Texas

[Imprfctme]

There are lots of places to find breeders that breed to the SOP - just have to look for them once you decide on a breed. There are some great people on the Heritage Large Fowl thread that will help find breeders. Some breeders are getting better about being found online. Going to poultry shows, reading the Poultry Press (monthly newspaper you can subscribe to), checking out breed clubs and preservation organizations are other good ways to find standard bred birds.

Something that many people don't realize, is that some good breeders will not sell eggs or chicks. This is because chicken genetics is more complicated than people think, and even breeder/show quality birds can produce off-spring that aren't breeder/show quality. There are breeders that just don't want to sell anything that is still too young to see if they have good vigor, type, etc. and then risk someone being angry that some of the chicks they bought had flaws. Cuz the fact is, there is no perfect chicken, they all have flaws, even the show birds.

It can also be difficult with some rarer breeds to get the good birds because most breeders don't breed/hatch on a large scale. And they don't usually hatch year round. So there isn't as many available to buy like when you buy from a hatchery. It's important that once you have decided on what birds you want to get, that you find a reputable breeder and get your order in early - like in the fall for winter/early spring hatching and in the winter for the following fall hatching if the breeder hatches in fall.

One thing to beware of is getting birds that you think are bred to the SOP but really aren't. Ask for photos, see birds in person, and get recommendations from others on the breeder's quality of birds. And take a copy of the breed's SOP with you along with illustrations, so you can easily recall what the SOP is so you can see how well a breeder breeds to the SOP if they claim to do so or are claiming "show quality" birds.

We obtained some lovely chickens that were bred to the SOP and then we got some more from elsewhere - once they started growing we realized that they had been bred for egg production but not for SOP. Their type is wrong enough to see when looking at them next to the females of our other group that WERE bred to the SO,P even though they are technically the same breed.

Those non-SOP birds have turned into our food-egg laying flock and not part of our breeding flock because I just can't in good conscience sell eggs/offspring from them when they have such a significant type flaw. We've hatched some from both groups, and the ones hatched from the SOP group have good type and look like they should. And the ones from the non-SOP group that we hatched...they started showing the same serious type flaw at a very young age, just like their parents. I like them, but not for breeding to keep a rare breed alive and looking how they should look.

Have never been to the state fair to see if they sell birds. You do have to beware even at fairs and poultry shows because there are often hatchery birds that get entered into shows. And even they can win ribbons. So if you end up really wanting standard-bred chickens, it helps to know what they should look like before you buy any chickens. Cuz there are some really pretty non-standard birds out there that can distract you.

There's nothing wrong with having hatchery.feed store stock either. It just depends on what kind of goals you set for yourself and your flock.

Sure - there are a lot of breeders here in Texas. I know of a French Black Copper Marans show breeder, Blue Copper Marans breeder, Blue-splash Wheaten Ameraucana, Salmon Favorelles (will be willing to sell her culls this fall) show breeder (I may buy one or two from her for The Menagerie) and an Araucana breeder all in Austin. I found them, of all places, on CL. Well, except the Favorelles breeder - she works in my local feed store. You can get quite a bit of information on local breeders from your LFS, actually....um - no clue about TSC's knowledge of local breeders; but, actual feed stores/farm supply stores locally owned and operated tend to know the breeders.

I'm sad, this morning. I think one of my keets is going to have to be culled. He just is not thriving. I don't think he was able to get to the food the first few days due to all the frenzy that ensues when I feed. I'm going to try feeding him by hand, this evening; but, I'm not really holding out a lot of hope that he will make it. Poor, little guy.

Thanks guys, this is a big help. I am feeling very sorry for myself indeed as I will have to say farewell to my little flock of six in a matter of weeks, and am trying to console myself with the idea that in a few years when I can raise chickens again, I am going to try to help preserve a rare breed. Which means roosters, culling, breed pens, all sorts of new projects!

None of which my dear sweet husband is aware of at the moment, lol! In the meantime, I get to mull over which breed, from where do I import the stock, how do I get started, why am I even considering this (other than I'm nuts)

I am also drawing sketches of ridiculous chicken coops and now seriously considering trying to build one that looks like a much loved hot dog stand here in in Westchester, Walter's -





C'mon, how fun would that be?

