The Old Folks Home

[chickadoodles]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BunnyMomma

Hi, I thought I'd put my 2 cents in on the breed types that I like. I really have a lot of favorites as far as laying hens in general, so this is my top 3 favorites, in order. Also, I will put why I like them as opposed to other breeds. This is just from my experience.

#1. Large Fowl Cochin's of any color except white. This is my favorite breed of all the egg layers that I have owned for many years. They are very good layers and make great mothers and broody hens. They are easy to sex at a young age and they are tolerant of other breeds. They do not eat as much as some other large breeds that I have owned. They are friendly. I like the feathered feet, and fluffy feathers as they keep the birds feet warm in the winter. I could probably go on and on about this breed, but these are the main reasons I like them.

#2. Black Australorp's are great because of their medium body size and feed efficiency. They lay a large egg and it gets extra large in the second year. The eggs I got from them were huge compared to their body size. Friendly, easy keeps.

#3. Faverolle's are also super layers. They lay all year long, with the exception of moulting and extreme heat. They are friendly and good foragers.

I wish I could keep more breeds, but I have downsized to one LF breed and I am happy with them.
I can't wait until you post what breeds you have chosen. There are so many great breeds!


I like what I read about the Large Fowl Cochin's I may have to get a few of them but they do take 15 months to mature. I am a little worried about all those feathers and the heat waves here in Al. in August...

I like the fact they like to go boody and are good mothers. I have an Australorpe that is booding a chick and she seems to a good mother.

 

[ronott1]

Well, still no vehicle for me. <*sigh*> Kinda hard for me to compel someone to drive me hither and yon on my schedule. Fooey, huh? Maybe this weekend...

I do have a prospect though. Hopefully I can get a ride to go check it out before somebody else buys it.

On the home & chicken front, I have been enjoying how Sparkle my House Silkie is raising those two chicks in the house. My flock mama hens have brought chicks to me before - which makes me feel so proud - but it's been more like showing them off, with a touch of "Food Lady, don't be afraid of her" than what Sparkle appears to be doing. She always hops up begging for treats when I go into or return from the kitchen, and has actually called the chicks TO swarm round my feet awaiting goodies.

Sparkle is a treasure!

I had a scare yesterday. My NYD chicks had been acting odd--like they were cold but were not going under the eco glow. They light was glowing but I felt it anyway and it was cold! The power supply was not providing full voltage. Luckily I have two of them and swapped in the other one. I also needed to raise it to the second height.

Very tough little things to go that long without heat at a week old.

 

[chickadoodles]

Linda, can you possibly rent a car to go vehicle hunting for the weekend? My sister used to use Enterprise so they would pick her up.
I wish you luck in finding a vehicle.

Ron I am happy your chicks are ok. They must be tough

 

[Pozees]

Linda, that is just adorable! I wonder if you can get sellers to bring their vehicles to you to test drive? Or if you don't want them coming to your place, meet them somewhere you can walk to? Maybe with a buddy along who happens to be at least a little mechanically inclined? Just thinking out loud. I suppose if all else fails you can rent a car for a day to drive around and look at what is for sale. Hope you get wheels soon, I would hate being grounded.

 

[Pozees]

Ron, scary! Penes right? Tough little buggers - I've admired them for some time now, but after reading ChickenCanoe's story about his first shipment of chicks I am convinced they are the toughest little buggers around!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Sparkle is a treasure!

I had a scare yesterday. My NYD chicks had been acting odd--like they were cold but were not going under the eco glow. They light was glowing but I felt it anyway and it was cold! The power supply was not providing full voltage. Luckily I have two of them and swapped in the other one. I also needed to raise it to the second height.

Very tough little things to go that long without heat at a week old.

That's my only concern with ceramic emitters. I have to observe the chicks or feel for heat to know they're working.

 

[ronott1]

Ron, scary! Penes right? Tough little buggers - I've admired them for some time now, but after reading ChickenCanoe's story about his first shipment of chicks I am convinced they are the toughest little buggers around!

Yes, they are Cream legbar x Crele Pene crossed back to parent 2, Crele Penedesenca. They are very tough!

This is their 1 week old picture.

 

[chickadoodles]

Yes, they are Cream legbar x Crele Pene crossed back to parent 2, Crele Penedesenca. They are very tough!

This is their 1 week old picture.

They are so cute

 

[Highcotton]

Quote:
This looks like the road we drove to St Joe, Mo on when I was 15. We had never seen the ground covered with snow before in South Alabama and my parents decided that we were going to visit my sister in St Joe. My dad was a basket case when we got there.

 

[Highcotton]

Quote:
They look like they are wearing little mink coats.