Texas

[bnjrob]

Texas buddies
who do I contact to get my flock npip certified??
I've tried doing a search but can't find the answer

http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/products-services/testing/texas-pullorum-typhoid-program/

Hopefully you will have better luck than us. Can't get those "lovely people" to answer their phones, return a call, or answer their emails. And I see now when I went to get you this link that they have changed the website and are no longer listing the names of the people in the various regions who do it. Last time we had contact with them, we were told that there is one person for each region, you have to set up an appt, no telling when they would get to you because they tried to do a bunch of people in the same area all at one time - which means you could be screwed if you were trying to enter a show and needed your certificate to be dated within 30 days of the show. After we got that info, tried to get them to come out - could not make contact with anybody despite multiple emails and voice mails. Have not been real thrilled with trying to get these "lovely people" to do their jobs.

 

[Heidisgran]

Quote: hmmm
I did finally find the email for the site....haven't checked if it's the one you posted above...but whoever answered the email gave me a phone number I need to call...
fortunately I am only getting the cert because I'm selling birds and eggs that need shipping...buyers are more comfortable when the flock has been checked...but not for a show or anything that has time restraints...
I really appreciate your help

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Help me choose my flock. I had the breeds all picked out and then got more info...

I I know I want a Welsummer. Now I need to narrow the list down to 3 additional birds, maybe 4. Is it best to keep chickens in odd numbers?

I am looking for good layers that tolerate the high temps we get in the DFW and parts north and don't go broody or at least very often. They must be friendly and play well with others.

Black Austalorp
Speckled Sussex
Delaware
Golden Buff (Red Star)
Maran

I was thinking an Araucana, but they go broody a lot from what I read and are below average layers. My neighbor may have one so I will talk to her about them.

Others I was considering...
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Barred Plymouth Rock - was told a White Rock would be a better choice.

I really want to get a Swedish Flower Hen but they are a bit rare and pricey. Figures. Champagne taste again!

 

[ronniewayne]

Help me choose my flock. I had the breeds all picked out and then got more info...

I I know I want a Welsummer. Now I need to narrow the list down to 3 additional birds, maybe 4. Is it best to keep chickens in odd numbers?

I am looking for good layers that tolerate the high temps we get in the DFW and parts north and don't go broody or at least very often. They must be friendly and play well with others.

Black Austalorp
Speckled Sussex
Delaware
Golden Buff (Red Star)
Maran

I was thinking an Araucana, but they go broody a lot from what I read and are below average layers. My neighbor may have one so I will talk to her about them.

Others I was considering...
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Barred Plymouth Rock - was told a White Rock would be a better choice.

I really want to get a Swedish Flower Hen but they are a bit rare and pricey. Figures. Champagne taste again!

do you want 3 additional breeds? of the breeds u have listed the red star will be the best layer of large brown eggs. are you wanting show quality or hatchery type chickens? I have not personally owned all these breeds but I have a friend who has all but marans in her flock of 25 or so. no social issues with them. do you plan to have a rooster also? I agree the araucana would not be the best layer but ee's can be great layers if you want some "colored" eggs too. good luck I think u will enjoy what ever ones you choose.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

do you want 3 additional breeds? of the breeds u have listed the red star will be the best layer of large brown eggs. are you wanting show quality or hatchery type chickens? I have not personally owned all these breeds but I have a friend who has all but marans in her flock of 25 or so. no social issues with them. do you plan to have a rooster also? I agree the araucana would not be the best layer but ee's can be great layers if you want some "colored" eggs too. good luck I think u will enjoy what ever ones you choose.

I wanted to have a variety of chickens, so yes, 3 additional breeds. Not going to show them, just for my enjoyment. And eggs.

I am in the city limits so I can't have a rooster. EE's go broody too much so probably will stay away from them.

 

[jockeyeba]

Help me choose my flock.  I had the breeds all picked out and then got more info...

I I know I want a Welsummer.  Now I need to narrow the list down to 3 additional birds, maybe 4.  Is it best to keep chickens in odd numbers?

I am looking for good layers that tolerate the high temps we get in the DFW and parts north and don't go broody or at least very often.  They must be friendly and play well with others.  

