Texas

[winteree]

no one???

sorry. getting rid of rooters is very hard short of killing them or letting them "run away" i have 4 roosters from this years chicks that i can't seem to get rid of as well.

 

[winteree]

...I'm confused lol
I'm trying to tell the gender. The breed is usually really easy to sex, males feather in much darker than females.
But since their from a hatchery..their coloring isn't up to par..I think have some really dark pullets :/

I'm 99% sure my EEs are female, and at least one Australorp..
The Russians are a toss up. No idea on those babies

Bubbles the Salmon Fav in the front





(left to right) Kahtia, the Russian Orloff, Astrid, the Salmon Faverolle, and Cwen, the EE
My possible roo Black Australorp in the back



So sorry for your loss. What a sweet tribute to her life.

I'm sorry for your loss as well. I know you were her mommy at one point too

no clue i can't see the combs very well

 

[winteree]

I read a deal from a vet (Dr. Mike Petrik, DVM) specializing in laying hens who said supplemental lighting won't burn them out faster. They have more eggs than they can lay in a life time (said it would take decades of daily laying to run out) and that it is old age that makes them stop.
He did say that they must be allowed to molt because it lets them increase their fat stores, allows for healthy bone and get reconditioned feathers.

"I've heard people comment that artificial light will decrease the hen's lifespan, or decrease the number of eggs she lays during her lifetime. There is no evidence of supplemental lighting decreasing longevity, provided you supply adequate nutrition, and allow the birds to molt every 12-18 months. The molt is necessary to replenish bone stores, rebuild feather strength, and let the hens gain some muscle and fat stores. Otherwise, the hen is perfectly capable of healthily laying eggs throughout the year. As for her "lifetime" supply of eggs, she is born with the number of possible ova (yolks) already set. These number in the hundreds of thousands, and would take decades of daily egg production to deplete. A hen will stop laying because of old age (and therefore produce less eggs in her life) long before she would ever run out of ova to produce eggs."
From: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/09/supplemental-light-in-coop-why-how.html?m=1

sorry their are some sayings that i believe to be true without a doubt and that is one of em' i have seen not only my grams production flocks but several of her neighbors production flocks who make their hens lay through out the year and sure enough 2-4 years later then hens all but stop laying. i wouldn't say it if i hadn't seen it so many times.

 

[lizannhollow]

Hey fellow Texans! I am from Round Rock. I'm starting my flock with 3 black sex-link chicks. Any advice for newbies?

 

[lizannhollow]

no one???

My local feed store buys unwanted roosters, mabye one close to you will? I'm trying to keep myself from buying a rooster named Suga. I've been told that 3 hens isn't enough for him.

 

[magpiesing]

Hey fellow Texas! I am from Round Rock. I'm starting my flock with 3 black sex-link chicks. Any advice for newbies?

Welcome to BYC...this site has all kind of good info on it. We've been keeping chickens for almost a year now and have learned most of what I know now from these good folks. I can tell you that keeping chickens is addictive...we started with 17 now have 44!

 

[magpiesing]

sorry. getting rid of rooters is very hard short of killing them or letting them "run away" i have 4 roosters from this years chicks that i can't seem to get rid of as well.

I guess it's the time of year to try and rehome roos. We currently have at least 7 out of our 44 birds and it is getting very stessful on our ladies. The white and the brown leghorns were beak to beak this afternoon. Abraham, the alpha roo has all he can do to keep the "boys" off his ladies. No bloodshed so far. For us it's just a matter of putting some weight on them, especially the "mutts" from the PRs, then off to camp freezer.

 

[chickieluver26]

My local feed store buys unwanted roosters, mabye one close to you will? I'm trying to keep myself from buying a rooster named Suga. I've been told that 3 hens isn't enough for him.

do you have large fowl or bantams? depending on where you are and what you have I may be able to sell you(for cheap) some hens and if you're interested the rooster I might be able to give a couple of hens for free

 

[chickieluver26]

 

[needlessjunk]

Hey fellow Texas! I am from Round Rock. I'm starting my flock with 3 black sex-link chicks. Any advice for newbies?

Welcome! I'm in Round Rock as well, but currently have ducks. Hoping to get some chickens in the spring when I place my order for female ducks. If you have any questions then this is the place to be.

On a side note, I have been stressing over the sex of my pekin ducks. A few people told me female last week and I was so excited. Well what do you know, one is 100% male and I have a feeling the other is too. I think we will stay away from straight runs for a long time. They aren't even all that friendly to be pets so I'm bummed. Live and learn.