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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-01 Correspondencer CITY OF IOWA CITY 4f(1) MEMORANDUM Date: April 16th, 2012 To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for May 1St, 2012 City Council meeting; Removal of one on- street metered parking space (L224S) and establishment of a COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONE 30 MINUTE LIMIT 6 AM — 5 PM with a 2 AM TO 6 AM TOW -AWAY ZONE on the east side of the 200 block of South Linn Street, south of the driveway for the 224 South Linn Street property. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9 -1 -3A (17 & 18); Remove one on- street metered parking space numbered L224S and install a COMMERCIAL LOADING ZONE with a 30 MINUTE LIMIT 6 AM — 5 PM with a 2 AM TO 6 AM TOW -AWAY ZONE on the east side of the 200 block of South Linn Street, south of the driveway for the 224 South Linn Street property. Comment: This action was initially requested by Mailboxes of Iowa City to provide an additional temporary commercial parking space to serve businesses in the 200 block of South Linn Street. A metered parking space will be converted to provide the commercial loading zone. Parking will continue to be available across the street at the public parking ramp. r *,�,-, . -4 CITY OF IOWA CITY 4f(2) �.� rI� MEMORANDUM Date: April 16th, 2012 To: City Clerk From: Darian Nagle -Gamm, Traffic Engineering Planner Re: Item for May 1St, 2012 City Council meeting; Installation of (1) NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER sign on the southwest corner of the northernmost intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Bartelt Road, and installation of (1) NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the northwest corner of the southernmost intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Bartelt Road. As directed by Title 9, Chapter 1, Section 3B of the City Code, this is to advise the City Council of the following action. Action: Pursuant to Section 9 -1 -3A (10); Install (1) NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER sign on the southwest corner of the northernmost intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Bartelt Road, and installation of (1) NO PARKING CORNER TO HERE sign on the northwest corner of the southernmost intersection of Mormon Trek Boulevard and Bartelt Road. Comment: This action is being taken to allow for the turning movement of transit vehicles and to reduce congestion at the intersection. I I no �=,t-. ,. ®4 CITY OF IOWA CITY 4f 3 MEMORANDUM Date: April 20, 2012 To: Tom Markus, City Manager From: Ronald R. Knoche, City Engineer Re: Competitive Quotation Results 2012 Water Main Directional Boring Competitive quotations for the 2012 Water Main Directional Boring Project were opened on April 5, 2012 and the following quotes were received: Volkens Excavating Dyersville, IA $ 59,872.00 Advanced Electrical Services Iowa City, IA $ 61,887.00 Overland Contractors West Point, IA $ 68,914.50 Ellingson Drainage West Concord, MN $ 76,317.45 GM Contracting Lake Crystal, MN $ 90,527.09 Engineer's Estimate $ 73,340.00 Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the contract to Volkens Excavating of Dyersville, Iowa. The project will be funded with Water revenues. 2012 Pavement Replacement for Water Main Competitive quotations for the 2012 Pavement Replacement for Water Main Project were opened on April 19, 2012 and the following quotes were received: Feldman Concrete Dyersville, IA $ 62,882.25 Bud Maas Concrete Iowa City, IA $ 72,197.00 Anne Duffield Construction Cedar Rapids, IA $ 85,596.36 Engineer's Estimate $ 92,856.00 Public Works and Engineering recommended and the City Manager awarded the contract to Feldman Concrete Dyersville, Iowa. The project will be funded with Water revenues. 4f(4) Marian Karr From: Chris O'Brien Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 7:33 AM To: 'sherry Amber'; Tom Markus; Council; Matt Hayek Subject: RE: Request for Transit Policy Change Ms. Christoffer, I have reviewed your e-mail and have identified three concerns /policies that you have outlined: 1.) Waiting for passengers to be seated prior to departing a bus stop — This is a stated policy of Iowa City Transit located in our operating manual for new hires. This document is given to every employee upon hire and any amendments distributed as they occur. In addition, we post memos at different times during the year to remind drivers of this policy. 2.) Asking boarding passengers to wait until those departing through the front doors have exited the bus - We try to encourage passengers on the bus to de -board through the rear doors to minimize the conflicts in the entrance doors of the bus. In circumstances where that is not possible we will ask those boarding the bus to please wait until all have exited. We have posted a memo for our drivers outlining this procedure and will repost as a reminder. We will also add this language to our operating manual. 3.) Providing a safe & convenient alternative bus stop location when a regular stop is not accessible - Our current policy for allowing passengers to de -board the bus is to allow this at designated bus stops during peak hours and to additionally drop off at safe intersections during off peak hours. In the event that a bus stop is not able to be serviced we will designate a safe alternative location to stop. In these situations, signs are placed on the affected bus stop announcing its closure and listing alternative locations. In addition, we will post the closure on our www.ebongo.org website and send out alerts to those who subscribe. We also have temporary bus stop signs that can be placed in the event that a safe location can be found near the bus stop that is out of service. I hope that this addresses your concerns regarding the transit service that we provide. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any additional questions or concerns or need further clarification. Chris O'Brien Director of Transportation Services City of Iowa City (319)356 -5156 Chris - obrien @iowa- city.org From: sherry Amber [mailto:boobooberr @hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2012 12:57 PM To: Tom Markus; Council; Matt Hayek; Chris O'Brien Subject: FW: Request for Transit Policy Change Dear City Officials, My name is Sherry Christoffer and a person with a disability. I have epilepsy and use a service dog. I use city transit services several times each day to get me around the city. In the course of riding on City Transit, I have encountered some difficulties that interfere with access and safety. Some of these difficulties could be remedied by enforcement of your existing policies. The best example of this is the policy that drivers will wait until all passengers are seated before starting to move. When the bus moves before persons with disabilities - -or in my case my service animal -- are seated, it puts us in greater jeopardy of harm than someone without a disability. My most urgent concern however, involves polices that need to be modified to make it safe for a person with disability to ride the bus. This request stems from two recent experiences that illustrate the need for these modifications. On 7/19/111 was riding the 2pm Cross Park bus home and we encountered some construction at my regular stop. There was also an extreme heat advisory in effect that day as well. Drivers generally had dropped me off and picked