Texas

[SouthernBelleJV]

Hi,

I'm completely new to chickens and "inherited" 4 chickens from my husbands grandpa. Sadly I only have 2 left (one rooster was attacked by a predator and the other rooster was killed by another rooster who we thought was a hen!) but I am wanting to get more chickens now (I'm a little obsessed). The only place I know to look for chickens is on Craigslist but there aren't a lot on there. I'd prefer to get already laying hens instead of pullets or having to hatch my own right now. I live in Alvarado, does anyone have any insight on where I can find some hens?

Thank you for any help!

 

[Brookshire11]

Hi,

I'm completely new to chickens and "inherited" 4 chickens from my husbands grandpa. Sadly I only have 2 left (one rooster was attacked by a predator and the other rooster was killed by another rooster who we thought was a hen!) but I am wanting to get more chickens now (I'm a little obsessed). The only place I know to look for chickens is on Craigslist but there aren't a lot on there. I'd prefer to get already laying hens instead of pullets or having to hatch my own right now. I live in Alvarado, does anyone have any insight on where I can find some hens?

Thank you for any help!

Alvarado is outside of Dallas right?
There's a facebook page called Ennis County Poultry and they do buy/sell/trade on there. I know a lady had some Rhode Island Red laying hens.
I know there's also a few farms in that area...Nealy Ranch, a place in Terrell.
Pullets and chicks seem to be easier to find than laying hens. But it just depends on how far you want to travel.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Schools closing already. I just heard that some schools already set the weather make-up date to be Memorial day... poor choice!

They tried that once here. It didn't go over very well and the school district changed their mind and chose another day.

Oh my goodness, what a morning! I went outside last night to feed the chickens and I couldn't five of the 6 ducks. Thinking they had found somewhere else to sleep, I decided to just put out the feed and go look for them. As I did so, the noise from the feed brought them out. They were in the freakin' field behind our property! All of them!

This has never happened before. The babies got out the first day, but I figured it was because they were exploring. The other ducks are way too big to get out through a hole and only one of them can fly.

I quickly retrieved the gate keys, got bro and mom to help me and we were off into the dark field with LEDs and a canister of feed. I managed to capture Che, Sweedy, Indie and Girl Duckling (unnamed for now), but I couldn't find the male duckling. I listened, shook the feed, waited, searching, forced myself through the weeds/saplings/whatever-sticky-stuff-that-was and couldn't find him. I even went over to the fallen tree, thinking he was there but I couldn't find him and I was distraught.

Tony (bro) of course told me the worst thing ever. "Hey, I'm pretty sure I saw a bunch of hawks over the field today."

Thanks, Tony. You invoke hope wherever you go.

I was trying to figure out a way to not hate myself for not checking on them sooner. After all, I should have known they were out when I didn't hear them (though to be fair, most of them are pretty quiet). I should have fed them sooner. I should have shot down those hawks when I was feeling curious about how good I was at archery.

This morning, I resigned myself to go out into the field and find the body (or the corpse) because babies are my weakness and I couldn't let it go. After all, a baby duck would have to be way too big for a hawk to carry off. All I needed to find was a bunch of fuzzy duckling feathers and I'd know.

Going outside, all was quiet (except for the one hen who had evaded the coop late in the night). I walked to the coop, was about to open the door to release the monsters-

When I heard a peep.

It was baby duckling! It was looking at me through the fence as though saying, "See! I told you I could be by myself all night! Now, would you please stop crying, I'm trying to find a way back inside!"

So of course I went out into the field and stalked, tracked, downright jumped over holes to get to him. When I did, just to spite him, I hugged and cuddled him. He chirped in disdain.

So all the ducks are fine. I'm gonna be venturing outside more today, if only to throw rocks at the hawks and to enjoy the fact that I still have 6 ducks. It sounds like such a nice thing, too, until you realize that it is 34 degrees outside and I don't have very good sweaters. -_-,

I'm glad you found them all. I would have been panicking. I don't handle losing things very well, especially if they are a living thing.

They are trying to keep warm now and, because he didn't eat last night, I'm gonna toss out some feed in awhile. I'm just so happy he wasn't eaten/lost/too-cold last night. I've lost plenty of small birds to The Field but I wasn't prepared to lose him.



