Went to the P. O. and picked up my new babies this morning. Last month all but four were deceased. This time all were alive and very lively. In the process of dipping beaks and all three were not doing very well. My DH took the three into the house and nursed two back to good health, only one did not survive. After four hours it seems as all is going well. I'm so pleased, after that last batch I have to admit I was fearful.
Twenty five red stars
Ten marans
Five americaunas
two Marans Roosters & two red star roosters
and if I counted right three mystery birds.
Also I wanted all of you to know I was checking Meyer hatchery and they say that redstar and golden comets are not the same bird. Earlier I was told they were the same. Meyer says no.
JFYI Haystack. Harm I'm incredibly sorry about your Hatch. Take care of yourself.
New arrivals
What is dipping beaks ?
Hi Country: Dipping the beaks of day old's is recommended by the hatchery to get the babies their first taste of water, then they flock right to it. At first I thought it was silly but after watching those who'd been dipped as opposed to those who had not, I realized it really did make a difference.
I have enjoyed your posts and you must be getting a gazillion eggs about now???
It seems like theirs no end to the learning process when It comes to these birds. I started this thing and intended to keep it very simple. In reality I'm finding it's almost impossible to keep it simple. Chickens, the different breeds, and their needs, just don't allow simplicity. I have concluded I will no longer buy from the Hatcheries. Not due to any problem, but rather I feel it is more settling for me to invest in a good Incu, and then be in more control of how many and what kinds I want for my customers. Does it make sense. Haystack
Our hatchery just gave us a packet of something to put in the water for a while. Your right, they go after the water real quick. They didn't need help. We haven't lost any.
Talk about tame! If you stand in the coop for a minute, they have shoelaces untied, will be pecking at your shoes & pant legs. You can reach down & pick them up at any time, no squawking.
Yes, lots of eggs. I took 28 dozen to customers Saturday. $2.50 per dozen. A couple of people gave me $3.00, because they are so happy to get fresh eggs. Some of my regulars, I gave a dozen each of pullet eggs. It's called "customer relations".
Bernie
Hey Bernie: Sounds like your having a blast, I totally agree with you about customer relations. I have made it a policy that any return customer gets the second doz eggs free. Thats so cool when you customers give a little extra to say thanks. Bernie we have had a ton of snow this year and every time I go into the coop all the chicks surround me and peck the snow off of my boot tops. LOL Aren't they a blast. Keep uo the good P.R. and have a great day. Haystack
Congrats Haystack! You know what they say...
There ain't nothin' simple about simple livin'. =0)
Jay
I was allso told that red stars are the same thing as golden comets.I just ordered 10 golden comets and 10 aurcaunas that will come May 3rd from my milling company.
Congrats Hay Glad your baby's made it to you safe and sound will there finally be Pics???
Hi Green: I'm still a little confused about the Gold Comets, vs the RedStar. In fact I had planned on doing some research concerning the matter tonight. I'll let you know what I find out.
Hi Harm: Sorry, no pic's. No one I know has ever been able to show me where any cord plugs in for a camera. Maybe this beast is just to old, kinda like me ya know. Some things you just can't update. LOL. Someday I'm gonna break down and replace the old beast with a new one. My problem is I probably won't be able to figure out the new one. I'm such a nerd. Harm do you think you'll be able to get enough eggs from your birds for a new hatch? I sure do hope so, you so deserve it. Haystack
Hay i hope i can i had been collecting for 2 weeks for the hatch i just hope their not close to the end of their egg cycle.
I collected 3 today and will continue i think my porcelain's are done i haven't got a egg from them in a few days.
My barred's are still laying and my fawns so i will just have to wait and see But i do have the option of buying eggs.
I know someone who sells bantam hatching eggs but i really wanted to hatch mine his breeds are different from mine and not what i really like.
Mine are Gold Stars. Maybe a cross of Red Stars & Gold Comets.
Hey Green, and Country.... Here's the skinny on these birds we've been talking about. They are all the same in that they are all Hybrid's and not breeds. Here is where they are different.
Red Star = Rhode Island Red Male x Deleware female
Gold Comet = Rhode Island Red Male x Rhode Island White female
Gold Star = same cross as Gold Comet, just name choice is different from breeder.
Black Star = Rhode Island Red Male x barred Rock female.
NOTE: Hatcheries seem to agree the colors of Red Star and Gold Star (Comet) are so close most owners cannot tell them apart. Hope this helped. Haystack
Haystack could you get your pictures put onto a cd at the photo shop then download them into your computer?
Hi Wren: You just asked a great question?? As a matter of fact That is a great possibility I had never thought of. I do remember my wife putting some pic's on a cd and showing them to me a long time ago. Thanks for the suggestion, I'm going to talk to my wife tomorrow and see if she remembers how to do that. Thanks a lot Wren... Your a doll. Haystack
Here's my Gold Stars.
congrats on the new babies!!! if u take ur camera sd card to walmart u can make a cd on one of their machines outside the lab it's how i had to do mine awhile back. the cd's r like $2-3 and the lab people will help u if u ask.
I am so glad this shipment was a success. Congrats!!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!!
Bernie!!! Thats a gorgeous pic of your flock and they look so peaceful. Thanks I love the pic,
Thanks Silkie for the info, also, I wanted to tell you that one of my customers gave me a black silkie hen and Rooster. She is so cute. He's an onery little fart. I get an egg from her just about every day. I'm putting three of them in the inc next week.
I'm so glad that your second shipment of chicks had better results than the first. I've also noticed the difference in dipping their beaks.
I spotted an incubator at the feed store the other day. DH frowned and said don't you think you've got enough chickens running around?! I say, NEVER!! But I'll wait abit before I bring it up again. :-) Owen's preschool class just got an incubator w/ 24 eggs from a local farm so I'll have to live the experience through them!
Haystack this is what I found on the golden comet,mother white rock father new hampshire.The golden comet are really golden colered,this is one of my comets with her saddles on.I also have black sexlinks and the mother is a barred rock and the father is a rhode island red or new hampshire.They are great layers of large brown eggs.
Green: Your info on the black sexlink matches what I posted to you. However the info you have on the gold comet is not consistient with what I posted. Could you share where you got your info. I got my infor from Ideal and dunlap Hatcheries. I'm just trying to get it all straight. Maybe some breeders are using slightly different breeds and using the same hybrid names??? And again sometimes its just pure confusing. LOL Haystack
hay, that is wonderful i'm so happy for u and ur black silkies. i hope u get lots of cuties from them they r one of my fav colors. i love silkies they r so sweet and loveable but yes once in awhile ya find a roo in them that is a little pistol,lol. i just got in more white silkies, white showgirls and 3 colors of japs. i gotta go feed and water so i'll take pics for ya while i'm there.
Haystack try this website http://www.feathersite.com/poultry/c...rksexlink.html
Haystack that site will not work,I goggled golden comets and it took me to the sexlink site,it said white rocks with the silver factor(the dominant white gene would produce all white offspring)are crossed with a New Hampshire male to produce golden comets.Hope this helps