Sorry...couldn't help it.
The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!
- Thread starter Bulldogma
- Start date
Sorry...couldn't help it.
Moxies, he's got a good stink eye on him!
Poor Sox died in 2009. He was 8 yrs old. But yes, he was a great cat.
MC and something else. I can't remember now!
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I am VERY new to chicks - & have only 6 - 2 each of these 3 breeds - so my observations are likely not representative. But for what it's worth --
The buckeyes are definitely my favorite of the 3 breeds I have. They are curious & friendly - easily handled. As new chicks, my fav, Trouble, would hop high up on the poultry cloth whenever she saw me coming. She was the only one to escape the brooder -- twice! We'd go out & find her walking around 'on the moon' by herself calling to the others to join her - that's how she came to get the name. To this day, she'll be the one to lead the flock to new areas, odd corners of the yard. But she & the other buckeye are in no way mean or agressive to either other members of the flock, people, or the dog. The other buckeye has even jumped on the dog's back (shortcut to where she was headed) when he was laying down in the yard snoozing - surprised him!
I also like the BA's - they are the lookout queens. We have bald eagles & hawks among other predators here. Last fall they were all out foraging - had split into 2 groups - 4 of the chicks were near the house, the other 2 across the lawn in the wetland area. Heard ruckus & went outside to find a huge number of circling raptors. One BA was in the wetlands raising alarm calls - the other BA was answering from the shrubs near the house. They had all gone into 'duck' and cover mode. It was really cool - the presence of myself & the dog (german shephard sweetheart) evenutally caused the raptors to move on.
My least fav are the GSL's. They are dependable egg layers, as I'd heard - but they're a little agressive - or maybe it's impatient. For example, every afternoon I put the chicks back into their run - & give them some BOSS, &/or scratch, &/or mealworms. One of the GSL's definitely prefers scratch to any of the other options. Blondie will peck at my pantlegs until the scratch comes out -- I'm now calling her the ' crack queen'. She also beelines herself over to the wild bird feeder area the minute they're let out of the run at noon-ish. The rest of the flock eventually make their rounds over to that area, but it seems for that one, she's just single-minded. I've heard others say the GSL's are mean -- I'd say it's more like they are stubborn. &/or if one is missing - it's likely blondie -- who can't follow the flock - she'll be the one I'll lose to a predator - mark my words!
just my limited experience - but wouldn't get GSL's again. I'm not into production, just some backyard eggs & chicken TV. I get more than enough eggs - 3 dozen or so a week - if it decreased by half dozen, it wouldn't matter - & I'm not convinced there would be even that many fewer.
o - & they are all feedstore chickies - from last mother's day - my mom's day gift to myself -- didn't know there was anyplace else to get chicks then - but I'm not breeding - no roosters - so no harm, no fowl! live & learn - luv my chickies- thanks for asking-
The buckeyes are definitely my favorite of the 3 breeds I have. They are curious & friendly - easily handled. As new chicks, my fav, Trouble, would hop high up on the poultry cloth whenever she saw me coming. She was the only one to escape the brooder -- twice! We'd go out & find her walking around 'on the moon' by herself calling to the others to join her - that's how she came to get the name. To this day, she'll be the one to lead the flock to new areas, odd corners of the yard. But she & the other buckeye are in no way mean or agressive to either other members of the flock, people, or the dog. The other buckeye has even jumped on the dog's back (shortcut to where she was headed) when he was laying down in the yard snoozing - surprised him!
I also like the BA's - they are the lookout queens. We have bald eagles & hawks among other predators here. Last fall they were all out foraging - had split into 2 groups - 4 of the chicks were near the house, the other 2 across the lawn in the wetland area. Heard ruckus & went outside to find a huge number of circling raptors. One BA was in the wetlands raising alarm calls - the other BA was answering from the shrubs near the house. They had all gone into 'duck' and cover mode. It was really cool - the presence of myself & the dog (german shephard sweetheart) evenutally caused the raptors to move on.
