Washingtonians

[TerrorBird]

Are the chicks at Reber Ranch good ones? I see people post about the difference in quality between hatchery (production?) chicks and the ones from local breeders. I would like nice looking, well tempered birds, so should I skip places like Reber and the feed store in Monroe?

I apologize if this opens a can of worms!

I might actually have a coop in a couple of weeks, so I'm starting to look for chicks.

Jennifer

Most of my chickens have come from feed stores. In terms of looks, I believe that my girls have all been quite attractive, but maybe that's just because I love(d) them so much! It's true that you're going to find that better-quality birds come from breeders. In the temperament department, I've only ever had one feed store bird that was truly bad. My current young ones are the sweetest little things; I got them from DeYoung's in Woodinville. Then again, maybe they're the sweetest little buggers because I sat in a small room with them for over a month...

I'd suggest keeping an open mind.

 

[JennS]

Never been to Reber so don't know.

Over the years I have bought private and from Monroe Farm & Feed.
Never have I had a problem with thier chicks.
Monroe has an excellent selection of chicks.
Been to a lot of feed stores and never seen the amount they have.

Hmmm. I just found their FB page and they do carry a lot of breeds! How do the birds you've bought from them look? I do care about egg production, but if I buy a silver laced Wyandotte, will it look like the ones I see in my books? I am probably coming across as really shallow here, but I am limited to 5 birds and they are going to be long term pets. I really like the look of laced, double penciled and columbian birds.

Jennifer

 

[RainyDayChicken]

OK bear with be a bit while I bore ya. Or you may wish to just skip all of this post and wonder what ya missed.  

First I want to say that it is a pleasure for me to see several "old timers" dropping back in. I hope they decide to stick around.

I am really going to stick my neck out here (imagine that) and say that from what I have gathered several of the older members have backed away due to too many changes here. And what has the appearance of others wanting to turn this thread into what they would like it to be rather than to participate in the thread as it has been for many years.
Now while I am only one little person on this whole thread it would be my suggestion that newer people set back and observe a bit. Now I am not suggesting that you not post I am just saying maybe get a feel of how things before you get to carried away. As an example I will use myself and RonB. Now many new people may see things between Ron and I and think that we do not get along. That is the farthest from the truth. Ron and I are VERY good friends but we have a good time teasing each other here. BTW were it not for BYC I would not know MANY of my AWESOME friends I won't take up the space to name them but they know.
I do not normally try to hurt feelings but sometimes it happens by mistake. And on rare occasion I will do it on purpose but it takes a lot to push me that far. I will be one of the first to go to bat for my BYC buddies.
And finally I want to say that in light of a recent event I realize that I should not read, post, read, post read, post. I really should read, read, read, then post but it is an old habit and so hard to break.
OK so hang me if ya will but I hope this may shed a little light on a lot of things around here.
Sincerely Rob

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I as a new member have hung back and watched how the thread goes before posting,but some times the older members just skip over new members because y'all have known each other so long. If it is a inside joke then tell us, like it was said on here earlier we do not if you do not tell us new members. So why can it not be a mix of new ways and older ways so we can all learn from your knowledge to make our chicken growing better for us all.

 

[justbugged]

Quote: It's sounds like us girls could start us a club.

Because I am a blond on drugs. My biggest problems happen when the drugs wear off. I can get a lot done if I have enough pain meds in me.

I did burgundy for nearly a decade. I did get some nice complements over the years about the color. Then I tried Black.

That was a bad mistake. I am now natural dark blond again.

 

[JennS]

Most of my chickens have come from feed stores. In terms of looks, I believe that my girls have all been quite attractive, but maybe that's just because I love(d) them so much! It's true that you're going to find that better-quality birds come from breeders. In the temperament department, I've only ever had one feed store bird that was truly bad. My current young ones are the sweetest little things; I got them from DeYoung's in Woodinville. Then again, maybe they're the sweetest little buggers because I sat in a small room with them for over a month...

I'd suggest keeping an open mind.

Thank you, I will try! I know very little about where the best places to get chickens are, and I apologize if I am insulting anyone's birds. I am a lot more familiar with reptiles, and there are a million good reasons not to buy those from pet stores or bulk dealers. And I have no idea how to tell what an adult hen will look like based on its appearance as a chick. Is there any way to tell?

Jennifer

 

[RainyDayChicken]

Hmmm. I just found their FB page and they do carry a lot of breeds! How do the birds you've bought from them look? I do care about egg production, but if I buy a silver laced Wyandotte, will it look like the ones I see in my books? I am probably coming across as really shallow here, but I am limited to 5 birds and they are going to be long term pets. I really like the look of laced, double penciled and columbian birds.


Jennifer

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I purchased birds from Del's in Port Orchard. The silver laced Wyandottes had a lot of white their lacing was not very good. The gold Wyandottes had good lacing. It just depends on the draw of the luck.

 

[TerrorBird]

Hmmm. I just found their FB page and they do carry a lot of breeds! How do the birds you've bought from them look? I do care about egg production, but if I buy a silver laced Wyandotte, will it look like the ones I see in my books? I am probably coming across as really shallow here, but I am limited to 5 birds and they are going to be long term pets. I really like the look of laced, double penciled and columbian birds.

Jennifer

They're going to be YOUR pets. It's perfectly reasonable to be picky when you can only have a few. I'm living on five acres (I don't mean to brag) and so have the luxury of being able to have hatchery birds and breeder birds if I'd like.

 

[JennS]

.
I purchased birds from Del's in Port Orchard. The silver laced Wyandottes had a lot of white their lacing was not very good. The gold Wyandottes had good lacing. It just depends on the draw of the luck.

I was afraid of that. And how do you tell silver from gold when they are very young, is it obvious? I was just looking through pics of Monroe Farm & Feed's chicken room, and they showed a bunch of chicks labeled "assorted Polish." I would prefer a silver laced, so how would I go about picking one out?

Jennifer

 

[TerrorBird]

Thank you, I will try! I know very little about where the best places to get chickens are, and I apologize if I am insulting anyone's birds. I am a lot more familiar with reptiles, and there are a million good reasons not to buy those from pet stores or bulk dealers. And I have no idea how to tell what an adult hen will look like based on its appearance as a chick. Is there any way to tell?

Jennifer

There IS a dark side to the feed store chick experience...


This bird started as a "silver sebright" hen and turned into a pseudo-rooster. It's like a bizarre porcupine. The tiny spurs are truly adorable. Point is, it's not even a silver sebright because the comb is not correct. I love him/her/it and wouldn't change anything, but it was a valuable lesson. So ignore what I said previously and buy from breeders only.

 

[justbugged]

Quote:

This made me think of my beautiful SQ Silkie hen. Miss Tolay seems to be denser than average for a chicken. She has a special place in my heart though.