me up immediately before the designated stop which was safe for me and my service dog. On this day I pulled the cord prior to this stop, however the driver did not stop and continued driving the bus even though I had asked the driver to stop the bus several times. He continued to drive to the next stop which was several blocks away. I asked the driver why he would not stop where other drivers would. He told me that he was not the other drivers. I then had to walk several blocks with my service dog in the oppressive heat , which put my dog in danger of heat stroke and put me in danger of having a seizure. I contacted Chris O'Brien and Susan Bethal at the Iowa City Transit about this incident. Chris replied that he would look into it. Another incident had occurred on 10/3/11 on the Broadway bus at the Sycamore Mall stop. Jeff was the driver that day. As I was exiting the bus people were rushing on. When I was at the top step of the bus near the driver when I heard a woman yelling, "Stop hitting that dog!" She yelled this several times. When I turned to look at my sevice dog I saw a kid repeatedly hitting her. I intervened and managed to separate my dog from the kid and told him to stop hitting her. I immediately turned around to Jeff the driver and asked if he could get people to wait until I could exit the bus safely with my service dog. He told me that I would have to go to management. On 10/5/111 immediately went to discuss this with Stephanie Bowers, Iowa City Human Rights Coordinator. She stated that she would address this with Iowa City Transit authorities and, per my request, give me copies of all communication regarding this matter. z Fifteen minutes after this meeting I emailed Susan and Chris at Iowa City Transit to inform them that I had talked with Stephanie to address establishing policies which would address these issues. A number of other persons have expressed having similar issues. The aforementioned issues are exigent circumstances which are addressed under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). I, as a person with a disability protected under Title II of the ADA and 49 CFR parts 27, 37 and 38, am requesting a modification of your policies so that I may use city transit safely with my service dog. Following are the policies that I am requesting to be modified: These policy changes will allow all persons who use the city transit to ride more safely to and from their destination with minimal changes in expectations from transit drivers. Following is the email I had sent to Susan and Chris, including their responses. From: sherry Amber [mailto:boobooberr @hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 12:17 PM Subject: Exigent Circumstances Susan and Chris, I spoke with Stephanie Bowers at the IC Human Rights Commission on Oct. 5, 2011 at 11:30am. My concerns were about how the Iowa City transit needs to modify transit policy in exigent circumstances. (1) driver needs to tell people to wait until dog and owner are off the bus before boarding, for the safety of passengers and service dog team. We try to encourage passengers on the bus to de -board through the rear doors to minimize the conflicts in the entrance doors of the bus. In circumstances where that is not possible we try to suggest to those boarding the bus to please wait until all have exited. We will make sure that we put out a reminder, however, we can only suggest the behavior as we have no mechanism to force those waiting to board to wait. (2) to pick up and drop off when it is safe to do so when asked by passengers, especially in inclement weather. 3 Our current policy for dropping off passengers is to drop off only at designated bus stops during our peak hours and to additionally drop off at intersections during off peak hours. Should a stop be out of service due to construction or for other reasons, we will stop at an alternative location that is safe for all parties involved. In those situations, we will send out a press release, post a notice on the closed stop and establish the alternative location. From: Susan - Bethel @iowa- city.org To: boobooberr(o)hotmail.com CC: Chris- OBrienCa)iowa- city.org Subject: RE: Transit reminder Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:01:17 +0000 9/22/11 Sherry, I am writing in response to complaints you have lodged regarding various trips on Iowa City buses. Several of your complaints address the issue of drivers not waiting for you and your service animal to be seated before the bus starts moving. Our investigation into these incidents did confirm some of those assertions. To address the matter fully, we have spoken to the individual drivers as needed, and also issued a memo to all drivers reminding them of the importance of waiting for passengers to be seated. If this continues to be a problem, please let us know. Another of your complaints was in reference to a Crosspark trip on July 19, 2011. On that day and throughout the prior week there was construction going on at the location of your regular bus stop. Iowa City Transit had issued press releases via e-mail, text alerts and newspaper, letting people know that stop #7024 was closed. Both drivers and passengers were instructed to utilize the bus stop at Hills Bank and the bus stop at Gilbert and Southgate Ave as alternative stops. Our investigation into the matter supports the action of our driver that day. The fact that other drivers did not follow that procedure is unfortunate because it creates a negative situation for drivers that do follow policy. I am truly sorry that this was an inconvenience for you. Please understand that detours and closed stops are done so as a safety requirement, and usually at the request of other city departments who are doing the work. Video footage from buses is available for a charge. To acquire video it is necessary to submit a request in writing, which includes an explanation as to why the video is needed. Requests may be submitted to either the Transportation Services Department Director, or to the city Attorney's Office. Keep in mind that video footage is kept on file for a limited time period so it is necessary to make those requests as soon after an incident as possible. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Thanks, Susan Bethel Iowa City Transportation Services 356 -5094 The following is the email sent out to Stefanie Bowers: From: sherry Amber [mailto:boobooberr @hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, December 01, 201111:51 AM To: Stefanie Bowers Subject: FW: Exigent Circumstances Stefanie, Just a reminder that I have not heard back from you on this exigent circumstance of my service dog being assaulted on the bus. I came to talk to you on Oct 5th about my concerns on getting immediate action for the transit to modify their policy as to make people wait until I can disembark the bus safely with my service dog. Why have I not heard anything from you? Sherry To 'sherry Amber', Chris O'Brien From:Stefanie Bowers (Stefanie- Bowers @iowa - city.org) Sent: Thu 12/01/11 1:06 PM To: 'sherry Amber' (boobooberr @hotmail.com) Cc: Chris O'Brien (Chris- OBrien @iowa - city.org) Sherry- It is my understanding that Chris O'Brien has responded to you concerning the matters you discussed with me on October 5, 2011. In the future, if you feel there is an unresolved issue I would encourage you to bring the matter to my attention without delay. Thank you, Stefanie I will be expecting an urgent response, Sherry Christoffer I would appreciate a formal and expedient response to my concerns within the next thirty days via certified letter. My address: Sherry Christoffer Phone: 319- 330 -0077 Sincerely, 1550 South Gilbert St. #2 Iowa City, Iowa 52240 Sherry Christoffer Marian Karr 4f(5) From: Sent: To: Subject: oops sorry- dee miller dee <mdf719 @mchsi.com> Wednesday, April 18, 2012 2:59 AM Marian Karr Re: re- naming broadway st From: Marian Karr Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:09 PM To: 'dee' Subject: RE: re- naming broadway st Thank you for your correspondence. Council has established a policy that they do not accept correspondence that does not include the full name of the sender. I am unable to distribute this correspondence without that information. Please resubmit with a full name. Marian K. Karr, MMC City of Iowa City 319 - 356 -5041 (Phone) 319 - 356 -5497 (FAX) Population 62,380 From: dee [mailto:mdf719 @mchsi.