Utah!

[crazy Sandy]

I just did a big splurge and got a brand new sportsman 1502 incubator...... the real craziness is about to begin .Im filing it tomorrow but have room for more if anyone wants to ad a few let me know(no guarantee an hatch results for first batch) I will be hatching samon faverrals, golden cokoo marans(really dark brown eggs),some bantams,and a few mixes

 

[rcstanley]

I just did a big splurge and got a brand new sportsman 1502 incubator...... the real craziness is about to begin .Im filing it tomorrow but have room for more if anyone wants to ad a few let me know(no guarantee an hatch results for first batch) I will be hatching samon faverrals, golden cokoo marans(really dark brown eggs),some bantams,and a few mixes

Yay. Someday...

I splurged too and got an egg turner for my hoverbator and a dozen assorted eggs (leghorns, astralorps, and Orpingtons) to try my incubator again. We'll see how it goes.

 

[iPickYupik]

This year's Chickenstock will be on May 7th at the Idaho Falls fairgrounds. It may be called something different. It's a different group of people running it than last year.

 

[kidsNchicken]

I feel bad for my chicken that keeps laying huge eggs. Can't close the egg carton. All I have to say is OUCH!

 

[LadyIsadora]

How do you all keep your chickens from flying out of your property?
I think I just about have sweetie convinced that we NEED chickens but I have a lot of stupid questions.

 

[newmarch2014]

Well, if the chickens find the need to fly the coop you can clip one side of their wings (insructions easily found on this site or you tube) But honestly, mine are in a secure coop most of the time since if they can get out a predator can get in a coop that has a cover and buried hardware cloth around the bottom perimeter is the way to go. And If you think there are no predators in your area think again....dogs that find out you have chickens are one of the most lethal predators most flocks face.
If mine are out free ranging in the yard, they are supersived by myself or my dog, she lets me know if anything is happening with her chickens. Mine never try to get out of the yard though.

 

[newmarch2014]

I have a production Red that is doing that too! and I have found lots of "gunk" in most of them, like pieces of the reproductive tract slough off....very disgusting. Poor baby I feel bad for her too.

 

[RJSorensen]

Well I am getting a tad tired of the cold and snow, so brought the DW's modern game, self blue, BluPea into the house for some loving. She, both the DW and BluPea were ecstatic over said event. She is a younger pullet and may be yet to lay, but she is super sweet. My rescue cat Tiki, knows not to mess with the chickens, been chased more that once into the house by the Fluffy Butts. BluPea had some treats and warmed her long, winter legs… I am liking these MG's more and more as time goes by.



Hoping everyone is in and warm,

RJ

 

[RJSorensen]

LadyIsadora, I am unsure of your 'fence' but in places where my birds are unwelcome across the fence, I keep Heritage Breeds, they become to fat to fly as they get a bit older, and are thusly good for 'short fence' situations. I believe the 'Giants' would be gravity impaired as well. The lighter birds, like Leghorns are quite able to fly at will. Banty birds are all, at least the hard feather ones, quite good fliers. Heritage breeds are often referred to as dual purpose birds as well, for eggs and meat.

Leghorns are good layers, eat less than say, a Barred Rock, or a Rhode Island Red. So for you, just choose a plump chicken and you will have less trouble with them going over the fence. i don't see my EE's flying either, if egg color is important to you. For me… all eggs look the same on the inside. I have never ate a shell, so I don't care what color it is. But there are folks here whom select stock based on egg color.

Hope this is a start to answering you question.

RJ

 

[RJSorensen]

I have deployed some of the wire pens I have been building over the past few weeks. I am restricting the guys from the gals. I feel somewhat like a Junior High School teacher at a dance… ruler in hand to maintain that 'safe' distance. The boys are not happy about the current living arrangements, but things will improve shortly, I do believe. I am using medium rabbit feeders and pellets and horizontal nipples for my water, all external to the cage. The pens are about 36 inches long, 30 inches deep and 16 inches high. I've made some smaller ones as well for sorting containers and such, never seem to have enough pens, coops, cages and such.



I also have been looking at those egg aprons, you know the ones with the little pockets to tuck your eggs in? Anyone using one or have insight into same? Foggy and cold around here lately, this might be starting to get on my nerves.

Best to all and your birds,

RJ