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Well first , I've charged $5 for my Dels which are pure and my line. However I've driven to your area for "genderized" CM's and paid $10 each. But if I pay $99 a chick from GF or even the $20 for the lavs. it would hardly make sense to sell them for $5 would it? If they are mixed or mutts as they say I usually sell them for a couple of bucks and if they don't sell I just give them away. I do strive and for pures in my Dels of course and will with anything from GF. My BR's are from Kathinmo, have their own coop so they will be pure. Anything in the barred breeds can be sexed at birth.
I completely understand the Amer thing, but I keep EE's as they will lay green , blue or shades thereof. I expect with an Amer lav roo they will lay colored eggs of some shade.
As for your silkies, you can do a stagger hatch but I would mark each egg so you have some idea when they will hatch. As they hatch take each chick put them in a brooder until the hen is done and then stick the first born chicks back under her at night. I wouldn't do this with to many eggs though unless you intend to take the chicks and not give them back to her.
Hey Rancher,
I do not mind paying for quality and would gladly pay $5 - $10 for quality sexed chicks. Having said that, I am in the unenviable position of having had suspected cases of Mereck's on my farm and so I will only get vaccinated chicks or hatching eggs from a Mereck's resistant flock if chicks were unavailable and I wanted the breed enough. The only birds that I anticipate being in the market for this spring would be EE's or Norwiegen Jahearns.
Myself, I agree with you. My first inclination is to have a hardy bird that does what it is bred to do. With any breeding animal, the purpose of the breed should not be lost. Alas, it often is anyway. From Dogs to Horses to Chickens the purpose will get clouded and lost as we strive for that perfect conformation. It seems to me we should work on purpose first, then retain that as we strive for that beautiful SOP conformation.
I would love to see some Red Orps, but they are not on my list to buy. Perhaps seeing them would bring a new perspective to light, who knows?
For now, just waiting for my pullets to lay.
And looking through guerny's for those raspberry canes.....
Have I mentioned that I planted raspberries? I got plants at CM for $2 ea. Plus gooseberries and red currants. I just hope the take. The raspberries were producing even after I planted them though just a couple of berries. I went on the ME web page for berries and learned how to prune and plant them. Oh and about the different varieties that are good for cold areas.. I figure if it works in Maine it should work here.
As for GF, my purpose in asking was to see whether I would able to sell chicks or not. I don't have to hatch eggs of course. Or if I do I don't have to hatch for more than myself.
As for Mereks. I suppose if GF vaccinated for it I would have it done. I've not read to many getting it nor how common it is. I really should research it more I suppose. One thing is for sure and that is to practice Biosecurity. I do keep a pretty much closed flock though. I've not had new chicks from anyone since my BR from MO. Also quarantine is a must. Auctions are an absolute no, no. I might sell there but I haven't bought anything there since I bought some hatching eggs there two years ago. While they hatched they were dirty and I won't do that again. Just know that if you come for chicks, you will not be allowed in my coops. You can see the birds over the fence but no touching or any of that. I will have your chicks or birds secured for inspection before you come if I can.
Well take care I have to buy some chick feed for these 4 possibly five in the incu. Lord help me, I so did not want to do chicks now. I just didn't have the heart to toss them. And besides that they were so close to hatching and one of them was peeping, what was I to do? So far 3 dels and an EE I think, Could be a Blk orp. It's black with black legs, though the mother wouldn't be a black orp since I have none. Keep me in mind in the spring for EE's. The dad will be a Lav Amer roo and the moms EE's. Some of which are barred.
Ta, ta for now,
Rancher
The goats are great, just need to close up their windows. Should be good for winter. The cookie tin water heaters are ready to go, DH found a heated water bucket FREE for the goats. It's a little big, but can't complain. After we get some frost I will put some hay bales around the base of the duck coop to keep out drafts under the floor-it's up on blocks. Hawks have been around alot lately. My Australorp Roo is growing into a fine guardian for his girls. I had just opened the gate for them to free range and he spotted a hawk right away and chased them all back into the coop and stood at the gate not letting any go back out. Proud of the HUGE guy. And, he still is a bit timid around me-no sassy boys allowed.
