Messages

46

Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Laying....then not laying at all!

« on: November 03, 2014, 07:27:59 AM »

Yes, it can.  You will have to give them time to adjust.  It may help to place an egg or two in the new nest boxes.
 
One other thought regarding the lighting, although you may know this already.  Make sure your winter lighting is from the "warm" end of the light spectrum.  These new bulbs that are out there come in "cool" or daylight, and "warm".  I bought one labeled daylight once thinking it was, well, daylight.  I couldn't figure out why the hens hadn't started laying.  I suspected the lighting and sure enough, when I checked the packaging those bulbs were "cool".   From what I have read, chickens don't respond to light from the "cool" end of the light spectrum.

47

Breeding / Re: Red ticking in body fluff Wheaten Male

« on: October 26, 2014, 07:44:50 AM »

I have an 8 month old Wheaten Cockerel that has a lot of red ticking in his body fluff.  I'm thinking of culling him.  Is this a reason to cull him?  Thanks for any comments.   Linda

Is this the same one you had posted at six months of age?  The chick with the splashes of color?

48

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Congrats to Jan Burke

« on: October 24, 2014, 10:26:31 AM »

Looking forward to seeing you guys!  Make sure you bring your cameras because fall peak is just in time for the show and it is shaping up to be a beautiful one!

49

Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Help

« on: October 23, 2014, 11:17:45 AM »

I lost two Silver pullets to our own puppy! I think i would rather have a predator than a pet do it! If this puppy disappears, im in trouble with my wife and kids.

That puppy doesn't look big enough to kill chickens!  It is cute though.  Might be time for some chicken training.  What breed is it?

50

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: Congrats to Jan Burke

« on: October 19, 2014, 09:52:09 AM »

Congratulations Jan! 

51

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2014 National Meet Results - Lucasville, OH

« on: October 18, 2014, 06:49:00 PM »

Thanks for posting these additional photos.   There were many really nice birds in the junior show.   Just based on the pictures (not always accurate in real life) my favorite has to be the LF blue wheaten female shown by Matthew Smith.   If I ever decide to get back into the LF wheaten and blue wheaten birds, I think I know where to go.  One thing to remember ( and I wish the judges would too) is that a huge set of muffs is not necessary or even desirable.   Full, yes, but not huge;  shape is more important.
One last point.   Look at the general type of the winning white large fowl and the winning white bantam.  Both females, but  not the same type.   The Ameraucana is not a heavy breed, nor is it a soft feathered breed.   The bantam, while not perfect (none are)  is much closer to the way the Standard was written. 
The best Jr female bantam for type (according to the photos) would be the wheaten IMHO.   Did Paige Lee get her from another breeder?   She looks like a really nice bird.

Thanks for posting that Mike.  You just helped me decide which bird to bring to show.

52

Breeding / Re: Is it just me?

« on: October 18, 2014, 06:13:51 PM »

Birds must molt at different times around the country.  I wouldn't be able to hatch a fall hatch right now even if I wanted to.  The older birds are either molting or have slowed way, way down and the younger ones haven't started to lay yet.  I usually hatch in March, just in time to make a November show with young ones.  Getting good hatches even then is difficult.  Still pretty cold here.  Hatches seem to do much better in late April, May, but birds are usually not old enough for shows then.  I really would like to try raising a late spring hatch though.  I have a hunch that more females may be produced then.

53

Ameraucana Marketplace / Re: Large Fowl Blue Wheaten and White cockerels wanted

« on: October 15, 2014, 02:19:39 AM »

I may have a Blue Wheaten for you Max.  I have two here and need to cut it to one.

54

Housing, Health & Hatching / Re: Leg Bands vs. Wing Bands

« on: October 14, 2014, 11:36:35 AM »

I'm planning to hatch quite a bit this spring, hopefully obtaining eggs from a few breeders as well as hatching from what I have now.

Sharon Yorks, I really like your idea of the rubber bands, but are they difficult to put on?
Is there a tool to apply them?
I tried the suggestion from another forum of using tiny elastic hair ties, but the chicks seemed to easily be able to remove them, and I was terrified they would eat the bands.

Rachel... Congratulations once again for winning the new member incubator drawing! Sounds like you will be putting it to good use. Did you get in touch with Victor and make arrangements to have it shipped to you?

