tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post4857790184236273310..comments2023-11-03T04:19:31.468-04:00Comments on PhoenixDown Farm: Chicken chat.WarPonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10971219221045217191noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-56219902636617941712010-05-22T10:46:03.322-04:002010-05-22T10:46:03.322-04:00I'd also go with a Welsummer over a Maran. Pur...I'd also go with a Welsummer over a Maran. Purely because a) they're usually cheaper and b) they're cold tolerant. Plus, who doesn't love milk chocolate colored eggs?<br /><br />I will say that out of the 10 Buff Orpington hens that I have this year, 6 have gone broody on me. They're excellent mothers, really. My Black Ameraucanas, however, are another story. I did have one sit on eggs... for about 15 days, then she gave up and walked away.<br /><br />I think given the mix you're considering, you'll have just enough equality for eggs, meat and broodiness.<br /><br />Good luck :)Shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12558290200917721124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-59532584747349787392010-05-22T09:09:55.500-04:002010-05-22T09:09:55.500-04:00Jen, the name fits him perfectly, hahaha!!!
Rin,...Jen, the name fits him perfectly, hahaha!!!<br /><br /><br />Rin, it looks like you have the same basic idea i have, hehe!<br /><br />Oh, man that picture is hysterical. lol.WarPonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10971219221045217191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-27729292684460539632010-05-22T08:58:21.737-04:002010-05-22T08:58:21.737-04:00I have 3 buff orpingtons, 3 black australorps, two...I have 3 buff orpingtons, 3 black australorps, two Americaunas (not EEs), and a silkie. The buffs are the friendliest, followed by the 'Lorps. The 'Canas are a bit skittish, but they're beautiful and give me bluegreen eggs, so I don't mind that they're not begging for neck scritches and constantly getting underfoot. The silkie is downright cuddly. <br /><br />I saw pictures of buff frizzled polish the other day. They looked like Big Bird! must. have. <br /><br />http://memberfiles.freewebs.com/24/19/40951924/photos/-Bare-Necessities-Farm/Buff%20laced%20chick.jpgRinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08189922723238631806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-60482019237684923052010-05-21T21:04:16.796-04:002010-05-21T21:04:16.796-04:00LOL Lisa calls that rooster "SidVicious"...LOL Lisa calls that rooster "SidVicious" cracks me up! <br /><br />Oh 'n the blogs.. well I get around! *giggle*Jenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03906855143092978620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-81293359485505597092010-05-21T17:51:31.237-04:002010-05-21T17:51:31.237-04:00Jen!! The rooster in those pictures is the kind of...Jen!! The rooster in those pictures is the kind of Polish i want!!! He is gorgeous! he reminds me of a Vegas showgirl, lol. <br /><br /><br />I find the most interesting blogs thanks to you, lol.WarPonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10971219221045217191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-73014273676206499192010-05-21T15:40:44.494-04:002010-05-21T15:40:44.494-04:00Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch has some of the cooles...Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch has some of the coolest chickens I've ever seen:<br /><br />http://laughingorcaranch.blogspot.com/2009/11/chick-integration-au-natural.html<br /><br />My experience with chickens.. well.. Mr. Rooster became dinnerJenihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03906855143092978620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-63504439496339052202010-05-21T13:25:09.614-04:002010-05-21T13:25:09.614-04:00We order from Ideal Poultry because there's no...We order from Ideal Poultry because there's no minimum number of birds, just a minimum money amount and it usually works out to less than the 25 birds other places usually require (we have ordered as few as 12 without a problem). Also their minimums include all birds together on the order, not just ones of a particular type or species and they have a fairly good selection.<br /><br />Yeah, saw the post about goats. I know, I know. We do have more research to do, not to mention fences and shelters to build, so it probably won't be this year. Thanks for the links!epehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03763667068779117019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-20049708143778975152010-05-21T13:14:23.339-04:002010-05-21T13:14:23.339-04:00epe, I was thinking about the Welsummers myself. T...epe, I was thinking about the Welsummers myself. They were on my list, I just have a much longer list than I want to cram into a blog post so i picked the top ones, lol. <br /><br />What hatchery to you get yours from? <br /><br />If you are seriously considering goats, first read my entry a few posts back called "So you think you really want goats? REALLY?" *snicker*<br /><br />To learn about goats (which is important to do before you get attached to the idea of goats, for the sake of your own sanity, lol) I HIGHLY recommend spending a lot of time at http://fiascofarm.com/ and reading their information pages. I can also recommend the forum http://thegoatspot.net/phpbb/ as a place