The Aloha Chicken Project

[alohachickens]

Which means you are closest to MaBo and Tam'ra - they are in Washington state.

FYI to anyone interested in chicks, I'm going to try and set some eggs on Feb 6th, which would mean chicks on Feb 27th. The plan is to offer the first 25 that hatch as shipped live chicks to a potential new Aloha breeder out there. Is there anyone who might be interested in getting chicks? Cost would probably total $60-$70 for 25 chicks, which would include the box, Express overnight mail, and $1 per baby.

Would have to clear the shipment with the Post Office on that date; they have to approve the route and make sure it's not too cold on any leg of the trip, so a freak late winter storm back east could mess up plans, for example, if I was shipping back there. But I'm hoping that is late enough in the year to be past that stuff. It's a narrow window to ship live animals from Phoenix.) By May, it's over 100 degrees here, but before that, it can still be chilly in many other places in the US.) Ideally they told me they like the temps to be 50-80 degrees the entire trip. That's pretty much just March and April in Phoenix, ha ha!

 

[runsw/scissors]

I'd be delighted! I have chicks coming from McM sometime the week of Feb 6th, as well as chicks coming in April, so what's another 25 or so in late Feb or March?! lol! I'll pm you for the address and I'll send the funds. Although mailing them may be an issue up to me that early. We'll see.

 

[alohachickens]

Oh, forgot to mention!

Potential breeder needs to have a good safe pen, free from predators (namely - dogs.) And be willing to try and work with the project for a little while, at least a year. Must have an incubator or be willing to get one, because it takes hatching and raising a lot of babies in order to get the best chicks. (A broody isn't going to cut it.) Must be OK keeping a couple roosters, and willing to work to improve the breed.

In other words, there aren't enough of these in existence yet, and I'm not selling these at a profit, just barely break-even at $1 a chick - so these wouldn't be for someone just wanting a few backyard hens. It's going to take some dedication to get these where they need to be.

An existing flock of Buff Orps, Buff Rocks, New Hampshire Reds, and Speckled Sussex, Swedish Flower, Rhode Island Reds or Production Reds, could be integrated into this program and would actually help improve the breed. Most other breeds would not be helpful, however, and would have to be separated or culled.

 

[alohachickens]

I just took my camera and pointed it next door to take photos of some of my "culls" that I gave to my neighbor.

This is what the Barred/Mottled "Confetti"colored roosters look like! One dark one, one light one:







And this (not so great) picture shows a hen who had very little color when I rehomed her. She sure is spotted now! But now I notice she has gray legs and muffs, so she was still a good choice to cull out of the flock anyway. Nice to be able to see her next door, though.



What cuties they are! They all look happy and healthy over there. Yay!

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

I'd be delighted! I have chicks coming from McM sometime the week of Feb 6th, as well as chicks coming in April, so what's another 25 or so in late Feb or March?! lol! I'll pm you for the address and I'll send the funds. Although mailing them may be an issue up to me that early. We'll see.

Actually, MaBo and I are in Southern Oregon (Medford area). If mailing them doesn't work, we could certainly arrange something. We have about 30 eggs in the incubator now, due in 2 1/2 weeks. I am sure we could either part with some of them or set a new batch for you when this batch is done. My family lives about an hour north of Eugene, so I travel up there every few months. Just let me know. I know how shipping can be in spring... its very iffy around here!

 

[alohachickens]

Ooops, sorry Tam'ra - got you guys mixed up with my cousin (who has chickens and lives in WA state!)

Yep, there are already some up there - though if I send a batch of new chicks the extra roos with the infusion of new blood here might help some things along for all of you . . .

If this keeps up, it's going to go from an AZ based breed to a Pacific NW based breed soon! (Which I have no issues with!) LOL.

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

No worries. I don't have a problem with Washington, it's nice there too! And there ARE Alohas up there now, thanks to MaBo...

Still, the offer stands. If anyone in Oregon needs eggs in Spring, I would be happy to arrange it. I don't go East very often, but I travel around enough to be able to at least meet part way to deliver eggs. My schedule is a bit crazy (mostly I travel for SCA events) but I am happy to help out any new folks wanting to work on this project.

 

[alohachickens]

I just did a Blog update, will do another one later this week. Got a new batch of chicks from a special breeder pen featuring Cheeto and four select hens! Cheeto really rocks, but does he carry the Sussex Mottling gene? I set up this breeder pen to find out and got 13 yellow fuzzballs to hatch!

http://alohachickens.blogspot.com/2012/02/lets-get-hatching-again.html

The moms are beautiful (though kind of small) and the dad is my stunning half Buff Rock rooster, Cheeto!



This is Cheeto, above, and two of the hens in this special breeder pen, below. (The two hens in front were in his pen.)



No other roosters or hens were allowed to mix, and no one escaped at any time, so I know these are the parents! Here are the babies:



Hens from this batch will be kept for breeding. Even if they don't show spots, they will at least carry the genes for spotting, with colorful moms like these!

 

[notinoz2007]

what adorable little hatchlings you have there. cheeto is such a good looking roo i hope he has the gene that you need from him.

for spots also

 

[kefiren]

Hey, I love this idea! Aloha chickens, I think I may be IN!

I was really thinking about doing the same thing myself (after some non-starting, expensive, shipped SFH eggs--thx USPS).

Not really sure how to get started. A woman nearby will sell me icelandic hatching eggs--would that really cut to the chase? I hear they are great foragers, which isn't really best for my place, but they are pretty. Fat lazy chickens live longer in my backyard. I've got a chubby little SS hen that I love, and a farmer near me will sell me more SS hatching eggs...my neighbor has a BO/RIR roo I can borrow...(my roos are either black or barred). I was thinking of ordering some sort of BBS eggs, when I happened upon your blog and posts.

I just had my first hatch (barnyard special) and it went real well, so I'm primed to get a project going--

Please get me up to speed and layer on the advice!