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 8:06 PM To: Council Subject: re- naming broadway st This correspondence will become a public record. hi! there is nothing that will change the perception of the the Broadway neighborhood until those who live in it change their ways. no matter what it is called, the police citations, obnoxious behavior, loud parties after midnight gang activity, the drug sales etc. will still be reported- even w/ a new name. why go to the added expense of new road signs on my dime? why add to the confusion of those attempting to navigate by gps? change the name -dupe a few outa townies to rent there? Marian Karr 446) NO— From: Sam Hargadine Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 3:30 PM To: 'mary_knudson @msn.com' Cc: *City Council; Tom Markus Subject: RE: Miller Orchard kids walking to Horn Dear Ms. Knudson, The closing of Roosevelt School was done by the Iowa City Community School District and it is unfortunate that this has created inconvenience and hardship for the residents and students that live in that area. There are a couple of options for parents and children and I'm aware that there are ongoing discussions between school officials, City Traffic Engineering and the Horn Safe Routes to School Committee. One option involves a proven concept called a Walking School Bus program. A parent or volunteer walks with the kids along the route. We (the City) would consider utilizing School Crossing Guards as the Walking School Bus participant but that would require strict adherence to a schedule to ensure children arrive at school on time. It would be no different than catching a real school bus on a specific schedule. Parents who do not have their children at the Walking Bus Stop on time would be responsible to ensure their children get to school. The City of North Liberty has been doing this successfully for over a month. Option two is to have the students who live the furthest away ride the City bus that picks up at the intersection of W. Benton and Greenwood Drive. There is cost associated with this option and similar to other options strict adherence to the schedule is necessary otherwise the student would need to be taken by a parent or walked to school. The school district also has funds available for bus passes for qualifying households though the Family Resource Centers. Including the University Heights crossing guard there already are four crossing guards at Horn elementary. Adding a fifth crossing guard is cost prohibitive when there are other options available. Presently Iowa City has 12 crossing guards for the entire city. We are aware that there are other policy issues that have been discussed such as school busses not picking up students who live within two miles of a school and that some of these students live 1.9 miles from Horn Elementary. Perhaps continued dialog with the ICCSD will lead to an agreeable compromise however the City is not prepared to add another crossing guard. We would be happy to help train crossing guards hired by the school district should that be a viable option. Thank you for bringing this to the Council's attention. Sincerely, Samad E. NaVaditw Chief of Police Iowa City Police Department 410 E. Washington St. Iowa City, IA 52240 -1826 From: Mary Knudson [mailto:mary_knudson @ msn.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:18 AM To: Council Cc: Marcia Bollinger Subject: Miller Orchard kids walking to Horn Hi, I am a neigbhorhood representative for the Miller- Orchard neighborhood. I am also a former PTO president of Roosevelt School, and was active in fighting to keep the school open, and in setting up neighborhood meetings with the district to communicate what the sale of Roosevelt means to our neighborhood and what we would want to be placed there (Superintendent Murley was very communicative with us, and, the initial Bill of Sale criteris represents our wants /needs). Our neighborhood was hit hard by the closing and we hope the sale of the building brings something that enhances our neighborhood. I am writing on an issue that is related to the closing of Roosevelt and the continual increase in health of our neighborhood. There are 33 kids that will be walking from MONA to Horn next year. I walked this route with Assistant Superintendent Furlong last week; it took us 30 minutes. We walked on a sidewalk that is close to the road (Benton St.), and crossed many busy intersections, such as Greenwood. I am concerned about two things; (1) the safety of the kids getting to school next year, and (2) what this means to the future of my neighborhood. Issue one is the most important one. The district will not provide a bus for the kids as the bus company does not deem it a hazardous walk. I disagree. I can't imagine little ones making that walk on any day, let alone a cold wintry day. Parents won't be driving them as many do not have the means to do so. And there are many cars on this road, and, may I add, that speed. Okay, so we can't get a bus. Therefore, I would like to make sure there are enough crossing guards. Right now, the city has issued three guards; University Heights one guard, making a total of 4 guards. There are two plans being discussed how to place these guards. Plan One is to put one on Emerald (west of Horn), one at the lights on Sunset (U.H.'s guard will be on Sunset at Oakcrest), and one at the bottom of Benton Street's hill near Hudson. In this plan, there is no guard on Greenwood. Currently, there is a guard there (who also helps the kids cross Benton there). Greenwood is a very active intersection with many cars going to the hospital or university. Plan Two's difference is to take the guard at Sunset's lights and put it at Greenwood. Now, I think a guard at the lights on Sunset is necessary as kids are impulsive and may run across a red light. Plus, drivers don't always watch for kids. In both plans, an additional guard is needed. I urge the city to fund one more guard on this route for the safety of these kids. I worry about the health of my neighborhood if we can't guarantee these guards. I believe the route is not safe without adequate crossing guards. I, as a parent, would not move to MONA if I found out the lack of guarantee of safe passage to school. If we can't attract new families, we run the risk of not growing our neighborhood. Keep in mind, too, that the River Crossings is to affect our neighborhood. I would think that this issue of safe passage and this growth are tied together. I urge you strongly to have the City of Iowa City hire a fourth guard from Iowa City (making a total of 5 guards) so that both the lights at Sunset and Greenwood can be guarded. Thank you. Regards, Mary Knudson 725 West Benton St. 400 -1151 Backyard Poultry _April /-May Issue submitted and-.9fthived with City-:Clerk 112 (7) Dean Rammelsberg 1301 Summit St., M4N Marshalltown, IA 50158 X-) A- "'J 1 -1 -Trl 112 (7) Health , concerns from raw,, milk-­�,,,, As 9 board member for the Weston,A& Priqundation, I have successfully taught and coached lnmdreddrff parents over the pastjD_Wars on how to safely make a raw milk baby formula.Ia�m ZsmayQbyDr. Daniel H. Gervich's misin- formed opinion on H-offbe Study BA�W, where he contends that feLvding unpasteurized milk to babies is tantamoqnt to child endangerment.