Surviving Minnesota!

[BantyChooks]

Not at all. A project for the next couple of weeks.

Build it so you can make an add-on later. Chicken math will hit, and you're gonna need a bigger coop.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

March is typically a snowy month here. Snow dripping off my car in the garage keeps the floor wet. And that's where my brooder sets. In front of my car in the garage.

 

[Tfred1399]

Started birds are great. If you locate a good breeder who sells started stock, you'll be able to get better birds than when you buy chicks.

I found an article about a breeder in northern MN that DID started stock, but that was from 2013. Email sent.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

There are some guys around that do chanteclers. Maybe Wisconsin too. I will tell you that breeder birds are worth the drive. The quality is noticeable.

 

[duluthralphie]

I have some Partridge chanticler. I got mine originally from EJB, He did a fantastic job with them. I did well with them at the shows last fall.

I have two mature roosters and the one I gave back to EJB, but that is his. I have some decent started ones coming up. My best cockerel of the year managed to take the feathers and skin off the back of his head. I am still going to breed hm next spring even if I cannot show him this year.

I will be showing Ed and Wienerhead plus at least one other cockerle this fall..

This is a good year to be looking for Chanticlers in Minnesota. The Chanticler Fanciers "the breed club" is having it's national show in Hutch in Oct. There should be a large selection there to pick from. I will have some available also.

I am test breeding a hatch, I will be setting the eggs in the next week. I am trying to improve leg color on my flock over all and trying to see which birds are giving me the dusky coloring. These chick would be available cheap this fall. I will only keep a few for myself. I am also trying to work in an extra generation this year. BUT that will put some of my birds lightly behind next year...

As far as the penciling on the PC, EJB really did a nice job on it. The Judges at both shows last year were impressed with the hens penciling.


As far as Chantilers go I will be trying to pick up a white or buff line myself at the show in Oct....


BTW Judy does not need to know this now.....She is still working on the theory I will be at 40 birds by Nov 1st.....

 

[BantyChooks]

I have some Partridge chanticler. I got mine originally from EJB, He did a fantastic job with them. I did well with them at the shows last fall.

I have two mature roosters and the one I gave back to EJB, but that is his. I have some decent started ones coming up. My best cockerel of the year managed to take the feathers and skin off the back of his head. I am still going to breed hm next spring even if I cannot show him this year.

I will be showing Ed and Wienerhead plus at least one other cockerle this fall..

This is a good year to be looking for Chanticlers in Minnesota. The Chanticler Fanciers "the breed club" is having it's national show in Hutch in Oct. There should be a large selection there to pick from. I will have some available also.

I am test breeding a hatch in the next week, I will be setting the eggs. I am trying to improve leg color on my flock over all and trying to see which birds are giving me the dusky coloring. These chick would be available cheap this fall. I will only keep a few for myself. I am also trying to work in an extra generation this year. BUT that will put some of my birds lightly behind next year...


As far as Chantilers go I will be trying to pick up a white or buff line myself at the show in Oct....


BTW Judy does not need to know this now.....She is still working on the theory I will be at 40 birds by Nov 1st.....

Poor, delusional Judy... I can't ever imagine you with less than 50.

 

[BantyChooks]

There are some guys around that do chanteclers. Maybe Wisconsin too. I will tell you that breeder birds are worth the drive. The quality is noticeable.

Agreed. If I had the time, I'd definitely find a breeder that had good quality started stock for sale and drive there. Maybe in a few years, when the Rugrats are older.

 

[holm25]

Ivie congrats on the babies! Pics are necessary! I have some broody baby pics to post later too. So many different colors this batch!

Oh and I had a turkey fly up onto my head and attack me yesterday... All while my brother ran away and my grandpa laughed.... Ralphie that hen is batshoot crazy.

 

[ejb3810]

Tfred, chicks are cute but a pain in the posterior. They require special housing and management. If you can find started or adult birds it makes things much easier which equates to much more enjoyable as one approaches the 100th birthday.
By going with started or adult birds you can get the number of hens and cocks that you desire and don't have to deal with extra of either sex, although the pullets would be easy to sell.
Ralphies idea about attending the show in Hutchinson would be a good idea if it weren't for the fact that I will be there looking for some birds myself.
I have had all three recognized color varieties of Chantecler and all have been productive and docile. I currently only have the Partridge and some Black frosted project birds. I will again have White and Buff in the near future.
Other breeds I have or have had are Ameraucana, Buckeye, Marans and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens. I have had others but too many to elaborate. All of the above listed are suitable to the harsh Mn. climate. An exception is Marans cocks which have a large comb that will be damaged by frost bite if not given special housing. My hens have not experienced any frost damage to combs.
Even Ralphie, who resides within the boundaries of the Mn. Banana Belt has experienced frost damage on combs of some of his roosters with large single combs.

 

[duluthralphie]

@Tfred If you are interested I have quite a few Appletini's (appenzeller Spitzehauben) I am going to be getting rid of.

I need to get down in breeds, and will be staying with mainly APA breeds and the Legbars (Which I hope we get an SOP on in the next couple years) To that end I took the directorship spot for the midwest on the Legbar Club board.

The Appenzeller's Spitzes are an excellent Minnesota bird they have decent looks, and are extremely winter hardy, they eat very little feed. The forage well and lay a moderate size white egg. They do not have a comb to freeze and seem smarter than your normal crested (read polish) birds....



If some one does not buy them before the 19th of August they will be going to the Amish Auction. I have found I am just too old to have 400 brds anymore.