Utah!

[La Casa de Pollo]

I lost one of the Houdans.  It had a bad scissor beak.  Did you give the shipped babies grow gel?  I gave mine grow gel and only lost 2 out of 36.  I had one that was dead on arrival. 

I did...I ordered 30 and the mystery chick (SL Polish) died within hours of arriving, then 3 more afterwards it looks like. I think the Polish are much more fragile, looks like the Houdans must be that way too. Hazards of mail order chickies I suppose. I really had to work on the Polish to get them to eat and drink.

Is scissor beak like it sounds? The top and bottom don't line up correctly? Are they born with that or does it develop over time? Just wondering if mine look ok now if they will stay that way or if that can happen as they grow. I sure do like the little Houdans, their personality is really cute and they sure are fun to look at.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Lluvia, Birdguy might have Giants...he wanted some from my hatch last summer. Only one hatched but he has/had it...maybe he got more

 

[sundancenbare]

I did...I ordered 30 and the mystery chick (SL Polish) died within hours of arriving, then 3 more afterwards it looks like. I think the Polish are much more fragile, looks like the Houdans must be that way too. Hazards of mail order chickies I suppose. I really had to work on the Polish to get them to eat and drink.

Is scissor beak like it sounds? The top and bottom don't line up correctly? Are they born with that or does it develop over time? Just wondering if mine look ok now if they will stay that way or if that can happen as they grow. I sure do like the little Houdans, their personality is really cute and they sure are fun to look at.

Yes it is just like it sounds. I have had two this year. One I hatched from some ordered eggs and this one from Meyers. When it came it was smaller than the rest and was just slightly scissored. It still ate and drank so I decided to let nature run its course, I saw it eating every day and it seemed to be growing but one morning it was just dead had heard of that deformatity but had never seen it. I think they are born with and it gets progessively worse

 

[LluviaChic77]

Thank you La Casa de Pollo! So are you still hatching out your little silky naked necks this year? They are so cute! I was also wondering what Marans you have or may be hatching out this spring/summer? I'm the one who talked to you a month or so about getting a couple of your maran chicks.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Yes it is just like it sounds.  I have had two this year.  One I hatched from some ordered eggs and this one from Meyers.  When it came it was smaller than the rest and was just slightly scissored.  It still ate and drank so I decided to let nature run its course,  I saw it eating every day and it seemed to be growing but one morning it was just dead  had heard of that deformatity  but had never seen it.  I think they are born with and it gets progessively worse

That is so sad I have not come across that yet! Knock on wood!
These that I got were from McMurray, in Iowa I think, although they shipped from St Paul MN. That seems so far to go through the mail. I was surprised they did as well as they did. I may order one more time, it was fun, and they have been really good to deal with.

But I need more chicks like I need a hole in the head.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Thank you La Casa de Pollo! So are you still hatching out your little silky naked necks this year? They are so cute! I was also wondering what Marans you have or may be hatching out this spring/summer? I'm the one who talked to you a month or so about getting a couple of your maran chicks.

Here is the lowdown on Marans...

Blujems has some FBCM in her bator right now, the same ones I have been hatching....I have dibs on two for a friend, not sure if she has pre-sold anymore of them....I do have a few hatching today hopefully, but not sure what colors yet. They are B/B/S Marans from DM Rippy.... will likely keep this hatch to watch them for a few weeks and make sure I get my girl this time, then sell started pullets/give away roos when I can tell what they are. I want a blue girl from these if I can get one. Watch on here, if I have extras, they will definitely be posted here first before KSL. If you are wanting some a little later, on May 4 there is the chickenstock event in Idaho, and I believe pawtraitart will be there she might have marans for sale, and Daloorashens was planning on hatching chicks and may have some there too, I am going and can bring back anything for you, there are some people going with me from SLC so the chicks/birds can make it back into Utah to about wherever they need to go As I am writing this I am thinking what a dork I am for keeping track of all this....

I am hatching out more Showgirls for sure!... but waiting on eggs. I have three different places I am waiting to hear back from, seems like they are all broody at the moment!

 

[LluviaChic77]

WELCOME!!!!



Blujems, glad you figured out the thermostat This weather is ah-mazin'!

