Comments on: Trip to a Chicken Farm

By: Bayou Woman

Bayou Woman — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:14:47 +0000

I had a solid white Ameracauna, and she was the sweetest hen and laid the prettiest teal blue eggs. I miss her dearly, along with my little red hens.
BW

By: Angie

Angie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:21:49 +0000

Chickens!
One of my current “addictions!” I’ve had chickens for a few years now, but this year I began dabbling into buying hatching eggs off eBay and hatching out some new breeds! I’m now a chicken hatching freak! As for the breeds in your pictures… The black one doesn’t look like a black australorp - the comb’s too big, but I’m not sure what it is. Lots of options there. The golden one may be a buff orpington or some various mix related to the buff orp. The one you were told is a barred rock is actually a silver-laced wyandotte. I have several of both barred rocks and SLWs. Nice birds, both. The last picture looks like an Araucana/Americauna. I have to tell you, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE having chickens. The satisfaction of gathering your own eggs is beyond thrilling! When I started, I ordered a batch of chicks. But it takes a good 5-6 months before they will start laying eggs, so I couldn’t stand the wait. While they were maturing, I ran out and found someone willing to part with a few Araucana hens that were already laying. Farm fresh eggs! Nothing better! If you want info, info, info on chickens, check out the forum and other information on http://backyardchickens.com . I visit that site daily - just as I do this one!

By: catslady

catslady — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:39:16 +0000

It’s not one or the other is it - I mean you still eat the fertilized eggs but I would assume you make sure you eat them right away? I remember my mom saying you didn’t need the rooster to get eggs lol. Isn’t candling when you put it up to a light (candle) to see if anything is growing? someone asked and I’m just guessing lol.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:53:04 +0000

I can’t remember now how I stumbled on your blog, but I’m glad I did! I also live on a farm. And I have chickens! The araucana’ are my favorite. I wish you luck with your endeavor!

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:34:11 +0000

Oh, and here is a great resource I found that does address the temperature spike issue:

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/poultry/g08353.htm

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:32:19 +0000

Suzanne, I just recently found your blog (via Patry Francis’ blog, I think). We have Silkies, and just the other day I posted about my new incubating adventure with my Little Giant. We await (hopefully) a hatch of Silkies eggs on 4/17. Our eggs came to AZ from FL, so don’t worry too much about the trip down the road your eggs had to endure. Happy hatching!

By: Brandy

Brandy — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:12:59 +0000

Good luck! Is it bad that I feel sorry for the eggs that were dragged down the rat hole?

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:09:07 +0000

The next time my Doctor makes his house call I’ll ask him about his chickens. He raises cows, buffalo, chickens and turkeys. Can you tell we’re country people?

Wishing you only good luck with the chicks!

By: Estella

Estella — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:58:46 +0000

Good luck with your eggs!
Bantys tend to hide their eggs at nesting time—they seem to multiply like rabbits.

By: Jodie

Jodie — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:34:59 +0000

Gee, I’m with the poster who was thinking about breakfast. My grandfather who had chickens in the city back in the 1960s & 70s always purchased chicks already hatched. I remember the cute little fluffy ones. But it would be really cool to see a chick hatch. Looking forward to some photos if you catch them in the act. GOOD LUCK!