The little rubber bands are very easy to put on and take off and they are reusable. No tool needed, just stretch them with your fingers like you would any rubber band. Over the past few years I have only had about 5 chicks (out of 100s) ever get them off, and all but 1 was during the first 2 days when the chicks legs are the smallest. The other chick that lost a band was a few weeks old and I have no idea how or why it came off. I'm assuming the chick caught it on something and it stretched. You do have to watch them closely (with all bands) as the chicks grow fast and they will need to be changed. That's why I mark down dates and somewhere between 10-14 days I change them all to the next size. I have also found that it helps in determining who the males and females are because "most times" the males legs fill out the bands more and are tighter.

With all methods of keeping them identified, it's all trial and error. This is what I like to use, but I'm sure other methods work very well.

Sharon where do you get those small rubber bands?  The link above is no longer viable.  I'd like to try those.

FYI, for anyone else, I have been using these on chicks.  Colors are limited, so it would work alright for limited numbers of pens, etc.
https://www.twincitypoultrysupplies.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_57&products_id=861&zenid=91c52b270a9a067751542b3b7dbf0a61

 I usually put these on at day three or four and they will work for a couple of weeks.  For the first few days, I use fingernail polish.  I paint their toes, shanks, etc., to identify them.  You do have to check them every third day because the polish does wear off.  After the chick coiled bands, I switch to another larger colored coiled band, then eventually switch to zip ties, which do have to be changed several times for growth.

55

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2014 State Fair of Texas

« on: October 14, 2014, 10:29:06 AM »

Congrats Max!  It's nice to see Ameraucana winning show champions!

56

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: National Meet Pictures

« on: October 14, 2014, 10:23:01 AM »

Nice pictures!  Love that trophy pic!

Congrats to all the winnners!

57

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet Decided

« on: October 14, 2014, 10:05:34 AM »

Great news!

I've always been wanting to attend at least one National and now I should be able to do it!

Even though it's a one day show, plan on making a weekend of it!  Fayetteville and the surrounding area is a great place to visit.  Plenty of hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, shopping, tourist attractions, etc.   Eureka Springs is not far from Fayetteville, and is quite the tourist attraction.  A bit farther south in the state is Hot Springs, another tourist hot spot.  A bit closer to Fayetteville is Devils Den state park if you are into camping and hiking trails.  Take a ride down scenic hwy 23 (aka the Pig Trail), if you want to see some beautiful scenery.  If you are traveling from the NE, Branson, Mo, is along the way.  Lot's of things to do in Branson.

November 7th may be a little late to catch the fall colors though, but who knows with this wacky weather?

Gosh, I hope I can get the ladies to lay this winter!

58

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet

« on: September 29, 2014, 09:30:50 PM »

Lodging would be my concern.  Appears to be only one Travel lodge in Gray Summit.  Doesn't look to new either.  Sedalia has more pet friendly choices, which would be a must for me if I have to travel.  Unless I go alone, which I really wouldn't want to do.

59

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet

« on: September 28, 2014, 01:25:40 PM »

Sharon, our family has a history of always needing something on vacation, so we Always seemed to end up going to Walmart during our trips wherever we traveled.  At least near Fayetteville we can finally go to one of the original Walmarts.  Sam Walton's home is pretty famous too and Thorncrown Chapel is near by, both by architect Faye Jones.  When in Rome...

Joking aside, I'm sure either MO or AR will be great locations Paul.  But the national has been at Sedalia twice, maybe it would be good to give Fayetteville a shot?  They may just be hungry enough to give it some extra effort and good ole southern hospitality.

Yes, I believe the original Walmart museum is located in Bentonville which is just north of Fayetteville.  There are plenty of Walmart supercenters, Sams Clubs etc., in the area.  Fayetteville also has the Walton Arts Center if anyone is into watching plays and such.

60

Exhibiting & Promoting / Re: 2015 Ameraucana National Meet

« on: September 24, 2014, 09:54:22 PM »

I've never been to a double show, sounds like a lot of work.

The beach does sound like fun Susan.  But if we go to Arkansas we can take John down to visit the Clinton Library and visit P Allen Smiths place along the river.   Some say it's quite the place.  I heard that one of our members was there this summer to pick up some Wyandottes.

NW Arkansas doesn't have a beach, but it does have a really nice lake just to the north.  Might be a little chilly by then for a dip, but the view is nice.  If someone is so inclined to visit the library, that's a three hour drive south if you push it.  Some also say it looks like a trailer.  Actually, it does.  A big glass double wide.  LOL.   Now,  Bill and Hillary's first house is in Fayetteville though.  I have been driving by another house for years now, and only recently found out that it used to be Bill's getaway summer vacation home.  Ha, maybe way back then it would have been a getaway.  Today, things have expanded so much it's just a house on a hill on the outskirts of town.