Texas

[jajeanpierre]

I don't think you were negative at all. That was a very good point. I would love to go to a show and check it all out. I think that was good advice. One should know exactly what they are getting into before taking something like this on. I was trying to find out where a show was around me last night but I didn't have any luck looking. Lol

Poultry Show Central lists the shows and has lots of information on their web site. I don't think you will find anymore shows in Texas after the South Texas State Fair March 29th until the fall. It is just too hot.

http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/

 

[A1momof3]

It is really not expensive. You don't need to buy grown show-quality birds from a breeder and have them sent from far away. Entry fees are about $3. You need to make sure your bird is clean with nails and beak trimmed. They must be disease and parasite free. You need to have have the state representative come to your property and inspect and test your birds for Pullorum and Typhoid. That is free and they give you a certificate on the spot which you copy and send to the show secretary with your entries. That's about all you really need to spend on the bird. Lots of people have won prizes with hatchery birds, and in Texas, all the shows are restricted to birds owned by Texas residents so you won't have to deal with out-of-state exhibitors..

One thing to keep in mind is that a lot of breeders selling purebred stock are not selling stock that fits the standard for their breed. For example, a lot of people have what they believe to be purebred Ameraucanas when in fact they have crossbreds that lay a blue egg. Marans are another breed I suspect have a lot of birds that don't conform to the standard.

I found three last night I really thought were best birds. One is the silver laced wyandotte. They are so pretty live velvet looking. Amazing what God has done!
The next was the blue wheaten ameraucana rooster beautiful bird. The ones with a little tan color kind of on their necks..... They seem to be really mixed colors I guess depending on their mixing???
The last one wouldn't be anything I would do any time soon but I would like to have at some point is
Golden Duckwing Old English Game Fowl Standard Chicken Rooster another pretty bird but they are a bit aggressive and that kind of sets me back a little on them. But so far the first two I really like.

 

[TexasLisa]

I have one of my chicks with a bit of dirty butt. I cleaned it up and made sure the vent was clear but still has a little dry poop stuck on the feathers. I didn't want to rub hard and irritate the vent. Is there something like a bit of vasiline or something I can put on it to get it off so it doesn't build up again?

Magpiesing, are you putting ACV (apple cider vinegar with the mother) in the water? This will help with the pasty butts. When I brought mine home, 3 of them had pasty butts. I used warm water to get the dry stuff off. I had to hold the wet cloth on their for a little bit to soften it.

I am thinking about adding an *in coop* Dust bath
Does anyone have one of these for if rain?
What dimensions should I be looking at?

I have 7 pullet chicks from TSC I was going to section off part of the coop and put in another run off the coop for them. I am wondering if by using Sulfur in the coop I would be endangering The new ladies When time comes to put them out side. Does Sulfur Dust or Spray have a negative effect on Chicks? It will be aprox 2 weeks before I put them out.

Some people make their dust baths out of old tires.

***********

Miss Jellybean mentioned setting a bowl of chick grits out for the babies. On the package it says to wait until they are 2 weeks old. True or false? My thinking on one hand is it would be false. Mama Hen will have the babies outside scratching from the get-go.

Lisa

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I was just thinking about a dusting container yesterday. I plan on using a plastic barrel that has been cut in thirds. It was one of my horse feeders. I have an old water hose that I'm going to splice and put along the edge to give them something to stand on. It should be big enough for 2 or 3 to dust bathe at the same time.

I had thought about just framing one up using wood. Since I plan on using deep litter, I would have to put a bottom on it or else make sure the sides are high enough to hold the sand in. With the barrel, it can just sit on top of the litter.

I don't know about the sulfur and chicks.

Some people use the plastic storage containers for Christmas Wreaths, old tires and plastic storage boxes. Even a small kiddie pool will work. Make a mixture of sandy soil and wood ash. Don't worry about the charcoal pits. It's good for them.

Good grief it's cold again!!! Lol

It's 34*! Brrr!!!!!!! Glad I brought stuff in and covered things last night.

