Hi everyone! I've been out of town for a week, and just got back.
An update to ANYONE who might want to join in! I would absolutely LOVE all the help that I can get. New members or helpers are *always* gratefully welcomed.
However, it's been tricky, sometimes, trying to get chicks to new members. I've had horrible hatch rates on shipped eggs, and to get a few good chicks, you really need to start with a decent number, like 25 minimum. That's because half will be roosters, which will only leave you with maybe 12 hens, and of course you want to start with the best of those.
But, the weather in Phoenix has not been cooperating! I tried to ship some chicks to San Diego last May, and it got too hot. Now, I tried to fill the order, and the chicks hatched early (they need to be under 24 hours old, to ship) plus we are having a freak heat wave with temps in the low 90's! (The Post Office does not like to ship if it's above 80 degrees!) So, it makes it kind of tricky, sometimes, to get new batches of chicks shipped out to new areas. I can't wait until some folks in other parts of the country (like maybe Kansas?) get breeding flocks set up, because the weather in AZ makes it too hot to ship live chicks about half the year! November, Dec, Jan, Feb, March are our "best" months for raising chicks, but did I mention, that the Post Office also won't ship if it's too cold on the other end? So, the weeks where it is cool enough to ship out of Phoenix, but also warm enough on your end, are very few and far between!
Soon as I get the San Diego crowd set up with chicks, I can't wait to try and set up new flocks in other areas! Going to try again for a ship date of November 25th, I'm expecting a big batch of chicks then.
Anyone in the meantime can start working with Speckled Sussex, New Hampshire Red, Buff Sussex, or Swedish Flowers to start a base flock. The Alohas are terrific but unfortunately are still a bit too small, so out-crossing to other breeds will be needed to improve the strain.
