What did you do with your flock today?

[TropicalBabies]

That was a long time ago we all did big animal ..

So going to pick your brain. You did chickens too as maybe did not require separate certificates?

 

[FrankieDoodle]

So fun to see babies and your photos are always outstanding
Rocking that do. View attachment 2957341

Thank you!
The resemblance is uncanny. XD

I got them from someone locally that had her backyard silkies hatch, so they're not at all high quality but they are purebred. I belong to a Facebook group called CA Silkie/NN Breeders and there are a bunch in SoCal, you might have some luck joining that site and seeing what is currently available?? https://www.facebook.com/groups/1712227735474065 I know there are several around me that have a bunch of day olds up for sale right now...I wish I could get a couple right now! I don't know where exactly you are in SoCal, but I know Buckaboo Farms has a lot of nice looking silkies and they are in Orange County. She also ships eggs. Since Sonny is a boy, will you have to rehome him? If so, I think you need to get at LEAST 2 silkies to keep the other one company My next silkies will come from a local breeder, I really want some lookers and fun colors. I love the paints and chocolates!

Thank you! Wow, the silkies from Buckaboo are gorgeous! And some of them lay colored eggs? :O
I’m not sure if there are any local breeders here, but that would be a good place to start. I’ve been looking into Ideal since they have so many varieties (not to mention they’re a little on the cheaper side, plus all the varieties hatch at the same time), but I’m scared of shipping chicks, especially since I don’t think I’d be able to get more than four. :/

Yeah, I’ll have to rehome him. I can’t have roosters here. : ( I’ve technically gotten away with hiding Iris here for close to four years, but more than one roo would definitely be pushing my luck.
I don’t think I can mix the silkies with Cher, so that’s another thing I have to think about. I think the earliest I can get silkies is in February, and at that point the age gap would be too big. : (

Ok all...the ladies have landed and are safe in their new temporary home. They were very thirsty upon arrival, but otherwise you'd think they just went for a 10 minute drive. One just popped up out of the box to say "hello" as soon as I got it open. The other was like "hey, I'm trying to incubate eggs here, do you mind?"

I love them both already. The second one mentioned above actually laid an egg in transit. (I know this because the seller said she put 2 eggs each for them).

Now question: if they cover up the eggs when they get out to eat/drink/poop is that them protecting the eggs or discarding them? Never had broody hens before so I don't know how to read their behavior yet.

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I’m so glad they made it home ok! They’ve got such sweet looking faces. It almost makes me want to try buff orps again.

K. Cold weather people. Today DH and I went to get a covid test as he had traveled, daughter and family got sick and tested positive and I felt a tad goofy for a few days, a few days ago.
View attachment 2958644it took over 2 hours standing in line but I met and chatted with some nice gals and the weather was high clouds with a nice breeze.

It was fun watching the feral chicken dynamics in the background. Bachelor group living in peace, hens traveling solo looking for food. not like my domestics forced closeness.View attachment 2958645
K. Thought you would enjoy seeing how Kauai rolls. Shorts, T's and slippahs and masks!

Oh no! I’m sorry your family tested positive. I hope everyone has a quick recovery.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

We put Phil down today. She broke one of her legs when she was a chick and it never healed properly, but a few days ago she broke the other one and couldn’t walk anymore. For a while she was more than content to hang out inside in a dog stroller, but she had a really difficult night last night. Poor girl kept accidentally rolling onto her back while trying to move around, and I ended up spending the night on the couch so I could be right with her when something happened. She wouldn’t settle down at all this morning, so I think we all knew it was time.

 

[Sara S]

Me and my flock didn’t get to spend anytime together, I had a thing tonight. My friend let them into the run and changed their water. I did spend time with my baby chicks though!

 

[629864]

We put Phil down today. She broke one of her legs when she was a chick and it never healed properly, but a few days ago she broke the other one and couldn’t walk anymore. For a while she was more than content to hang out inside in a dog stroller, but she had a really difficult night last night. Poor girl kept accidentally rolling onto her back while trying to move around, and I ended up spending the night on the couch so I could be right with her when something happened. She wouldn’t settle down at all this morning, so I think we all knew it was time.
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Frankie I'm so very very sorry. It just breaks my heart hearing about your Phil.

 

[629864]

I think if they’re new layers, you are supposed to give them two weeks to see fertile eggs? But I could be totally wrong someone smarter than me should pipe in! I think you might wanna give your Orps a few days to destress from their travels before giving them babies to hatch. I can tell you from my own awful experience that sometimes stress from travel and new environments can trigger illnesses—so you won’t want a half baked set of eggs if one gets sick. But I may be a touch gun shy due to my experience! How exciting though!!

How did I miss this post? I definitely will choose the ladies over the eggs. Sorry babies, but the mamas come first. One of the ladies was sleeping on the ground when I went out to check on them after dark. I put her back on her eggs. But if she's off again tomorrow morning, I'll give her eggs to the other girl. If the other goes off too, then that's that. I wont risk the ladies for a few eggs that only "might" become chickens some day.

 

[kurby22]

We put Phil down today. She broke one of her legs when she was a chick and it never healed properly, but a few days ago she broke the other one and couldn’t walk anymore. For a while she was more than content to hang out inside in a dog stroller, but she had a really difficult night last night. Poor girl kept accidentally rolling onto her back while trying to move around, and I ended up spending the night on the couch so I could be right with her when something happened. She wouldn’t settle down at all this morning, so I think we all knew it was time.
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Poor Phil I’m so very sorry! That’s just the worst thing to have to do! It sounds like she was a fighter

I’m sad that you will have to find a mate for Cher…poor Sonny! Chickens are so complicated! I know Buckaboo is probably pricey…but they sure are pretty!!

 

[kurby22]

Ok all...the ladies have landed and are safe in their new temporary home. They were very thirsty upon arrival, but otherwise you'd think they just went for a 10 minute drive. One just popped up out of the box to say "hello" as soon as I got it open. The other was like "hey, I'm trying to incubate eggs here, do you mind?"

I love them both already. The second one mentioned above actually laid an egg in transit. (I know this because the seller said she put 2 eggs each for them).

Now question: if they cover up the eggs when they get out to eat/drink/poop is that them protecting the eggs or discarding them? Never had broody hens before so I don't know how to read their behavior yet.

View attachment 2958542View attachment 2958553View attachment 2958555View attachment 2958556

They are sooo adorable I love the way she’s looking at the camera in her crate nest hehe! I'm so glad they seem to have made it safe and sound!! They look so cozy and happy already!

 

[kurby22]

K. Cold weather people. Today DH and I went to get a covid test as he had traveled, daughter and family got sick and tested positive and I felt a tad goofy for a few days, a few days ago.
View attachment 2958644it took over 2 hours standing in line but I met and chatted with some nice gals and the weather was high clouds with a nice breeze.

It was fun watching the feral chicken dynamics in the background. Bachelor group living in peace, hens traveling solo looking for food. not like my domestics forced closeness.View attachment 2958645
K. Thought you would enjoy seeing how Kauai rolls. Shorts, T's and slippahs and masks!

Hope you get negative results!! Both my kids are doing modified quarantine and have to test every other day to stay in school…so fun.

So rude of you to make me so jealous of your lovely weather

 

[629864]

They are sooo adorable I love the way she’s looking at the camera in her crate nest hehe! I'm so glad they seem to have made it safe and sound!! They look so cozy and happy already!

Me too. I'm in love with these two ladies completely. I need to figure out names for them. One has a much smaller comb than the other. So at least I'll be able to tell them apart.