They were enjoying a nice nap on the patio, haha! I guess all the action this morning and last night tired them out. Heck, I'm tired and got hit in the face with a tree (don't ask).

So cute!

So happy for you that the little one is safe!

You do realize we want to hear the story about you and the tree.

Lisa

+1 and saw that you did share. Off for a day and man! what a lot to catch up on!

Trouble is back to her naughty self!

She is a bit better... she leaves Yum-yum and Chocobo alone, but gosh she still thinks Big Momma is her worst enemy! Big Momma now has a ripped earlobe, trying to figure out how to fix this one... I might take her to the clinic with me tomorrow and see if doctor Hackart has any ideas.

This poor girl. I got the hole in her neck to heal using some A & D ointment and it healed up quick and clean. Most of the time all four of them get along, but then all of a sudden Trouble will just snap. I just hope they sort it out soon. I might have to put some medical tape around her head to keep that war lobe clean. Not sure yet. All four of them are laying now as well, that was a nice surprise~ Big Momma's first egg was also a double yolker~ What fun. Today I went and got them all some more layer feed, a bag of scratch grains, and a bale of straw. They are loving the straw, especially making really deep nests in it on the floor since I don't have nest boxes. They like to hide themselves down in it haha. My dogs are stuck outside for now as their feet are extremely muddy and I cannot carry Weiss inside... a 90lbs wiggly dog does not carry well; so I have been giving them warm water, some straw in a dog house to lay in, and warm soggy food with treats for extra calories. Goofy dogs won't go in the dog house though. My german shepherds sure like the cold weather.

Big Momma needs a spike collar like what they put on dogs. I wonder if a Chihuahua size one would work.

Haha! It actually wasn't as funny as it sounded, I'm sure.

We have a bunch of these weird "weed-like trees" that grow on the borders of our house. According to a neighbor (though I'm not sure if he was correct), they are like young mesquite trees, but they don't grow correctly.



There are loads of them, so in order to get through them, you have to chop them down or bend them out of the way. I was wearing my boots this morning and pushing them down. If my hands weren't so cold, I probably would have gotten the machete but I didn't want to hurt the duckling (or myself, haha). This is one of the trees I bent awhile back.



The wind chill was making it feel like it was 24 degrees (it was only 34 this morning) and I was trying to bend back these little trees when I saw the duckling. In my excitement, my boot slipped. When it did, the tree sprung back into it's original position. My face just happened to be exactly where the tree was supposed to be.

Needless to say, I got smacked in the face by a tree. It didn't help that my cheeks were already numb and getting hit by branches was painful. As soon as I was inside, I checked it out and there was a big red mark where it had hit me. I was lucky, though, because my glasses were unharmed and the mark faded once I warmed up.

Once the spring comes around, Dad and I are going to be cutting down most of these little trees. The woman who owns the land doesn't do anything with it, but her son gave us person to cut them down because they are getting too close to our fence and have already caused property damage. I've told Dad that we should make the woman take care of them, but he doesn't want to cause any trouble. She's a vindictive woman, so I understand. I don't like her at all. Mom and I want to purchase her land and utilize it (they used to grow corn there, but it hasn't been used in 5 years). I'm just waiting for the sons to offer it up. They are a lot more agreeable and they don't want to work it, so I think they'd be willing eventually.

When you cut a mesquite tree it will grow back with multiple shoots if you don't treat the cut with something like Round-up or a stump killer.
Gald you didn't get hurt badly. Mesquite trees get thorns at some point too. So do bois d'arcs. I found that out the hard way after I had one cut down in my yard and despite all my efforts it tried to grow back. I was grabbing the shoots to remove them and surprise! thorns. :/

Gloomy and cold here. Not enjoying this weather or this week. It's been a hard one for me. Lost 6 pounds too. Before you congratulate me on that, keep in mind I did not have 6 pounds to lose. I border on being too thin as it is since I cycle. I was not trying to lose any weight.

 

[TexasLisa]

Haha! It actually wasn't as funny as it sounded, I'm sure.

We have a bunch of these weird "weed-like trees" that grow on the borders of our house. According to a neighbor (though I'm not sure if he was correct), they are like young mesquite trees, but they don't grow correctly.



