Virginia

[Spazzy]

Hey Everyone,

Just moved to Portsmouth, VA from Colorado (military) and looking to get some new girls (preferably pullets but young hens will do). I really want some good layers (but still attractive). I have a 3-4 foot? chainlink fence around my yard, and separate dog run also of chain link at the back that would be perfect area for the girls (shaded and big). I am already concerned that the girls will have no problem hopping over the fence (in CA I had a couple girls go right over a 6 foot fence no problem) but still haven't decided what to do yet. Predators I'm used to involve fox, coyotes, and hawks. My dogs are super chicken shepherds, although with the heat and humidity are asking to stay inside more. I work from home and so can supervise the girls pretty well.

I'm trying to get between 4-6 girls - anyone know of any for sale??? I'm having such a hard time finding chickens out here! In Colorado they are a dime a dozen.

Your help is much appreciated!

Thanks a bunch.

Makenzie

Craigslist has chicken swaps several times a month within decent driving distances from there, usually within 30 min drive. I live about 5-10 min from pretty much anywhere in Portsmouth so it isn't much farther for you. Just check the Hampton Roads area of craigslist and search "chicken" or "chicken swap" under the for sale section.

 

[pysankigirl]

I am being overwhelmed with broodies. Everyone wants to sit on eggs (golf balls, really.) I guess I need to get rid of all the golf balls...but then they will start laying all over the place (okay, better that than not laying at all and just sitting there, I suppose.)

I thought my one girl was actually coming out of it because she was walking around yesterday but she's back on the nest today. AHHHHH!!!!!!

I guess I need to start about adding nom non-settling breeds. sheesh. this is ridiculous.

I wonder if I get some day olds and give them one chick each if that would snap them out of it. I really dont want them all sitting there for another month.

anyone in the charlottesville area currently hatching?

 

[ki4got]

I am being overwhelmed with broodies. Everyone wants to sit on eggs (golf balls, really.) I guess I need to get rid of all the golf balls...but then they will start laying all over the place (okay, better that than not laying at all and just sitting there, I suppose.)

I thought my one girl was actually coming out of it because she was walking around yesterday but she's back on the nest today. AHHHHH!!!!!!

I guess I need to start about adding nom non-settling breeds. sheesh. this is ridiculous.

I wonder if I get some day olds and give them one chick each if that would snap them out of it. I really dont want them all sitting there for another month.

anyone in the charlottesville area currently hatching?

I've got chicks, but you'd have to come down for them... *ulterior motive on my part*

and yes, giving them a couple chicks each would kickstart the process. none of my broodies get to set a whole 21 days. I put them to work usually a week in with chicks.

eta I would not recommend 1 chick each, but 2-3, since chicks learn from each other as well as momma and they need company.

 

[MistyMountain]

I apparently have a counting problem… or a memory problem… or both. I had it in my mind that I set 12 eggs under my broody. I was freaking out because two eggs were missing and I could not imagine where they (or the hatched chicks) could go. Let's see. 6 EE eggs + two leghorn eggs + 2 NH eggs = 10! Hah. 9/10 hatched. One NH egg looks like it quit late, but I will give it one more day. It doesn't smell funky at least.

Momma is turning out to be a fantastic momma!

 

[Cknldy]

Congrats mistymtn! My broody RO let one chick venture from under her long enough for me to see it this evening. It is such a naturally beautiful sight to see. Today my BO girl decided to go broody- and hog the nest box although her eggs aren't fertile! Good thing there are some fertile ones from others to switch out

 

[user213590]

Turkey anyone?
I am in search of live young Turkey poults. I am looking for Bourbon Reds and Sweetgrass.

 

[MistyMountain]

Congrats mistymtn! My broody RO let one chick venture from under her long enough for me to see it this evening. It is such a naturally beautiful sight to see. Today my BO girl decided to go broody- and hog the nest box although her eggs aren't fertile! Good thing there are some fertile ones from others to switch out

Do you brood yours in the coop or keep them separate? I kept mine in the coop but kept her "fenced in" around the box. She wants out now with all 9 chicks in tow. I wonder when a good time to let her loose with the flock would be?

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
if the hen is getting restive, and the chicks are over a week old, and the other birds aren't bothering them, I say let her go.

 

[Cknldy]

This is the first broody I've had and a first time broody at that. I'd say go with what ki4got said;-) My broody momma just left the nest with 2 babies in tow- 18 eggs and a fluffy but slow chick still in the box! I wad getting worried since the first one hatched on Monday. Since momma had too maany eggs (my fault for not taking some out) she rotated some in, some out thus causing delays for most. I had held a food tray for her and the chicks this morning but found her in the run with the top two chicks this afternoon. Guess they can only hold poo for 3 days! Lol. I don't know how she got the chicjs down the ramp- they probably fell right off, a 3-4' drop from the top. Set her up on the ground UNDER the raised house, started to clean the 'hatchery nest'. FIRE ANTS had made a nest under her shavings since they had been neatly pressed for 23 days! Thank you broody momma for knowing better than me. Thank you fire ants for not eating the chicks and their momma. What a day...anyone else have that happen?

 

[suyoder]

Hey, is this a thread for pple in VA?! Yay!! I am in VA.. I have a mixed flock of welsummers, silver grey dorkings, buff orpingtons, black australorps, wyandottes, Brahma Bantams, and three adorable Dutch mix Bantams.

This is the first broody I've had and a first time broody at that. I'd say go with what ki4got said;-) My broody momma just left the nest with 2 babies in tow- 18 eggs and a fluffy but slow chick still in the box! I wad getting worried since the first one hatched on Monday. Since momma had too maany eggs (my fault for not taking some out) she rotated some in, some out thus causing delays for most. I had held a food tray for her and the chicks this morning but found her in the run with the top two chicks this afternoon. Guess they can only hold poo for 3 days! Lol. I don't know how she got the chicjs down the ramp- they probably fell right off, a 3-4' drop from the top. Set her up on the ground UNDER the raised house, started to clean the 'hatchery nest'. FIRE ANTS had made a nest under her shavings since they had been neatly pressed for 23 days! Thank you broody momma for knowing better than me. Thank you fire ants for not eating the chicks and their momma. What a day...anyone else have that happen?

Wow! Would the ants have actually "attacked" the babies? 8-0