... we ended up with 21 survivors of a shipment of 33. Not too good a ratio and I think the weather played a big part. It was cold. But, happy to say the 21 are bouncing all over the place. There are some jet black chicks….they follow my finger like a magnet! It is so funny.
I think we have six black stars (?), 3 Americaunas, 2 RIR, one blue chick that is bigger than the others, two black Naked necks, one buff NN, 3 white Leghorns, and the others I am not sure of. One free bonus crested was doa and we lost several americaunas, I think.
Anyway, no more casualties since yesterday afternoon and my fingers are crossed. A friend of mine wants to buy ten of them, which was fine when I had 30 coming, but now I am going to offer her 5 or 6. NONE of my precious little NN are going, though!
Laura Roberts
R Half Pint Farm
Spotsylvania, VA
From: CHICKENS-101@ yahoogroups. com [mailto: CHICKENS-101@ yahoogroups. com ] On Behalf Of cardladybarbara
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 10:01 AM
To: CHICKENS-101@ yahoogroups. com
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Re: My shipment of chicks...... ...:-(
Laura - I recently received a shipment from Murray McMurray (first week in March) and had the chicks get both vaccinations, and did not have the same mortality problems. Two chicks died by the day after arrival; but they had put in an extra Australorph pullet and the "mystery exotic chick" so ended up with the full 25.
But I am in California so perhaps they just didn't get as cold? I was a little surprised when they arrived on a Monday - it would be nice if they'd let you know when they ship so you'll watch out. The postman handed them straight to my husband at our gate.
All but 8 have gone to other homes; I was going to keep 12 but realized that would be too many eggs even for my mostly vegetarian family. I have 1 Australorph, 2 Buff Orphingtons, 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 2 alleged Arucanas and the mystery chick - white with a few black smudges (and I hope he's not a rooster; but I'm handling him a lot in case he is so he'll be a nice one and may be allowed to stay).
For now they're still on the dining room table in a huge plastic storage container with a heat lamp; on nice afternoons I put them outside in a wired-in small enclosure. My other hens are pretty much ignoring them.
Barbara
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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