There are loads of them, so in order to get through them, you have to chop them down or bend them out of the way. I was wearing my boots this morning and pushing them down. If my hands weren't so cold, I probably would have gotten the machete but I didn't want to hurt the duckling (or myself, haha). This is one of the trees I bent awhile back.



The wind chill was making it feel like it was 24 degrees (it was only 34 this morning) and I was trying to bend back these little trees when I saw the duckling. In my excitement, my boot slipped. When it did, the tree sprung back into it's original position. My face just happened to be exactly where the tree was supposed to be.

Needless to say, I got smacked in the face by a tree. It didn't help that my cheeks were already numb and getting hit by branches was painful. As soon as I was inside, I checked it out and there was a big red mark where it had hit me. I was lucky, though, because my glasses were unharmed and the mark faded once I warmed up.

Once the spring comes around, Dad and I are going to be cutting down most of these little trees. The woman who owns the land doesn't do anything with it, but her son gave us person to cut them down because they are getting too close to our fence and have already caused property damage. I've told Dad that we should make the woman take care of them, but he doesn't want to cause any trouble. She's a vindictive woman, so I understand. I don't like her at all. Mom and I want to purchase her land and utilize it (they used to grow corn there, but it hasn't been used in 5 years). I'm just waiting for the sons to offer it up. They are a lot more agreeable and they don't want to work it, so I think they'd be willing eventually.

I hope you get the land! I am so glad you didn't knock yourself out or get whacked by a thorn. We have mesquite all over the place here too.

Hi,

I'm completely new to chickens and "inherited" 4 chickens from my husbands grandpa. Sadly I only have 2 left (one rooster was attacked by a predator and the other rooster was killed by another rooster who we thought was a hen!) but I am wanting to get more chickens now (I'm a little obsessed). The only place I know to look for chickens is on Craigslist but there aren't a lot on there. I'd prefer to get already laying hens instead of pullets or having to hatch my own right now. I live in Alvarado, does anyone have any insight on where I can find some hens?

Thank you for any help!

Welcome from Rosenberg, TX. You do realize that this forum is addictive which means you will buy more and more and more.....Have you tried the feed stores in your area?

When you cut a mesquite tree it will grow back with multiple shoots if you don't treat the cut with something like Round-up or a stump killer.
Gald you didn't get hurt badly. Mesquite trees get thorns at some point too. So do bois d'arcs. I found that out the hard way after I had one cut down in my yard and despite all my efforts it tried to grow back. I was grabbing the shoots to remove them and surprise! thorns. :/

Ms. Jellybean, how do you know about Osage Orange, boatdock, etc.? I am a weird one, I love those trees. I love looking at how they twist and turn when they grow! I have stepped on them many times--OWWW!

Lisa

 

[lindabean]

I live in Medina County, closer to Bandera than Hondo. My husband & I moved up here to my parents place, after they both passed. We decided to retire from our "real jobs" and start enjoying life a bit more. I've been learning as I go about chickens & predators. We now have 2 Americana's & 4 Gold Sex Links, and usually get at least 4 eggs a day. The chickens are always a big hit with visiting children but the adults are the ones who ask the same question - "How do you get eggs with out a rooster?" Any one else hear that from friends?
So am interested in hearing from others in Bandera & Medina & Kerr counties.

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

I've gotta say, I'm digging your taste in names...lol
"Chocobo"

never thought of that. lol
And I almost named our dog Weiss as well, but we ended up going with Archer lol

On the subject though, I hope Big Momma catches a break soon!

Haha, thanks. I got the idea from the final fantasy games mount. When she runs she just happens to look like a chocobo, this she got her name~

I like Weiss <3 It is a good name, especially for an all white german shepherd haha. My husband doesn't want to pronounce it correctly so instead of saying it the german way, he pronounces it the american way.

I do too. I can't keep patching her up like this, though she did enjoy sitting on my bed last time she got to come in the house... didn't help she got to eat a strawberry buffet.

Haha! It actually wasn't as funny as it sounded, I'm sure.

We have a bunch of these weird "weed-like trees" that grow on the borders of our house. According to a neighbor (though I'm not sure if he was correct), they are like young mesquite trees, but they don't grow correctly.



