Texas

[ponyup]

Well, I was ready to start breeding this Spring; however, while I was at Texas Children's Saturday with my nephew, my brother's dogs (whom I'm babysitting while he's on vacation in Florida) broke loss and slaughtered 13 birds. All my roos are gone (1 leghorn, 1 light brahma, 1 maran/EE mix, and 1 RIR), all my hens that were from my original flock (1 1/2 old) (including red sex links, Light Brahmas, and BR) my buff orp, lavender orp, blue silkie, and several others, all gone!! I'm left with 14 hens (3 are sitting so I'm hopeful I'll get some chicks) including a couple BR, EE, and some I don't know what they are because they came from a surprise batch from a hatchery, and 1 Maran mix hen. All my favorites (except for the Maran mix hen who is sitting) are all gone!!! I've been working on my flock for almost 2 years to get what I wanted to start breeding - now I'm back down to square one!! I feel so defeated!! There's a large show in LaGrange coming up, but with the price of gas and by the time I drive down there and back (i think it's about 5 hrs one way) I could probably afford buy a couple of new birds, but I'd like to go, so we'll see. My brother has offered to replace the birds, but (1) I know he won't 'cause they can't afford it and (2) how do you replace birds you've fallen in love with and enjoyed so much??????? One of my friends reminded me that what God has taken away, He will replace with better, but I'm really having a hard time staying positive right now. I want to give up.

Wow Vickir my heart breaks for you. I have been there, baby sitting a friends dog and lost all my birds too. Time will heal all wounds but it is not always easy. Hang in there.

 

[texaschickmom]

I'd offer my house in Tyler, but my wife shut that one down. I know there's a breeder in Poetry, Tx not far from Terrel that hosts events and seminars, including a tour of coops in dallas. It may be that we just get together at an event like that. Not really sure though. And not sure he'd be game, I don't know him other than i bought three hens from him. Seemed like a good guy. So, if you're ever looking for new birds, he's got my recommendation

What breeds does he have? I live in Lindale, not far from you. What breeds do YOU have? I've got a variety, some hatchery stock and some from breeders.
Delaware and Welsummer (both from Cackle Hatchery), Australorps, Speckled Sussex, Dominiques from breeders on BYC.

 

[shesaredroan]

Vickir73,
Oh don't give up!!!

Believe me a LOT of us have lost chickens to dogs. Sometimes it's the neighbor's dog, sometimes it's our own. It is always sad and upsetting!!!
In 2008 I lost ALL of my flock to coyotes. This was about the same time my Mom died. I felt so beat down I gave up for a year. Did some research and decided to get a few Great Pyrenees to keep the coyotes away. They have done their job with the coyotes, but my neighbor's lab is another thing. No one lives next door, neighbor is in prison for a loooong time, his parents put the dog next door to make the place look lived in. The poor lab is lonely and wants companionship, plus I feel sorry for him. I'm more upset with neighbor's parents than with the lab. They did send me a check for $50, but that didn't begin to cover the birds he's killed.
I use my pistol to shoot at the ground to scare him away....that works for about a month then he's back over here. ACK!!!
Don't give up, maybe you won't want to baby sit your brother's dog again. So sorry for your loss, but there are many of us who've been through the same kind of problem.
Good luck and keep your chin up.

 

[henryholub]

What breeds does he have? I live in Lindale, not far from you. What breeds do YOU have? I've got a variety, some hatchery stock and some from breeders.
Delaware and Welsummer (both from Cackle Hatchery), Australorps, Speckled Sussex, Dominiques from breeders on BYC.

He seemed to have a pretty wide variety. His website is polishfarm.com. I got an EE, an Australorp, and a RIR. I started with three two weeks ago to see if I really wanted to do it...I've currently got wood cut on my work slab for a larger coop, lol. My three are still a few weeks from laying, I'd like to buy three more that are still young but already laying. We live in south Tyler inside the city limits so 6 is the most we can have...at least for a couple years before we can afford to buy a few acres and build. I've driven through lindale a million times to go hunting up at the old sabine river bottoms

 

[STOPnGO]

to Vickir73 On the brighter side, hopefully your lost hens and roosters have chicks inside the eggs under your broody hens
also I can't believe you when you say "your brother can't afford to pay" you something to at least buy a rooster for your hens
he went on vacation to florida and has dogs to feed I'm pretty sure he can afford $20-$50 for a rooster unless you just dont want him too
either way your hens need a flock leader

 

[Vickir73]

Oh, my brother says he'll pay, but I've learned not to hold my breath when it comes to him Either way, I'm in the process of looking for new roos now. I have spoken with a few ladies in Austin and they had some roos for me, but I can't make this trip this weekend and they will be involved in shows the next two weekends, but I'll figure it out!! Thanks everyone for the kind words. I really just needed some one to say keep your chin up and y'all are great for that!!

 

[shesaredroan]

Oh, my brother says he'll pay, but I've learned not to hold my breath when it comes to him Either way, I'm in the process of looking for new roos now. I have spoken with a few ladies in Austin and they had some roos for me, but I can't make this trip this weekend and they will be involved in shows the next two weekends, but I'll figure it out!! Thanks everyone for the kind words. I really just needed some one to say keep your chin up and y'all are great for that!!

Yep, don't hold your breath, I've been there. Family & friends don't always do what one would expect or hope for. BYC is a super family of chicken folks. We're here to support each other, specially fellow Texans!!!

 

[AmyLM]

I would suggest my place but we just bought our house and have very little furniture. LOL So if you don't mind sitting on the floor or bringing your own chair we could do it here. I have my chickens but I don't think Id mind a swap here so long as people clean before they go to my barn or anything. I will run it by hubby and see what he says.

 

[AmyLM]

To Vickir73:


I will probably have extra Phoenix roos (I ordered 2 and they said they shipped 3). And I think I also think this one may be a roo too...

I'm willing to give ya some new chicks if your willing to wait till they are alittle older to determine if they are boys or not. I also have an order of replacement birds that will be arriving the first week of march and because my total came to 14 birds... it looks like they will probably send me a TON of little masculine packing peanuts. You could have some for sure! I really don't want a bunch of roos.

 

[Jim11]

Sorry to interrupt!

Newbie from Arlington, I wanted to ask about sources for chickens in the DFW and surrounding areas, all I am going on now is CL ads and a polishfarms referral from a friend. Hoping to get hens already laying.

Thanks,
-jim