New and Unread Tree-Mails
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Name: Kathy (Zone 5a)        TreeClimber Feb 16, 2012 11:02 AM CST |
| My first venture into raising chickens was several years ago, and I haven't had any for a few years now. Not since the fox finally got the last hen. My first purchase was mail order, and I had to order 30+ chicks. My coop is large enough for that number, but I'd like to stick to 8 or so this time, and possibly get standards instead of bantams, but I want something unusual. Anyone on here from my area of the woods and know of local sellers? I'm willing to incubate eggs if I can find them. Also interested in Turkeys to raise and release. A couple of my chicken choices would be Araucana ; Blue Lily Fluer Cochen (not sure if this one comes in a standard) Thanks for any help. Kathy |
Name: Porkpal Richmond, TX           porkpal Feb 16, 2012 1:06 PM CST |
| I am not in your area - not even close, but when I want just a few chicks I can usually buy them at a feed store or Tractor Supply, at least in the spring. Porkpal |
Name: Sandy B. Ford River, Michigan UP (Zone 4b) (Zone 4b-maybe 5a)        Weedwhacker Feb 16, 2012 2:21 PM CST |
| I was going to the same thing as porkpal, up here in Escanaba, MI the feed stores, and I think Tractor Supply, sell chicks in the spring. - John Powell / Cubits.org - A Universe of Communities / Share your recipes: Favorite Recipes A-Z cubit C/F temp conversion / NGA Member Map |
Name: Kathy (Zone 5a) TreeClimber Feb 16, 2012 5:38 PM CST |
| Your both right .......... Tractor Supply just doesn't carry the varieties that I want. Thanks for the help, I appreciate you taking the time to post. |
Name: Sandy B. Ford River, Michigan UP (Zone 4b) (Zone 4b-maybe 5a) Weedwhacker Feb 16, 2012 9:44 PM CST |
| oh, sorry; didn't think of that! always a problem with plants, and chickens apparently! maybe try the extension service in your area (I'm thinking 4-H'rs might be getting chick orders that you could get in on... ? - John Powell / Cubits.org - A Universe of Communities / Share your recipes: Favorite Recipes A-Z cubit C/F temp conversion / NGA Member Map |
Name: Porkpal Richmond, TX porkpal Feb 16, 2012 10:53 PM CST |
| My feed store will order the breeds of chicks I request - but then I buy a lot of feed from them. Porkpal |
Name: Tom Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b)        tveguy3 Mar 1, 2012 7:44 PM CST |
| I have seen on Craigs list in my area, people combining their chick orders so that they can each get a few of the ones that they want. I never tried that, but it must work, as I see ads on there each spring where people are seaking others who want to coop on an order. If you go to the feather site, they have a very comprehensive listing of hatcheries by state. Some of them will send small orders for as few as 5 chicks. They pack a special heat retaining device in there to keep them warm. Here's the link. www.feathersite.com I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. - Alexander the Great |
Name: Porkpal Richmond, TX porkpal Mar 1, 2012 8:10 PM CST |
| Are you sure the special heaters aren't roosters? Porkpal |
Name: Tom Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b) tveguy3 Mar 2, 2012 5:11 AM CST |
| LOL, well, I'm sure that there are some places that might pull that stunt, but the ones who do it right will tell you what they are using to keep them warm. They usually add a small fee for a warming packet. I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. - Alexander the Great |
Name: Vicky Thompson Michigan (Zone 5b)         Cottage_Rose Mar 31, 2012 7:01 AM CST |
| Townline Hatchery in Zeeland MI will mail you day old chicks. For super heavy egg production and laid back hens I highly recommend their Isa Browns. They are the best production breed I have ever raised and I've had many over the years. For that matter you can mail order day old chicks from any hatchery but Townline is local. Real Araucana's are rare but Townline has Easter Eggers and John Blehm who raises Ameraucanas is in the Frankenmuth area. For the rare breeds you mentioned you would most likely have to mail order them. I don't know about "raise and release" turkeys. That would be heavily regulated and not allowed by just anybody. Contact the DNR for more info. |
Name: Kathy (Zone 5a) TreeClimber Sep 21, 2013 7:30 AM CST |
