Texas

[lovingmyhens]

My black australorp got out of the back yard and when my daughter got home from school he was on the front porch pecking on the front door

 

[Brookshire11]

I was hoping for something sooner than late February/March but I may be out of luck...'I found some Orpingtons in Waxahachie and Ameraucanas in Princeton..but those are off craigslist. I worry about how reliable that is.
Thee's noooo way I would get the OK to drive to Ideal for chicks. it's like..3 hours away, lol. we have opposing schedules so it'd come down to me driving down there by myself with the kiddos...and I don't know if I'm ready for that much of an adventure!

 

[bnjrob]

But maybe I can find homes for them..i don't know how hard that is..

The ease of getting rid of chickens depends on how picky you are. If you insist that your chickens, including roosters, go to a home where they will be a pet and will not become dinner, then you are less likely to be able to get rid of any unwanted chickens. The fact is that there are just too many unwanted chickens, particularly roosters, for homes willing to treat them as pets and keep them until the end of their natural lives. Unwanted chickens are starting to be as big of a problem as unwanted dogs and cats.

 

[bnjrob]

That is a bummer! How disappointed you must be. Any chance they will be ordering more chicks anytime soon?

I plan on picking mine up at the local feed store, TSC or Atwoods. I thought about ordering them, but being new to chickens I don't want to have to deal with the "packing peanuts" sent out by Ideal. Now next year may be a different story!

I have a vaccination question. Do any of ya'll get the Mareks vaccine for your chicks? If so, why or why not? Also, any other vaccines we need to get for them?

No. I am breeding hardy dual-purpose homestead birds that need to be able to stay alive without using vaccines.

 

[granthamkk]

We'll. we've had rain almost all week here in dfw. Finally have the sun out today. My dogs took advantage of the mud and dug under both the fence to th chicken yard and the chicken coop itself and attacked my two hens. One is going to be fine, just a few tail feathers gone. One i am treating with vetricyn and extra food supplements, etc. But she got the worst of it.

Which leads to my questions. Anything, outside of a vet, which I can't do, to help her?

Also, I was going to add two more hens, from the same flock they originated from, before this happened. I've seen that hens will peck new feathers, so will I need to wait months, or just 4-8 weeks? And if the one hen doesn't make it, how soon should I find a friend for Juliette, the one who is fine?

They are lovely welsummers. Very friendly. The hurt one is actually the leader. Her name is Murphy. If it is your faith, please pray for my girls

 

[jajeanpierre]

Quote:
Originally Posted by jajeanpierre

Did you get a home inspection? That should back up your claim.
I've had roofers out and the insurance claim adjuster is coming Monday.

I meant, did you have your home inspected before you bought it? That would verify there was no hail damage before you bought it.

 

[Brookshire11]

The ease of getting rid of chickens depends on how picky you are. If you insist that your chickens, including roosters, go to a home where they will be a pet and will not become dinner, then you are less likely to be able to get rid of any unwanted chickens. The fact is that there are just too many unwanted chickens, particularly roosters, for homes willing to treat them as pets and keep them until the end of their natural lives. Unwanted chickens are starting to be as big of a problem as unwanted dogs and cats.

Do I want them to end up as fighting birds? No.
Now would I be distraught if I gave them to someone with the possibility they may one day become dinner? Probably not.
I hope that doesn't come off as mean or cold. I love animals, I have a real soft spot..
But chickens are chickens. They serve a purpose. I'd like to have companions as well as eggs. But I don't want to create MORE unwanted chickens because I kept roosters I didn't need around. I would rather them provide a nourishing meal. Now if I had more space and could get a rooster neutered, then I'd keep them in a heartbeat!

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I was hoping for something sooner than late February/March but I may be out of luck...'I found some Orpingtons in Waxahachie and Ameraucanas in Princeton..but those are off craigslist. I worry about how reliable that is.
Thee's noooo way I would get the OK to drive to Ideal for chicks. it's like..3 hours away, lol. we have opposing schedules so it'd come down to me driving down there by myself with the kiddos...and I don't know if I'm ready for that much of an adventure!

Field trip to the chicken farm with little ones. Oh my, I can just picture it! Not something I would want to do alone either.

The store in Anna is getting theirs 10 March. One of the employees has some but not the kind you want and they aren't babies - "a little older". Another source for chicken stuff though. Anna isn't too far north of here.
https://www.facebook.com/annagrainandfarmstore

'Like' the Collin County Farm and Garden page on FB and you can ask on there....

I just found out there is a fair going on at Myers park this week. Not sure if there are weekend activities but that might be another place to look.

We do have some cold weather still to get through so waiting may not be that bad a thing.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Do I want them to end up as fighting birds? No.
Now would I be distraught if I gave them to someone with the possibility they may one day become dinner? Probably not.
I hope that doesn't come off as mean or cold. I love animals, I have a real soft spot..
But chickens are chickens. They serve a purpose. I'd like to have companions as well as eggs. But I don't want to create MORE unwanted chickens because I kept roosters I didn't need around. I would rather them provide a nourishing meal. Now if I had more space and could get a rooster neutered, then I'd keep them in a heartbeat!

The city doesn't allow roos though. You'd have to get the voice box removed too.

 

[Brookshire11]

Well there u go! Lpl
we decided to wait if need be and not settle or orser too many
Wish i wasnt so impatient! .