with a lot of really helpful people and a very nice friendly atmosphere.WarPonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10971219221045217191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-14009956344513021092010-05-21T12:46:37.620-04:002010-05-21T12:46:37.620-04:00Also, yeah, when we say 'Ameraucana' we re...Also, yeah, when we say 'Ameraucana' we really mean 'Easter Eggers' because we're buying from a hatchery. Ours have been fairly docile, but I think our first batch was much friendlier because we spent more time with them. <br /><br />We also have had Rhode Island Reds, which are pretty boring but good layers, and a couple of black sex links (good layers of HUGE eggs)--those last ones were a hatchery mistake when we ordered Jersey Giants. :/<br /><br />Best broody we ever had was a little silver phoenix bantam (we think--it was an unidentified mixed batch). She was *desperate* to sit on eggs and raise chicks.epehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03763667068779117019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-55288710324722713532010-05-21T12:37:36.593-04:002010-05-21T12:37:36.593-04:00Thanks for the info, Shell! Yeah, I'm not inte...Thanks for the info, Shell! Yeah, I'm not interested in flighty difficult to breed birds, lol. I'm sure the ones i have seen being called Araucanas must be the other ones... I know a couple of people who talk about their Orpingtons and Australorps with the same fondness that they talk about their house dog, lol. The Polish are just for fun, they will earn their keep by reminding me of my dog rather than on egg laying ability, lol.<br /><br />Pee, thanks for the rundown. hehe! i spent most of the day yesterday watching chickies and going "awwwwww!!!!"WarPonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10971219221045217191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-25653706639209447552010-05-21T12:36:31.920-04:002010-05-21T12:36:31.920-04:00Hi, I'm the co-worker. :) My husband also post...Hi, I'm the co-worker. :) My husband also posted a comment but I have some links for you. <br /><br />http://wiki.erkkila.org/index.php/Chickens_2010 <br /><br />Our criteria this year were mostly cold hardiness and docility, although we threw in Welsummers for dark eggs (sounded a little more cold-hardy than Marans) and Sumatras because they seemed interesting. Also turkeys and guineas.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/user/epepee -> some videos of the new chicks<br /><br />http://erkkila.org/gallery2/v/animals/chickens/ -> chicken pics and videos<br /><br />coop: http://erkkila.org/gallery2/v/Projects/ChickenCoop2/<br /><br />We've had very good luck with Ameraucanas (we've had chickens 4 years now). We're not doing meat, just eggs, so our needs might be different from yours. <br /><br />We're thinking of trying goats next. We have a lot of brush on the property. :/epehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03763667068779117019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-91900668666924598432010-05-21T12:18:21.843-04:002010-05-21T12:18:21.843-04:00I have it on good authority you are looking at:
1 ...I have it on good authority you are looking at:<br />1 Buff Chantecler male,<br />3 Spangled Russian Orlof (2 pull, 1 male),<br />2 welsummer pullets,<br />2 ameraucana pullets,<br />2 black sumatra pullets,<br />1 silver spangled spitzhauben pullet,<br />4 broad breasted bronze turkeys (2 of each),<br />6 pied guineas (st run)peehttp://erkkila.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-875702678423574176.post-321893461548536012010-05-21T09:10:15.287-04:002010-05-21T09:10:15.287-04:00A few comments and/or suggestions pertaining to ch...A few comments and/or suggestions pertaining to chickens.<br /><br />True Araucanas are not "Easter Egg Chickens". Public hatcheries are mislabeling birds. True Araucanas also contain a genetic defect that causes mid-term abortion in their embryos. They're extremely difficult to raise and breed. Trust me.<br />Now, hatcheries are also mislabeling "Ameraucanas" for Easter Eggers as well. Easter Eggers are their own breed entirely. These three separate breeds all produce blue and green eggs, so they're being lumped together and sold to the masses under *easier* terms.<br />True Arauacans and Ameraucanas will need to be purchased from a breeder, since you will not find these in a hatchery, despite what they're calling their birds. They're also flighty and known for aggression. I've owned several, I won't own anymore.<br /><br />Now, Buff Orpingtons I can rave about for hours. They're cold tolerant, excellent broodies, good layers and equally good table birds.<br /><br />Australorps will get the same job done for you since they're an Orpington strain.<br /><br />While the Polish are stunning birds to look at, they're white eggs are tiny. Not as small as a true bantam, but small regardless. If you're looking for a white egg layer that's still colorful, I'd suggest Brown Leghorns.<br /><br />Also, just for a pretty flock, you could look into some Barred Rocks or Cochins. They're really gorgeous, especially when free ranging.<br /><br />Good luck with your chicken adventure! If you have any questions at all, feel free to email me. I've been in chickens since I could crawl lolShellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12558290200917721124noreply@blogger.com