Vermont

[Metella]

I always do a later hatching - because when people get that chick fever - it is just too cold at my place - I have two broodies sitting on eggs now and another broody with 5 day olds a full 12 of the little puff balls ....

If you want a nice backyard mix of chicks - just let me know ! (Marans, blue eggers ect most of the parents are from a pure breed and other breeders - all very northern hardy)

I would advise against Orphs - unless you really love them - they are so big they tend to be food hogs and eat twice as much as other birds but give the same in eggs - so they can get expensive ....but they are very sweet tempered.

Black sex links are good, tend to have shorter lives on average when from a hatchery (you always get exceptions to that)

I've heard many people say their Wyndottes are aggressive - but I've not had them - and others say they love them.

 

[abouch66]

Pyxis, I could ask you a million questions, but I'll try to stick to a few I'm interested in adding some ducks to my flock of 6 hens as well. Do they cohabit well together? You mentioned you have an order coming in... Is it too late in the year to start a few ducklings in your opinion? Do you insulate your coop for the winter? Those are just a few of the questions that popped in my head, I'm kinda new at this as you can probably tell. Thanks in advance!

 

[Pyxis]

Pyxis, I could ask you a million questions, but I'll try to stick to a few I'm interested in adding some ducks to my flock of 6 hens as well. Do they cohabit well together? You mentioned you have an order coming in... Is it too late in the year to start a few ducklings in your opinion? Do you insulate your coop for the winter? Those are just a few of the questions that popped in my head, I'm kinda new at this as you can probably tell. Thanks in advance!

Hi! Yep, my ducks and chickens do well together. The only trouble you can run into is if you have drakes with no females because the drakes can try to mate with your hens due to lack of appropriate mates, and anatomical differences mean this can be fatal for the hens.

It's not too late to start ducks - they grow remarkably fast. I actually have some hatching on August 6th. I'll have some extra drakelets I'm sure if you'd like to have a pair - but you'd want to get females or keep them separate from your hens once they're mature to avoid what I listed above.

My coops are not insulated - in fact two of them are just tarps over cattle panels. They're called hoop coops. You can see my big one if you click where it says "My Coop" under my avatar. Chickens are remarkably cold hardy and ventilation is much more important than insulation.

 

[KarrieHall]

Hey everyone. So happy we have some members close to my home. Right outside Rutland

We have silkies. We love them but ended up with 3 hens and 3 Roos so we r looking to re home atleast one of our Roos. I love them but I don't want to hurt my ladies either and won't b expanding our flock until our girls start to go broody and hatch us some babes

 

[Metella]

Cute little Silkies ! Good luck with them.

Yeah, a lot of people in the area now - starting to chat and share.

My guys are doing well in the heat - I let them out each morning and they mill about until about noon - then they spend the rest of the under large berry patches and maple trees. All doing well and eating well .... I know they are hiding their eggs on me !

How are the rest of you doing in the heat ?

 

[Pyxis]

Cute little Silkies !  Good luck with them.

Yeah, a lot of people in the area now - starting to chat and share.

My guys are doing well in the heat - I let them out each morning and they mill about until about noon - then they spend the rest of the under large berry patches and maple trees.    All doing well and eating well .... I know they are hiding their eggs on me !

How are the rest of you doing in the heat ?

I'm doing okay and the birds are tolerating it. I have four broodies and I feel bad for them but they don't give up so I'm letting them have at it. The ACs are actually laying better than they were a few weeks ago - crazy tropical chickens, I think they like the heat and humidity.

Pretty Boy still can't walk, but he's still not looking like he's dying, either. I'm waiting it out to see if whatever injury he has will heal. It's like a repeat of Colo but he can use the leg, he just doesn't want to put any weight on it.

Karrie, welcome! I have silkies too. Good luck rehoming your boys - you might try craigslist. Luckily most people would never think of eating a silkie so you wouldn't have to worry about that.

 

[Metella]

I don't like to make things all about selling - more about sharing info and building up a network - but it is that time of year when extra chicks have to be sold off or fattened up ....

I have two great roos for sale (Lavendar and Cuckoo (barred) - one cool pullet and a slew of straight run babies that are too young for me to guess ....
The parantage is EE and Marans with a little Welsummer thrown in there ... ALL from hardy Vermont Stock - I winter over the parents with no heat or electric and am breeding out the large combs in order to do better with any frost bite.












The pullet is the black one with delicate white stripping around her neck.

 

[RareAvis]

Hi,

Any Vermont folk still here?

I'm in the Mad River Valley.


First time Chicken Rescuer: Sadie, 13 weeks, got her at 8 weeks; very concerned.


~RA

 

[Pyxis]

Hi,

Any Vermont folk still here?

I'm in the Mad River Valley.


First time Chicken Rescuer: Sadie, 13 weeks, got her at 8 weeks; very concerned.


~RA

Hello! There are a few of us in here What are you concerned about?

 

[RareAvis]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply.


I don't know where to begin.


I did post in the Emergency/Illness thread; I'd be glad to go over everything again. I'm also seeking advice of a sling-in-box; I've seen very many photos; I have specific Qs.


Sadie is my first chique:EVER.

I have rescued kittens, senior dogs, humans and a few other odd critters; technically: non-rabies vector, as this is illegal.

I'm thrilled that my efforts have been well received: all of my charges have thrived. I'm not a rescuer by trade, nor with a group; just a labor of love. I've, thank the fates, been able to turn some very hard-luck cases/ "no" hope/ discouraging critters around. But these were all mammals.

A few weeks ago, a friend asked me if I'd consider trying to save an 8 week old chicken: headed for the stew pot.


Thus began my journey with Sadie.

Now I'm in love; very concerned.

Shall I repeat, or retell the story? I can go into TONS of detail.


I think? I can be too talkative; too descriptive. I fear this may put others off.


In short?

Attacked by canid at approx 6 weeks; lost most of her flock, isolated: never vetted: very, very bad when I met her: unable to use leg at all.


Now: after vetting: on/off splint bandages, at about 13 weeks: Vet suspects, as of last week: Gout may be involved. Unconfirmed. And if gout? Not responding to suggested treatment: Sodium bicarb in water and new feed: game bird/showbird.


Not getting better. HUGE backstory. HUGE. And diet issues: HUGE.


Better than initial presentation; still limping: trying to get her on recommended diet but challenging; I've addressed this in detail, shall I go on?

I'd love help.

I'm very, very uncertain and frightened for her.


Sadie wants to live: I want her her to thrive: I need advice. I have a strong science/nutrition background but NOT regarding chickens; I'd never met a live chicken until Sadie.

I'm out of my depth; eager to learn. I've read entire textbooks; studies; practically this entire forum and others: I've read tons.


This does not translate into "boots on the ground" know-how or judgment.

I'm a bit of a nerd; aware that I lack all practical skill as far as Sadie is concerned.



Thank you, SO Much.


~RA


New here: Is it possible to link to other threads; the ones I've started?


Truly: THANK YOU.



ps: Is that an all black, through and through: Asian chicken?

I feel embarrassed to say this, but I am aware of them as a chef. I've never seen a photo.


By the by?

I'm a convert.

No more chickens, except to love; and I mean by that: Cuddles and Family. I am truly, madly, deeply in love with Sadie. I never imagined; not one iota. Brilliant and gorgeous and so full of life.