Sometimes, probably most times, I write my comments as if in shorthand. I write like I talk and I don't remember that I can't use inflection with typing like I do in my voice...

What I meant to say is that THE STATE OF ALABAMA has shut down ALL individual sales of live chickens. It is ILLEGAL to sell (probably even trade) and/or transport live chickens. So don't buy any and don't sell any.

I don't know what the punishment for violating this would be, but it would be very severe.

So, with that said Fur, did we get our chickens just in time? Or can you still buy from places like TSC and co-ops?

local feed store is still selling chicks.

At the Paxton sale the first Saturday of the month they sell hundreds of chickens, ducks, turkeys, guineas, etc.

I was at Shelby co op yesterday and they had chicks

Interesting, I wonder how those places can get buy with selling? I did a lot of reading on the avian flu subject this morning and AL is taking this very seriously.

'On March 14, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) issued a stop movement order for certain poultry in the U.S. state, after three potential cases of avian influenza were identified. The order halts movement of birds to poultry shows, swap meets, flea markets and poultry auctions.' from an article on WATTAgNet.com

Looks like they are testing a commercial flock in Lauderdale County, North of Florence; a backyard flock in Madison County, East of Huntsville; and a flea market flock in Jackson County, near Scottsboro....for now.

You can still buy baby chicks. This order is for farm raised chickens. Not sure if there's a lower age limit, but I don't think anything older than a day old chick is legal to sell. I'm not sure if farm raised day old chicks are even legal to sell, but most all store bought chicks come from out of state.

If you see anyone at a trade day or swap meet selling chickens, pull up a chair and get ready to watch the show when the po po and the state AG department shows up.

I mentioned in a previous post having raised some ringneck pheasants...absolutely gorgeous birds! If you ever get the chance to raise some...


pass it up!!! They're batsh!t crazy from the day they hatch until the day they die! They don't calm down and they don't get "used" to you being around. After over a year, they never did figure out that the raptor netting over the run not only kept raptors out, but kept them in. In smaller cages, they would fly up into the wire, repeatedly, until they were addled and bleeding...and once they're bleeding, the other pheasants with them will literally pick them apart.

Probably the calmest bird I've raised was the Royal Palm turkeys...the tom I had wanted to be a heel dog so bad he couldn't stand it!...very friendly bird. The hen was a little more standoffish, but not much, especially if she thought you had food.

The Muscovys are now permanently turned out in my Dad's pond, have been for a couple years, but will still readily approach to be fed and/or petted. They're a very social bird, and don't mind having multiple drakes around...huge bodied, too. I don't know what they'd dress at, but they're bigger/heavier than Pekins.

Johnv I might be interested soon. I have 6 hens black australorp, 2 americuans, olive egger, maran, and I think a Sussex. I'm sure I misspelled half those names

Well, after lots of research, looks like I may be cockrel heavy during our chick purchase. Anyone want some Barred Rock roos? Looks like I am gonna have 3, maybe 4 out of 6 roos

9

If you go to get some more chicks from tsc left me know. I want 3 of those black chicks that lay black eggs and they won't let me buy 3 ! After i just bout 20 three weeks ago.

What kind are they?

Tetra browns and there was one other black breed. The tetras are sexed . The other breed is straight run

ill meet you up there if you go .it would be much appreciated. No problem if not

i'll let you know if I go back. Gonna see if the get some more barred rocks in.

10 4 thanks man

I had some silver cuckoo marans that layed really dark eggs, but the tornado got them back in 2011. Wish I could fine some more eggs to hatch.

Do you wash your eggs? I have heard arguments for not washing and washing, so what is your preference?

Personally, I do not wash. If there is undue poop, I wipe. My understanding is if the bloom is left on the egg they last longer.

Also, do you refrigerate? I do both. Once I fill up my counter basket, I usually carton and refrigerate. Then I give away.

That's eggzactly how we do ours...no washing and in a basket on the counter until the basket is full, then wash, carton, refrigerate.

I've heard you can wash them, then store them at room temp. submerged in oil, and they'll keep a long time, too.

Another thing, lots of people use the "float test" to decide if an egg is good or not, but after being refrigerated for a long time, the egg will lose some moisture content through the shell...it'll still float, but that doesn't mean it's bad. I just crack each egg individually into a small bowl before adding it to whatever I'm doing. An older egg that's lost a lot of moisture will be thicker and won't necessarily just "plop" out of the shell, but it's still good. We still have some eggs we're using from last summer, and I haven't found a bad one in the lot, yet. Trying to get them used up-I'll boil a couple dozen at the time to make egg salad with. The two dozen I used in egg salad last month were washed and carton'd the last of May...all still good, though a couple were lighter than others.