait another year, I took a chance by ordering then min. bargain special for the lowest cost. I also sprung for the vaccinations too and the cost was still much lower than hand picking individual breeds. (not to mention feed is much cheaper when not medicated).
Plus it keeps you guessing at what you received as they grow. They (MCM) don't keep track of what they sent on bargain specials because they are the "left overs" of hatching from specific orders. It's like having a litter of different colored kittens, they're all special in their own way with all the different colors & patterns. You can't just pickup one!

Lonecowboy is right, I have such a variety in size & colors of brown eggs! I have 2 birds with different colors, a dark & beige brown egger that are blessing us with what seems like tons of double yokers! They look like geese eggs they so big! Got my first egg at 21 weeks and they all laying and are now at 27 week of age. I average 13 a day!
Hope this helps in your decision making.

Lori