Recent content by Clay In Iowa

Hey all... anyone in Iowa ever try Speckeled Sussex?

Quote: That's actually what I WAS planning on.. but things just got crazy busy and then a potential out of state move (that did not materialize) in the works so it my "best layed plans"......

I do know which ones are the best layers and do plan to keep them. I also know the slackers in the bunch and they are out... Yes I do suplement the lighting for a year round consistent 18 hour day. It does seem to help. Thanks C.

Not trying to make a profit, just trying to cut the costs and keep my family happy. My boys 3 and 6 can go through 2 dozen a week.. They LOVE eggs... But when the eggs start costing more than $7 a dozen due to feed costs it's hard to justify. My birds are laying an average of 10 eggs A WEEK...

Quote: The locals get Zilt .. I feed inside. C.

Quote: It's on the low side of normal for them.. On a really good day I'll get 18... but when you average it it works out to be about 12 a day during peak laying.. then there's the 1 or 2 eggs a day when they all decide to molt at once.... Like now... I do have some low egg producing...

Quote: In that case... my birds SUCK... lol I'm burning through far more than that and at their peak production I get a dozen a day from 31 hens... which is why nearly all of them are headed to freezer camp and I'm looking into better egg laying replacements.

Quote: LOL no worries. I gave then a try and they are ok... Poor eggs layers though and for no explanable reason.. will NOT leave the coop.. I've thrown them out and closed the pop door and waited fro a few hours, the very second I open it they are right back in... I was told they are GREAT...

Does and bird fit these requirements???? 1---Primary requirement is COLD hardy I'm tired of frost bitten birds. My coop is unheated, but insulated and draft free. Still I have to put 4 birds down last year due to severe frost bit (poor birds : ( ) 2--- A Primo egg layer with feed prices...

3 years ago when I started raising chickens a 40 pound bag of feed was $6.99 .... yesterday at the same store it was $11.99 ON SALE !!!!!! If I didn't know the eggs are better, the chickens treated better and the experience an overall good one... I'd be done .. My birds are just shy of free...

Quote: yes I remember you. Is that roo still around?? I may have a few leads, I've been leaving messages on every board on the planet... I'll know soon.. REALLY surprised "the most popular" meat rabbit is so hard to find.

Quote: If you get in touch please let her know I'm looking. I'd REALLY appreciate it... I'm just floored that I can't find a breeder in Iowa... really weird. Oh I'd consider Silver Fox meaties as well.... I found a Yahoo group for Meat bunnies... 3400 members... no one in Iowa (on that...

Thanks pbjmaker. I've been looking for days, craigs list in Des Moines, Quad Cities, Iowa City , Debuque, All over Western Illinois, as well as clssified adds form all over.. Been Googling like a mad man.... NOTHING!! seems Odd...

I've been Googling for days and coming up empty.

They are confined to 7,000 square feet for their own protection. Now I'm considering adding some meat rabbits into the mix. Anyone have experience with grass fed (ranged?) rabbits? And how they get along with chickens. Clay