My least fav are the GSL's. They are dependable egg layers, as I'd heard - but they're a little agressive - or maybe it's impatient. For example, every afternoon I put the chicks back into their run - & give them some BOSS, &/or scratch, &/or mealworms. One of the GSL's definitely prefers scratch to any of the other options. Blondie will peck at my pantlegs until the scratch comes out -- I'm now calling her the ' crack queen'. She also beelines herself over to the wild bird feeder area the minute they're let out of the run at noon-ish. The rest of the flock eventually make their rounds over to that area, but it seems for that one, she's just single-minded. I've heard others say the GSL's are mean -- I'd say it's more like they are stubborn. &/or if one is missing - it's likely blondie -- who can't follow the flock - she'll be the one I'll lose to a predator - mark my words!
just my limited experience - but wouldn't get GSL's again. I'm not into production, just some backyard eggs & chicken TV. I get more than enough eggs - 3 dozen or so a week - if it decreased by half dozen, it wouldn't matter - & I'm not convinced there would be even that many fewer.
o - & they are all feedstore chickies - from last mother's day - my mom's day gift to myself -- didn't know there was anyplace else to get chicks then - but I'm not breeding - no roosters - so no harm, no fowl! live & learn - luv my chickies- thanks for asking-
GSLs must be the same idea as Red Sex Links. My strain is very loving. They are very food motivated, but all of my chickens areI am VERY new to chicks - & have only 6 - 2 each of these 3 breeds - so my observations are likely not representative. But for what it's worth --
The buckeyes are definitely my favorite of the 3 breeds I have. They are curious & friendly - easily handled. As new chicks, my fav, Trouble, would hop high up on the poultry cloth whenever she saw me coming. She was the only one to escape the brooder -- twice! We'd go out & find her walking around 'on the moon' by herself calling to the others to join her - that's how she came to get the name. To this day, she'll be the one to lead the flock to new areas, odd corners of the yard. But she & the other buckeye are in no way mean or agressive to either other members of the flock, people, or the dog. The other buckeye has even jumped on the dog's back (shortcut to where she was headed) when he was laying down in the yard snoozing - surprised him!
I also like the BA's - they are the lookout queens. We have bald eagles & hawks among other predators here. Last fall they were all out foraging - had split into 2 groups - 4 of the chicks were near the house, the other 2 across the lawn in the wetland area. Heard ruckus & went outside to find a huge number of circling raptors. One BA was in the wetlands raising alarm calls - the other BA was answering from the shrubs near the house. They had all gone into 'duck' and cover mode. It was really cool - the presence of myself & the dog (german shephard sweetheart) evenutally caused the raptors to move on.
My least fav are the GSL's. They are dependable egg layers, as I'd heard - but they're a little agressive - or maybe it's impatient. For example, every afternoon I put the chicks back into their run - & give them some BOSS, &/or scratch, &/or mealworms. One of the GSL's definitely prefers scratch to any of the other options. Blondie will peck at my pantlegs until the scratch comes out -- I'm now calling her the ' crack queen'. She also beelines herself over to the wild bird feeder area the minute they're let out of the run at noon-ish. The rest of the flock eventually make their rounds over to that area, but it seems for that one, she's just single-minded. I've heard others say the GSL's are mean -- I'd say it's more like they are stubborn. &/or if one is missing - it's likely blondie -- who can't follow the flock - she'll be the one I'll lose to a predator - mark my words!
just my limited experience - but wouldn't get GSL's again. I'm not into production, just some backyard eggs & chicken TV. I get more than enough eggs - 3 dozen or so a week - if it decreased by half dozen, it wouldn't matter - & I'm not convinced there would be even that many fewer.
o - & they are all feedstore chickies - from last mother's day - my mom's day gift to myself -- didn't know there was anyplace else to get chicks then - but I'm not breeding - no roosters - so no harm, no fowl! live & learn - luv my chickies- thanks for asking-
Nice to hear your story! Maybe next time replace the GSLs with a Plymouth Rock (white or Barred) and you'll be all set!
- Jun 2, 2011
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I'm sure you guys have seen this... but when I did,, I laughed so hard I scared the dog...
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Yep, I've seen this. That'll show him!I'm sure you guys have seen this... but when I did,, I laughed so hard I scared the dog...
