Hi WestKnollAmy,
I just got back from Walhalla. It's about ten minute drive and ten degrees hotter as the city is below us at the foot of the mountain. I do love the weather up here, even the cold. We usually get snow when everyone else gets ice.
I will have several extra Roosters if you want one or two. I want to keep 12 hens for myself and do not know if I have that many. My chicks are straight run from a Friends flock in Arnoldsville, GA. He hatched 32 eggs and keep eight for himself and I got the others. We lost one early and a couple did not hatch but over all we had very good luck I thought to get 29 out of thirty two eggs. I know I have at least seven Roo's and nine hens. The others are still iffy. They are dark on top and lighter on the chest. Legs tend to be dark almost a little greenish in color. I think they maybe hens but don't know. If they are hens then I may have more then I need/want. My first chickens and I only know what I've been told and read. Of my friends Seven laying hens he gets seven eggs a day almost every day. These should be great Dominiques if they take after their parents.
My friend raises several thousand Qual each year to stock his and and a few other farms for hunting. He raises Bob White Qual only. He feels that putting a native bird back into the wild has a better chance to survive and reproduce. I can get Qual from him for free just like the Dominiques, and I like Qual for eating so that's the reason I'm thinking about raising them for myself. I could release the extra's as well. The Bob White's are rare here now. Not sure if it's over hunting or the Hawk's Clemson let loose up here about ten years ago. We have plenty of Hawks but many song birds are nearly extinct.
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Hello, Don! Welcome to our SC thread!
I don't know anyone here that is very close to where you live. Mary is over in Pickens and sells the best honey from her bees but as far as I know she and Lroach are the only ones in your direction!
You live in very pretty country over there and I bet you do have cooler temps than I do.
I enjoyed the Doms that I had but never kept any for long because people like buying them and I have gone through 3 small flocks in 2 years and still have none left for me.
They must be some really great birds. The older girls I had did lay extremely well and I hated to sell those but my friend up in Landrum only has Doms and begged me for them. They have an excellent home and are spoiled.
I do love my Marans! That is the best tasting meat ever! And those dark eggs are glorious.
A few folks on here have Quail. I used to love them when Dad went hunting but I have never had home raised ones. Every time I hear the Bob White out in the pasture my tummy growls for some of that nice tasting bird. What a shame they are so small!
Again, welcome and don't be a stranger!