OHio ~ Come on Buckeyes, let me know your out there!

[Stevens21]

Does anyone in our area happen to have or know someone with a Bearded Golden Laced Polish Hen?

 

[mlaff]

Ok, I have kind of decided to pick some breeds and stick with them. Lol I have my layers but now I have to decide what to focus on. So far I know ill have silkies, cream legbar, chocolate orps, and isbars. I like the Millie leghorns, but the only eggs I can find are in California and I really don't want to ship them that far.

So..... What breeds do you prefer in your flock and why? I love the rare breeds and really wanna add more.

 

[loveourbirds]

its depending on what you want from your flock. your legbars and isbars will be your better layers, and are in demand right now. the silkies aren't the best layers, but again they are in demand.

i personally think there is more money to be made in rare breeds, but most of my income comes from common everyday chickens. rhode island reds, Plymouth rocks, and dominiques are probably the most commonly requested. it may be that is all the people know, as they are common heritage breeds.

it is a lot easier to take care of 5 or 6 breeds and do it properly than to do what im doing. this takes a lot of time and space, not to mention money. you have to love what your doing to do what i do.

 

[Chickawawa]

Ok, I have kind of decided to pick some breeds and stick with them. Lol I have my layers but now I have to decide what to focus on. So far I know ill have silkies, cream legbar, chocolate orps, and isbars. I like the Millie leghorns, but the only eggs I can find are in California and I really don't want to ship them that far.
So..... What breeds do you prefer in your flock and why? I love the rare breeds and really wanna add more.

We are starting the process of doing the same thing. Have several (too many) breeds right now but we wanted to see what we liked and what we didn't. I like the idea of Heritage Breeds, Hubs not so much. I like my Orps, him, not so much. The only ones we both agree are staying for sure are our SPPRs and that is for temperament and broodiness. My plan is to sell off about a third to half of our current flock and start over with the Marraduna Basque. Like you, finding it hard to find east of the Mississippi.
Still mulling it over. Just thought I would throw my 2¢.

 

[Chickawawa]

******CAUTION GRAPHIC PICTURES BELOW***********














Wondering if anyone out there can help.

Got home from work today and went to check on the feathered friends and got the fright of my life. This poor girl, looks like one of the roosters tried to kill her. I am VERY new to chickens so I am very concerned about her. I was able to get her out of the coop and into a small kennel. I'm looking for some advice! Was thinking I should try to clean it off as much as possible with warm water. Any kind of spray or ointment I should use? It is freaking me out because it is on her head. She is acting normal (as could be expected) and eating/drinking ok.

Has this happened to anyone else before? Needless to say those roosters will be hitting the road.

Thanks for any and all advice!!

How is your girl doing today?

 

[mlaff]

The silkies are just something I love to watch. Their little fluffy butts are so addictive I can't get enough of them. I want some of every color. Lol

I have a RIR and she is flighty. Always chasing her. I've heard they are great layers but she is not friendly at all. As far as making money, as long as I can basically pay for my addiction I'm fine. I do have to take into consideration my kids get half of the money we make. We are still debating on moving and if we do we will have more land to make the set up I want. If not I plan on making at least 2 or 3 more coops. We have 2 already.

I do know I want good egg layers. Even if I'm not selling or incubating I have 4 kids and they love eggs plus we have so many people who want to buy them. Can't wait until more of them start laying. I believe I have a Dominique too. Lol during chick days at rural king we would get one of each.

 

[cluckitall]

We are starting the process of doing the same thing. Have several (too many) breeds right now but we wanted to see what we liked and what we didn't. I like the idea of Heritage Breeds, Hubs not so much. I like my Orps, him, not so much. The only ones we both agree are staying for sure are our SPPRs and that is for temperament and broodiness. My plan is to sell off about a third to half of our current flock and start over with the Marraduna Basque. Like you, finding it hard to find east of the Mississippi.
Still mulling it over. Just thought I would throw my 2¢.

Chickawawa, give it another month or so and I'll have basque hatching eggs for sale Fertility-testing the rhodebars now, and waiting for more than one of the SFHs to start laying!

 

[loveourbirds]

Chickawawa, give it another month or so and I'll have basque hatching eggs for sale Fertility-testing the rhodebars now, and waiting for more than one of the SFHs to start laying!

i keep forgetting you have basque too, since i don't have a lot of experice with them; did you see my description as accurate? any observations you have made?

 

[mlaff]

We are starting the process of doing the same thing. Have several (too many) breeds right now but we wanted to see what we liked and what we didn't. I like the idea of Heritage Breeds, Hubs not so much. I like my Orps, him, not so much. The only ones we both agree are staying for sure are our SPPRs and that is for temperament and broodiness. My plan is to sell off about a third to half of our current flock and start over with the Marraduna Basque. Like you, finding it hard to find east of the Mississippi.
Still mulling it over. Just thought I would throw my 2¢.

I do like orps. Our last two we had were awesome layers. They loved my kids too. I let my girls look at pictures and they picked out the isbars and cream legbars.they like their colors. I've been debating on selling some of ours once things start hatching and coming along. Especially my pogirls, mixes, and later on my pet quality silkies. Ill probably only keep my layers and add marans and olive Eggers for a colorful egg basket.

Numbers play a big role in all of it too. I need enough layers so that I can get enough eggs for us, family, and to sell. But my DH keeps trying to put me on restriction. Haha doesn't work. If this hatch goes well he is in a lot of trouble because I will be getting another incubator and a turner for my styrofoam incubator. Lol ill be on a roll.

 

[loveourbirds]

also how much are you going to ask for rhodebar eggs? i know i have a few here but i want a good flock for next spring. gotta pay for those brussbars somehow LOL