 

[Kilsharion]

Thanks guys, this is a big help. I am feeling very sorry for myself indeed as I will have to say farewell to my little flock of six in a matter of weeks, and am trying to console myself with the idea that in a few years when I can raise chickens again, I am going to try to help preserve a rare breed. Which means roosters, culling, breed pens, all sorts of new projects!

None of which my dear sweet husband is aware of at the moment, lol! In the meantime, I get to mull over which breed, from where do I import the stock, how do I get started, why am I even considering this (other than I'm nuts)

I am also drawing sketches of ridiculous chicken coops and now seriously considering trying to build one that looks like a much loved hot dog stand here in in Westchester, Walter's -





C'mon, how fun would that be?

Um....we're building our coops to look like an old west town....So, I'd say "sounds like a blast!" **laughs**

 

[Little Wing]

What did you build this out of? It looks like it is going to be a nice coop!

It's galvanized electrical conduit. Thanks, I'm building this one to sell. It will have an auto waterer also. If it sells for enough to make it worth all the labor I will start making more of them. (This is not a cheep attempt to sell them, I swear! ) This is fun. I feel like the "American Choppers" of chicken tractors......American Tractors?

 

[Imprfctme]

Straw Bale Gardening Update -

I asked the gentleman who wrote the book on Straw Bale gardens if low-water conditions were ok for this sort of garden, and his response was that someone had emailed him to say they got by with only using the condensation drip from their window A/C unit! Sounds pretty low water to me. He's very nice, and you can like his page on FB if you want more info, or I guess buy his book. There's a giveaway going on for his book through FB right now.

His FB page is: Learn to Grow a Straw Bale Garden ///////////// Regular page: www.strawbalegardens.com

 

[Cockle-Dood]

It's galvanized electrical conduit. Thanks, I'm building this one to sell. It will have an auto waterer also. If it sells for enough to make it worth all the labor I will start making more of them. (This is not a cheep attempt to sell them, I swear! ) This is fun. I feel like the "American Choppers" of chicken tractors......American Tractors?

ID WATCH THAT!!!

 

[jnntefend]

it got cold last nite! i had to put a little space heater in the brooder room, but luckily all of mine made it through pretty well! supposed to be another cold one tonite to, so watch that babies!

It was cold last night! I almost lost my tomatoes. Now wouldn't the chickens have been sad about that?

 

[Imprfctme]

Um....we're building our coops to look like an old west town....So, I'd say "sounds like a blast!" **laughs**

Awesome! Pictures please!

I drew a sketch of a "Lone Star Trailer" that you could drag around on two wheels. Could kinda also be one of those food trucks they have all over in Austin.



That would also be a cupcake coop. Not at all practical but fun!

 

[jnntefend]

I'm working on a smaller one right now.5'X8' This one will have a loft and nesting box. I'm going to put a small door on the loft end to collect eggs.

Is that a repurposed swingset? Awesome idea!

 

[Imprfctme]

It's galvanized electrical conduit. Thanks, I'm building this one to sell. It will have an auto waterer also. If it sells for enough to make it worth all the labor I will start making more of them. (This is not a cheep attempt to sell them, I swear! ) This is fun. I feel like the "American Choppers" of chicken tractors......American Tractors?

Does this mean you could run wiring through it easily? That would be pretty sweet. I think American Tractors would be a great reality show! I would watch it too!

 

[jnntefend]

Thanks guys, this is a big help. I am feeling very sorry for myself indeed as I will have to say farewell to my little flock of six in a matter of weeks, and am trying to console myself with the idea that in a few years when I can raise chickens again, I am going to try to help preserve a rare breed. Which means roosters, culling, breed pens, all sorts of new projects!

None of which my dear sweet husband is aware of at the moment, lol! In the meantime, I get to mull over which breed, from where do I import the stock, how do I get started, why am I even considering this (other than I'm nuts)

I am also drawing sketches of ridiculous chicken coops and now seriously considering trying to build one that looks like a much loved hot dog stand here in in Westchester, Walter's -





C'mon, how fun would that be?

Preserve the Serama! It's a rare breed, and I have a starter rooster for you. Just joking