Utah!

[abkoldewyn]

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

Be careful with the cedar oil guys---there is lots of info on here that cedar wood is toxic to chickens, it causes respiratory distress...liver damage....so be sure to put oil where the chickens cannot be exposed to fumes or able to peck at it.

Some say yes, some say no, but I would proceed with caution. I put cedar shavings in my coop at the beginning before I knew and I did have some with breathing problems.

It is definitely a great idea, I will have to get some where we have nests by the eaves on our house!

I didn't even think about that! Thanks Lisa!

 

[abkoldewyn]

I'm thinking of ordering some chicks from Desert Springs Farms out in Duchesne. Has anyone ever gotten anything through them? I've been texting the gal the owns it and she seems super nice. It's always a plus when people are nice!

 

[bitsyhorse]

There was someone on here that said they would incubate eggs (just because they wanted to) who was it, and are you in Utah county?
my sons kindergarten teacher is wanting to do the last 3 days of a chicken hatch, and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in helping out. It's in Springville (Reagan Academy).


Other options would be for me to purchase (or borrow) an incubator and do it (I've never incubated eggs before...). Chase Hatchery used to have the option for the last 3 days of hatching, but that has disappeared from their site...



For purchasing my own incubator, Tractor supply co has the still air one for $40, and the egg turner for $40 (I guess I would need that if I'm not able to turn them all myself).

Also, if I go that route, can I buy some eggs off of someone? variety is ok... just as long as they're easy to hatch...


I'll likely have to sell off the chicks after they hatch (who knows, may keep a couple for myself lol...)

anyways, if anyone could help out, that would be awesome thanks!

 

[Cynthia12]

They say the bird flu isn't a biggy yet. Only to those poor farmers or business' that have to cull. What can we do to protect our birds?

http://www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com/2015/03/how-to-protect-your-backyard-flock-from.html

 

[RedIII]

Be careful with the cedar oil guys---there is lots of info on here that cedar wood is toxic to chickens, it causes respiratory distress...liver damage....so be sure to put oil where the chickens cannot be exposed to fumes or able to peck at it.

Some say yes, some say no, but I would proceed with caution. I put cedar shavings in my coop at the beginning before I knew and I did have some with breathing problems.

It is definitely a great idea, I will have to get some where we have nests by the eaves on our house!

A possible alternative to consider for the coop is lemon oil. It is great for cleaning and is non-toxic to chickens, so far as I know.

My hens will not eat bees. I've tried with all my girls but they don't seem to think bees are fun to mess with lol. I'm highly allergic to bees so I try to keep all nests out of our yard. I've seen those fake wasps nests and wondered if they worked. I may have to get a few around my house. Is there any kind of herb or mint I can plant around the yard that bees don't like?

Yeah DH is allergic to them, too, so I destroy nests whenever I find them. Wasps are good in that they predate house flies, but bad because they will also kill honeybees. And, y'know, the stinging thing and all....

I'm thinking of ordering some chicks from Desert Springs Farms out in Duchesne. Has anyone ever gotten anything through them? I've been texting the gal the owns it and she seems super nice. It's always a plus when people are nice!

Christina She is good to work with. She actually got her Icelandics from me. I need to call her sometime and say hello.

They say the bird flu isn't a biggy yet.  Only to those poor farmers or business' that have to cull.   What can we do to protect our birds?

http://www.onthebanksofsquawcreek.com/2015/03/how-to-protect-your-backyard-flock-from.html

I'm all for keeping guests away from my coop and run and quarantining new birds. I hope no one here takes offense if you visit me and I won't let you near my birds, neither will I go near your birds. I don't want to spread any germs that might be present. It sounds mean, but I feel it's for the best :\ We also try to keep the wild birds away from our domestic flock, which unfortunately includes DH using his high-powered pellet gun.....ahem.

 

[iPickYupik]

I'm thinking of ordering some chicks from Desert Springs Farms out in Duchesne. Has anyone ever gotten anything through them? I've been texting the gal the owns it and she seems super nice. It's always a plus when people are nice!

Haven't worked with her but I've messaged with her and found her to be very helpful and friendly.

 

[the-bird-man]

i have seen my girls hunt wasps. have never seen them go after honey bees tho so that is good. pressure washers work good to get rid of wasps if you have one.

desert springs is a member on here tho she does not post much anymore.

 

[lizardandchicks]

I'm thinking of ordering some chicks from Desert Springs Farms out in Duchesne. Has anyone ever gotten anything through them? I've been texting the gal the owns it and she seems super nice. It's always a plus when people are nice!

I got 4 chickens from her. We started with 2, but one was a rooster. She was super nice about it, and said it was a mistake, so we went back to dushesne, and got 2 more that were both pullets. She really is nice about, and her chickens are pretty good.

 

[iPickYupik]

RJ--I'll chime in on this one !

Cache Valley folks--there is a place called Walton's at cache junction---feed is $10 for 50 pounds! It is great! The problem for me is they are open weekdays only, and I can never get out there during the week due to work. I have had a friend grab me some and I love it when I can get out there.
Cal's feed has been ridiculously cheap for months now. Before I preferred the short lay pellets 20% protein at IFA North (18.99, varies a little.) BUT CAL's price has been so much cheaper, we have been doing that for awhile. (13.99)

I like the big bales of pine shavings at IFA North/Hyde Park for brooders...they are smaller flakes.

I like the pine shavings at CAL for the coop. Bigger flakes and better price. And yup I feel the bales to make sure they are not loose. Tighter bales have lots more flakes, I swear!

Dog bisuits--IFA NORTH! $5 for a gigantic bag! It is ridiculously cheap!

IFA North---mash for chicks. Powdery for the new babies. Then I get the unmedicated at CAL for the older chicks. It is bigger chunks.

Diotomaceous Earth -- -Steve Regan. Cheapo there. (A bust for mites/lice but is great in the summer for flies and smell.)

TSC I have not made it to yet, it is on my list. I can't leave the house much so I would love to know their hours if anybody knows....are they open on Sunday? IFA here is closed Sunday...because I tend kids I have to go on Sundays sometimes if Saturdays are crammed with soccer. I have kids reffing, playing and coaching. I wish the IFA's were open Sundays.

Cheapest feed I see at TSC in Providence:
Dumor 50# $13.99 16% protein

30 oz mealworm frenzy $24.99

DE 20# 12.99

They also have 2 for $10 (8 cubic feet each) pine shaving in fine or flake.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

I'm thinking of ordering some chicks from Desert Springs Farms out in Duchesne. Has anyone ever gotten anything through them? I've been texting the gal the owns it and she seems super nice. It's always a plus when people are nice!

She used to be on here all the time...have not seen her on in awhile. Christina, very nice I know where she got some more of her parent stock (Ameraucanas and such) , and she has some really nice birds.