Things you wish you knew starting out?

[Parront]

Well the hardest thing about rearing these things is getting your vegan wife to go along with you when discussing culling the flock for realistic reasons. I was watching the youtube video on the t-bar method for beheading then mentioned the direction the flock was going. Told her realistically I will try to list them on craigslist, but if I get no takers I will be slaughtering them. Her first response was "I will divorce you!" but you have to plant the seed of an idea and after she sleeps on it my reasoning usually makes sense to her. I used the word RAPE too when discussing what those roos will do and gladiator games when discussing the maiming of each other we will see. She will understand in the morning I bet.

Opposites do attract! There are always free roosters on craig's list around here. No one wants them.

 

[AllenK RGV]

I checked the craigslist offerings in the area and $15 seems to be the cheapest but that breeder is also selling her eggs for $10-40/doz in English and $3.50/doz in Spanish. She has some good breeds too so probably a BYC member.

 

[Parront]

I checked the craigslist offerings in the area and $15 seems to be the cheapest but that breeder is also selling her eggs for $10-40/doz in English and $3.50/doz in Spanish. She has some good breeds too so probably a BYC member.

Yeah, that is a special breed, you should be able to get something for them. There are people on here with hatching eggs, that would be fun.

 

[venymae]

I just saw in someones tagline that they made chicken saddles it struck me as an oddity so I had to look it up, they seem potentially like a critical piece of gear that I should have on hand for a variety of reasons.

What other tools should I be placing in my toolkit other than triple antibiotic ointments and Coban(I think it is also called Vet Tape) for wrapping potential wounds?

I have pet carriers sized appropriately to segregate injured chicken(the Army moved us frequently). Having been an Army Nurse I have the medical side covered with goodies like dermabond, suture sets, and a lifetime supply of things like normal saline flushes, triple antibiotic sachets, alcohol and iodine prep wipes, tincture of benzoin and butterfly tape that left the hospital at the end of 12 hour shifts in my pockets unintentionally.

Any other suggestions or directions towards a good link I should read about on hand essentials that you wish you had purchased before ever looking at a chicken? Something as simple as an axe could be useful info.

I am willing to bet that a thread like this already exists if so and you know the search terms I missed please direct me there. TY in advance.

Honestly, a scalpel (for bumblefoot which is SO common with heavy breeds), and a easily cleaned, easily accessed, predator proof coop with proper roosts, and properly placed nesting boxes. And a run that is at least predator proof enough to give chickens time to escape into the coop (dogs). That's my bit.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Yeah, that is a special breed, you should be able to get something for them. There are people on here with hatching eggs, that would be fun.

here are her offerings:

Crested Cream Legbar:
Pair/Par: 20.00
Pullets/Hembras : 15.00
Cockerel/Machos: 8.00

Welsummer:
Pair/Par: 9.00
Pullet/ Hembra: 6.00
Cockerel/Macho: 4.00

Easter Egger (multi colored eggs/ huevos de varios colores): 6.00

French Black Copper Marans (dark chocolate brown eggs/ huevos cafes obscuros 8.00

Olive Egger: ( olive green colores eggs/ huevos color verde olivo): 6.00

Midget White Turkeys: 15.00

Oh and if you want your eggs unrefridgerated she will do that for you too.

 

[venymae]

I checked the craigslist offerings in the area and $15 seems to be the cheapest but that breeder is also selling her eggs for $10-40/doz in English and $3.50/doz in Spanish. She has some good breeds too so probably a BYC member.

So there is an "I speak spanish" discount?!? I'm just going to put out that homemade incubators are fun and easy to make, and reasonably cheap especially if you have some parts laying around or a thrift store nearby!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Honestly, a scalpel (for bumblefoot which is SO common with heavy breeds), and a easily cleaned, easily accessed, predator proof coop with proper roosts, and properly placed nesting boxes. And a run that is at least predator proof enough to give chickens time to escape into the coop (dogs). That's my bit.

I had read up on that one but sure I can do scaples for them is a 5 pound bird really Brumblefoot prone?

 

[AllenK RGV]

So there is an "I speak spanish" discount?!? I'm just going to put out that homemade incubators are fun and easy to make, and reasonably cheap especially if you have some parts laying around or a thrift store nearby!

I can just close the vent from the a/c and get really close to 95F in my back bathroom. Sounds like how to do it on the really cheap.

 

[venymae]

I had read up on that one but sure I can do scaples for them is a 5 pound bird really Brumblefoot prone?

Average weight of a buff orpington hen is 7 lbs and yes, they are pretty prone to it, smaller birds like leghorns, not so much.

I can just close the vent from the a/c and get really close to 95F in my back bathroom. Sounds like how to do it on the really cheap.

Lol. I'd hate to see all them stinky eggs explode in your bathroom when it all goes wrong though!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Average weight of a buff orpington hen is 7 lbs and yes, they are pretty prone to it, smaller birds like leghorns, not so much.


Lol. I'd hate to see all them stinky eggs explode in your bathroom when it all goes wrong though!

Ok so I'll be sure to give them a Sunday foot check on a weekly basis as I'm sure that will catch that little corn on the bottom of the foot in timely fashion. And love the exploding aspect of your post