Chicken/egg question

[user 7704]

I went to pick up chicks and they only delivered ducks. Bummer.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I went to pick up chicks and they only delivered ducks. Bummer.

Are the hatcheries all sold out too?

 

[user 7704]

Are the hatcheries all sold out too?

Don't know AD. I always go through the co-op or Tractor Supply

 

[Survivor_316]

I hope they get some in for you, Robin.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Don't know AD. I always go through the co-op or Tractor Supply

Try Murry McMurray, Stromburgs or Dunlap hatcheries. We've been using them for over 30 years, and never had a problem. The advantage of going through a hatchery is, you get to pick the breed and the traits that you want, not the feed store manager.

 

[user 7704]

Any of you ever raise Brahmas? Did you use them for meat or eggs? I read they are dual, but it seems if they are big they might break eggs.

I'm asking because that is the only type the TSC got in.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

They are a bad choice if you are using them for eggs. Being a large bird, they eat a lot and only lay 3-4 eggs a weeks at best.

 

[user 7704]

They are a bad choice if you are using them for eggs. Being a large bird, they eat a lot and only lay 3-4 eggs a weeks at best.

That's what I was thinking. Just not worth it. I'll wait for a new order and hope for a breed I am familiar with.

 

[user 7704]

I'm hoping to get more Cinnamon Queen. They lay a month or so earlier than other breeds and are super friendly. Good layers too.

I have only seen them at the store once though.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I'm hoping to get more Cinnamon Queen. They lay a month or so earlier than other breeds and are super friendly. Good layers too.

I have only seen them at the store once though.

Robin, just curious, why are you opposed to ordering from a hatchery? They overnight your day old chicks to your post office. In our case "overnight" is 2 days. We've seldom had any losses in transit. Also, they still mail out catalogs on request. There's a lot of good information in their catalogs too.

 

[user 7704]

Robin, just curious, why are you opposed to ordering from a hatchery? They overnight your day old chicks to your post office. In our case "overnight" is 2 days. We've seldom had any losses in transit. Also, they still mail out catalogs on request. There's a lot of good information in their catalogs too.

I don't know AD. If I opened a box and there was a dead chick, I would blame myself I guess. Plus, I only get 6 so I always thought you had to buy in bulk.

 

[Survivor_316]

Do you have Rural King there? They just had Cinnamon Queens the last time we went.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I'm hoping to get more Cinnamon Queen. They lay a month or so earlier than other breeds and are super friendly. Good layers too.

I have only seen them at the store once though.

We have Cinnamon Queens here at Tractor Supply. Those were the breed I bought this year. So you like them? Wanted ISA Browns but couldn’t find any available.

 

[user 7704]

Do you have Rural King there? They just had Cinnamon Queens the last time we went.

Not yet. I read they are building one somewhere rather close.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I don't know AD. If I opened a box and there was a dead chick, I would blame myself I guess. Plus, I only get 6 so I always thought you had to buy in bulk.

That makes sense. I don't know if they have a minimum order or not. Might be worth checking out. I like the fact that you can pick out the chick that you want and delay the shipping fir a later date, if you need too. We placed our last order in February for June delivery.
At the very least, I'd highly recommend ordering one of their catalogs. They have a lot of information on each chicken they offer, along with ducks, geese, turkeys, game birds etc. Plus medication and supplies.

 

[user 7704]

My nature cam had 84 pics last night. I had a possum and a cat that was much bigger than my Tom, but I couldn't get a good look.

I baited the cage with marshmallows.

 

[user 7704]

I have seen a few dead armadillos on the interstate, but never a live one. I am "almost' positive I had one my my chicken cam last night. They look like they would be slow and not good climbers, but I may be wrong. Maybe he was just cruising and not interested in chickens.

I also had the possum last night. I forgot to set the cage so I didn't get him.

 

[user 7704]

TSC said another delivery had come. It was all ducks again. I want chicks.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

Was very fortunate and found some ISA Browns that are 6 weeks old at our Farmers Co-op. Bought some and gave my Cinnamon Queens to a guy who works there. They will be happier at his place because he free ranges them! So I’m starting almost over with new layers. But it is worth it to me.

 

[user 7704]

I love the Cinnamon Queens

 

[DrHenley]

IThey look like they would be slow and not good climbers, but I may be wrong. Maybe he was just cruising and not interested in chickens.

When they get very alarmed, they hop like rabbits and are surprisingly fast. There is a reason armadillo meat is called Rabbit On The Half Shell.
Armadillos aren't interested in the chickens, they would not know what to do with one. They are interested in the eggs, but I have never seen one try to climb.

 

[user 7704]

Last night I just had a possum and a cat on the cam.

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

I love the Cinnamon Queens

They are solid Dual purpose birds. Lay a lot of eggs, although less than ISA Browns. But they lay for a longer period of time.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Had a bear in our back yard this morning. The dogs ran him off.

 

[GaRp58]

One of our neighbors has a certain breed of chickens which she is selectively selling as "pure breed" and has a Cinnamon Queen like our 3 layers and asked if we want to try to adopt it into our little hutch...it seems that some people who come to buy her pure breeds are looking funny at the unusual color of this one as all the others are white with black spots.......we will try it and see how the pecking order goes next week...

 

[user 7704]

I got baby chicks today. Went in two different directions, but got all I needed.
Buffs, Reds, Barred Rock, and two that lay green eggs. The lay the same amount as others so I'm good. My son will enjoy the green ones.

One of the little buggers is trying every way to get out of the cage. Had to wrap in deer netting to make openings smaller.

 

[Survivor_316]

One of my mutts just layed 2 eggs today! She's one of my older girls, too, so I'm really surprised. It was definitely her, though. She is separated from the rest for a bit.

Out of that stupid last hatch I have mostly cockerels. They're already fighting and they're not even 4 weeks old. I might have a very tiny chicken dinner if they don't knock it off.

 

[poltiregist]

My apoplectic mind set of always studying practical ways to face a total collapse regardless as to whether its a banking system collapse , Communist Holodomor to starve those that don't vote the way those in charge think they should here in the United States , Nuclear War or whatever see my chickens as an important survival tool . With me never needing to replant my annual onions along with chicken eggs gives us a potential egg and onion dish all summer long , year after year . We could probably survive on it , but would hate to know that was all I had to eat all summer long every day . In reality my food sources for the apocalypse has been well thought out and prepared for so My diet wouldn't be just eggs and onions but realize many people wouldn't have the good fortune to be able to survive on even eggs and onions . .Many simply can not foresee a world without stores , automobile fuel or farm equipment fuel , so they don't keep chickens .

 

[GeorgiaPeachie]

One of our neighbors has a certain breed of chickens which she is selectively selling as "pure breed" and has a Cinnamon Queen like our 3 layers and asked if we want to try to adopt it into our little hutch...it seems that some people who come to buy her pure breeds are looking funny at the unusual color of this one as all the others are white with black spots.......we will try it and see how the pecking order goes next week...

Put the new hen in with the others after dark. It seems to help. Also, if they pick on her too much, sew her up a little chicken saddle to protect her. These work for me every time!

 

[user 7704]

My saddle did not work. May be design but worthless