Thank you Lisa! My mom spoke with you in January and you suggested this forum...she told me and I've been following it ever since...nice to know there are so many people who love their chickens as much as I do!

 

[LluviaChic77]

Here is the lowdown on Marans...

Blujems has some FBCM in her bator right now, the same ones I have been hatching....I have dibs on two for a friend, not sure if she has pre-sold anymore of them....I do have a few hatching today hopefully, but not sure what colors yet. They are B/B/S Marans from DM Rippy.... will likely keep this hatch to watch them for a few weeks and make sure I get my girl this time, then sell started pullets/give away roos when I can tell what they are. I want a blue girl from these if I can get one. Watch on here, if I have extras, they will definitely be posted here first before KSL. If you are wanting some a little later, on May 4 there is the chickenstock event in Idaho, and I believe pawtraitart will be there she might have marans for sale, and Daloorashens was planning on hatching chicks and may have some there too, I am going and can bring back anything for you, there are some people going with me from SLC so the chicks/birds can make it back into Utah to about wherever they need to go As I am writing this I am thinking what a dork I am for keeping track of all this....

I am hatching out more Showgirls for sure!... but waiting on eggs. I have three different places I am waiting to hear back from, seems like they are all broody at the moment!

Chickenstock sounds like a blast! I will definitely look into it, may even want to go if I can! I'll keep watching on here to see what you may have available in the future!!! Thanks for all the info, this is so fun wish I'd joined earlier!

 

[LluviaChic77]

There is a Jersey giant on ksl  Welcome

Thank you....That's funny u posted that because I actually drove in and snagged her up at 7:30 am this morning! She is a beauty! Then I ended up bringing home a few other babies too! Haha I'm a little chicken crazy. I'm on vacation for a week so with the warm weather I have a list of chicken projects for my hubby! I want a new coop for my silkies. Should be a fun week

 

[Lilwanis]

Aw that is sad....wonder what is going on with those? Hope we don't lose anymore. I really want to reimburse you and Lilwanis too! If you pm me your address I would be glad to do it. I have Polish left, if you want another chicken instead even? I have black and white, and solid white, and then hopefully some of the SBEL's and marans hatching today. Now I keep running to check on my babies to make sure they are ok. They have had all their shots so it should just be shipping issues.

Lilwanis, I am coming to SLC on the 30th, If you want another chickie instead

Don't be depressed, it will all work out, it takes a little patience with the incubators, then you will be hatching out the wazoo. (Did I really say wazoo?) Man I am getting old.

Sundance do you still have the Houdans from McMurray?, did they all make it?

Cynthia......

If you will be here anyway...how can I say no? Although I am not a polish fan, so...

The eggs i gave you are from the same group that just hatched for me. Hope you have good luck

The bator they are in is maintaining temperature really well. They are in there with the Houdan eggs. I sure hope something hatches from one of the sets. I am starting to feel discouraged.

I did...I ordered 30 and the mystery chick (SL Polish) died within hours of arriving, then 3 more afterwards it looks like. I think the Polish are much more fragile, looks like the Houdans must be that way too. Hazards of mail order chickies I suppose. I really had to work on the Polish to get them to eat and drink.

Is scissor beak like it sounds? The top and bottom don't line up correctly? Are they born with that or does it develop over time? Just wondering if mine look ok now if they will stay that way or if that can happen as they grow. I sure do like the little Houdans, their personality is really cute and they sure are fun to look at.

Houdans have become a hatchery only chicken, and we all know that hatcheries don't care for standard or hardiness of the breed (for the most part). Issues that people have mentioned on the Houdan thread are not enough toes, size and coloring is frequently off. The Houdan is supposed to be a big chicken (7-8lbs), with short legs and a round body. They also complain that Houdans have been "polishized," which I have interpreted to mean they are smaller, more focused on crest, and more leggy. Beyond the obvious inability to get show stock from a hatchery, many people have complained about their hardiness. The chicks have a hard time making it to adulthood, frequently have leg issues, get sick easier, etc. These are definitely project birds. That's why I have been so excited to get eggs strait from the U of A, which has been working for years to improve existing stock.

hoping hoping hoping that I get at least 50% of the 12 eggs to hatch. I have six more coming later. Anyway...