Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[dheltzel]

I wish everyone else counted chickens like we do! And yes, I'm at the bar instead of an AA meeting! Nice to see you all here lol!

Holy cow, 300 is impressive! I hope for 100 someday. How do you care for them all and keep the living quarters clean to avoid any devastating illnesses? That's what I worry about the most.

Chickens are way tougher than you know. I grew up with chickens and my uncle had hundreds and their living conditions were much less accomodating than any of you have, yet he had few problems and won a lot in shows. That's not an excuse to get too slack, just an observation that if the bedding gets a little dirty, or they are without feed for a day, they will not perish.
I also pay my niece and brother-in-law to help out some since I have a full time job and often get only an hour or 2 per day to care for them before dark.

 

[dheltzel]

Does anyone have (or know of) any silkies hatching in the next week or so? I am a few miles NW of Philadelphia but would be willing to travel a bit if needed.

Thanks,
Ed

I have a friend with silkies. Let me ask what colors they will have chicks from.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

How hard is it to raise turkeys? If you raise them from babies will they be friendly? Thinking more for pets than for eating.

Want to talk hubby into a heritage breed.  Can you get away with one or are they happier with a few of them?  

Turkeys are fairly easy to raise. They're not the smartest babies though and it helps to raise them with a chick or two to teach them how to eat and drink or they may literally die of starvation because they don't instinctively know how to eat and need to be taught. Raised from babies, they can become extremely friendly, imprint on you and become like dogs. We have several VERY sweet turkeys. A tom who loves hugs, a hen who likes nothing better to be held, another hen that only wants attention ALL THE TIME lol. You're better off with a small group of them than just 1. 2 or 3 would be best.

 

[ewe105]

That would be great. Thanks!

 

[hyzenthlay]

Hi guys, I just went out to the coop to give treats, and my 8.5 year old Easter Egger is not looking good. She is sitting where she normally perches at night, with her eyes closed. She looked like she might have been trying to open her eyes a bit when I came in, but she did not move at all when I put some dried mealworms right by her. She was up and around seeming normal yesterday, but I think she was still up in the perch area when I went to check on them this morning. If I recall, she was just standing up there, I figured she was hanging out where it was warmer, or maybe getting a bite to eat. I don't know what to do for her. She has never been happy to be touched, so I don't want to handle her more than necessary if she's on her way out--but I don't want to abandon her if there's something I could do to help. Thoughts?

 

[yoopergirl1211]

Turkeys are fairly easy to raise. They're not the smartest babies though and it helps to raise them with a chick or two to teach them how to eat and drink or they may literally die of starvation because they don't instinctively know how to eat and need to be taught. Raised from babies, they can become extremely friendly, imprint on you and become like dogs. We have several VERY sweet turkeys. A tom who loves hugs, a hen who likes nothing better to be held, another hen that only wants attention ALL THE TIME lol. You're alai beat with a small group of them than just 1. 2 or 3 would be best.

Thanks. They look fun! My husband is probably going to tell me I have to raise and try to train the guineas we have coming first lol. But he likes the birds as much as I do. Fingers crossed.

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Thanks. They look fun! My husband is probably going to tell me I have to raise and try to train the guineas we have coming first lol. But he likes the birds as much as I do. Fingers crossed.

Wow, attempting to train guineas would be a tall order! Good luck!

 

[OneMountainAcres]

So, one of my CCL hens has earned herself a name...Carmen, Carmen Sandiego lol. Seems like everytime I go out to collect eggs from that pen, she's not there! She keeps "slipping through the cracks" and managing to escape somehow and I'm always thinking "where in the world?" So, she now has a name...and the pen has been fortified. We'll see if it holds her lol. I do have to add that she's the only one to ever escape!

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Quote:
I've met Pilgrim, he is a cutie. I didn't know I was into the "hard stuff" now. Wait until my chicken hatches out her little poults. Then I'll really be hooked!

Aurora gave me 7 eggs, I had one quit, but the other 6 look to be doing well from what I can tell. The other chicken eggs under my broody seem to be developing also, except for the Legbar egg. I can't see a darned thing, but I assume it's growing. Rusty has been doing very well covering all of his ladies.

 

[yoopergirl1211]

Wow, attempting to train guineas would be a tall order! Good luck!

I have been doing a lot of reading and it sounds like a tall order but I really want them. The alarm system and tick eating would be great. We'll be getting Royal purple ones in May. Hopefully it goes well!!