New Chickenz

Well I got 8 new chickens today from a guy who was changing his focus on his birds.

First, I bought 3 new silkies. I really bought a breeding pair of whites, and then he threw in another female. She is totally adorable but she has a wonky neck. I love her anyway. She is so cute. Her neck is on a funny angle, but she can eat and drink like everyone else, so she's cool.

Here is the pair and the extra female (black with tan neck feathers) in the Eglu. I gave them some of the sheep's fleece that I cut off the sheep with the burrs. The inside of it is very soft and warm.

Then I got 4 new Ameraucana hens from him, none of which have started laying yet, but their sister has.

Here's 2 of them.

Here's the handsome Dominique roo that I got with the girls!

Pretty birds... can't believe the funny farm is still growing! ;-)

Oh love um! Those silkies are so pretty! I love the Ameracaunas too.. they look great! Congrats Moxy.. they are just dandy!

Here is the 3rd Ameraucana. She is a stunner!

And here's the 4th one. She's a bit like one of the first 2, but different.

So, I know some of you are saying "WAIT!!! You should quarantine those birds!!!" Well, the silkies are quarantined, but it's more for their own safety! Remember, I had a bad virus problem. These Ameraucana girls and the rooster were free. 100% free. The silkies were $10. I am putting these free birds in with my current flock as a test. I am more worried about what my current flock could pass onto these new birds, than what they would pass on to mine. Yes, I know there is a chance they could potentially pass something worse on to my birds, but it's unlikely. I went to the guy's operation to pick them up and it was clean as a whistle. All his birds, these included, were so clean and healthy looking. He showed me all around. He probably shouldn't have done that because I could have had virus on my boots! Seriously though, I am more worried for them, than for my own remaining birds who have been through the illness. I lost my dearest Rosie and she was most important to me. If I lose these new ones, it's sad, but it's a "test" of how safe my own birds are. If I lose everybody, I'll just stick with sheep!

Your useing the cull method like i did for my wfbs it will ease your mind one way or the other.
At least you will know if the virus is still active keeping my fingers crossed that it's gone.

beautiful!!!!! love the silkies, and the 3rd Ameraucana is a very pretty color. congrats!!!!!;-)

(fuzzychicken)

This message was edited Jan 25, 2009 8:40 PM

This message was edited Jan 25, 2009 8:40 PM

Oh they are just beautiful Claire. What is a wonky neck? Does that mean crooked or something? I understand your method of testing the waters with the free birds. Especailly with all those babies coming up. It will give you a better feeling of safty for them and a peice of mind!! Lovely silkies!! sigh...

Sewincircle - I just mean that her neck isn't quite right - it's not a technical term!

She might have wry neck (which actually is a technical term) but I think that's usually only in young chicks and not in adults. She has her neck kind of tilted on an angle and sometimes she kind of has a way of tilting it upside down and then she walks backwards. But she eats and drinks and is otherwise OK, so she kind of fits in on my farm with all my other rescues and imperfect critters!

Yep that sounds like wry neck my friend has a rabbit with it he can almost turn his head upside down.

{{{Real Creepy looking}}}

Awwww! I think specail needs animals are cute. I always tend to route for the underdogs (or chickens) hehehe. I was never much for remembering technical terms so that will stick forever! hehehe As long as she can eat drink and be in a flock its all good. ;) I love them all. I am jealous of all the colorful eggs you are going to see sometime soon!!!

He Mox: If you should loose them all, just think you'll still have me LOL unfortunately. I just love those Silkies. They are so adorable. Were those silkies ten bucks each or for the three? Haystack.

Haystack - I will be glad that we still have you no matter what happens! LOL!!

The white pair (it's a male and female) were $10 for the pair, and the other little one was free because of her neck problem. I named her Rosebud.

Forgot to say that the white pair are named Sparkle and Sheffield.

This message was edited Jan 27, 2009 6:53 AM

Love your new ones. Keep the pictures coming.

It's a good thing I'm wearing green today, so the shade of green my eyes have turned won't hurt people's eyes. DADGUMMIT I WANT MY CHICKENS!!!

I'm looking at a little coop from Randall Burkey -- http://www.randallburkey.com/prodinfo.asp?number=10680 -- that should house three hens. Might get the run as well, or might build that myself. Until I can get my little farm, I'd be fighting the law (to say nothing of my neighbors) if I got more.

Go for it!!!!!

Mox: Three years ago a guy gave me three bunnies, little bitty guys. When he asked me to take them he did not tell me they were deformed. I had never seen anything like them!!! Their head was always turned toward the sky. They would actually flip their bodies over and lay down to eat the grass. They could never eat out of the feeders as their heads would not turn enough to get into them. It really upset me to watch them, so I finally put them down. I had no idea what was wrong with them and It seemed as though the vet didn't either. Maybe he just did not care, but when I spoke to him about it, he acted like they should be put down. Maybe that was Wry neck. I'm still learning so much from you guys. Thanks for the info.