| Hi Cottage Rose and All. Cottage Rose, you were very helpful to me a few years back concerning chickens. I found a gal only a couple of miles from me that sells chickens, not what I really wanted, but it will do for now. I got 2 blue laced red Wyandottes that ended up being Hens and a Cochin that ended up being a Rooster. Since then the hens have hatched 4 chicks from fertile eggs (from the same source), since something got my rooster. The perils of free ranging. I'd still like the other breeds I mentioned, and will check out the sources offered up. Thank You!  |
Name: Rita North Shore, Long Island, NY Zone 6B      Newyorkrita Sep 21, 2013 10:11 AM CST |
| What a lovely bird! |
Name: Tom Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b) tveguy3 Sep 22, 2013 5:23 PM CST |
| Hate to be the messenger of bad news, but what you have must be a cross breed. All Wyandottes have a rose comb. They come in blue laced, Splach, and black laced like all blue breeds they don't breed true. The hen you have posted is a splash, but as you can see she has a straight comb. I ordered 24 of these from a breeder in Kentucky. (Fowley's) and I got 25 sent to me. 20 roosters, and 5 hens! Here's a pic of some of the roosters. You can maybe see the blue's, black's, and splashes. Blue Rooster and Splash Rooster   Group, but if you enlarge, you will see some of a black on this pic and the one preceeding it.  I raised several more last year, and now have a breeding group of them. They are really cool chickens. I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. - Alexander the Great |
Name: Porkpal Richmond, TX porkpal Sep 22, 2013 5:35 PM CST |
| I have some silver laced Wyandottes. They are good layers but produce weak shells on their eggs. All the rest of my hens produce really strong egg shells (?) - and, yes, they do have rose combs. Porkpal |
Name: Tom Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b) tveguy3 Sep 23, 2013 3:27 AM CST |
| I wonder why that is? I don't have that problem, and have had various wyandottes for years. I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. - Alexander the Great |
Name: Joy Hall Hempstead, TX (Zone 8b) Lonesome Pine Farm     rouxcrew Sep 23, 2013 5:41 AM CST |
| They need more calcium in their diet. Shell strength is directly related to that. Most producers I know offer oyster shell free choice to their birds. I know that normally I don't have a problem with my ducks' eggshells, however, this time of year I have several eggs that have very thin shells each day. My ducks free range and come in for the night. Only in the fall and winter do I have a problem. Normally my eggs are tough to crack. I love Wyandottes, they are a great farm bird and very pretty as well. Try the oyster shell, you can get a small bag at most any feed store. Give it a few days since today's eggs were formed a couple days ago. I think you will be happy. People, like sheep, tend to follow a leader - occasionally in the right direction. Alexander Chase |
Name: Tom Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b) tveguy3 Sep 23, 2013 6:23 AM CST |
| I Assumed she knew about oyster shells, but even with them, after a season of heavy laying, some hens will start to have thin shells this time of year. After they rest over winter, they come back strong. (if you let them rest) I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. - Alexander the Great |
Name: Joy Hall Hempstead, TX (Zone 8b) Lonesome Pine Farm rouxcrew Sep 23, 2013 7:56 AM CST |
Sorry, I just gave a knee jerk answer to the problem. Having taught people about dogs, farming and cooking for many years, I usually find that sometimes we forget things or maybe never knew them even though we have been doing it for years.  People, like sheep, tend to follow a leader - occasionally in the right direction. Alexander Chase |
Name: Porkpal Richmond, TX porkpal Sep 23, 2013 1:32 PM CST |
| Right, my hens do have access to oyster shell and whatever else they can find free ranging. I also crush up the shells form the eggs we use and mix them into their feed. All the rest of the hens lay eggs with really good shells, even the heaviest producers, so it is a mystery. Porkpal |
  dave719 Sep 25, 2013 2:11 PM CST |
| Some chickens just have thinner shells I have to keep oyster shell in with my Sussex most of the time to keep thicker shells Dave719 |
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