Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[sharron]

Please forgive me, it must be the summertime heat, or maybe just being exhausted from all the extra summer chores,,,,,, BUT......


I can not wait till the days of relaxing in front of the window and watching the snow fall while temporary bliss sets in, till I realize I must go out in that....
Maybe an evening with a nice big turkey cooking in the oven.


Like this...

 

[chippysmom327]

This is from my post in the Managing the Flock section, just wanted your guys' input...

I'm actually asking this for a friend. They have about 25-50 RSLs that they're having problems with. They're eating eggs like crazy and are feather picking. I suspect nutrient deficiency but I can't really tell them to their faces that the reason their birds are doing this is because of them. Especially when they're older than me. They're wanting to send some of their current hens to freezer camp and start fresh in spring.

They know I have a broody right now and asked how I got her to go broody because they haven't had any luck with incubators. I explained that I bought a bantam cochin as my designated broody because they're a very broody breed. She really doesn't know any breeds besides RSLs and BSLs. I then mentioned my roo and she was like "You have a rooster that's nice?!?" and when I bragged about how great he is she said she definitely wanted bantam cochins. I told her they're not good layers and she said she didn't want a whole flock of them then. We had a very long talk but you guys don't care.

The bottom line is she wants new birds, and wants to try something new.

Here are the requirements:
*Cold hardy
*Awesome layers
*Docile Breed-friendly to kids and the other birds


I'm thinking some barred rocks, australorps, wyandottes, marans, buff orps, and easter eggers with a bantam cochin or two.

I want her to see the 'good rooster' light. She can probably have a few. I know BCM roos are striking and supposedly friendly, as well as EEs and orps.

What do you guys think?

 

[stake]

Nothing quite like those frozen water dishes, muddy wet snow, shoveling, waiting for the plow so you can get home at midnight! Can't wait!

Almost forgot the frozen fingets from feeding and watering, miss that, too.

Just kidding. I actually love fall and winter. Something so peaceful about the snow muffling all the noise, although I do love the sounds on a late summer night.

Think you forgot schlepping in fire wood at 2:00a from a frozen over wood pile through 12" of snow......

 

[dheltzel]

All of those breeds meet that criteria, as do sex links. It's much more important about how they are housed and cared for than the particular genetics.

Does there current flock have a nice run to exercise in? If not, I'd put the effort there and see if that fixes their behavioural issues.

 

[stake]

Anyone here in Kutztown Borough? I have a friend that wants to know if she's allowed to have chickens. I looked online in the borough ordinances and could find no references to chickens in an R-3 zoned residence. I told her to call the council and ask directly but thought maybe someone here would know.

LB:

When I looked into this, there are County regulations....lots of times the townships just copy the county regs sometimes they can be a bit more restrictive....and R3 should be less restrictive than R1...and if no one complains, no harm no foul.....

 

[stake]

All of those breeds meet that criteria, as do sex links. It's much more important about how they are housed and cared for than the particular genetics.

Does there current flock have a nice run to exercise in? If not, I'd put the effort there and see if that fixes their behavioural issues.

Yep....when I was researching BYCs, I found the descriptions and search on mypetchickens a good starting point for the basics....my two cents....

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Bucks county!

Welcome! I am in Mid bucks county. This is my first year with chickens, but if you want to come see our set up, you're more than welcome!

Hello from Jefferson county, PA. I have officially successfully incubated 1 time and getting ready to start a second batch only guineas this time instead of chickens. My hatch rate was little to be desired but ash least some hatched! The second time around hopefully I'll have some better handle on things!

Welcome to the fun!

Please forgive me, it must be the summertime heat, or maybe just being exhausted from all the extra summer chores,,,,,, BUT...... I can not wait till the days of relaxing in front of the window and watching the snow fall while temporary bliss sets in, till I realize I must go out in that.... Maybe an evening with a nice big turkey cooking in the oven. Like this...

I still love snow too!

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OMG OMG OMG!!!!! We have our first egg!!!! It is the one on the left. The white one is either a large or extra large store bought one for comparison.
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[COLOR=141823]

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Congratulations!

 

[LisaYolkUm]

okay----so now I am wondering about this feather picking...................

I have one bird that has a bald spot on her back right before her tail feathers. ( EE)

Her skin is visible and is not open . No visible scratches etc..............she has had this patch for some time and I was thinking its because one of the other girls pulled out some feathers ----in a little disagreement of sorts.

This has been this way for awhile but since she acts healthy and skin is intact and it is not worse..............I just figured its fine.

is this a behavioural problem or something else?

I am also thinking my gals may be going into molt soon...............because they are 1.5 yrs old and have not molted yet........

what do you think?

 

[chippysmom327]

okay----so now I am wondering about this feather picking...................

I have one bird that has a bald spot on her back right before her tail feathers.  ( EE)

Her skin is visible and is not open .  No visible scratches etc..............she has had this patch for some time and I was thinking its because one of the other girls pulled out some feathers ----in a little disagreement of sorts.

This has been this way for awhile but since she acts healthy and skin is intact and it is not worse..............I just figured its fine.

is this a behavioural problem or something else?

I am also thinking my gals may be going into molt soon...............because they are 1.5 yrs old and have not molted yet........

what do you think?

Do you have roos? She might be getting worn from that? Molts start at the head, not the tail. Maybe feather picking. Feather picking would have broken, bloody feather shafts hanging off.

 

[LisaYolkUm]

I do not have roos.................just 4 girls..................