- our nutriti6education ized SARAH COUTURI POPE of Tampa, F a member of the l of directors and a chapt eir leader foi Weston A. Price. Foundation, a organization. Shea 7ffW-rT11 blog, Healthy Home Econoi Contact: the�h.ealt hy home cOno�4; Zailco only Tormul;q g satisl Ste for tor u such milk from healthy cows grazing on pasture. Such fArps routinely test for pathogens and are meti6u1ou&abQ%JbQd_s#fe- ty. . , . Parents seek a raw milk formula when their baby is failing to-thrive on commercial formula. Many of these children suffer from severe stipation, eczema, reflux: and other rAiLd to severer gestive and devel- opmental problems. Often, these parents feel abandoned by their pediatri- cians who only surest a differ- ent brand of comme i formu- la or medications To'cover the symptoms without actually resolving the ailment. Parents are rebeved and delighted once the-y7bry home- made haw milk formula. Many report tha TM-e-Tbabies finally begin to sleep through the night. Such problems as reflux and eczema significantly improve and even disappear. Not even one parent has gone back to commercial formula after trying the homemade It is wi:g1f to fie h4lif who cannot breastfeed dow , r" path to commercial formula when there is a clear danger from these unna t Lc ;P( tions. A babmcen ydi6d f tainted commercial form a purchased at W -art. Con er also the recent news repo of arsenic in organic babYf( mula7` Raw_Jlk is a safer d healthier breast milk an m�`Ilk sub -.,, stitute than any commercial formula. I have� never come across even a single report of a baby consuming :a raw ilk formula suffering,- is ird. ie 205 12 Pill Against Raw lqa.)P According to research fro Dr edB ni Who has examined datn illness a dde a hu PRose. is Ire, is -:!w-MUK or.w.arnjng . `l- I In I th against I , tsincl ii s1011- e diets Of children and adult Dkl�eals has s." compiled pub- lished 1 reports Of illness attribut- e rs ed, to i1T1P?steurb6d,(riw) milk , urmg th e the from to 11 -year e ribut- ed t ?a onto g� e erso js per year., 3 r , e '. to get`,�, from any of the illnesses Dr. Gervich mentions. On the,.,. contrary, babes have fak,., feweQje "BT �t_ro ems on ,a raw milk formula as compared to commercial ,fbrmulas.' Gervich gets his facts from 'a flawed U.S. Centers foiDisease Control and Preventionreport, which claims raw milkjazo times AskierAall pasteuriz4- The Weston A. Price Found on rebuts this report in "CDC �er_ ry Picks Data to Make Case With i cutrent13 iZ r e I d Milk census,o p01p*#G raw milk Dr. Ge'r'vi serious it dd seem that if , 1, , -.1- j,41-, lafigeroxiiis J. is, reports-of im its con- e an almost uauy- occurrence., It would1w-wise for physi- cians to.staaissuing shrig-warn- mgs 4ain4unpastpurized milk using skewed statistics put forth by' governmental agencies like the CDC and actually examine the data for themselves to un- derstand the pds eurized milk from cows freely grazing on green grass is one of the safest foods anyone, particularly a baby, can con- sume. i Chicken Lovers Ch'icken Three Vermont families offer their unique views of henhouses and life in the country. Article and photographs by Toby Raymond 18 www.GRIT.COM 0) 0 Londonderry, Vermont — From New York City to rural California, the backyard chicken movement has taken the country by storm, and chicken coops large and small are popping up all over the place. some coops are a personal expression of their builders, others are quite simply works of art, and still others reflect ingenious use of recycled materials. No doubt about it, part of the chicken - keeping charm is found in providing a quirky coop that keeps the birds safe and is a conversation piece to boot. "There was no rhyme or reason for it," Michael Pol- lio says, recalling the family decision to get chickens for their Londonderry, Vermont, farm. "We were sitting around one day, and just decided to get some." Tara, his wife, who overheard our conversation from the sewing room, popped in to say, "We live in the country after all, and what could be better than having fresh eggs ?" So began their adventure. Michael's assignment was to study the subject, which he did with books;, searching online and talking with longtime chicken en- thusiasts. After considerable consideration, the Pollios decided to build a flock with Rhode Island Reds, the quintessential layers; Plymouth Rocks, for their easy- going temperament now favored by 12- year -old Owen; Ameraucanas, for pastel eggs; and Silver Laced Wyan- dottes, Tara's pick. Michael then designed and built a coop using sur- plus boards long stored in the barn. Having learned through research that simple was the way to go, he was able to construct the coop for under $400. The coop has open housing for the birds, which is easier to clean than a coop with nooks and crannies, and a means to lock and unlock the door from. the inside as well as the outside of the chicken house. "I relied on guide books for the fundamentals, but it was Yankee ingenuity that gave the coop its character and kept the costs down," Michael says. The Pollios' coop sports a detachable wooden floor, which provides y� I 1 some protection in winter, and, when removed to ex- pose the wire mesh beneath, allows additional ventila- tion in the summer. The Pollios' coop has been a work in progress — a storage area for feed and supplies recently has been added. Michael also raised the coop's outdoor perim- eter to encourage air flow and added a mesh wire net across the top to keep high -flying predators at bay. To keep the burrowing varmints from digging their way in, Michael constructed a sturdy wooden foundation using recycled boards that also adds to the coop's in- teresting appearance. "Having chickens has been a great source of enjoy- ment for the whole family," Tara says. `And, it's been a good learning experience for the kids." As for Michael, he's off to secure a branch he found in the woods for yet another roost. Practical portability For Emmett Dunbar and his family, who live on An- jali Farms, a certified organic faun in South Londonderry producing a variety of fruits, heirloom vegetables, herbs, and more than 125 free -range chickens that provide the community with eggs by the dozens, the idea of a porta- ble coop was strictly practical. Enunett waves to various swaths of land that once were overgrown and have since been cultivated and fertilized by the chickens, "enabling a full circle of life to continue," he says. "(The chickens) are also a working part of the Earth. Besides providing us with eggs, they are giving back to the land, too." Something he has in cormnon with neighbor Mi- chael Pollio, Enunett also is an advocate of using found parts. Making the most of a 1970s pickup truck ready for retirement, he disassembled the vehicle and used the chassis as the foundation for a mobile chicken mansion. "It's really worked out," he says. "Once the coop is set R F 1 ABOVE: !vY`elcont= to the Polhos' coop, a mjtk irI plogrem LE(1': Ir/irh ad' \-ir;e honi a fiend i11 consuuction, the Pagnuccos si",ded "Jili a storle fourdation'or iLeir chicken coop. