San Diego Chicken meetup and Chat thread

[perchie.girl]

We went to the fair yesterday (Wednesday). The animals aren't too thrashed yet by the idiot populace (as in, "What a cute fluffy chicken - what happens if I poke it with my corn dog stick?"), so it was still fun to walk through the barns.

I also have to admit that I have never seen chickens quite that big, and a few of them actually scared me (Did you see Jurassic Park? I'm pretty sure they used poultry for the CG). Maybe we should let one of the roosters out of the cage the next time the corn dog stick comes out, then we'll see the survival of the fittest. I will buy tickets (but sit far away to watch).

If any of you are into gardening, they have a great planted veggie section in the infield by the horses. They close everything down at 6:00 p.m., so I didn't see the active demos, but the garden was great. Make sure you look at the vertical pallet garden, if you're into different ways of growing.

By the way, if you thought Swifty Swine Pig Races were the weirdest thing in livestock - think again. This year it's turkey races.

Oh Gawd .... turkey races too??? I used to go to the fair every year. Because one or another of my friends were showing at the horse show. The great part about that was if you are a competitor or an exhibitor you can pay a few bucks and spend the night in a horse stall or in one of your friends campers.... after hours or early morning at the fair is realllly fun. Last time I went I was showing my very own horse back in 2002. We got there before the fair started because the horse show started two days before the fair. so we hopped in my friends convertible and cruzed the midway.... The carnies are a hoot too. Very nice hardworking people.... at arms length.... hee hee.

My avatar was from that week. Baby girl and I won about three ribbons enough to pay our fees and get to play with the big guys. Katee (my horse) is only about 17 hands and about 2000 lbs and we were competing against horses that were 18-19 hands and 2500 lbs. Sigh now I need a scooter or wheel chair just to get to the front gate....

One day I want to go back.... not this year though.

deb

 

[Fraunie]

Oh..My..what have I walked into!!!

you guys are hilarious!!! ChickieDickies??? Nakes chested chickens?? I thought those were a joke? They are really yours??/ HE HE HE!! I do have a knitting pattern for something that would keep those warm come winter!!

We went to the fair yesterday and got to watch some of the chicken judging. It was cool, the kids (7 and 8) really liked the chickens. I too was shocked at how big some of those roosters were!! Seriously, their legs wre as thick as my kids forearm!! It was nice to see what some of my little chicks are going to look like in a few months....in person!

So my husband really thinks I have an issue, everytime he comes in the room I am either on BYC or Craigslist looking at the farm/garden section. I say I'm only crazy when I crest 12 fowl and I add mammals...like those GORGEOUS angora goats I saw yesterday!!!!!!

In other words, give me til fall!!

 

[perchie.girl]

Oh..My..what have I walked into!!!

you guys are hilarious!!! ChickieDickies??? Nakes chested chickens?? I thought those were a joke? They are really yours??/ HE HE HE!! I do have a knitting pattern for something that would keep those warm come winter!!

We went to the fair yesterday and got to watch some of the chicken judging. It was cool, the kids (7 and 8) really liked the chickens. I too was shocked at how big some of those roosters were!! Seriously, their legs wre as thick as my kids forearm!! It was nice to see what some of my little chicks are going to look like in a few months....in person!

So my husband really thinks I have an issue, everytime he comes in the room I am either on BYC or Craigslist looking at the farm/garden section. I say I'm only crazy when I crest 12 fowl and I add mammals...like those GORGEOUS angora goats I saw yesterday!!!!!!

In other words, give me til fall!!

Fraunie I have one of those roos. Hes a big Barred rock. I finally named Bubba The top of his head comes to my knees. Hes very sweet but low man in the pecking order. The other day he was Awk Awk talking and ducking and walking into the dog crate. Up comes the Black Silkey Roo Truffle.... he is half the height of Bubba. Truffle does that sqat and kicks up dirt behind him thows one wing down and Bubba is Runnin. Of course his exit is blocked by the Black Fuzinator.... So He carefully STEPS over Truffle to get away. Truffle spins and stomps and Bubba jumps a little flaps and goes into the other room of the chicken house. Neither are old enough to have spurs.....

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I sent the Naked Neck chicks home with Jules because my brooders were full.  She informs me than there is one that has a naked chest.
I'm sure it is just feathering in a little slowly, right????   My older Naked Necks went up to the ranch last week so hopefully I'll be hatching Naked Neck chicks soon.

Yes, two of the chicks had a small bow tie but one had no bow tie at all. You never want to breed frizzle to frizzle because to the naked gene. Apparently breeding frizzle to a smooth feathered chicken also results in little feathering. I guess I'm not going to get any takers on these guys off this thread.

 

[RyeRanch]

I have 2 birds, a rooster and a hen that arrived on Wednesday from Maryland. They are 5-6 weeks old and are acting totally normal. The roo however has some blood in his stool. Some poop are totally normal and some have blood. The hen has totally normal looking poops. I have begun treatment for Cocci as that seems like the most likely culprit. Any other ideas on what it could be or other things I should be doing?
Thanks!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I have 2 birds, a rooster and a hen that arrived on Wednesday from Maryland. They are 5-6 weeks old and are acting totally normal. The roo however has some blood in his stool. Some poop are totally normal and some have blood. The hen has totally normal looking poops. I have begun treatment for Cocci as that seems like the most likely culprit. Any other ideas on what it could be or other things I should be doing?
Thanks!

I'd do as you are, treat for cocci as a precaution. I'd also dust them for mites while you're at it just in case. Keep them separate from your flock for at least two weeks. What'd you get?

 

[RyeRanch]

I'd do as you are, treat for cocci as a precaution. I'd also dust them for mites while you're at it just in case. Keep them separate from your flock for at least two weeks. What'd you get?

I got legbars! Only another 20 weeks or so for blue eggs. They are currently quarantined in the garage. Do you just use DE for them to take dust baths for mites or is there something special that you use?

 

[Phage]

Quote: That sounds good. the blood may also be normal shedding of the intestinal mucosa, but always good to assume (and treat) the worst, especially with those babies.

Congratulations on the legbars BTW

Looks like I have just had 2 white hen chicks hatch.

 

[All-American-Chick]

okay had to post this.
totally not practical but oh so cute.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/9907930...a_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all

 

[perchie.girl]

okay had to post this.
totally not practical but oh so cute.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/9907930...a_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all

OMG Cute..... A chickie poncho.....

deb