six reasons not to take your wife and kids to the tractor supply store

[Lolita]

 

[TriciaHowe]

Quote:
•Feather sexing became possible in 1969 after several years of genetic research by the Tegels Poultry Breeding Company. This method used to determine the sex of newly hatched chicks is only possible if a female from a slow-feathering breed is crossed with a male from a fast-feathering breed. The sex of the chicks produced from this cross can be determined during the first 48 hours after hatching by looking at the primary and secondary feathers located on the chick's wings. The primary feathers will be noticeably longer than the secondary feathers on a female chick. On a male, the primary and secondary feathers are the same length.

 

[TXmommy]

Yep... Me too planned on "a few"...
Currently have 18 with 18 more eggs on the way

Just sorta happened

 

[gryeyes]

With the 9 Grown Up Chickens and 4 chicks in the brooder, I'm at my legal max..... oh, yah, uhhh..... plus 2 ducklings. But they're Cayugas, all black, which means they're stealth Ninja ducks, nobody could possibly notice them. Riiiiight.

I have 3 chicks "in the shopping cart" at MyPetChicken and keep going back to look at the order for which I COULD just click "checkout." Noop, noop, can't do that.

Oh, but over on Craigslist, there is somebody within 50 miles who has bantam Black, Blue and Splash COCHINS!! And he answered the phone number listed, and will be there this Saturday.....

I'm sunk.

 

[tcmstalcup]

Stopped with my mom at the local feed store yesterday. I looked her in the eye and said " We are NOT buying any more chicks!!!" Ok, I'm the one that buys them. He he. We left with a mini rex bunny that is so CUTE. Around here, what's one more critter. My son loves his easter bunny.

 

[Briney Dave]

Quote:
•Feather sexing became possible in 1969 after several years of genetic research by the Tegels Poultry Breeding Company. This method used to determine the sex of newly hatched chicks is only possible if a female from a slow-feathering breed is crossed with a male from a fast-feathering breed. The sex of the chicks produced from this cross can be determined during the first 48 hours after hatching by looking at the primary and secondary feathers located on the chick's wings. The primary feathers will be noticeably longer than the secondary feathers on a female chick. On a male, the primary and secondary feathers are the same length.

hey Tricia, does that mean that she was likely right or I am likely sunk LOL

Its good to know that I am not the only one that can't hold the chick line here. Its a good thing the Mrs let me build a bigger coop than she thought we needed. I would hate to have to start adding on before its even completely finished

 

[Sequin]

Quote:
Just be prepared that there is still a 50/50 chance you have some or all as roos. Last year my two bantams had different looking wing lengths, um yeah, they are both roos. One of them is my favorite and is as sweet as can be(I tend to carry him everywhere), the other we call 'Bonaparte' - as in the little general. So, just be forewarned and prepared that checking the wings doesn't always mean roo or pullet.

Congrats on your new little ones!!! Yay!! Pictures?

 

[Briney Dave]

I am not completely surprised to hear that but I am hoping that you are wrong. I will live with the calm and quirky roo but not one that chases the kids etc.

On the other hand, I would like to have an extra set of eyes watching the girls though. A few weeks back I was woken to the sound of a great horned owl on my security light pole, and a couple years ago a couple young bald eagles spent the better part of a week eating a road kill racoon around the corner from me. I still see them from time to time but am on the southern end of their range; plus the usual set of chicken eaters too

needless to say that free range time will only be when we are home and outside. I am building a covered run for them for the rest of the day time

 

[redrocketrooster]

My chicken adventure started this year when my Dad took me to Jims Feed. It was for bulk rat food but they had three bins of chicks. Rhode Island Reds, Easter Egg and Barred Rocks. I thought they were cute, we were about to leave and then my Dad goes "Wanna get some?". Apparently he used to buy and try to raise the chicks up but in Philly with a cold basement they always died. I guess he figured they wouldn't be too much work and would die anyway. Not with me they don't, I do it all proper like! Now we've got a coop and a big run. *and I'm secretly waiting for the moment I can ask to place an order to Natures Hatchery*

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
When you figure it out, let me know!! I swore I'd only have a dozen or so at the max......34 chicks and chickens later...that's not counting the 8 chicks on a waiting list!!