Magpiesing, are you putting ACV (apple cider vinegar with the mother) in the water? This will help with the pasty butts. When I brought mine home, 3 of them had pasty butts. I used warm water to get the dry stuff off. I had to hold the wet cloth on their for a little bit to soften it.

Some people make their dust baths out of old tires.

***********

Miss Jellybean mentioned setting a bowl of chick grits out for the babies. On the package it says to wait until they are 2 weeks old. True or false? My thinking on one hand is it would be false. Mama Hen will have the babies outside scratching from the get-go.

Lisa

I think I read that pasty butt was caused by a brooder being too warm.

I looked at my bag if chick grit and says to feed freely until they are 10 weeks old. No minimum age was given. Do you think I should take it out and just put a grass clump with dirt in there? I was planning on doing that in a day or two, but can do it today.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

It's chick day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I'm waiting to hear when I can go and get them. They just hatched yesterday.

 

[TexasLisa]

Some people use the plastic storage containers for Christmas Wreaths, old tires and plastic storage boxes. Even a small kiddie pool will work. Make a mixture of sandy soil and wood ash. Don't worry about the charcoal pits. It's good for them.

It's 34*! Brrr!!!!!!! Glad I brought stuff in and covered things last night.

I think I read that pasty butt was caused by a brooder being too warm.

I looked at my bag if chick grit and says to feed freely until they are 10 weeks old. No minimum age was given. Do you think I should take it out and just put a grass clump with dirt in there? I was planning on doing that in a day or two, but can do it today.

34 degrees??? Brrrrrrr


Interesting, I didn't realize there are different kinds of chick grit. I do know that the chick feed I buy has chick grit in it.

I am so excited for you today. Wish I could be a fly on the wall to see your excitement. You are in for a LOT OF FUN!!

Lisa

 

[tjo804]

Some people make their dust baths out of old tires.

Wow Great Idea!

I have some of those already and it would be quick to fill.

Thank you

 

[hensfortherapy]

Poultry Show Central lists the shows and has lots of information on their web site.  I don't think you will find anymore shows in Texas after the South Texas State Fair March 29th until the fall.  It is just too hot.

http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/

Great link to save. A1momof3 You should try to make the show March 29th in Beaumont. That would give you the feel and then time to prepare. You can probably pick up the SOP book there too. I meant to buy one at the Fancy Feathers show but got sidetracked and forgot it.

 

[hensfortherapy]

I am thinking about adding an *in coop* Dust bath
Does anyone have one of these for if rain?
What dimensions should I be looking at?

I have 7 pullet chicks from TSC I was going to section off part of the coop and put in another run off the coop for them. I am wondering if by using Sulfur in the coop I would be endangering The new ladies When time comes to put them out side. Does Sulfur Dust or Spray have a negative effect on Chicks? It will be aprox 2 weeks before I put them out.

Well since mine free range they make their own. They have several all over the yard. Even in large clay pots where the plant has died and I haven't replanted. They just jump up and dive in.

Shallow and wider works best. Mine like to get in the dirt together.
What is the Sulfur Dust benefits?

 

[hensfortherapy]

My babies are 3 weeks old today! Lol it's funny how much joy these little bits of Gods creation light up my day! I worry over them like a old mother hen! Lol I think I need to add onto their brooder bix again. They have enough room on paper but with my eyes I just feel they need more. Lol
I listened to the elders who raised chickens way back when and I just used a big box and I have added on to it as needed but next time I'm getting my hubby to build me a box inside our brooder room that will be well insulated and temp controled before I get another big goup like this again! Lol 20 babies in the house is a lot! LolToday my little peeps are 3 weeks old!
This is Lulabelle ]and she is the most curious and brave of my girls. She always runs up to me when I put my hand in their box and is right behind me no matter what I'm doing!

My little red friend here has gone from being Miss Peeps to being The Colonel! He also comes up to me to see what I'm doing but he also likes to get his chest scratched! He will stand there for ever as long as I scratch him.

They are just two of my flock in the KFC Safe House Coop!

Love the names especially the coop.