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

[KBfibers]

I'm a newby in Ross County. So far I really like my hens/chicks. I've had them for five weeks and believe most of them are six to seven weeks old.

 

[Laurel Meadows]

I'm a newby in Ross County. So far I really like my hens/chicks. I've had them for five weeks and believe most of them are six to seven weeks old.

Welcome! If you have any questions along the way, you're in the right place! Lots of helpful and friendly folks here on BYC

 

[big medicine]

I always wanted to go to one of the shows or swaps. They sound like fun! What are they like?

I think I have the DH convinced to going to the Nationals this November. I wanted to go last year, but with the AI scare....well...

Swaps, depending on time of year, people bring extra birds, and sometimes chicks for sell. Depending on the seller, you may see very good quality healthy birds, and then others that may not fit that description.

Shows will generally have better quality birds, in the show, and sale pens. Hard to beat the Ohio National as shows go. There where no shows in Ohio last year. At shows birds are caged by breed and variety. So all the say light Brahmas will be penned next to each other by category, all the light pullets, light hens, cockerels, and cocks. Then the darks....., and then buffs. The large fowl Brahmas will be with large fowl Asiatics, with Cochins, Lanshans. The bantam Brahmas will also be caged similarly but over with the bantams. The birds for sale are usually on the end of the building, or sometimes in a neighboring building,

The key to either, if you have not made prior arrangements with a breeder, if your looking to buy, is to get there early as possible. The good stuff generally goes pretty quick.

Bring something to carry any birds you buy home in.

Cash is king, it amazes me how my wife has converted to debit cards almost exclusively these days.

Personally I never wear clothes or footwear that I use around my birds to a swap or show. On the off chance of packing something back home to my birds.

Ideally you should quarantine any new birds you may buy for a few weeks before introducing them to your flock.

 

[JustinFly]

Thanks!! I think the black one is a black Australorp.

The australorp looks like a roo to me. I have one and he is awesome and quite.

 

[henny1129]

Thanks!! I think the black one is a black Australorp.

I didn't even think of that breed. Sorry I couldn't help with the white one.

 

[findlaychickens]

My girls are just over 4 weeks old. I pick them up and handle them every day and as far as I can see they are fully feathered; I don't see a speck of their fluffy down anywhere just big girl feathers! Is it safe for them to move to the coop? I will probably keep them inside the actual henhouse portion for a week or so since it will dip down into the 20s here a few nights over the next week.

 

[littlejohnacres]

The australorp looks like a roo to me. I have one and he is awesome and quite.

That's good to know. I'm new at this and very nervous about having roosters. I don't want to get attacked!!

 

[Outpost JWB]

Swaps, depending on time of year, people bring extra birds, and sometimes chicks for sell. Depending on the seller, you may see very good quality healthy birds, and then others that may not fit that description.

Shows will generally have better quality birds, in the show, and sale pens. Hard to beat the Ohio National as shows go. There where no shows in Ohio last year. At shows birds are caged by breed and variety.  So all the say light Brahmas will be penned next to each other by category, all the light pullets, light hens, cockerels, and cocks. Then the darks....., and then buffs.  The large fowl Brahmas will be with large fowl Asiatics, with Cochins, Lanshans.  The bantam Brahmas will also be caged similarly but over with the bantams. The birds for sale are usually on the end of the building, or sometimes in a neighboring building,

The key to either, if you have not made prior arrangements with a breeder, if your looking to buy, is to get there early as possible. The good stuff generally goes pretty quick.

Bring something to carry any birds you buy home in.

Cash is king, it amazes me how my wife has converted to debit cards almost exclusively these days.

Personally I never wear clothes or footwear that I use around my birds to a swap or show. On the off chance of packing something back home to my birds.

Ideally you should quarantine any new birds you may buy for a few weeks before introducing them to your flock. 

Very good advice. I personally will NEVER go to a swap again. Went to one last year after DHs bird dog ate some of my hens. Bought a jersey giant, barred rock & Easter egger. Kept them in quarantine for 90 days. All looked fine except Easter egger developed a "rattle" in her breathing & barred rock had an odd disposition. When the barred rock got with the flock, she was fine. Treated the Easter egger for respiratory and she seemed fine when I let her join the flock. In the end, I'm pretty sure she has mg and now mg is in my flock. I lost several pullets last summer because of this. I've had to go back and bleach everything, and really watch my flock. All from (at least what I believe) was one trip to a swap meet. I was also dismayed to find people buying roosters for cock fighting. I have butchered my extra roosters and am not opposed to selling them for meat, but I would be apauled to find out my rooster was living a life of suffering.

 

[henny1129]

My girls are just over 4 weeks old. I pick them up and handle them every day and as far as I can see they are fully feathered; I don't see a speck of their fluffy down anywhere just big girl feathers! Is it safe for them to move to the coop? I will probably keep them inside the actual henhouse portion for a week or so since it will dip down into the 20s here a few nights over the next week.

I would think they would be okay. Just make sure they always have water available that is not frozen and a source of heat (like a heat lamp). Straw is also warmer than shavings, so you may think of using that as well. One of the most important things is just making sure that they aren't damp. If the coop is damp it can easily kill any age chicken. Good luck!

 

[JustinFly]

That's good to know. I'm new at this and very nervous about having roosters. I don't want to get attacked!! e

I didn't want a rooster but the 10 I got I had one in the bunch. I'm giving him a chances he's 3 months old and learning to crow. It's very funny to listen to him. I read a lot about them and its all been good so I hope it's true because I'm starting to like him more each day.