***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Kassaundra]

Hi all. I am diving into your plethora of knowledge once again. I am trying to determine which of my hens are laying and which are not. I am not set up to do any seperating or single enclosed nests or anything of the sort, but was wondering about marking them when they are in the nest so I can see which are laying and which are not. I wondered if I were to put a dab of nail polish on the top of their beak, would that hurt them any? That is the only thing I can think to do without scaring them, like with a paint marker. Any and all opinions and suggestions are more than welcome!

Thanks,
Patti

I have heard of two methods, the first is food color on the vent, just stay away from red. Diff color for each girl.

The second involves a gloved finger or two and zip tie on the leg if you feel an egg, repeat over the next 2 days adding a zip tie to each girl when you feel the egg, that will not only tell who is laying, but basically how frequently.

 

[Critterwoman]

When I bought my chickens the lady gave me some new ones that she had gotten from a convenience store near her. They were not printed with anything, so on the carton I ask that they return the carton to me. I have also received some that already had printing on them that I wash well, mark out the existing printing such as 'Grade A' as mine are all ungraded, company name, etc. I mark on all my cartons 'Cage Free, Ungraded, Farm Fresh' so to avoid any confusion with my eggs and store bought or anything else.

This is just how I handle it. Not to say it is the perfect way but it works for me and my customers.

 

[ceocka]

[COLOR=000080]Hi all.  I am diving into your plethora of knowledge once again.  I am trying to determine which of my hens are laying and which are not.  I am not set up to do any seperating or single enclosed nests or anything of the sort, but was wondering about marking them when they are in the nest so I can see which are laying and which are not.  I wondered if I were to put a dab of nail polish on the top of their beak, would that hurt them any?  That is the only thing I can think to do without scaring them, like with a paint marker.  Any and all opinions and suggestions are more than welcome![/COLOR]

[COLOR=000080]Thanks,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=000080]Patti[/COLOR]

I use the small colored rubber bands that I use to use in my girls hands to mark the chicks.

 

[Critterwoman]

I have heard of two methods, the first is food color on the vent, just stay away from red. Diff color for each girl.

The second involves a gloved finger or two and zip tie on the leg if you feel an egg, repeat over the next 2 days adding a zip tie to each girl when you feel the egg, that will not only tell who is laying, but basically how frequently.

Thanks so much. I had wondered about leg banding, but have not been able to find any. I can see where the small zip ties would do the job. I was hoping to be able to mark them as they were in the nests, and the zip ties might be hard to get on their legs and not disturb them laying.

It is my black Austrolorps that I have trouble identifying after they leave the nest. I try to get some attributes like 'small comb', '5 points on comb', etc., but once they are out, they all mix in again and I can't catch them!

 

[Kassaundra]

Thanks so much. I had wondered about leg banding, but have not been able to find any. I can see where the small zip ties would do the job. I was hoping to be able to mark them as they were in the nests, and the zip ties might be hard to get on their legs and not disturb them laying.

The mark on the beak shouldn't hurt anything just stay away from red or close to red, and if using nail polish avoid the nostrils. A paint pen or magic marker should do the job w/o any extra dry time or possibility of cloging a nostril.

 

[CayuseRanch]

Hmmm.... There is a local breeder! This could be dangerous.

you could try marc sacre....he's a very prominent breeder...very, very nice stock!! this is from his website....
For 2013:

Buff
White
Cuckoo
Lavender
Lavender cuckoo
Jubilee
Mottled
Red
Red cuckoo
Chocolate
Black



Only juvenile pairs will be available, no eggs or day old chicks.
If you want to be on the waiting list for one of the above varieties, please contact me: [email protected] or call 405-206-4526.

 

[CayuseRanch]

Do you have a website for Marc sacre?

 

[Keystone Waterfowl]

Do you have a website for Marc sacre?

I believe it is: www.heirloomorpingtons.com

 

[WhiskeyTango]

Do you have a website for Marc sacre?

I just got off the phone with Marc and they are $400.00 a pair. He only sells juvenile pairs. I didn't ask him if he had any available because they are uhmmm.... $400.00.

 

[kimberlischicks]

Thanks b52fizzle! I'm right around the corner from you, about a mile east of Dibble.