Should I buy eggs or wait it out?

[Chaneys Ranch]

Hi guys! Our Indiana group pulled off our first chickenfest on Sunday. We had an AWESOME TIME

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/730582/indiana-bycers-here/10600#post_11723474
We did a processing workshop, hands on, and learned a lot from each other.
I processed one of my BBW turkeys to help demonstrate. Easier to understand when you biggie size it all.
One member realized they aren't ready to do it yet, and that's OK. Better to know before you invest in meat birds.
I brought home a second astralorp roo named Bruce, I have too many EE roos so we did a swap..
Bruce is quite the go getter, seconds out of the crate and was "getting acquainted" with his new ladies

I had only given him 5, and within 10 minutes, he was up to seven... He has settled right in to do his job.
I also FINALLY got PEACHICKS!!!!!

One of our members is in evansville and found an ad in craigslist.
The guy was just over the river from her, in KY, so she picked them up for me.
Hoping to get pics tomorrow. Will also have some of our new baby goat Sophie, she is too precious.

26 eggs today! using chopped eggs in the feed for the guinea, peafowl and turkeys to help boost the proteins.
ETA: oops it the next post down!

 

[lindz8504]

A little heartbroken this morning..... My little splay-legged BR chick passed away sometime last night. I figured it was coming because it wasn't growing like the others.... I had hobbled its legs with a band aid to try to help with the splay-leg, but it wasn't really working. Then it was gone this morning at 2 weeks old.... Plus I think my dad is going to take the rest of my brooder chicks back... (long story/short version: He does a game at fairs and uses chicks and rabbits for prizes... I TOTALLY DON"T AGREE! I ended up with his first batch of chicks when they got too big, and when he got these last ones I thought I had him talked into using inflatable toys instead. He gave me the chicks last weekend, but told me last night he needed them back because his inflatables hadn't got here yet, and he needed something for prizes. BOO!!!)

On a brighter note... I got 2 eggs yesterday! A big brown from Bertha (my big B.O) and a small cream from Clarabelle (my smaller B. Cochin).... Amelia held out on me again! I will be glad when my Golden Comets start laying, cause at 1-2 a day it takes awhile to get enough eggs to feed my crew! There are 6 of us! LOL

 

[nesther]

My beloved chicken hates it when I pick her uppppppp!!! What do I do?

 

[Wishing4Wings]

lindz, So sorry to hear about the little chick and the others going back to the fair.

I completely agree with your position about animals as prizes, and hopefully anyone who chooses to participate in the game would truly want and know how to give the poor little critters a home. There are some good people out there. Here's hoping the inflatables arrive today.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

My beloved chicken hates it when I pick her uppppppp!!! What do I do?

Hi nesther! Some chickens don't mind being held but most really don't like it. What breed is your chicken and how old? I know my pullets were pretty flighty until they started laying and calmed down a bit. Still, out of 11 girls, there is only one who doesn't mind being picked up, so we don't handle them unless we need to. They are happier that way.

All of the girls do looove treats however, and will race up and eat out of our hands, so that is how we interact with them A couple will even jump in my lap for a little chat and gentle petting, but if I try to grab them, it takes a long time before they will trust me again.

 

[nesther]

Oh, I dunno what breed she is and I got her as an adult. Well, she does like it a bit when I set her on my lap and give her chicken feed and stroke her back gently.

 

[Wishing4Wings]

jchny, your chickenfest sounds wonderful! My local is considering having a "processing party" where those who find the killing part troubling can swap birds with someone else to learn the process without as much emotional trauma.

Congrats on the peas! How many and what color? HEEEEELLLLLLP!

 

[cheeka]

cool JC! I want pea fowl... and someday, I shall have them.

hi nesther! Welcome... and x 2 what W4W said, I have 3 hens and 1 rooster who pretty much let me do whatever I want... but that's 4 out of 31. I can pat a few others, as for the rest, I have to be content with them eating from my hand... I try not to bug those 4 by abusing my privilege (Mylee does that enough when she visits and the plan is for her to be back by the end of August!!!!!)

the girls are out free ranging, Chester is on the 100' line in the backyard. it is more than partly cloudy at times, so if the fox is drawn in, Chester's presence should send him back!

Tomorrow is the "start" for hatching of the Bearded Silkies! she still has 5 eggs

 

[luvmychicken]

I am waiting patiently for my EE ti start laying

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Oh, I dunno what breed she is and I got her as an adult. Well, she does like it a bit when I set her on my lap and give her chicken feed and stroke her back gently.

If she sits in your lap to eat and get pet then that's great. Does she have any chicken friends?

I am waiting patiently for my EE ti start laying

How do you do the patiently part?

Hoping for a blue egg for you!!!




cheeka, somehow I missed that you are hatching bearded silkies. Silkies?!!? Now I don't feel so bad having the Seramas. They're really more like pseudo-chickens!