WOW Mox. What a great price, three silkies for ten bucks. I just love looking at the silkie chicks. They just make me want to cuddle. My poor wife, she always tells me, I lost my husband to a real chick. LOL She's so patient with me. Hay

Claire, very beautiful birds you have

What beautiful birds! Those silkies are adorable and a great price. I just love the Ameraucanas; mine are starting be my favorite in the looks department. How is the new roo's disposition? He's a real looker either way.

The new roo was kind of put in his place by my head roos - I have a "team" of an Appenzeller Spitzhaben and a Creme Brabanter that seem to share leadership. They don't let others take their role, but somehow they both have a leadership role that each other accepts. They grew up together though. Weird.

Hey as long as everyone respects their place in the coop!
Speaking of which, I think my duck duck has been tossed out this morn! I opened their small door and the duck is sitting at the top of the ramp with her head tucked under her wing, sound asleep. She was the boss when it was just her and the BOs. Things seem to be changing since the B. A.s and the EE's came into the coop. I've got to get her some fellow duck companions!

Cmoxon, I believe it was silkiechick, or possibly another long time member that had a hen with wry neck. She treated it and it got better. There was even a youtube video of the hen with the problem. I think it was posted the beginning of last year or the year before. She fixed the hen up by putting her on a special diet. Does anyone else remember this? Silkie, you out there?

Oh, Sanaansandy....duck companions....have I got the deal for you!!! ;-)

I am going to try the vitamin E plus selenium capsules suggested by another person for wry neck. I went to Walgreens today but they didn't have them. I will check my grocery store on the way home. If they don't have them, I will have to try GNC or something.

Yeah, Vit E was part of the diet if I remember correctly.

Ok, Claire, I almost spit out my coffee when I read you've got a deal for me!lol!! Ah, if only we lived closer! I'd have to get out one of our bathtub waterers for them to play in so they would feel right at home. :-)
Our rescues around here rarely have the farm animals. When they do, it's usually a bunny or two. We did rescue a lop-eared bunny a few years ago. We had her for almost a year before she passed. The lady told us she was pretty old when we got her. She was such a sweet bunny; loved to be held.

You know Saanansandy, I could even give you a free goat with your ducks!

Current inventory:
2 Muscovy ducks - one drake, one duck, both rescues
1 Mallard type duck, rescue
2 Blue Swedish type ducks, both rescued
8 White ducks, likely Pekins, all rescued
4 llamas (1 rescued)
6 full size Nubians
2 mini Nubians
5 pygmy goats
1 suspected boer cross (rescued)
4 angora goats (all 4 rescues)
3 Nigerian dwarf goats
5 pigeons
2 miniature donkeys (both rescues)
6 Icelandic sheep
1 Suffolk-Dorset-Rambouillet sheep
2 Unknown breed sheep (both rescues, maybe Polypay)
1 greyhound
1 soon-to-arrive angora bunny (rescue)
and a whole whack of chickens... (some rescued)

Yikes!

WHAT!!?!?!? YOU HAVE NO ALPACAS??????? Somebody call the Barn Fairy!!! Claire is in need!!!!!

You know, Claire, rumor has it the lady that owns the alpaca ranch up the road has skipped on her bills... leaving behind scores of alpacas. I'm sure you could pick up a trailer load or two for cheap...

This is where economic slumps really bite...

=o( Jay

Brigid....I know, it's a travesty. I'm working on it. I want it to be a rescued alpaca.

Really, I want a guanaco, but they cost about $10,000 right now.

I also want a Leicester longwool sheep and a Teeswater sheep. I would also like a couple of Shetlands.

I eventually want a couple of Sebastopol geese too.

Jay, for real? Real real??? Is anyone organizing a rescue? (see above re: wanting rescued alpaca!!)

Ok, Claire! Now I have to go on a road trip lol! You know I can't resist the goats! lol

With all those sweethearts, I wouldn't be getting anything done! You know you have to play with everyone. :-) With just the 2 goats, the 3 ewes and the chickens(& duck duck), I'll tell my DH "I'll be back in 10 minutes." He just laughs and says you're ten minutes is at least an hour! heehee. Everybody has to get their rubs and soft whisperings: awww, you're such a good little goat....so sweet. Are you my cute lit'l ewe, yes you are!.....

rumor: a statement or report current without known authority for its truth.

I've started asking around to see if anyone has harder info; I'll let you know if I find out anything.

Otherwise, I see a ROAD TRIP!!!

7* here this mornin...

I'd love to see pics of your greyhound someday Claire.. I love Greyhounds!

Here's a pic of him on the day we picked him up! Hard to believe that was almost 4 years ago.

You can also see him in this post on my blog! He's a sweetie!

http://chooksiniowa.blogspot.com/2009/01/storm-in-heartland.html

Love the outfit! What a love.. he looks like fun to play with!

I got that fleece really cheap so I made the dog bed and coat out of it. He's very mellow. Loves to play ball for about 5 minutes and then wants to lay down! Kind of like me! LOL!