Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[kristip]

Roo 1....does look suspicious, but still awfully cute!

 

[unkadan]

good morning, I was going to complain about the 3" of snow but not after I saw vicki had 3'

Jim a bigger hat isn't bad but when you have to make the doors on that new pen wider you will be p!ssed

set 30 olive eggers, 17 White Chantecler, and 7 Barred Rocks in the hatcher this morning, hopefully my luck carries on with these eggs

bbl

danheadingtobreakfast

 

[Angiebubs]

Good morning!!!

I REALLY need to stay off of here-Bad influence and all! (I want one fo those and those and those and...)

I originally said I was sticking to max of 25...well I have 24 in the coop and 4 chicks in the brooder and am fighting temptation to not run into town and grab a Blue Americana (Un sexed even) this morning from the co-op that someone is bringing in a batch of.

And I keep playing with the idea of trying to choose a breed and procreate!
Cute chick pics everyone!

I use the DL method and looking at the coop right now, I am dreading the spring clean out. 12 x 24 aprox and have to wheel barrow it along ways to compost pile :-( I am not sure i have been doing it right either. It is a pretty big area with 24 birds-not sure how much anything is really breaking down.

Anyone here ever tried feathering sexing with results? Or any opinions on it?

 

[Terri O]

Um, not this weekend. Next weekend or the weekend after is fine. Your choice.

ETA- the eggs haven't even gotten into lockdown yet.

SSHHHHH---dont count your chickens before they hatch! You know what THEY say......sorry, couldnt resist!
I still have 66 posts to read....TerriOwonderingwhothisJimcharacteris?LOL!

 

[unkadan]

(that was my 1st option TO, glad you took it !)

Ang that is a big coop, perfect for at least twice as many birds, you can justify it because more birds will work that DL better

cs I am missing any splash chicks there, post another pic please of it by itself if possible

ok,,,now breakfast will be done

bbl

danstarvingnow

 

[Angiebubs]

Unkadan-I KNOW thats the problem-I have the room. Its just that right now I keep chickens for a hobby and pet value and Im trying to not loose the friendliness of the girls by having too many-This really is an addiction!

Did I mention that I currently only have about a 1/3 of the barn converted into a coop? And we have a entire horse pasture fenced and set up with electrical fencing that could be put back up? And we are on 39 acres? ANd an avenue to sell as many eggs as I can supply? (Currently have one person that takes 5 dozen a week, 3 others that will eggs whenever I have them, and I haven't put an ad back up at work in a year as Im bombarded with requests.

LOL I so wish I could quit the corporate world and find a way to stay home, skip the hour 15 min commute and make a living! Maybe some miracle crop I could raise? hmmmm

 

[delisha]

Del-I inspected the babies last night and noticed that most of them have a really prominent straight keel. I do think that their is at least one roo in the bunch. I know I am new to chickens, but if there is anything that I have minute experience with its baby roos more than baby hens. Its one of the splash wyandottes. He is taller, seems to be the first to do everything, and I think his comb is reddening a bit.

Also would you like to head to CC's with me in 2 weeks? I know you've got you training coming next weekend.

I am glad they have good keels. So far they are keepers than. One to other body structure. I like them so far. The Wyndotts look round, and the Ameracuana's look full and square. Nice job!! Yours are fatter than mine are.

morning everyone,


Lost one of my new chicks before I could post more pics of them!

Just failure to thrive I guess or just never had the strength to deal with what it had to go thru it's first days of life. I think this one might have been a day older than the rest anyway because it's wings were a lot more feathered out than the other three which would mean it possibly went another full day w/o water, etc. than the rest.

Sorry for your loss

Roo 1?

I see nothing to indicate a male..all your baby's look wonderful
You need to post a picture of a splash Ameracuna. I do not think you have one. I think you have a black and a blue.(I could be wrong)

Good morning!!!



Anyone here ever tried feathering sexing with results? Or any opinions on it?

Some breeds can be feather sexed. Not all.

 

[Angiebubs]

So the feather sexing (Primary wing feathers two different lengths on females than males) doesn't hold true across all breeds? I am wondering how hatcheries (that get them from different breeders) use this when shipping chicks? :-( Sure hope my 4 are correct!)

 

[unkadan]

Ang, well you do have the space that's for sure, you mentioned breeding earlier. You could pick out one variety, get in contact with a few breeders (note not hatchery) of a heritage bird and have at it. Takes a few years getting things worked out of most breeds anyway, start small, select diligently, get a copy of the SOP and go for it. You have the egg market to at least pay for the feed, the room to expand, and it would appear the desire. I vote you move forward.
as to that miracle crop,,,not with the current administration but that too will change,,,

off to run some errands

bbl
danfueledupandheadingout

 

[Angiebubs]

UnkDan: I used to have a business of raising exotic birds (parrots) when iving in Cali many many moons ago...a lot different world than chickens.

My biggest hurdle before moving that direction is getting over the need to ensure what kind of home they are going to and remembering that God created chickens to eat (yes I know the chicken that I buy at the store came from a real live chicken at one point that wasnt as cared for as backyard chickens and aren't nearly as healthy). It always happens and I fall in love with the buggers and hate thinking of them becoming someones dinner. So until I get over that hurdle and know that a majority of the chickens I raise will become dinner-I am just in the planning stage. (I know Im going to get grief over these comments-Im prepared LOL).I have thought of even just raising and selling fertile eggs for the first while until I get past this.

Breeds that I have been investigating: Salmon Faverolles, English Orps and have my eye/made contact with a breeder that appears to have very nice quality of both of these breeds.

Someday!