Chicks

[andrew]

I really like the games. I've been letting some mixed games "naturalize" here. They lay well enough if you aren't into selling eggs and they'll hatch their replacements. The roos really taste good. They are pretty easy on the feed bill if they can range. If you'd like some hatching eggs a bit later this spring, I can rustle some up for you.

Are you aware of this site (see below) where they claim to sell game chickens. Is what they sell the real thing or something else?
Yes, I think a dozen or so hatching eggs would be a good start. That is nice of you to offer. Maybe you can visit Barker Hill with us sometime and give us advice on things.

http://www.cacklehatchery.com/oldenglishgamepage.html

[CrossCreekTX]

Yes, Cackle has pretty decent standard OEGs. Not show quality, but they are ok. Wilder'n snot! They make good moms.

I'm not sure when I can get away. We are in the middle of major renovation of the house. Then kidding starts end of Feb and I'll be milking twice or three times daily and taking care of bottle babies. Plus I'm hoping to rev up the cabinet incubator.

You might have to just come see us. LOL

[CrossCreekTX]

Good news! I tracked down an Orloff rooster from my line and he's mine as soon as I can go pick him up! Just as soon as the floors are finished and the painting's done and things set to right in the house, I'll be getting the cabinet bator out of the storage trailer and revving it up!

[CrossCreekTX]

Started the incubator and have been setting a bunch of goose and duck eggs. I have several geese setting too. I need to hustle and get some small pens around them and feed and water inside or else steal all the eggs.

The fire ants are active. I just ordered some extinguish. Hoping it works as advertised.

Have to hurry and get the pheasant aviary done. They are starting to lay and I don't want to miss the season.

[Alegria]

I just ordered from Cackle Friday night. They called Saturday to say the order would be shipped Monday for a Wednesday delivery. I wanted Cherry Egger chickens. Okay, it is just because Cheryl Eggers owning Cherry Egger hens is fun.

[CrossCreekTX]

They look like a good choice, Cheryl. I think most places call them production reds. Most of the cockerels get a decent size for eating if you want to hatch some chicks.

[Austeria]

Cackle has Cherry Eggers??? I've been looking for those for years!!! I'm going to have to get another Visa gift card so I can order some.

Dang, where am I going to put more chicks???

[CrossCreekTX]

They'd probably like that empty bedroom ok. Just put them in something tight enough a snake can't get in. LOL

[Austeria]

Or I could put the dog in there to guard them from the snake.


Maybe I shouldn't - he might consider them appetizers.

[Alegria]

Today we need to set up a brooder in the garage. I have an old 3x5 foot wood box that works great as long as I don't go overboard on how many chicks we get.

[Austeria]

I have a large wooden crate that I could use for a brooder, but we only have electric in the sheds and they're both crammed full of stuff.

What I really need is a chicken tractor for the chicks that are big enough to be out of the brooder, but not big enough for the regular henhouse. That would solve a lot of problems and get the ducks out of the shed/greenhouse, so I could clean up the poop off the floor. It's getting kind of slick. That would also make room for a small brooder.

[nimrod]

If you have chickens do you have to buy feed for them? It seems like most places reccommend you feed them commericial feed with antibiotics and hormones in the feed. Of course these are the same places that make money when you buy the feed from them. What did they do in the old days? Didn't they let the chickens forage for themselves? Maybe throw in a few handfulls of grain if needed? I really don't want antibiotics and hormones in the chickens and egge I eat.

Curt

[Austeria]

Curt, I do buy feed, but I buy the hormone-free game bird starter and grower.

In the old days, my grandmother told me they fed the chicks cornmeal, cornbread, or biscuits soaked in buttermilk (all homegrown or homemade, of course) She said to make it soupy at first, then gradually thicken it until they can eat it dry and you can save your buttermilk. Of course, they foraged, too.

[CrossCreekTX]

People didn't used to expect their birds to lay year round like most do today. Also, people used to have excess dairy products that could be given to the birds to improve their basic diet of grains. I give mine the whey from cheesemaking, now that I have several goats to milk. I'm also trying to get some duck weed started that can be harvested and fed to the poultry.

[Alegria]

Ours free range when they can, but we do supplement with feed. I get the non-medicated, hormone free feed. I do lose egg production in the winter.