There are loads of them, so in order to get through them, you have to chop them down or bend them out of the way. I was wearing my boots this morning and pushing them down. If my hands weren't so cold, I probably would have gotten the machete but I didn't want to hurt the duckling (or myself, haha). This is one of the trees I bent awhile back.



The wind chill was making it feel like it was 24 degrees (it was only 34 this morning) and I was trying to bend back these little trees when I saw the duckling. In my excitement, my boot slipped. When it did, the tree sprung back into it's original position. My face just happened to be exactly where the tree was supposed to be.

Needless to say, I got smacked in the face by a tree. It didn't help that my cheeks were already numb and getting hit by branches was painful. As soon as I was inside, I checked it out and there was a big red mark where it had hit me. I was lucky, though, because my glasses were unharmed and the mark faded once I warmed up.

Once the spring comes around, Dad and I are going to be cutting down most of these little trees. The woman who owns the land doesn't do anything with it, but her son gave us person to cut them down because they are getting too close to our fence and have already caused property damage. I've told Dad that we should make the woman take care of them, but he doesn't want to cause any trouble. She's a vindictive woman, so I understand. I don't like her at all. Mom and I want to purchase her land and utilize it (they used to grow corn there, but it hasn't been used in 5 years). I'm just waiting for the sons to offer it up. They are a lot more agreeable and they don't want to work it, so I think they'd be willing eventually.

I hope you guys can get the land! That would be awesome~ Plant some corn there and let the chickens wander around, they might even get free snacks from the plants! That or more room for chicken coops >8D

Big Momma needs a spike collar like what they put on dogs. I wonder if a Chihuahua size one would work.

Haha! I should so get her one now. I am having to go to petsmart tonight to get dog food, I might just look at the tiny collars... Oooor I could try to make a hen saddle with spikes on it xD

On another note, we are getting these tiny ice sprinkles here in dallas. They literally look like sprinkles on a cupcake or doughnut.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Ms. Jellybean, how do you know about Osage Orange, boatdock, etc.? I am a weird one, I love those trees. I love looking at how they twist and turn when they grow! I have stepped on them many times--OWWW!

Lisa

They grow all over the place around here. I wouldn't mind a nicely shaped MALE tree. Mine was female and looked like someone tried to do some sort of living art with it and failed. It was so ugly and all those 'apples' in the yard.... It had to go.

It's trying to snow here again now. There was some sleet earlier. Now just a few flakes. Nothing is sticking though, it's 31* and the ground must be sort of warm. The stuff we got yesterday (about 1/4") is pretty much gone. Hmmm....It's picking up now. :/ So ready for this to end. Next week looks pretty bad though. At least the first part of it.

 

[Brookshire11]

Haha! I should so get her one now. I am having to go to petsmart tonight to get dog food, I might just look at the tiny collars... Oooor I could try to make a hen saddle with spikes on it xD

On another note, we are getting these tiny ice sprinkles here in dallas. They literally look like sprinkles on a cupcake or doughnut.

I'm totally picturing this big plump hen in a full biker getup now

We were getting big fluffy snowflakes here in McKinney! ...but I think they went away again.
Ah! nevermind! Just looked out my office window and they're back!

 

[Ms Jellybean]

I live in Medina County, closer to Bandera than Hondo. My husband & I moved up here to my parents place, after they both passed. We decided to retire from our "real jobs" and start enjoying life a bit more. I've been learning as I go about chickens & predators. We now have 2 Americana's & 4 Gold Sex Links, and usually get at least 4 eggs a day. The chickens are always a big hit with visiting children but the adults are the ones who ask the same question - "How do you get eggs with out a rooster?" Any one else hear that from friends?
So am interested in hearing from others in Bandera & Medina & Kerr counties.

My sister has a friend who has chickens and she got a rooster so she would have eggs. I laughed when my sister told me that. I let her know that wasn't the case and about all my friends that have hens and eggs and no roosters. People are so funny!

 

[ShadowsFIAL]

I'm totally picturing this big plump hen in a full biker getup now

We were getting big fluffy snowflakes here in McKinney! ...but I think they went away again.
Ah! nevermind! Just looked out my office window and they're back!

Oh lawd~ It is official, I have to try and find a saddle like that or make one! Big Momma is gonna be the Big Momma Biker~