Re food oriented chicks -- I've told others - what I've learned about chickens is -- their first drive is to eat -- their second is to not be eaten!
Blondie is on the high end for the first drive, and on the low end for the second -- if you catch my meaning !
I think you're right - the GSL. and by extension the RSL & BSL - are similarly bred for production, and reliable sexing at birth -- rather than for personality traits, or other things.
On the former thread, from which I learned TONS - I believe I read that the 'star' breeds are similar to the sex-links, if not the same?? I think it was also a corollary that the production breeds may not be as hardy, or long-lived - just in general - as the more heritage breeds (I may be using this term incorrectly). You may get more eggs, but for fewer years, and be more prone to disease??? Love being less anxious about disease & rigid diets - not into prophylactic antibiotics, but not opposed to a little neosporin for wounds -- you know common sense, non-zealous. This thread, and its predecessors are consistent with my way of life. Do what you can, then let it go.
Individual birds are always going to show individual traits of course, why I prefaced my previous comments with the disclaimer -- I'm truly inexperienced in all things chicken & wouldn't presume to know about breeds.
But I do like the Buckeyes so much I'd definitely get more - but next time, look for a reliable breeder - know there aren't many & from the Buckeye website - looks like it's easier to find them back east (Ohio -- DUH). But I'm not anticipating needing to do that soon - barring some unknown catastrophe, knock on wood.
I can have more birds - but 6 are plenty for us for eggs - & can supply by brother & daughter with eggs too. and I can still tell them apart - LOL
Now if I can only get over my BYC addiction!! - I need to get back to doing stuff around the house instead of trying to keep up with threads!
Blondie is on the high end for the first drive, and on the low end for the second -- if you catch my meaning !
I think you're right - the GSL. and by extension the RSL & BSL - are similarly bred for production, and reliable sexing at birth -- rather than for personality traits, or other things.
On the former thread, from which I learned TONS - I believe I read that the 'star' breeds are similar to the sex-links, if not the same?? I think it was also a corollary that the production breeds may not be as hardy, or long-lived - just in general - as the more heritage breeds (I may be using this term incorrectly). You may get more eggs, but for fewer years, and be more prone to disease??? Love being less anxious about disease & rigid diets - not into prophylactic antibiotics, but not opposed to a little neosporin for wounds -- you know common sense, non-zealous. This thread, and its predecessors are consistent with my way of life. Do what you can, then let it go.
Individual birds are always going to show individual traits of course, why I prefaced my previous comments with the disclaimer -- I'm truly inexperienced in all things chicken & wouldn't presume to know about breeds.
But I do like the Buckeyes so much I'd definitely get more - but next time, look for a reliable breeder - know there aren't many & from the Buckeye website - looks like it's easier to find them back east (Ohio -- DUH). But I'm not anticipating needing to do that soon - barring some unknown catastrophe, knock on wood.
I can have more birds - but 6 are plenty for us for eggs - & can supply by brother & daughter with eggs too. and I can still tell them apart - LOL
Now if I can only get over my BYC addiction!! - I need to get back to doing stuff around the house instead of trying to keep up with threads!
Wrinkled eggs question..
I would think if your chicken had always layed wrinkled eggs from the beginning it has nothing to do with any virus.
I would imagine we have all had a wrinkled egg here and there. I have never attributed it to any illness. I have read that there are diseases and illnesses that can malform eggs, and as hens age the reproductive tract changes and sometimes the shape does also. Most of the wrinkled eggs that I have seen in my flock have been from really old hens and I know that production is probably coming to a close.
If your hen is laying one shaped egg and it change to another shaped egg, it is a cause for concern. In your case, I would not worry about. You are not breeding.
I would think if your chicken had always layed wrinkled eggs from the beginning it has nothing to do with any virus.
I would imagine we have all had a wrinkled egg here and there. I have never attributed it to any illness. I have read that there are diseases and illnesses that can malform eggs, and as hens age the reproductive tract changes and sometimes the shape does also. Most of the wrinkled eggs that I have seen in my flock have been from really old hens and I know that production is probably coming to a close.
If your hen is laying one shaped egg and it change to another shaped egg, it is a cause for concern. In your case, I would not worry about. You are not breeding.
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