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 19 r, with eggs, they are giving back to the land, too." Something he has in cormnon with neighbor Mi- chael Pollio, Enunett also is an advocate of using found parts. Making the most of a 1970s pickup truck ready for retirement, he disassembled the vehicle and used the chassis as the foundation for a mobile chicken mansion. "It's really worked out," he says. "Once the coop is set R F 1 ABOVE: !vY`elcont= to the Polhos' coop, a mjtk irI plogrem LE(1': Ir/irh ad' \-ir;e honi a fiend i11 consuuction, the Pagnuccos si",ded "Jili a storle fourdation'or iLeir chicken coop. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 19 With a fin roof, rough -sawn hoanL :uuf vines clinching Ow walls, the chicken coop ai the iiniali fn+Tns has quite a bit of county charm. 20 www.GRIT.COM up in a particular location, the chickens, through their pecking and clawing, will clear and fertilize the ground, which we can use for some other purpose – usually for planting." And with a ball hitch in place, he hooks up the chicken tractor to the compact tractor and moves the coop to a new location. Tin reclaimed from the dump now serves as the roof. Windows collected from the side of the road, a 200 - year -old door unearthed from a forgotten corner of the barn razed at about the same time, and rough -sawn local hemlock boards make the coop as sturdy and weatherproof as it is utilitarian in design. And thanks to vines draped along [lie southern edge, the coop has a bit of country charm to boot. Emmett says simple is better when it comes to hous- ing a great number of chickens, which on their farm are predominately Rhode Island Reds, Barred Rocks and Araucana hens. Allotting one nest box for every four birds makes for easier cleaning, which also means easier transport once the ground has been cleared. Talking about Anjali Farms as we sit on the porch sipping mint tea from last summer's harvest, Emmett says, "It means `offerings' in Hindi, wNch is at the heart of our philosophy and why everyone, even the chickens, are part of the process." Idyllic se —eili - For Diana and Peter Pagnucco, transplants to Lon- donderry from Westchester County, New York, the pri- mary interest in chickens was to teach their two chil- dren, Maddy and Max, the virtues of country living. "We wanted to raise our kids with dirt under their feet – to have them appreciate where their food comes from and be responsible," Diana says, "and what better way than to have a vegetable garden and chickens." Because the coop was to be a part of their backyard, the Pagnuccos decided to start from scratch, "and do it right," Diana says. "We wanted it to be secure, user - friendly and cute." They called on the help of .a contractor friend., who advised them to construct a stone foundation for protec- tion against both burrowing predators and ground swells, and to include an opening to provide shelter for any chickens that might want to venture outside during the winter. In addition, he suggested they secure two posts in the run to deter diving tactics by predators. The coop itself was fashioned from 4 -by -8 -'foot plywood boards and finished with vertical rough -pine siding, which they painted barn red. Inside, they includ- ed all the bells and whistles, with a dedicated storage and feed area, a pulley system that opens and closes the hatch without anyone needing to enter the nesting area, drop -clown doors for easy access to the eggs, and an overhead florescent bulb on an automatic timer that guarantees the requisite 14 hours of light for year -round egg production. "We're feeding them, and they're feeding us – it's a true partnership," Diana says. An apple tree trunk serves as a stepping stone to the rafters on which the chickens prefer to roost, and birch columns adorn the entrance. As we sit in the sunny kitchen while Diana arrang- es the last of this year's sunflowers, it is clear that the Pagnuccos' attention to detail has paid off; it is truly a picture perfect country setting, complete with the boun- tiful garden and chicken coop they envisioned. get 1i4;y ,/ �: irlr 1W;� a do" zn�(Sr� �kr'r <. hr, rct, ns'i.- ,td<•.ti.,�yc,:_; A young chicken foreman relates the (humorous) trials of raising chickens. { �F? Raising chickens inside the city limits is growing hobby - and a great source of eggs By JENNIFER MILLER jenmille @dmreg.com From the San Gabriel Valley in California to Tam -' pa, Fla., and lots of places in between, city councils have ruffled feathers over an unlikely but increas- ingly common flash point: chickens. Specifically, live in 0chickens in city backyards. �t s A chicken Here in Iowa, Iowa City struts around is gearing up for its second its coop in a _ barnyard brawl over the , Lynn Heuss' subject. Proponents of al -j a b ackyard rn lowing chicken - keeping, Des Moines. within the city limits have BILL NEIBERGALL/ regrouped after a defeat - THE REGISTER in 2010, when a proposal' a to allow urban chickens" failed to make the coun- Bill and Abbie Durkee, and their`4= cil's agenda. That same year -old son, Dustin, raise chickens in the backyard of'their Des Moines ° year, nearby Cedar Rapids home. BRYON HouLGRAVE/THE REGISTER passed an ordinance al- j lowing them. Despite often ro- -r — - -_— - - -- WHERE CAN IBUY CHICKENS ..- bust attempts to clip its wings; ur- . ` There are several poultry hatcheries in.iowa ban chicken , (Google_" Iowa thicken Hatcheries ) end a!haP�c(. keeping is taking ful of local businesses that sell them Here area r• flight in Iowa. few: Bud Wood, co- " Farm & City supply,1825 E Army Post Road, owner of Murray 1515) 285 5500; Vvww shopfarmondclty com McMurray » Des Moines Feed &yGarden Shoppe, 2019 ^' Hatchery in Hubbell Ave;, (515) 262 -0154. Webster City, n Decorah Hatchery, 406 W. Water' St., Deco - has seen it first- rah,-(563) 382- 4103;,www.decorahhatchery.com hand, "Our aver - o Murray McMurray Hatchery, 191 Closz Drive,' t.a age order num- Webster City, (515) 832 -3280; www.mcmurray, , , ber is dropping hatchery com every year," said MORE RESOURCES ONLINE: Wood, referring to Bill Thyberg suggests the websites www.poultry . the number of keeper.comandwwwrypetchicken ,com; -as well chicks in each order. as following draisechickens, @Healthy_Harry Backyard coop keep - @Afaircoop and dGet_ChickenCoop on Twitter ers are generally limit- Also look for the Iowa Urban Chicken, Farmers ed by law as to how many pag"o n Facebook: Lynn Heuss recommends'` chickens they can keep with- consulting "Storey's Guide,to Raising Chickens, ". in city limits, leading to more which she- calls her 'chicken bible,' requests for small batches. See CHICKEN, PagpA3 , ONLINE A. 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LO CD v 0 O" W 7' O -p '-^ ^ O n d (D = r�-r (D G Cn O (hD n -�, v N 7 fD O (D `'G O O W A O O fD Q_ O O_ D_ S 7 O p� C v' O `n �n p O v_ M LO C) w d --fi ON (D h N� �' O N Q< O_ O o" w O (l lQ =3 1 Ln O^ v: rr c N j r+ c 'p CD N h c O_ 6 O- fl. C - c (D 'D 3 7 CD (D � 0O CD -+ — O' Q ••�. 0- fl O N :� rr �n 3 _ v '.