NY chicken lover!!!!

[LuvMyChicks1491]

Well this stinks! When I was locking up the birds tonight I noticed my BCM cockerel was missing

His brother got killed by a dog, now I just have 3 pullets. They will be laying age in a month or so. I'm really bummed! I was hoping to breed them. They are Wade/Davis lines and the pullets are looking great. I hope I can find a roo for them

Maybe he'll still show up in the morning?

 

[SAHchickenmom]

I hope so but I doubt it. He always comes back.

 

[rancher hicks]

Well this stinks! When I was locking up the birds tonight I noticed my BCM cockerel was missing

His brother got killed by a dog, now I just have 3 pullets. They will be laying age in a month or so. I'm really bummed! I was hoping to breed them. They are Wade/Davis lines and the pullets are looking great. I hope I can find a roo for them

He may still show up. I had a hen that disappeared and I thought she was gone. Then while I was sitting outside eating breakfast she came walking down the outside of the fence just as nice as you please.

I will say ideally you don't want to hatch eggs from young birds. At least that's what I've read although many do. I'm not sure why other than you want to make sure your birds are hardy.

 

[SAHchickenmom]

Thanks Rancher, I wouldn't start hatching their eggs til spring so I do have time to find a replacement.
One of the BR hens I got from you has gone broody, just in time too! The heater on my cabinet Bator quit

I have some BM eggs that need hatching. I had a dozen in the Bator but I'm not sure how long the heater was out before I noticed. They are in the LG now, who knows if they will hatch in that thing!

 

[Metella]

I heard from other here (not this thread) that you should hatch from pullet eggs - just not the ones from their first time getting the egg laying process right - that is for higher hatch rate and healthy chicks - but they weren't talking about breeding to establish any changes in traits - like for breeding out copper and things like that - for that obviously you have to wait until they have molted into their adult feathers.


Like you - I didn't get many details as to why- other than the eggs were from young and healthy birds.

 

[boskelli1571]

Natureberry gets most of their chick's from Ideal. What you really should do is find a local breeder,not just someone that hatches. You'll get the best birds from people who actually breed to the standard.

I did not know that, very interesting, thank you!

 

[boskelli1571]

Seriously? I think these are silkies we're talking about. No one in their right mind would fight to KEEP silkies.

Too you just have to use your imagination to keep a few chickens in the garage. As long as you can keep them from view of the neighbors.

Heck a parrot isn't much smaller than a silky and many are bigger.

I still don't get the mentality that it's ok to keep large noisy dogs but not chickens..........

 

[rancher hicks]

I still don't get the mentality that it's ok to keep large noisy dogs but not chickens..........

I agree. Unfortunately chickens don't bark, leave big piles of poop on peoples lawns, attack small children leaving wounds that require major surgery.

Being serious now. "City Chicks" gives lots of information comparing the sound a dog barking to that of a rooster crowing. Still there are ordinances about noise that are rarely enforced in the name of being a good neighbor when it comes to dogs.

If folks petition to bring change, things can be changed, but it takes time and work few are willing to put in.

When I grieved our tax increase I went in armed with information as to why the increase was unfair.

If one goes in to speak about a change in ordinance it's important to have information to change the boards mind about keeping chickens. This is why I mention P. Forman's book. One needs to educate people to what a "Backyard" flock is and isn't.

The average individual thinks eggs are like Lucky Charms. Magic. They don't know where they come from and don't want to know.

Think I'm crazy? How many newbies who get chickens think they only come in Red and White? They get production birds and are disappointed. I could go on but I'm tired of repeating myself.

What to do? Educate folks, talk to them about your chickens. Give out supporting literature to every new customer. Remember ignorance can be cured, stupid can't. Learn to recognize the difference.

"Talking to a stupid person is like trying to teach a pig to sing. It annoys the pig and wastes your time."

 

[rancher hicks]

I heard from other here (not this thread) that you should hatch from pullet eggs - just not the ones from their first time getting the egg laying process right - that is for higher hatch rate and healthy chicks - but they weren't talking about breeding to establish any changes in traits - like for breeding out copper and things like that - for that obviously you have to wait until they have molted into their adult feathers.


Like you - I didn't get many details as to why- other than the eggs were from young and healthy birds.

There are varying opinions on many things here. I say take the one that best fits your situation. Just don't waste time stewing if someone disagrees with yours.

Right now I'm hatching Cotton Buds, or trying to, because she's my only frizzle. Though I'm not sure how much longer I'll have her as she's pecked to barenaked. I'm considering giving her away just for her own benefit. I don't think she fits in with her coop, but the dels picked on her too for some reasonYet they don't bother Frenchy or Buckwheat.

 

[Sally8]

...

Does Edie talk a lot? Edie's Sister does not stop. Even before she hatched eggs she would follow me around with "Whatcha doin"? With the chicks all I hear is chit chit chit all the time.