NY chicken lover!!!!

[elieugene6]

I just have to chime in here. I have decided that broodiness is an illness and it is airborne. I have 4 hens that have been broody 2x this year and another 2 that have been broody once. 3 Cochins, a red sexlink, a jersey giant and a silkie/americauna cross who is the worst mommy ever. The red sexlink hatched out babies in my basement last year around this time but she was to stinky I have decided that if they want babies they need to do it outside.

I thought we were finally done for the year last week when I gave the Cochin some chicks. Nope the jersey giant was broody in the nest the next day. Which is why I say it's in the air they are far away from each other. Just yesterday another Cochin went broody. It is getting cold but whatever, I hatch through the winter anyways so thus way I don't have to do all the work. Although the Cochin might need to be brought in, this one is a first time broody and I don't know if I trust her with new babies in freezing temps.

 

[demp4]

I have a broody silkie right now and a friend just called saying her hen might be as well... not the great time of year for it...

 

[featherz]

Out of almost 50 birds I have two that seem to be perpetually broody and they are NOT the ones you'd expect. One is a hatchery australorp, a bit over a year old - she's horrible at hatching eggs but a good mommy so I give her chicks to raise. She even took chicks after only two weeks of sitting. Now she's got five little ones following her around. She had one egg, but squashed it. /sigh.

The other one is a splash BLRW that's hmm.. less than a year old, maybe approaching one year. She's been broody three times this year and does an excellent job at both hatching and raising. She's currently got her two BO chicks (one was the mohawk chick, if you remember that story. He's doing great!).

My brahmas never went broody, nor did the rest of my hatchery or hatched chicks. I'm not counting the four little d'uccles that Cass bought from me that seem to live to hatch eggs. Whew!

 

[rancher hicks]

I had a Dom go broody in late winter and hatch 2 for 2 in the dead of winter. Below zero temps and she still hatched them. Perhaps they have a thermostat not yet discovered.

Anyhow I really don't want to have to deal with chicks for a while. Now if I sell the 6 new hens I've had interest in then I'll have room to move these new ones, if there are any to the coop later. I really need to and will build a "grow out" coop. Since the newbies need grower and the older ones will not lay well on that.

I've got 11 br's from Kathimo that are not laying yet but should be in the middle of winter. If not early spring that's fine. From what I understand they are only average layers so I have something to shoot for in breeding them.

Now come spring I MAY be willing to trade chick for chick if yours are pure. I have a mixed flock and they do well if not crowded. LF only though. I don't want bantams or silkies.

For those who have hens not lay well in winter you may want to choose a good winter laying breed to add to yours so you get eggs. Also I mentioned to, demp, that my coop has an east facing window so the hens get the most sun possible. I didn't use a light last year and the Dels did ok. Of course there are other good winter layers. It's just something to consider.

I'm sure I needn't worry to much with chicks as the Dels mature and feather out faster than any I've had so far. I really need to keep better records. I'm really working on heavier birds though. Laying and hardiness seem to be ok. Of course management helps too.

I also have decided that if you or your spouse is military and have ID I will give you 3 free chicks. No purchase necessary. How does that sound?

Take care. Miles to go before I sleep.

Rancher

 

[Sachasmom]

Yup, I agree its a disease! lol

My Buff ducks were obsessed with hatching, as was one of the Cayugas too. I even had Calls that wanted to sit!

My Silkie brooded eggs and is currently sitting on two (there were four, but I don't see a chick anyplace, so I guess they rotted?) I was going to give her the eggs I just bought, but I would have had to move her. I figure if she is still sitting when the eggs in the bator hatch I'll just give her the chicks then.

My Ameraucanas were also all broody, it was insane! It was like they saw one hen sitting and thought hey, that looks like fun! I have three hens with chicks now and no one is laying!

 

[Sachasmom]

Quote:
Really??? Five bucks? Ya live in El Cheapo Ville by chance? I can see five bucks for used up laying hens, but not fresh layers. Heck, I sold two year old birds for 15 here...

Now that I sent all the extras to the auction, I've gotten a ton of emails from people wanting chicks or ducks.

Looks like there is an auction this weekend in both Batavia and one at the Finger lakes livestock exchange. I don't really have anything to send other than a spare Rooster. I should probably keep it though, Its my only mature Roo at the moment. I just like the younger ones I am growing out better.

 

[featherz]

I generally sell pullets (POL or laying) for $10 each and have no problem getting it. But I don't think more would fly around here unless I had something ultra special. I haven't tried to sell my 1.5 year olds yet, but I am guessing they'd go at $5-$8. Or not at all.

 

[greymane]

Quote:
Do you know the times for that auction Saturday?

 

[Framac]

Anyone going to Kings?

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
I sent birds to Kings. Never again, those cheapos hardly paid anything for really good stock. Nuts to them. It cost more in gas to drive there than to just chop their heads off and toss 'em.

I am asking $15 for new layers and pure Dels at that. I'm not taking less by any means. It's just not right to expect to pay cheap prices. I do however just give the older girls away. They're usually still laying and if you only want eggs for yourself they're pretty good. For a small family that isn't looking to sell eggs or only needs a couple doz a week they're good. If they keep 6 to 12 birds, I should think.

Anyhow I don't buy birds from just anyone anyhow. I buy from good breeders and pay fair prices. I'm considering ordering from Green Fire and probably will but I'm not going to be selling chicks for $5 that's for darn sure. Maybe the Swedish Flowers, they 're about $20 ea now. The orps are $99 a chick. I just gotta save up a little and make sure I have a coop just for what I order.

Does anyone know anything about their Birchen Marans?