^ S to O ° E d w Mop 3 v(D 3 o N O< o (p Z; 0 3 ID m°�� rt y^ m,< -v— D 3 s T° z (n S ID (t(DD c+ n (D m �% CL rD c4 = v j- 3 O v O- n „'�, �+; p rD ,,,,, m N C n' Ort 'a. O 01 N 0 Q O v h v O vA O '^ G CD — c rp rD O n (D v < N Q_ ((DD v O (� u' O O n O ��i, vim, (D ^ 7� X< S O Q pi cn 3 rt r° o rND CL �_ 3 3 3 o N° o cD r, v ^ m 3 c m p o° a° ° 03 oc v N 3(D rP + N ID s tit G rD v (o c 3 n v o Aw E EZSOHEi [0 999L SS 5000 � SSES1 1800 zi 730 #LS90 9£iT 9£L6 9495# 900-7 ».101 11J- UVD ... ..... .. 9EwdNx # k Volume 71 Number 2 April /May 2012 FjLW re? Focus on Eggs: • Spring Egg Recipes • Decorating and Dyeing • Kids Build an Egg Cleaner ,..and more inside! 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LEVEL w OWL a EL LL HAWK i RACCOON � N WYOTE DEER NITWIT 0 If protection is needed in all four directions, four of the units are needed. 1.800.328.6647 • PO Box 274 • Princeton MN 55371 .................. FAMILY OWNED AND DOPERATED SINCE 1997. 1.800.328.6647 • PO Box 274 • Princeton MN 55371 LN qr:! LJ 13 Prc ■ a POUT TRY 145 Industrial Dr. Medford, WI 54451 WwW Publisher: Dave Belanger Editor: Elaine Belanger Managing Editor: Anne -marie Ida Editorial Assistant: Samantha Ingerso, Circulation and Fulfillment: Laura Ching, Ellen Soper, Kelly Weiler, Christine Barkley Bookstore: Ann Tom Advertising Representatives (Rates on request) Alicia Komanec 1- 800 -551 -5691 csyadvertising@tds.net Gary Christopherson 1- 800 -551 -5691 csyclassifieds@tds.net ckyard Poultry (ISSN 1559 -2251, 23 -374) is published bi- monthly by Countryside Publications, Ltd. at 145 Industna, r_ Nledford�Al5 I. Periodicals postage paid at Medford, WI and additional mailing offices. ©2012 Countryside Publications, Ltd. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of the editor or publisher. All contents of this issue of Backyard Poultry are copyrighted by Countryside Publications Ltd., 2012, All fights reserved. Reproduction in whole or n part is prohibited except by permission sf the publisher. Editorial and Advertising Office: Backyard Poultry 145 Industrial Dr. Medford, WI 54451 byp @tds.net Subscriptions (US. funds): $21 per year; 2 years $35. Backyard Poultry Subscriptions 145 Industrial Dr. Medford, WI 54451 1.800- 551 -569J7 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Backyard Poultry Subscriptions IS Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 Printed in the U.SA. 4 From the Editor: Are Chickens in Your Future? .......... 6 Readers' Letters ............................8 SPPA News SPPA Membership Offers Many Benefits .. ............................... 20 Costing Events ............................ 22 Helpful Hints: Are CbickeusRxgLtForrm4rF4w*j? The Joyful Sound of Spring: A Delightful ` Peep» ... .............................24 The Birth of a Chicken Geek ........ 28 IBrooding Chicks is Easy: Ifni Learn From the Experts.........., 34 A Broody Hen ..... .............................42 Backyard Poultry Family Album: ........................................... 44 Advanced Techniques for Artificial Incubation & Hatching ....48 Feed: Hatching the Facts on Medicated Chick Starter Feeds for Layers ......54 Housing: From Boats to (Chicken) Tractors............. ............................... 56 Health: The Answer Man.. Annual International Poultry Exposition is World's Largest Poultry- Related Event ......................64 Breed Focus: Lamonas in the 21st Century .........68 The Swedish Duck ............................72 Ipes: Reci Egg Recipes for Spring, when the Chickens are laying up a storm!....... 74 Golden Sponge Cake . .............................74 Angel Food Cake ...... .............................74 Spinach and Herb Eggs on the HalfShell ........... ............................... 78 Eggshells Stuffed with Raspberry Mousse.................... .............................78 Just for Fun: Decorating and Dyeing Your Own Flock's Eggs .......... ............................... 7F Youth: Building a Chicken Egg Cleaner... 8o Gertrude McCluck: Chicken in Charge.................. .............................86 Breeders Directory ....................88 ON THE COVER: The April/May 2012 cover Photo by Lily Kline of Superior, Wisconsin. See page 44 for more information on the photo contest. Backyard Poultry Farms, Inc. IdQal poultry srqqding ideal poultry Breeding Farms, Inc. * PO BOX 591 * Cameron, TX 76520 -0591 Your Basic and Rare Breed Headquarters. Call or visit us online for more information and your FREE price list! Many Breeds Bantams Ma yto r.. Dose •• Ch From Brown Egg Layers Rocks • Broilers Orientals • Long Tails Hamburgs Crested Lakenvelders Rare Leghorns wvmAdealpoultry.com PayP -1r * 254 - 697 -6677 `V andPIAN0ns uSA Largest Supprer of Bach White Egg Layers Tinted Egg Layers Ducks • Turkeys Pheasants Geese • Guineas Fax 254 - 697 -2393 AFN _., el .. FROM THE EDITOR: S pring has a way of rejuvenating the soul and enticing us to seek out new life. We plot our gardens with great anticipation, already tasting that first ripe tomato in our minds. We eagerly keep our eyes open for the first robin. We explode with joy as the first daffodil peeks out of the awakening soil. Another joy of spring is the appear- ance of chicks in local feed and hardware stores, encouraging anyone not yet fortu- nate enough to have chickens to get in on the fun. Chickens are easy to raise, fun to spend time with, provide the best eggs You'll ever eat, and provide a sense of con- trol over your food supply. But, as with any Pet or livestock, keeping chickens requires a commitment and is not for everyone. If You're a newcomer, here are some points to consider before adding these cluck, clownish characters to your life. , The Laws: The first consideration is to determine if keeping chickens is legal where you live. Most cities have very defined rules for keeping livestock. Zoning guidelines include how many birds you can raise, how much space is required, how far from the neighbors' property the coop needs to be set, etc. Even country living can have specific caning requirements, so get a full understanding of the laws before getting your birds. Cost Getting started raising a flock of chick- ens can be costly. Housing will probably be the most expensive investment, varying from nearly free (recycling an old building or using leftover materials) to upwards of a thousand dollars (purchasing an elaborate tum -key coop). In addition, you will need some type of run for the birds to range 6 Are Chickens in Your Futurel outside the coop. This fencing can be a small, defined area, or it could be the entire backyard, but however you fence it, cost must be considered. The cost of birds can range from a few dollars each to more than one hundred should you want top - quality purebred birds. Feeders and waterers need to pur- chased, along with containers to hold feed in and keep vermin out. Raising a batch of meat birds can Provide healthy and delicious meals but require processing. Are you willing to do the work yourself? If not, add that expense to your budget. Time Commitment While feeders and waterers can be large enough to hold several days' worth of food, you still need to check on the flock and collect eggs at least once every day. Technically, that is al] that is required of your time, but if you plan to enjoy keep- ing chickens, you need to spend more time with the flock on a daily basis so the birds will become friendly and allow You to handle them without a mad chase through the yard. Handling the birds is teed Sexlink chicks arrive by the wheelbarrow full to Gloria