Surviving Minnesota!

[ChicksMN]

I have a mean australorp she can have!

No thanks

 

[bobbi-j]

I use it outside but I did see mention of indoor use on the label . It is pricey at $24.00 for 4 ounces of concentrate . Makes 8 gallons . I mix one gallon at a time .

Thanks for the info! It's well worth it to get rid of those stinky things! I may try spraying outdoors around windows and doors first, and vacuum up the inside ones for now.

 

[ChicksMN]

Personally if I were to start over I would go find a breeder and buy chicks instead of a Hatchery. In all reality you do t really get a breed when you buy from a hatchery. Nothing you get is even close to a standard and so far away from its breeds standard in weight and confirmation that I do t think you could even consider a breed. Like my New hanps from Meyer look nothing like Minnie's New Hamps? If I saw the by each other I would never think they were the same breed.

Some of you may think I sounds crazy but I am starting to see the benefits from buying from local breeders that breed to the standard. The birds just look so much nicer and I am a lot happier with those birds over my hatchery birds.

Besides the birds looking nicer, are there other things/qualities/etc that make you happier with the breeder birds? Just trying to figure out which route I want to take.

 

[bobbi-j]

Thanks you guys! I had heard McMurray Murray was the place to order from but I was thinking there was a 25 chick minimum for orders. Others have brought up a good point on breeders vs hatcheries. I knew nothing about the difference but just did some prelim reading. I don't plan to show any and are primarily interested in the egg laying (in addition to docile nature as they will be pets for our 3 little munchkins....all under 5 yrs old).

I have ordered from Murray McMurray and have been very happy with their birds. I don't show, just want a few for eggs and meat. I even had several of my McMurray birds go broody this summer. I will likely be ordering from them again next year, as I have lost all but two of my flock this year to predators.

 

[ChicksMN]

Chicks MN~
My first batch of chicks I ordered with a early April hatch date. If you are ordering chicks for backyard purposes (not showing) then really anytime that fits in your schedule. And when I say fits in your schedule, you will waste a lot of time watching those fuzzy little nuggets run around. (also known as Chick TV)

If you are getting chicks with the intent to eventually show them or you have kids that will show them in shows, usually an earlier hatch is beneficial. There are many show quality breeders on this thread, as well as other breeders on this thread.

Whether you choose to go with a breeeder or a hatchery both are good choices. Hatchery birds tend to be bred for egg laying, while breeders are generally more concerned about Standards of Poultry. (Looks of the bird)

With that being said I am trying to breed my buff orpingtons and rhode island reds this year, but I am waiting until after the Hutchinson show on October 27-29th to do any test hatches.

Thanks for the info RE order dates. My kiddos are littles yet (all 3 under 5) so no showing at this point. Just lots of toddling up to collect eggs and try to get them back to the house intact

 

[BantyChooks]

Besides the birds looking nicer, are there other things/qualities/etc that make you happier with the breeder birds? Just trying to figure out which route I want to take.

Things I've noticed are higher feather quality and more even temperaments, unless we're talking the Psycho twins. Can't comment on production yet.

 

[ChicksMN]

If you want Silkies I will have chicks from some really nice ones next spring! I can also get you Easter Egger which are the exact same thing as a hatchery ameraucana. I just can't gaurantee genders until they are 3ish weeks old.... Silkies even longer. But you can't buy sexed Silkies anywhere.

IMHO April is a great time of year to get chicks. The end of April or beginning of May...

Cool! I am most excited for a silkie, they are beautiful. Shoot no sexed Silkies though huh? Def not interested in a Roo at this point. Esp not with my littles running around! And April/May it is, thanks for the input!

 

[holm25]

Besides the birds looking nicer, are there other things/qualities/etc that make you happier with the breeder birds? Just trying to figure out which route I want to take.

I think docility is another thing. A lot of breeders breed for docile birds. If you have kids that will be a great thing! To me it is really about raising, preserving and getting awareness of TRUE heritage poultry. These birds won't lay 6 eggs a week like a sexlink or leghorn but they will not lay for two years and then Almost quit. These birds will take is slower but most likely lay for a longer period of time. To me this is great because I don't like replacing birds every two years because my hatchery birds had quit or really slowed down. Search up the Sustainable Poultry network. They have great points on why to find breeders and not just buy from a hatchery. I absolutely love what they do!

Cool! I am most excited for a silkie, they are beautiful. Shoot no sexed Silkies though huh? Def not interested in a Roo at this point. Esp not with my littles running around! And April/May it is, thanks for the input!

No hatcheries sell sexed Silkies. I will have some started ones for sale next summer that I could tell the genders... Or Destiny might have some...

 

[bobbi-j]

I have ordered from Murray McMurray and have been very happy with their birds. I don't show, just want a few for eggs and meat. I even had several of my McMurray birds go broody this summer. I will likely be ordering from them again next year, as I have lost all but two of my flock this year to predators.

I just wanted to mention that in no way am I saying one shouldn't get chicks from breeders. I have considered that route myself. Just not sure yet. Currently I have one hen and a cockerel. I will keep them as long as she's laying and then put them in the freezer. I am going to be chickenless this winter, and hope to rebuild my flock next spring. I have been stalking this thread for quite some time and am interested in some of the breeds you all have. It's been very informative. Cream Legbars and Chanticlers interest me. How are they as dual purpose birds? And Ralphie's toads. I keep reading about them. I'd love to learn more. I know he has a thread on them somewhere...

 

[Elise Ferguson]

I'm gonna have to see about some toads myself. Ive already got the coop set up for big birds. Heh.