Sumatra Thread!

[stonykill]

the only reason I do not use broody hens is that the chicks are not as friendly as they are when you hand raise them. I had a broody hen that would peck my hand every time I would go near her and soon after the chick started to do it to.when the chick grew up she still would peck my hand. it was so bad that when I showed her. she had peaked the hand of the judge. and he DQ her. I knew she was going to peck him. but I did not know at the time that she would be DQ from pecking him.

I don't show and I don't want "friendly" birds. Friendly birds get eaten by predators. I don't and never will show. So give me a broody raised chick who learn how to be a chicken from a chicken, not some human who thinks they know how to be a chicken better than a chicken does.

 

[championsumatra]

That is not always true I have chickens that I have hand raised that are very friendly. my hand raised chickens are free ranging every single day and they have not been eaten at all yet. the ones that have been raised so far by the broodys are long dead. we have some coyotes that eat are chickens a lot but the ones who still remain are the ones that I have hand raised. and I am not saying that I am better at raising chicks out than a broody. but where I live and what I am doing with my life as in showing chickens is way better for me. then having the chicks be so mean that you can't show them or being so wild that you can't get them in. or even seeing if they are ok and don't have a injury that can lead to death. this is why most of are brooded out chickens are dead the mother hen would go out into the woods with her chicks and as they got older they started to getting eaten by the coyotes. the ones that I hand raised have never set foot out in the woods only because I never took them out there. I am going to say this to you like I do to anyone who asks me why bother taming your chickens or even having them as pets. is that there is nothing better than having a strong bond between you and your chickens. because ones you do open up that door your chickens will open up for you and you will see stuff that you never knew a chicken could do. they are such good friends to have around. know why wouldn't I not tame them?

 

[stonykill]

That is not always true I have chickens that I have hand raised that are very friendly. my hand raised chickens are free ranging every single day and they have not been eaten at all yet. the ones that have been raised so far by the broodys are long dead. we have some coyotes that eat are chickens a lot but the ones who still remain are the ones that I have hand raised. and I am not saying that I am better at raising chicks out than a broody. but where I live and what I am doing with my life as in showing chickens is way better for me. then having the chicks be so mean that you can't show them or being so wild that you can't get them in. or even seeing if they are ok and don't have a injury that can lead to death. this is why most of are brooded out chickens are dead the mother hen would go out into the woods with her chicks and as they got older they started to getting eaten by the coyotes. the ones that I hand raised have never set foot out in the woods only because I never took them out there. I am going to say this to you like I do to anyone who asks me why bother taming your chickens or even having them as pets. is that there is nothing better than having a strong bond between you and your chickens. because ones you do open up that door your chickens will open up for you and you will see stuff that you never knew a chicken could do. they are such good friends to have around. know why wouldn't I not tame them?

I have a strong bond with my chickens. One does not need to hold a chicken to have a strong bond with it. But like I said , I don't and won't show so I don't need to hold them. I prefer ferrel. It is simply a preference, not a dig or put down on how you raise your birds. I did it your way and it didn't work for me, where broody's do.

 

[trailchick]

Champ, sorry you have 'bating troubles.

I know 'bating is complex... What kind of incubator do you use?
Hope this next batch works out well.

Sounds crazy, but in my dry climate I went to the "dry incubation" method.
Chookschicks has a good thread & info about it.
Too many of my hatchlings were having trouble at the end of development &
and many were just too sticky, and fluidy at hatch.
I ended up getting a Dicky bator, and it sure hold temps well & I can get
plenty of ventilation in it, too.

Using the bator, tho, lets the girls focus on the egg production, which is an
asset to some of us........ And sometimes broody hens are hard to come by!

Sorry, Sarge, that you lost your mutt this morning.

Seems like the ones you love the most are the first ones you lose, & I hate that!!

Need to get out soon and take photos of some birds - that is my problem,
chicken pic' ing is hard!!! They dont pose well....

 

[chickletteSarge]

got aboot 10 in the bator now... they are mixed some from my sumatra,rs yokie, game mix, and a polish.... we will see come easter how many accually hatch... the bator math kills me!!! and it dont help that the kids go in the batin room to look at the chicks and eggs and then mess with the temp!!! lastnight when i checked it was 104.8*!!!! i am praying that they didnt fry in that heat! but its a crap shoot now thanks to my lovely girls...

 

[championsumatra]

I have two that I am using. I have the still air and the Hova bator.

 

[championsumatra]

that is ok stonykill I was only making a point.

but there are many ways we all do stuff and sometimes we may have a disagreements but in the long run we all love sumatras

!

 

[FlCountryGirl]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Glad to know that they'll get along fine.

 

[dsfrango]

  I have a strong bond with my chickens. One does not need to hold a chicken to have a strong bond with it. But like I said , I don't and won't show so I don't need to hold them. I prefer ferrel. It is simply a preference, not a dig or put down on how you raise your birds. I did it your way and it didn't work for me, where broody's do. 

I am with you Champ. I don't see how you can have a "bond" without handling. If you had a dog and never pet it or gave it treats would you say you are bonded to it?? Don't think so. Personally I enjoy....and think most do, when u go to the coop and they are right there to greet you. Then you open the door and they follow you everywhere. I can't stand when theyre so untame/wild that you can't even get them in the coop to SAFETY. Chickens are domesticated animals or in my case, pets not meant for the wild.

 

[stonykill]

I have a strong bond with my chickens. One does not need to hold a chicken to have a strong bond with it. But like I said , I don't and won't show so I don't need to hold them. I prefer ferrel. It is simply a preference, not a dig or put down on how you raise your birds. I did it your way and it didn't work for me, where broody's do.

I am with you Champ. I don't see how you can have a "bond" without handling. If you had a dog and never pet it or gave it treats would you say you are bonded to it?? Don't think so. Personally I enjoy....and think most do, when u go to the coop and they are right there to greet you. Then you open the door and they follow you everywhere. I can't stand when theyre so untame/wild that you can't even get them in the coop to SAFETY. Chickens are domesticated animals or in my case, pets not meant for the wild.

mine do everything you say and I don't hold them, unless they need me to check them out. Some are 6 years old and I've never touched them. Yet they come to me, follow me, run TO me, some of the hens land on me.The roosters and hens both stand on my feet. They come in my workshop and hang out. THAT is why I say I don't need to hold my chickens to have a bond. Chickens and dogs aren't even remotely the same.
There is more than one way to come to the same result. FORGIVE ME if my way is unpopular. The end result is the same.