Utah!

[Cynthia12]

This morning I went out to check on the chickens before heading out to work. Look what I found in one of the nests:




Do any of you have chickens that lay golden eggs? Or should I say neighbors secretly planting golden eggs in your nest boxes?

Love it!

 

[Cynthia12]

These Houdans I got from McMurray are making me crazy. I want so bad to work with these, but so many have developed crossbeak or died. What the heck? I emailed McMurray...they are obviously really overly inbred it is so sad. I don't even know if I want to start with any birds from them after this. Out of 26 birds ordered, I sold 4 and kept 22 total.

I lost 9 the first couple weeks, 6 have gotten cross beak (plus two I sold), we had to put one down for really bad wry neck and I am left with 4 cross beaked and 8 that look ok so far. It is so sad! Lots and lots of work raising all of these and I just dunno what to do, whether I should just keep some as pets and not try and keep going with them, or whether it is a sign of how badly they need work. They sure are adorable....and beautiful! But the gene pool is pretty sad I think.

Lisa, remember when I got some? First time I met Brian..he was going to buy one, but, as I was picking it up again, after having caught it to put in a kennel until he came, I noticed it looked .. and sounded bad. I wouldn't let Brian buy it. I culled it soon after. It just got worse and worse. A lot of the ones I had died, didn't see any cross beaks, but I hope whoever bought the others didn't have problems. :/
I don't think I got them from McMurry. I don't usually buy from them, but can't remember where I got them..I love Ideal. Not sure it was there though. I really like the way my chicks arrive most of the time. Of course there will be some sad things, once, about 2 yrs. ago..I was having a slow death in the bunch. While I was on the phone with the gal, she asked me which ones died, and which ones looked at the time that weren't going to make it..I was sent more, and they were great.

 

[Cynthia12]

Can anyone help one of my girls has gone very lethargic and isn't eating but she is drinking she hasn't laid today and usually lays everyday she seems very weak and the other Hens are pecking her feathers out , what can I do?.

I just had one that got sour crop here a while ago. Pick her up and feel her crop. Is it squishy? Bigger? Is she drinking often? That means she is tryng to loosen what is stuck in her crop if all of the above is so. If she has been drinking only, that is a clue to sour crop. My bird would gulp down on that wet grass after it rained here, not a good thing for them to do at this time of yr.

 

[iPickYupik]

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Lisa, remember when I got some?   First time I met Brian..he was going to buy one, but, as I was picking it up again, after having caught it to put in a kennel until he came, I noticed it looked .. and sounded bad.  I wouldn't let Brian buy it.   I culled it soon after.  It just got worse and worse.  A lot of the ones I had died, didn't see any cross beaks, but I hope whoever bought the others didn't have problems.   :/
I don't think I got them from McMurry.  I don't usually buy from them, but can't remember where I got them..I love Ideal.  Not sure it was there though.   I really like the way my chicks arrive most of the time.  Of course there will be some sad things, once, about 2 yrs. ago..I was having a slow death in the bunch.  While I was on the phone with the gal, she asked me which ones died, and which ones looked at the time that weren't going to make it..I was sent more, and they were great. 

I have had great luck with McMurray with the exception of the Houdans...I just feel so frustrated, I was so excited but really I don't think I dare use these for any sort of project. They are indeed gorgeous birds though, and a must have for me in the pet capacity....I just don't think I am going to donate the space I had set up for them to this breed right now...unless I can find some different birds. The Houdans that are left I will raise up and if all looks well I will likely sell a few more as pets...ACE I will keep one for you if you are still wanting another as a started pullet in a month or so, I want to be sure no more defects pop up. If anyone wants a trio I do have one rooster I believe in this batch....I am pretty sure. Will know for sure in a couple weeks.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Just in time for soccer to start! Woot!

 

[the-bird-man]

went out to the chicks and one was roosting on the edge of the brooder. it was the br boy. yes its now covered in wire lol.

i am seriously loving these bramahs, they are so sweet and friendly and calm.

hope you all are ok with this wind. my girls have been voicing their displeasure with it lol. been seeing torn up roofs all over and lots of tree damage.

 

[iPickYupik]

Just in time for soccer to start! Woot!

Crazy! I was just out at first dam this morning enjoying the beautiful weather and now this. :/

Oh but I have something to share! So I was sitting out there on the south bank, videoing the water lapping and ducks swimming by when this big mob of geese and ducks comes hissing around the corner! I thought maybe I was near a nest but next thing a know, this little fur ball comes bounding up to me, no more than 3 ft away! It was a mink! It stopped to stare at me for a few seconds and bounded up the hill. So cute! If I hadn't hadn't already been filming I would have missed it. I don't think I can post a video on here but I pulled a few still from it.

 

[RedIII]

went out to the chicks and one was roosting on the edge of the brooder. it was the br boy. yes its now covered in wire lol.

i am seriously loving these bramahs, they are so sweet and friendly and calm.

hope you all are ok with this wind. my girls have been voicing their displeasure with it lol. been seeing torn up roofs all over and lots of tree damage.

My BR boy did that too! He loved to be up high to watch what was going on. And the wind was horrible in Tooele, too. Our poor greenhouse....

IPick, nice pictures! I don't mind minks, marmots, ferrets, or what-have-you so long as they stay out of my birds.

 

[Cynthia12]

Just in time for soccer to start! Woot!

We are just now getting this. :/