Utah!

[hen-thusiast]

Hope everyone has been doing well! It was so nice to see that sun today. Chickens and horses enjoyed every second of it.

So I've decided to break down and join the Utah Fancy Poultry Association. Does anybody know what I do? Do I just mail the info in to them? There isn't a whole lot of information on their website about how to join. Anybody going to the show in March?

 

[Stands With A Fiddle]

I'm thinking of going to the show in March.

BTW, has anyone gotten Seramas from the guy in Utah County. My friend just got a breeding pair. HOLY CRAP those buggers are ADORABLE!!!

 

[kimbobim]

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I've been thinking about joining, too, but want to attend a meeting first - the next one is next Friday, the 12th, in SLC - are you attending? I'll have to see if I can talk DH into going with me. I'm definitely attending the show in March! I'm not sure how to join - I'd assume you could just give them a check at a meeting.

I agree about the sunshine today - we opened the door to the run and the ladies spent most of the day hopping/flapping from one snow-free spot to the next. I'm not sure what they were eating (the dead grass?), but they seemed very happy to be out and busy, scratching and digging away.

 

[hen-thusiast]

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I'd like to go the meeting, but I doubt it will happen. I don't think I could bribe my husband to go. Especially after bribing him to go to the WCG Chicken thing at the Grateful Tomato and the wonderful (lots of sarcasm added) time he had there. He still gives me crap about it. I think I'm better off to save it up and harass him to go to the show in March.

Don't ask me how, but our ladies actually found green grass!?!? I couldn't figure out what they were freaking out about until I looked up close. There was even a bee out there today - seems a little to early for that. I needed that sun today, I think it recharged my batteries.

Does anybody know if you can buy birds at the auction in March without being a member? We've got our heart set on a dominique rooster and really don't want hatchery stock.

 

[PacsMan]

I found an ad on KSL, and sold one of my Americana's for $30... For $30 (I might sell one of my kids!)

My 8-year-old (Son #4) was a little sad, and said "she'll miss her friends!" - But she's happy. The gal emailed me today and said she's laid at least 2 eggs (in 3 or 4 days) and is getting along just fine with her other birds.

And, I think the rest of my ladies like the sun too. I got 3 (out of 3) blue eggs today. I think my last Americana started to lay today. Yipee! (lessee... that's 42 or 43 weeks... gotta be some sort of record)

Plus, I've got one of my neighbors thinking about raising chickens. He seemed luke-warm on the idea. But he may come around. (Ok, his wife is luke-warm on the idea, he wants to start...) I've settled on getting 25 Delawares the 2nd week of March. I'm going to sell up to 7 of them, and keep 18. I may sell him a couple. We'll see.

I found a dramatic sale on 8x8 sheds at Home Depot. It's a kit you make yourself. All pre-cut pieces. They were originally $500, dropped down to $399. When I called to order them, they said, "the price just dropped to $250." I said, "Cool... I'll take 2!"

So, as soon as the snow melts, we're building an 8x8 shed for the new chickens. Once we're done with that, we'll build the 2nd shed and sell it on KSL. (Have you seen the prices they charge!?!) - We figure to make a couple hundred bucks after it's all said and done.

Cheers
Marty

 

[hen-thusiast]

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Someone on here was just talking about how their EE finally started laying... after five years.

That's some patience.

 

[gamebirdsonly]

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I will probably going to the show I have been a couple times I like the Auction they have on saturday got some nice MGB and Rosecombs and D'anvers.

 

[kimbobim]

Quote:
I'd like to go the meeting, but I doubt it will happen. I don't think I could bribe my husband to go. Especially after bribing him to go to the WCG Chicken thing at the Grateful Tomato and the wonderful (lots of sarcasm added) time he had there. He still gives me crap about it. I think I'm better off to save it up and harass him to go to the show in March.

Don't ask me how, but our ladies actually found green grass!?!? I couldn't figure out what they were freaking out about until I looked up close. There was even a bee out there today - seems a little to early for that. I needed that sun today, I think it recharged my batteries.

Does anybody know if you can buy birds at the auction in March without being a member? We've got our heart set on a dominique rooster and really don't want hatchery stock.

So, going to a meeting for chicken fanciers doesn't count as a hot date for your DH, either? When I mentioned it, DH said "Weellll, we could go out for a nice Valentine's dinner, or hang out with chicken people you've never met before." Tough decision. If we can leave the kiddos with their grandparents, maybe we'd do both (they watched the kids during the chicken class, too, bless them).

Has anyone one here ever attended a UFPA meeting? What do they do during the meetings? Is it something you could stay for part of the time, then slip out?

I would think you don't have to be a member to buy at the auction. I'm assuming that'd be limiting it to a really small pool of bidders, all people who already have chickens. I'd like to find a couple Delawares, or Speckled Sussex.

I have a question that maybe someone here can answer: can you get better birds by buying from a local breeder, or from a hatchery? Where can you find the best birds? Meaning healthy, closest to breed standard. I'd love to hear everyone's opinions on this. On one hand, I like the idea of buying local, supporting local breeders, perhaps finding rarer/heritage breeds. On the other, are the hatchery birds healthier/vaccinated (do local breeders vaccinate?), more likely to be sexed properly (I can't do roosters)? Any opinions?

 

[medicmandan]

For those that didn't see my other post, after 8 months of work West Jordan has finally approved chickens!!!

5 hens and 5 chicks allowed
5' from property line, 20' from neighboring house
Issues covered by current nuisance laws (smell, noise, animals at large)
3 year permit required

 

[vermontgal]

kimbobim, some breeds of chicks are no-brainers to sex (sex-links!) and some are fairly easy (barred rock). These could be sexed locally if the breeder knows what he/she is doing. Other breeds are difficult - Ameraucanas / Easter Eggers are very difficult. I'm planning on ordering from a hatchery so I can get sexed Specked Sussex / EEs. In my last hatchery order, split with a neighbor, one of my neighbor's EEs turned out to be a roo. Please let me know if you'd like to get in on my order. I'm planning to have the chicks arrive ~ April 15. I can't do earlier due to business travel.