NY chicken lover!!!!

[rancher hicks]

Only 3 varieties are accepted by the APA, Black Copper, Wheaten and White. I'm working on the Birchen,buts it hard to get the silver to come out. I have a lot of birchen chicks hatched, no one showing silver hackles yet...fingers crossed though that they start to come out.
And don't forget, if they don't lay a #4 on the Marans egg chart, they aren't a Marans...egg color is important.

I did not know that. Is this something the judges look for? Do you show and do you have to prove she lays a #4 or better?

I have just a few chicks right now, but hope to hatch more later this year and cull as many as don't show silver. So far I only have one hen, but I shall try for more. It does take some time for markings to show on the hens. The roosters pretty quite. They are a fast maturing line.

I also choose for utility rather than show. There has to be a happy medium.

 

[marquisella]

Quote: I saw that but it didn't say for an ovation, Thanks.

 

[Cass]

so I have 4 eggs (day 24) that have done nothing. 2 I think are Jersey Giant and the other two look like they came from the same hen (possibly my NN) do you think there is something going on with my hen(s) that its a genetic thing? or just chance? they developed good. they still looked good at lock down. I had the last egg that piped just hatched this am. I had 14 in, so 10 hatched.

That is a great hatch rate. Something genetic? Probably not. Just the luck of the draw. Sometimes they just don't hatch....sometimes the shell is very hard. But 10 hatching of 14 is a hatch rate to be envied.

 

[marquisella]

Quote: Its like an honor system. For showing, they don't ask. But when people contact me about eggs, its the first thing they ask me about. Without the dark egg color, its just another chicken.

There eggs were from my first birchen hen. They are between a 5 & 6. You can see the 4 color, although its fuzzy. I have egg shade cards if anyone wants to buy one. They are $3 & go to the club.

 

[marquisella]

I have a lot of Silkie eggs, project silver partridge. I will let them go for $15 if anyone is interested. I have an egg carton spilling over with eggs. Out of 12, I get 2 or so that have the correct markings, that is why they are "project" eggs. They are a rare color, and shortly they should be popular.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

Not working on a color type -this is for a good and hardy dual purpose bird for me only to eat - and for me to sell very dark eggs.

Personally - I like the type and the feathered feet. I like their personality. I don't have any intention of "calling" the birds I have anything

That is no matter what I do or don't mix them in with. I toyed with showing my millie d'uccles - as they are so cute it hurt ... but then don't really want to take them to a big gathering and risk any diseases.

So thanks for the warning - but for my purposes - not needed. I do think others who will be selling a BCM or a Birchen - should be very concerned with the issues you brought up.

How many d'uccles do you have? What colors? I have a little mottled one that we just love. She is the one that just laid her first egg.

 

[Metella]

I have two roos and one hen ! ha .... but Bakin has dibs on the extra roo ....

I am putting them together now in a small breeding pen - if you are interested in any new blood - let me know and I can post pics of the parents for you. Again - these are just for me - but gosh are they CUTE .....

OH - and I may actually brings eggs to the fair - they don't have to be "breed" eggs - but consistent in size and color for some categories ... so I actually may do that for the fun of it.

 

[Pyxis]

Ugh this winter. I had to trim back the bottom part of my cochin roo's beak today because he wasn't able to wear away the growth, thanks to all the snow keeping them from scratching and pecking and doing chicken things. It was starting to cause the top part of his beak to become misaligned and I'm glad I caught it early. I also found one of my barred rock hens (one that I found on the side of the road, don't how old she was, old enough to not be laying anymore) lying in the muddy snow in the run today, unable to stand. I got her all settled in a box but she passed away and a ton of yucky gunk came out of her beak and nose. Her crop was soft and squishy and I wonder if she had sour crop. RIP Barcode.

Oh, and a man I sold chickens to is getting on my nerves. I won't type the whole thing up since it's long, but he dumped a rooster in my driveway today, a bird he had originally bought from me, and thank God I know he only has birds from me or I'd be panicking about disease. But the best part is he left him in a big dog crate and left a snarky message on my machine saying he would pick the crate up tomorrow 'since it's expensive.' Meaning he thinks I'll steal it, I guess. I've half a mind to hide it and say that it was dumped on my property so now it's mine.

In happier news, I got the run snowblowed out so the snow will be gone faster in there, and I just had a cochin chick hatch. Looks to be pure mille fleur

 

[Aria]

Lindsay, Thanks for your information. I KNOW you had trial and error and you are
trying to pass it along to us. And we appreciate your suggestion.

I have little patience with hatching. My husband wants to try and I was trying to gather
as much information on hatching for him. Again, like you trying to be helpful.

That is the reason we are going through this process with our eggs before we purchase
eggs to hatch. Will keep you posted on our success or failures. I think it is a special
talent/art. Regards, Aria

 

[dragonlord483]

Ugh this winter. I had to trim back the bottom part of my cochin roo's beak today because he wasn't able to wear away the growth, thanks to all the snow keeping them from scratching and pecking and doing chicken things. It was starting to cause the top part of his beak to become misaligned and I'm glad I caught it early. I also found one of my barred rock hens (one that I found on the side of the road, don't how old she was, old enough to not be larcode.

Oh, and a man I sold chickens to is getting on my nerves. I won't type the whole thing up since it's long, but he dumped a rooster in my driveway today, a bird he had originally bought from me, and thank God I know he only has birds from me or I'd be panicking about disease. But the best part is he left him in a big dog crate and left a snarky message on my machine saying he would pick the crate up tomorrow 'since it's expensive.' Meaning he thinks I'll steal it, I guess. I've half a mind to hide it and say that it was dumped on my property so now it's mine.

In happier news, I got the run snowblowed out so the snow will be gone faster in there, and I just had a cochin chick hatch. Looks to be pure mille fleur

You should say what cage and you dumped a rooster on my property Idk someone must have took it