Black Austalorp
Speckled Sussex 
Delaware
Golden Buff (Red Star)
Maran

I was thinking an Araucana, but they go broody a lot from what I read and are below average layers.  My neighbor may have one so I will talk to her about them.

Others I was considering...
Golden Laced Wyandotte
Barred Plymouth Rock - was told a White Rock would be a better choice.

I really want to get a Swedish Flower Hen but they are a bit rare and pricey.  Figures.  Champagne taste again! 

Love my Welsummer, she lays the coolest dark brown speckled eggs , my Speckled Sussex is very sweet & friendly, my bk. orpington lays beautiful dark brown eggs

 

[TherryChicken]

Hate to tell you, but just about any hen you get can go broody. Black austrelorp (my friends favor. Broody hen) I have a delaware (named big momma) she's a little crabby. I have a production red, lays double yolkers. Very sweet, middle of the flock.

 

[jajeanpierre]

I wanted to have a variety of chickens, so yes, 3 additional breeds. Not going to show them, just for my enjoyment. And eggs.

I am in the city limits so I can't have a rooster. EE's go broody too much so probably will stay away from them.

I don't think EE are known for going broody. Most EEs are based on superior egg laying breeds like Leghorns bred with Ameraucanas to add the blue-egg gene. Ameraucanas are not known for broodiness as far as I know.

Very few breeders work with Araucanas. The tufted ears are a semi lethal gene, causing a lot of hatching problems and deaths before hatching. Ameraucanas, which are not Araucanas, are a good laying breed that produces blue eggs. There is a very good Ameraucana breeder in Gainseville, one of the pillars of the breed (didn't I read that you were in the Dallas/Fort Worth area?).

Where are you planning on getting all these single chicks from? Most hatcheries or breeders have a minimum order which is needed to keep the chicks warm during shipping. If you are looking for single chicks, you will need to be driving distance from a breeder/hatchery that is prepared to sell you a single chick. Your local farm supply does not always carry the breeds you are looking for. Most chicks from smaller breeders will be straight run, meaning that they will be unsexed, so you will end up with some unwanted cockerels you will need to deal with. Few cockerels are rehomed to a home where they get to live--most are rehomed to someone else's freezer.

Yeah, I know. It is never as simple as we imagined it should be.

 

[showbarnmom]

I love my SS. Favorite hen in my flock. Only hen that isn't ever for sale, even though she doesn't lay blue eggs. I love my EEs, just for their eggs, but I can't wait for my Marans to start laying, and I need to get my hands on some Welsummers. I also have a barred rock that I enjoy, she's fun to watch and listen too. She's a constant talker. My favorite hen to look at is my show stock SLW. Though she doesn't lay blue eggs . Silly wyandottes. All chickens need to lay blue eggs lol

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Love my Welsummer, she lays the coolest dark brown speckled eggs

, my Speckled Sussex is very sweet & friendly, my bk. orpington lays beautiful dark brown eggs

Does your orp eat a lot of feed? I was told they tend to eat more than other chickens and aren't very economical that way. I do like the Jubilee Orps though.

Where are you planning on getting all these single chicks from? Most hatcheries or breeders have a minimum order which is needed to keep the chicks warm during shipping. If you are looking for single chicks, you will need to be driving distance from a breeder/hatchery that is prepared to sell you a single chick. Your local farm supply does not always carry the breeds you are looking for. Most chicks from smaller breeders will be straight run, meaning that they will be unsexed, so you will end up with some unwanted cockerels you will need to deal with. Few cockerels are rehomed to a home where they get to live--most are rehomed to someone else's freezer.

Yeah, I know. It is never as simple as we imagined it should be.

My local feed store orders sexed (females) in "all the popular breeds". They said they are hens 90% of the time. Not sure what is popular here so I will be going there early next year to find out and get supplies and such. If that won't work for me, My Pet Chicken sells individual chicks and as long as I order 4 chicks total (or more) I can get individual breeds. I found another breeder tonight out NE somewhere that sells single breeds as long as you meet the minimum order. Not sure what theirs was though. May have been 6.


I've read some breeds go broody more than others. I am trying to stay away from the ones that are know for their broodiness. I have looked at multiple sites and they may not agree on everything but a chicken known for going broody seems to be the same on all the sites. If I end up with a broody hen I can always get some eggs from a friend for her to hatch. That would be fun. Not ready for that yet though!