June Burchanti's coop at Arnenglo Gardens in Pennsylvania. The chick "cute factor" makes us all want to bring them home by the load -full! Remember, those cute little balls of feathers will be fully feathered and ready for the coop in about eight weeks. also important to verify they are in good health. "You start your flock with a batch of chicks, those first few weeks will require constant monitoring, at least once every few hours. Gar&ninq with Chickens It's fun to watch the chickens' antics when roaming in the yard but they peck and scratch continuously and can destroy a lovely flowerbed in a matter of minutes. When keeping chickens and gardens, one or the other needs to be fenced off. Chicken tractors — a type of bottomless cage that is moved around the yard — can allow birds to eat fresh grass and bugs, but is another cost consideration. sewrityMeasures Predators love to watch chickens too, and eat them as well! Strong safe fencing is a must when keeping chickens. Preda- tors such as raccoons, hawks, and the neighbor's dog are on the prowl in both the city and the country. There is nothing as devastating as coming home to find the entire flock slaughtered by a predator. OuaUIY Care of fhe Rodc If you decide keeping chickens is in Your future, start with a quality book on raising chickens. Certainly they are easy enough to take care of, but I guarantee that issues will come up, and having read ahead of time what to expect will make nearly every concern easy to address. There are many good books on rais- ing chickens, but the two most compre- hensive books I have found are Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Dam - erow and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Raising Chickens by Jerry Belanger. These two books and a subscription to Backyard Poultry should provide all the tools needed to start raising your flock. See our bookstore ad on page 16, visit backyardpoultrymag.com or call us at 800 -551 -5691 to order a book and subscription before buying your first bird. Chickens are America's cool new pet, so join the craze now — just for fun! Backyard Poultry WHICH CAME FIRST? I II EXPECT YOUR EGGS IN 5 -7 MONTHS AT TSC, we take pride in Additional varieties are being your one stop shop available through our for all your animal care special order program. needs. For a limited time, If you're a seasoned pro we'll be offering the or just getting started, animals, too. Live ducks TSC is the place to get and ducks are available in the supplies and advice most TSC stores by March 4.eu need to be successful. FOR LIFE OUT HERE visit www.TraetorSupply . eonil0irkDays to learn rnore, register for rare rips and special offers from T SC or find a store near you. - Pealalp lm, e'.— may. Timing, selecumi and availability may nry. CHICKS AVAILABLE MARCH 2 - APRIL 13* - Chicks, Ducks, & Bantams available Breeds & selection vary by store Special Order available on over 40 varieties TSC HAS EVERYTHING _you need fa cake ALL YOUR ANIMALS FEED EQUIPMENT & E CONTAINMEN 72o 12 Tractor Supply Company, All Rights Reserved. LETTERS: x Do you have .something Thanks for all the great info Backyard I Poultry provides. to crow about? Richard Rudowski, Pennsylvania We want to hear from you. Send questions, comments, opinions, advice, coming events, etc. to: Backyard Poultry Editor, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or e-mail.. byp@tds.net Correction: Greenville Michigan Does Not Allow Chickens in City Limits Thank you forprinting my letter in the February/March 2012 issue ("Help Board Members Make Ordinance Decisions by Providing Documents," page 10). I noted an error in my letter that needs to be corrected: Greenville, Michi- gan does not allow chickens. I have a Greenville, Michigan address, but live in Eureka Township and that is the township that allowed 5 chickens. Eureka Township surrounds Green- ville, but Greenville does not allow chickens, Eureka Township does. Thanks for printing my letter and I love your magazine. Pat Stewart, Michigan Care of Bantam Ducks The Feb /March issue of Backyard Poultry had a picture of a Green Headed Australian Spotted bantam duck on page 30. Big Eggs f rol New Layer I have a mixed flock of 32 birds. I added four Cuckoo Marans last summer and they just came into production in January. On February 10 we were quite surprised to find such a size difference in one egg. When we cracked it open we found out why. I really enjoy your ma and all the help you've over the years. Linda Gibbs Hens lay the occasional large or odd - shaped egg when they are first starting to lay and then again when they are nearing the end of production. —Ed. S I currently raise Pilgrim geese and Muscovy ducks. Due to the presence of an aerial predator I catch the Muscovy ducklings as soon as the hens show up, then clip one wing and put them in a wire covered brooding pen /shelter. Some of the hens can't wait to get rid of their broods and immediately disappear. Others hang around outside the pen for weeks and after a group of ducklings are big enough and released, these hens stick around and watch over them. All of the birds are fed morning and evening to keep them close to home while they have free range during the remainder of the time. Can Australian Spotted bantams be raised in a similar fashion? Will they revert to a larger size over time, similar to some stories about Call ducks? Or stay the same small size that I am looking or? Merzer Farms'website, wwwmetzer- are the g How vigorous farms.com, is filled with useful and y' interesting information on raising both If the answers are in the negative ducks and geese, you can watch a video do you know of any breeders trying that shows the birds hatching live every bto antam duck? develop a consistent "true to size" weekend, view weekly photos of ducks b growing, get specifics on care and man- agement of waterfowl, find answers to frequently asked questions and much more. Getting information on waterfowl is not nearly as easy as with chickens, so don't miss this goldmine of informa- tion.— Ed. John Metzer, owner ofMetzerFarms Hatchery (www.Metzerfarms.com) re- plies: I see no reason why you cannot re- move the ducklings soon after hatching and raise in a brooder. If you have preda- tors, this is probably the safest method for them. With correct breeding, the Call ducks should not gradually increase in size from generation to generation. They will breed true to their parents' size. Over time you may get some ducklings larger than nor- mal and others smaller than normal, but if you continue mating the average sized birds, you will continue to get the average sized (for a Call duck) birds. As the Australian Spotted is a cross of Mallard, Pintail, other Call breeds and a wild Australian breed, they are a bit larger than a typical Call duck. Having the genes from these other breeds, they may also ' more productive and better parents than normal Cal] ducks. Surprise Chicks Born December 29, 2011 I went out on the morning of De- cember 29, 2011 to feed the sheep and chickens and could hear a chirp- ing sound coming from an old barn. I thought it was wild birds, so I went about my feeding routine. The sound kept get- ting louder so I stopped to try to locate the sound. After doing a bit of detective work I opened the latch to an old rabbit nest box which was inside the barn and to my surprise there was a bantam hen and 11 chicks. The old rabbit hutch was in a great state of disrepair. There is a hole in