Peeps in Europe!

[AnnaWolf]

I think in your case getting vaccinated birds is a wise choice. Just like coccidia it stays in the ground. It's hard to get rid of. Hope you'll find your dream birds.

I will, just have to narrow it down and take the time.

 

[abpatchy]

I will, just have to narrow it down and take the time.

what breeds are you thinking of?

 

[AnnaWolf]

I replaced a rooster last week. The new guy is younger and a lot more what I was hoping for. Really nice rooster... and also not at all flighty. I like him! Unfortunately he caught a cold in this nasty weather. Added some meds in the water... and put some mint oil on the perch for inhaling. He can't feel too bad since he tried to mate with one or two hens today... not sure if it was the same hen or not.
So today I put 26 eggs into my incubator to see if I need to worry about the other rooster having fertilized any of the hens. I hope not!
I'll be butchering that rooster as well as my back up rooster as he has developed white tail feathers (like his father). So I'll have to keep an eye out when I select in the future.

Hope he'l feel better soon, so you can go further with your breeding program.
Your just incubating to see if they are fertile?and therefore you know your old rooster is still in your hens or not?

 

[AnnaWolf]

what breeds are you thinking of?

Bantams, vaccinated will be of more importance, so that narrows it down.
But I would like a mixed flock of 3 birds to start with now (i think).

 

[abpatchy]

Hope he'l feel better soon, so you can go further with your breeding program.
Your just incubating to see if they are fertile?and therefore you know your old rooster is still in your hens or not?

correct. I don't want to keep those chicks in case they develope. Actually I hope they are infertile.. then I don't have to worry about it. Then I can start collecting eggs for March 8th when I'll be filling the incubator for a real hatch. And since I saw him wanting to mate already I am sure I will get some fertile ones soon. But not that I am counting the days or anything like that.
Actually @AnnaWolf hatching chicks is so much fun! It's exciting and amazing when you get to see them hatch! So much work for such a little body. How fast they learn to walk and do things.

 

[AnnaWolf]

correct. I don't want to keep those chicks in case they develope. Actually I hope they are infertile.. then I don't have to worry about it. Then I can start collecting eggs for March 8th when I'll be filling the incubator for a real hatch. And since I saw him wanting to mate already I am sure I will get some fertile ones soon. But not that I am counting the days or anything like that.
Actually @AnnaWolf hatching chicks is so much fun! It's exciting and amazing when you get to see them hatch! So much work for such a little body. How fast they learn to walk and do things.

Haha spring is in the air.
My broody hatched chicks last year that was fun, but we are still redoing the house so no icubating yet.

 

[chickengr]

no spring here. it looks like white christmass. I woke up and found about 10 cm of snow

 

[abpatchy]

We're finally getting warmer temps as of today. It snowed last evening and then turned into rain. Which froze to ice in some areas. I am happy when I don't have to worry about hatching eggs getting cold or water freezing. This was the first time that water froze that severely inside the coop. It was wicked!

 

[BDutch]

Yes, same here. Temps are increasing quick. My chickens locked themselves in the coop/small run combi for 8 days bc of the snow and cold. This week it’s going to be warmer every day. 15C upcoming weekend.

 

[BDutch]

Hi @Honora from Ireland. A warm welcome to this thread. Do you have chickens? Other poultry?

@SulkyBantam other Irish are welcome too!