NY chicken lover!!!!

[Beer can]

I have their catalog. What onions did you order?

Copra, Sterling, Redwing. All store very well. I'd like to try yellow spanish, open pollinated and could save seeds, but the storage ability of the others is just so much better.

 

[rancher hicks]

We have four in school right now, oldest doesn't have to deal with it. We were complaining to wife's sister about common core, she says her boy does just fine with it, it's easy. Well our kids do just fine with it also, straight A kids, still doesn't make any sense to beat around the bush to get a answer you already have in your head.
A teacher defending common core in a discussion on the news actually explained kids are scared of certain numbers, and feel safe, friends with others, why common core works. A 'easier' way for kids to learn....

I can understand that. I'm afraid of the number 4. I see a 4 and I break out in cold sweats. Now the number I feel safe with is 13. I don't know why. Maybe because some think it's superstitious and I think 13 must get lonely and I want to be it's friend so it's not lonely. No one wants to be lonely, right? I have heard that 1 is the loneliest number but how can 1 be lonely when someone wrote a song about it and people sing about it? No one sings about the number 13. Maybe I'll write a song about the number 13.

13 is not my lover, it's just a number who says that I am the 1, the 15 is not my son.........

 

[rancher hicks]

Copra, Sterling, Redwing. All store very well. I'd like to try yellow spanish, open pollinated and could save seeds, but the storage ability of the others is just so much better.

Thanks I'll have a look at those.

 

[cutipatooti]

Went in to the local hardware store today to get a key made, and they have their chick order forms out (they come in early April)! AHHHHH!!!
While chatting with the employee (he's not the first person to say this to me), he said, "Tully doesn't have chicken police, don't worry too much about getting in trouble for having over five. Just don't get a rooster!" I do plan to get a couple more come spring. One of my current four is sort of a dud- she stops laying for weeks at any tiny stress or change.

Does anyone care to share their opinions of Light Brahmas, Silver Laced Wyandotte and Ameraucaunas? I'm leaning toward Wyandottes. I'm looking for egg production and a docile personality. They live in a pen, and on rare occasions I will bring them into the yard for an hour or so under my watch. I love the idea of the colored eggs, but it seems like Ameraucaunas might be on the flightier side? My plan is to add three, so I'll need to find someone to split an order with, but it shouldn't be a problem. 

I hear a lot of people find their wyandottes bossy and aggressive to other chickens. They are supposed to be good layers but not large eggs. Ameraucanas are very friendly usually and good layers but not big eggs. Brahmas are very friendly and calm but not a lot or big eggs. I love ameraucanas, but if your looking for large to jumbo sized eggs at a good rate and a friendly bird I love bielefelders. I was getting 4 to 5+ eggs a week jumbo size from a very friendly hen. The downside is they eat a lot while growing and can sometimes take a while before they start laying.

 

[shodack]

Thanks everyone for thoughts on those three breeds. I have been doing some research too, and I think I've reversed my thinking completely and am leaning toward the Easter Eggers! Friendly and good layers is what I want, size of eggs doesn't concern me, so it looks like I'll pick them and hopefully have some pretty green or blue eggs to boot!
I'm still trying to convince my parents to get chickens- my step dad is planning to retire this summer and he will need projects! haha
ETA Now I just have to wait until APRIL!!!

The waiting is so hard!!!

 

[shodack]

I ordered our onions yesterday, 12 bunches, split between us, my father in law, and a guy at work. From Dixondale Farms. Comes to $4 a bunch free shipping, a bunch is aprox 60 plants, we always end up with way more than that. I recommend them, always strong healthy plants, and they grow way bigger than sets.

Thanks for mentioning this company! I've been wondering where to get onion sets from- just placed an order! Spring, please come...

 

[DeansMill]

Lol, Rancher... four was always my favorite number... as a child, I assigned personalities to all the numbers 1-10...

On another note, I never considered that if I let my hen hatch the eggs that the chicks wouldn't be my babies. I may need to reconsider, as I want everyone imprinted on me. And I need the love.

As for my eggs, I have found Henrietta sitting on the nest. I let Bobby collect the egg, he turned two on Thursday, so he's a big boy now. He was very excited to "find" there. My question tho, is: aren't four (see, there's that number again) eggs quite a lot for one hen in three days?

 

[rancher hicks]

I hear a lot of people find their wyandottes bossy and aggressive to other chickens. They are supposed to be good layers but not large eggs. Ameraucanas are very friendly usually and good layers but not big eggs. Brahmas are very friendly and calm but not a lot or big eggs. I love ameraucanas, but if your looking for large to jumbo sized eggs at a good rate and a friendly bird I love bielefelders. I was getting 4 to 5+ eggs a week jumbo size from a very friendly hen. The downside is they eat a lot while growing and can sometimes take a while before they start laying.

Well now I had two Dominiques and they were bossy but good mothers. My one hen would go in early and squawk until the others came in. I did have two SLW's and they were nice girls but as you say not big eggs. Medium I suppose. The same with my mostly Amers. but being they were part EE laid well/ not large eggs.

That said. If you don't mind EE's I would suggest crossing your Amers with a larger egg laying bird. My EE cross to a Marans lays a large olive egg.

Brahamas are nice birds but are really a Dual purpose bird, in that they do lay eggs but being as they're a meat bird too, don't lay as many. I didn't get them because of the water here and they've got "boots".

A good dual purpose bird is more of a "Homestead" bird. My C. Rocks are laying nice but not large eggs. However they're a meatier bird than my Delawares that do lay a large egg. For the homesteader I like to keep both breeds. Dels of course are my favs because they're calmer, but easy picking for predators.

Now as usual I will say Marq's Light Sussex is a large bird and lays pretty good. Big Delores is a nice bird and good brooder. I really should have gotten more.

 

[rancher hicks]

Thanks everyone for thoughts on those three breeds. I have been doing some research too, and I think I've reversed my thinking completely and am leaning toward the Easter Eggers! Friendly and good layers is what I want, size of eggs doesn't concern me, so it looks like I'll pick them and hopefully have some pretty green or blue eggs to boot!
I'm still trying to convince my parents to get chickens- my step dad is planning to retire this summer and he will need projects! haha
ETA Now I just have to wait until APRIL!!!

The waiting is so hard!!!

I got chickens when I retired. Planning only to keep 25 hens things have been up and down.

EE's are nice if you don't want roosters. You can order from the hatchery and get just pullets. I've consider it myself. Another good thing is IF you do want a rooster any EE will do.

Not like my Dels or C. Rocks where I have to keep two in case one bites the dust. The hatchery lines just aren't as good. Same with BR's and others.

 

[lisa523]

turn it as weather permits. As long as it's froze there isn't much option. It works just the same just takes a bit.

Thx. Im not able to turn it yet. Ive been turning the bedding on the floor, just can't get to dropping boards. It is frozen so im thinking it will be ok, but wasnt sure.