Virginia

[2lilchkns]

Checking in to see how everyone is riding out the storm! I muscled my way down to the chicken coop several times today, and the chickens doing great. We got 4 eggs today--- so pleased that the girls are still cranking them. They are tough birds.

 

[AllAboutMyGirls]

Checking in to see how everyone is riding out the storm! I muscled my way down to the chicken coop several times today, and the chickens doing great. We got 4 eggs today--- so pleased that the girls are still cranking them. They are tough birds.

All our chickens are doing great, but I can hardly see me car.

 

[LilChickens2]

Checking in to see how everyone is riding out the storm! I muscled my way down to the chicken coop several times today, and the chickens doing great. We got 4 eggs today--- so pleased that the girls are still cranking them. They are tough birds.

Ours had some snow on their nest area from a vented area that wasn't as secure as I thought. Stapled some tarp over it and they should be good to go temporarily. Changed out the water twice and gathered five eggs (6 layers total-one took the day off). Out of breath coming back up the hill through the snow drifts.

 

[nowlifehappens]

Checking in to see how everyone is riding out the storm! I muscled my way down to the chicken coop several times today, and the chickens doing great. We got 4 eggs today--- so pleased that the girls are still cranking them. They are tough birds

So far, so good. Shoveled my way to the coop


and all was well. Did have to bring water and decided to throw some mealworms in there for them to have sonething to do. Got 7 eggs, so all of my hens layed. It's been about 5-7 eggs daily since it got realky cold.

 

[tmorgan46]

The good - everyone (birds) are still alive. The bad, momma goose and papa goose are getting to be bullies around the Muscovies. Our two main drake Muscovy, decided yesterday was a great day to throw down on who ruled the roost, they're in their own space now... The chickens are chillin like villians but their coop roof looks like its about to cave in. This spring will bring a redesign to the roof... Other than that, today begins the chore of digging out. Oh joy.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Hello, is there a particular breed you're looking for?

I was looking mostly for EEs, Buff Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks.

 

[tmorgan46]

At least the pond heater worked as advertised!!

 

[AllAboutMyGirls]

I was looking mostly for EEs, Buff Orpingtons, and Barred Rocks.

I sell buff orps, and blue and black Ameraucanas.

 

[2lilchkns]

I'm curious where you all I bought female chicks from with good luck?

I am chiming in a bit late here, but I have had great experiences getting chicks from Ideal (TX, couple of years ago, in Oct.); Papa's poultry (CA, in May) and Valley Hatchery (Ohio, June). In all cases, I ordered small batches of various breeds (10 from ideal, 6 from Papa's, 2 from Valley Hatchery) and they all arrived healthy and active. With all of them, I specified no extra Roos for packing peanuts. Papa threw in some extra female chicks I was interested in, which was really nice. I have to say, I was impressed with how carefully he packaged them (some food was provided in a little container that was secured to the bottom of the box).

In all cases, the chicks arrived within 48 hours. I was worried about CA, but strangely enough, the distance made no difference in the time it took to get to me. All three places had awesome customer service, very responsive to both emails and phone calls.

As an aside: both Papa's and Valley Hatchery have BEAUTIFUL birds. All healthy and productive so far.

My Ideal birds.... Well, I'm afraid our free range experiments resulted in a bunch of foxes moving in for a buffet. We have one survivor, a RIR who stopped laying sometime in her first year, for reasons that are unclear. She doesn't have the best personality( and obviously, provides no eggs), but we have to give her props for her predator evading skills. We also have a nice rooster, but we got him from a neighbor.

 

[annabellaknits]

I am chiming in a bit late here, but I have had great experiences getting chicks from Ideal (TX, couple of years ago, in Oct.); Papa's poultry (CA, in May) and Valley Hatchery (Ohio, June). In all cases, I ordered small batches of various breeds (10 from ideal, 6 from Papa's, 2 from Valley Hatchery) and they all arrived healthy and active. With all of them, I specified no extra Roos for packing peanuts. Papa threw in some extra female chicks I was interested in, which was really nice. I have to say, I was impressed with how carefully he packaged them (some food was provided in a little container that was secured to the bottom of the box).

In all cases, the chicks arrived within 48 hours. I was worried about CA, but strangely enough, the distance made no difference in the time it took to get to me. All three places had awesome customer service, very responsive to both emails and phone calls.

As an aside: both Papa's and Valley Hatchery have BEAUTIFUL birds. All healthy and productive so far.

My Ideal birds.... Well, I'm afraid our free range experiments resulted in a bunch of foxes moving in for a buffet. We have one survivor, a RIR who stopped laying sometime in her first year, for reasons that are unclear. She doesn't have the best personality( and obviously, provides no eggs), but we have to give her props for her predator evading skills. We also have a nice rooster, but we got him from a neighbor.

I have to say that I've been breeding my own mixes for a couple years now and honestly I really enjoy them more then true breeds. I know it's very contravertial. But for a back yard flock I think they overall have better personalities but more then anything the lay better longer and are much more winter hardy. Using EE mixed with lighter breeds like cream legbars have been the best for me.