Virginia

[cubalaya]

welcome chesapeake people and people moving to northern va. what kind of chicks are you researching? i certainly have the land to board your stuff but live in central va. we raise cubalayas, black australorps and soon delawares.

 

[JHodgkins]

Thank you for the welcome=)Right now Im interested in Barred Rocks because I hear they're good layers and have nice personalities. I really love the look of the Wyandottes though! Ive got 3 kids so I need to pick breeds that'll be friendly. I welcome input from anyone that has any ideas on good layers with nice personalities!!!

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

I have four Barred Rock females from MPC's assorted all female package. Everytime I slow down, they are next to me. I have a cute video on my phone. I had squatted down to pan around at chicken eye level. One of the BRs hopped on my knee because I had apparently just offered her a seat!

When this all female assortment were still babies on my back porch, the Barred Rocks would demand to be held. I was grooming fuzz of the babies and this one BR was determined that I just NEEDED to hold her. I would groom her a minute, then put her back and grab another. As I'd reach for my next victim, Little Miss BR was waiting for my hand. Some chicks hate to be held, but she obviously didn't have that issue.

My last order was to Meyer. In the assorted mixed males was a wonderful little boy that was black and white. Soon it became obvious that The Adorable Pest was growing a rose comb: Dominique! My middle child (aka The Chicken Hugger) was over joyed! My brother's flock leader is a Dominique named Black Hawk. Black Hawk is the father of most of the chicks I've hatched. Unfortunatley, little Adorable Pest was one of the babies that died in their first cold night outside. A 25 watt lightbulb wasn't enough and the chicks piled up. I was horrified to find seven dead that morning. When AP wasn't running around, I was afraid to check the dead.

But anyway, we have had good luck and good memories of Barred Rocks and Dominiques. If your children are young, you might consider the slightly smaller Doms. A decent hatchery catalog will show you weight comparrisons between the varieties. Hatchery birds are just fine for learning on. The various assortments let you try several types at once. I would never have chosen Partridge Rocks, but the female assortment came with chicks we called the "chocolate chickies". Another great personality!

 

[JHodgkins]

I just love the look of the Barred Rocks. They are really beautiful! Do you ever offer the chicks you hatch for sale? Your not too far from me=)

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

Quote:
Well, I've got a couple of reasons I can't sell Barred Rock chicks yet. My adult roosters are either: Ameracuana, Silkie, or Barnyard Mix (aka "mutts"). That mixed males assortment does have two cockrels that are Barred Rock, but these little boys haven't really discovered they are roosters yet.

Blackie is a son of Black Hawk (the Dominique from my brother's flock; mother unknown but presumed to be White Rock). The best I could do right now would be to put Blackie with the Barred Rock girls in a separate pen and gather those eggs for you. I don't have a house built for the new pens yet, so this is still at least a couple of weeks in the future.

Keep asking around for pure chicks or eggs. I'm sure someone else near us has pure breeds.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Hey everyone, any one in driving distance of me have guineas???? My mouth is salivating for some fresh guinea eggs,scrambled soft with thick bacon and toast... I am in Aylett, Va.

 

[Gallusfarm]

D'Angelo N Va. :

Hey everyone, any one in driving distance of me have guineas???? My mouth is salivating for some fresh guinea eggs,scrambled soft with thick bacon and toast... I am in Aylett, Va.

Do guinea eggs taste different from chicken eggs? Never eaten them....​

 

[FourPawz]

This probably needs to be a post of its own, but I need to target folks in our state. Have you guys read the new poultry regulations that took place on January 1, 2011? The regulations that specifically deal with birds brought into Virginia? If not, please click on the link below:

http://leg5.state.va.us/reg_agent/f...91~2&typ=40&actno=001891&mime=application/pdf

It is my understanding that even Va state labs do not themselves test for MG. How in the name of logic can they force anyone wanting to ship or bring poultry into the state to test their birds for MG, when testing is NOT widely available makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

I'd like your thoughts on this. I know that if legislators hear enough complaints, they will usually react. I fail to see how these regulations do anything but put Virginia poultry enthusiasts at a huge disadvantage in obtaining genetic diversity, and better stock.

Is anyone interested in joining together to blister the ears of whoever wrote these regulations? We really need to do something.

 

[cubalaya]

when a government has too many laws, too many taxes, too many fees, and continues to restrict your freedoms, it is a tyrant. npip and ai testing is enough but every time we give in they take more. i wont be filling out their application.

 

[FourPawz]

Quote:
I agree with your feelings. That said, unless whoever wrote the regulations (I am not sure if this is the legislature or the state veterinary office) hears a LOT of complaints, they're going to continue on, fat, dumb and happy. I'm sure they see themselves as progressive and cutting edge. They are not thinking of the poultry community outside of the large companies and unless we make ourselves noticed, loudly noticed, we're resigning ourselves to being stuck with what genetic stock is available in the state. Let's face it, how many breeders will fool with the hoops to sell a handful of orders yearly.