Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[KNAndrs]

I really like my Cochins and Ameracaunas. Not so much for the egg colors, but because of temperament. My 4 year old son would chase down the cochins and pick them up and carry them all over the backyard. So much fun to watch and play with.

For the rest of the crew, been real busy this time of year with church and so on... Now I need to focus in on getting ready for spring, thinking of hatching a bunch of birds or ordering a bunch of heritage birds to raise and sell this spring... I wish I had more space to do a breeding program. I will post pics soon of the hatchlings from November, they are getting BIG!!!

Blessings,
KEN

 

[Bigfamily4me]

BlacBrook... I really like the Faverolles, do you think the Wyandotte would bully them? I have read they can be agressive, where as the Favs are quite tiimd...?

Ken... I was wondering if Cochins were a good one. I love how they look! Do they get along well with other breeds decently? And would you say standard Cochins temperament is similar to bantam cochins?

Anymore suggestions for me are more than welcome

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

A mixed flock consisting of faverolles and cochins would be wonderful. Actually, that's the two breeds of bantams I have. The cochins don't lay a ton of eggs, but they are very sweet chickens. If you are interested in cochins and don't mind that they don't produce a whole lot of eggs you should get them. They are my favorite breed. A lot of people go with wyandottes because of their cold hardiness and laying ability.

I still haven't found a way to get this computer monitor to Tiki. I've been doing a lot of running around lately delivering roosters and don't have the motivation or the $ to run to Menomonie anytime soon.

 

[bigzio]

I think you might need to get about 25 breeds and decide which you prefer the most. I really like the Buckeyes, and the Brahmas, and the javas, and my hybred crosses Buckeyes/javas...they are really nice too. Make sure you have a nice big coop. That way you can keep getting different breeds and hatch peeps besides. Good luck with the breeds you decide to go with.

bigz

 

[Susie"J"]

Welcome Bigfamily4me. We have 1 production red and 2 black, 5 Easter eggers, 5 buff orpingtons. The friendliest and best layers are the production red and black. The Buffs are also friendly and good layers. Our Easter Eggers are good green egg layers but not as friendly. Kind of stand offish. What ever you decide build a big coop as BigZ said cause you will want to try many. I will try a few different breeds myself this spring.
CC hope you feel better soon. We had about 3 weeks of feeling like $h--.
Good night to all,
Susie

 

[KNAndrs]

We have a half dozen standard cochins at the barnyard that I teach from every week. They are sweet big birds and are amazing "pets" the egg count is lower but they are great to have around. They have not gone broody since I have been there about a year, but are known to be broody at times. I really love my bantams though and would love to have a whole bunch of them running around. I am going to look for more in a variety of colors this spring.

The only problem is, I live in town with a bunch of neighbors right next door.

KEN

 

[Terri O]

Good evening! Bigfam--I would start with some production reds. When my kids were little they could just go in and pick them up any time. They will lay a ton for you and you can get your feet wet so to speak...then you can go to some fancier breeds if you like having chickens. (havent met too many that DONT!) THey are also readily available from feed mills or TSC in the spring. Go for the biggest coop you can afford...chicken math seems to take on a life of it's own...especially when talking to us every day! I have a few pure birds but my greatest joy is seeing what the babies turn out to be! All I can say is my roosters really "get around!"

DrH and others--HO stands for Hop-a-Long (that is the roos name) Hop-a-Long Cassidy (he came with that name!) THe show birds are labelled with a B cause they are kept in the barn...you people are so silly that you cant understand my system!

Guess you'd have to live here to fully understand!

It took me about an hour to get home tonight! The bypass was nasty and snow covered. When DH got home he asked why no one had shoveled...DD25 did it at 2 and you couldnt tell at all! We must have 8" or so and now it iis blowing like crazy and still coming down...I am tired of it already! I have to go and get hay tomorrow and the 4WD linkage on my truck is broken...DH told me "dont push it down just pull it!" so I did...even though the knob SAYS push for 4WD! YEah--now it is broken and no seatbelt is gonna fix it!

I am sorry but I dont like this new BYC at all! I hate having to wait for the smileys to load (yeah it only takes a few seconds but before they just stayed there all the time...wah wah! I need to go to bed cause I am CRABBY!
Good night all...Terri O

(PS) nice to hear from you again KEn!

 

[Celtic Chick]

Wow watching the weather, suppose to get to only 7 tonight in Wausau, so should be colder here tonight. It was 49 yesterday in town !!! Only had about 3" in Wausau and they are talking about Winter storm, hardly call that a storm but after the weather we've had I guess so.
Guy did a 360 on the ice at an intersection in Wausau and plowed into the corner bar. Wonder if he stopped in for a drink after that ordeal !!!

CHEERS !!

Brrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! It was 60* down here yesterday!
I wonder if the dude that plowed into the bar had just come from there?

Quote:

I think I'm gonna have a big bowl of soup, light a fire in the fireplace and just kick back for the rest of the night...

Tom

Sounds like a great idea!

Bigfam, almost all the suggestions on which breeds to go with are good ones. If I were you just getting into chickens, I'd definitely do as Bigz said and go big on the size of your coop, first and foremost. Do a lot of research & make it so it is easy to clean & get feed & water to, have it well ventilated but not drafty, make sure it will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and will not be damp inside (condensation). Having electricity and plenty of outlets helps alot too. And make sure the door is wide enough to accomodate at least the width of a wheelbarrow (for shovelling $chmidt).
Chicks are addicting, to say the least, and you'll always want to try out different breeds. I highly recommend the heritage breeds such as orpingtons, australorps, cochins, brahmas, wyandottes, etc. While the production hybrids are friendly and produce tons of eggs, they also burn out early in life. Mine completely stopped laying at or before 2 years of age. If you do not plan on heating your coop in the winter, maybe look into breeds with rose or pea combs. They tend to be a little more cold hardy.

Hey crabbypants (TO):

(I call DH's cranky kitty that all the time). I don't like the snow much either, or the new BYC, or 2012, or crabby hubbies, or........... BUT tomorrow is another day. And it will get better. And I have you all to thank for being able to realize this. And I will always try my darndest to be there for you too. I hope everyone stays safe and warm and continues to have happy, healthy birdies for a long time to come. Sweet dreams, all!

You really cracked me up with your seatbelt comment regarding your 4WD, BTW.

I hope tomorrow is better!

 

[Celtic Chick]

Here are some pics I'd like to share with you of Henrietta. While her longtime companion has always been Jack, my other roo, Moose, has always had quite the adoration for our little Henny, which I always found to be so sweet.

 

[WIChookchick]

Snowy and Chilly evening all!

I had 2 jobs today, and on my way home about 8 pm, I was driving the main roads, and on Hwy 92 outside of Brooklyn, I swerved to avoid what looked like a young cat crossing the road...
I turned around and staggering and covered with ice/snow balls was a very thin, probably sick kitten. It had gook around its eyes and was just meowing and clutching to me.
I nearly sped to the local fire dept, which was very busy, probably training or something..
They took the kitten in, I sure hope it makes it!!