the bot- tom of the wire; the hen entered through Backyard Poultry Leff: When a hen goes broody, she gets pretty determined to batch some chicks, even if it means using a rough house, such as this old rabbit hutch, and cold temperatures. Below: David Carpenter, Arkansas, now has 11 unexpected chicks in the flock, one ...a,.kian a Dmk from under Mom. that hole and used the old nest box for her nest. How she got through the hole from the ground up is something I can't figure out. Anyway, we now have chicks and a very protective bantam hen at the end of December. We have the chicks and their mother in a very protected enclosure, with a heat lamp for the cold nights. David Carpenter, Arkansas Letter to a Chicken Sitter April /May 2012 who are gone now - Kaylee, Goddess rest her soul and Rusty, the rooster who lives on 20 acres with 40 or 50 wives - I miss them every day. Rusty had the cutest crow when he was a little guy, started crowing soon after his sixth week birthday. He used to hover around Beulah, didn't let her out of his sight. It wasn't until he was gone that I really noticed a change in Beulah. She was a shy chicken despite her Buff Orpington heft. But then we got Dot, the old bantam, who'd lost her sister Polka and started to lose her zest for life. That old bantam and the young Beulah became friends and now stick close together at all times. So, I think you should have some more background information. Dot and Beulah stay in the garage coop because thrive - she Thank you so much for caring for my hens while we're away. I'd much rather stay with them than go to sunny Arizona. You might think it'd be great to get away from the cruddy winter and go to some sunny place with red sandstone vistas, but you don't know how much I love my chickens. They're the dearest creatures - Inara, Pepper, Beulah and Dot are lights in my gray life. And the others Pepper wasn t letting them chased them from the food and water. My husband started calling them The Lovers and The Fighters. The Fighters stay in the A -frame coop. The Lovers have gained some weight so I know it was the right decision to split up the flock, despite how sad that is to my heart. I've scooped a daily allowance of 96e Grown geweiof 7raolifion. "`-. Cixca / /anf Qon%nrmallon '�- cSuperiorC�1(,a6; /ily "�`' .2Ie¢ul+%a%`Nnlvrv/.rieul6artny '"► �13F /oom 7-Aq- 2ualy k 7-10 �`OpQ R p N'L Qonllnuinyz6e graJ7ion 0fr/er X",/ YI -i-& -y Cyr or Q zy- Old.7Gv /G 2 1a6le w .baclryardpoultrYmag.com 9 Jenny's old bantam hen, Dot and the Young Beulah became fast friends after the death of Dot's sister Polka. They live in the garage coop because they are harrassed in the larger coop. food into zip lock bags. One bag per coop per day please. Then check the water. The Lovers have an orange bell waterer. The Fighters have a manual screw -top waterer. Be ready with food and water when You open a coop, drop the food into the containers and work fast to get the water- ers filled. Jenny writes her letter tongue -in- If a hen gets out, find something cheek, but rovidin P g full details on your flock can give peace of mind to both the flock sitter and you. Specific details on what information you should provide to your poultry sitter can be found in "Fly- ing the Coop: Vacation Care for Your Flock," by Patricia Harris Pointing in the June /July 2008 issue of Backyard Poultry. This article is also available on our website's library, www.backyard- poultrymag.com under the Helpful Hints section. — Ed. Yummy from the fridge and put it into the coop, but be sure to lead the hen with the food. They're a lot like dinosaurs — they chase what moves. Cell phone numbers and the schedule Of Chicken Sitters is attached. Thanks again! P.S. If something tragic happens, please don't spend too much at the vet. I'm not a crazy chicken lady — yet! Ha -ha! Jenny Forrester cfii&ch&V S c8usir ss tncKenoa VMiau got a few chicks on Easter 2010, and now has nearly loo chickens. She sells eggs to pay for feed and saves most of her profits for college — when she isn't spending it to buy more chickens! JANErM UNDERWOOD !MONTANA hen McKenna Killian's "Papa" gave her a few chicks for Eas- ter tea o years ago, she didn't realize that it would turn into a full- fledged business. Each time she went to the feed store, she returned home with more chickens, until her flock is nearing 100 (counting the 10 that one of her hens sat on and hatched). She now has 12 different breeds: Barred Rocks, Silkies, Rhode Island Reds, Ameraucanas, Wyan- dottes, Buff Orpingtons, Red and Black Stars, White Leg - horns, and some bantams. They are all hens except 10 two roosters. The chickens are fed and watered twice a day. Collecting eggs is the highlight of her day, averaging from 65 to 80 eggs. While most of the eggs are brown, a few are green and she has even gotten a pear- shaped egg, a red one and a blue one. After they are col- lected, the eggs are cleaned, candled, put in cartons, and placed in the refrig- erator waiting delivery day. McKenna has several regular customers. During the summer when Production was at its peak, McKenna set up a table at the local farmer's market. Several days she completely sold out. She is a regular at the feed store, where she buys laying ration and wheat. What she doesn't spend on feed, she saves for her college education. mcn onna spends her sale money on feed for the flock, and cares for them daily. Where Do You Buy "Scratch"? I own the SOIsas Bed & Breakfast where I also have some really spoiled chickens that have to be held every day. One of our guests sent me this funny story after a stay with us. I enjoy so many of the stories, photos and articles in Backyard Poultry, and thought others would also enjoy this one. Sharon Solaas solaasbnb.com Idaho A'THOR UNKNOWN My mother never let me help much in the kitchen. As a result, my cook- ing ability was practically nonexistent when I got married. But I did remember Mother mentioning to her friends that she's made cakes, pies, and other things from scratch. So my first priority after the honeymoon was to locate some scratch. With mother's delicious cakes in mind, MY first trip to the supermarket was to buy some scratch. I found the aisle that read "baking items." I spent a good 15 minutes looking at everything from vegetable oil, sugar, flour and chocolate, without seeing a sign of scratch. I was sure it wouldn't be with the pickles or the meat. I asked the clerk if they carried scratch. He looked at me funny and finally said, "You'll have to go Elac r<d Poultry Poultry Chickens (Layers, Meat, Ornamental & Rare) Gamebirds Waterfowl pigeons & Doves 9; Call To Order (800) 720 -1134 Monday - Friday Sam - 5pm CST Equipment •Incubators • Candlers • Scalders • Feeders •Founts • Netting • Processing Tools • Pluckers •Brooders • Nestboxes & More! Brooders & SbM' Kib Processing Equipment SIGN UP TO RECEIVE our FREE email newsletter and get information about new products and hot deals! Don't Forget to Call or Sign -Up Online for a FREE Color catalog f A to the store on the corner." When I got there, it turned out to be I feed store. I thought it rather strange, but I decided cakes were feed. "Do you have scratchm' I asked the clerk. He asked me how much I wanted. I suggested a Pound or two. His reply was, "How many chickens do you have? It only comes in 20-Pound bags" I really didn't under- stand why he mentioned chickens, but I had heard mother say she made chicken casserole from scratch so I bought 20 Pounds and hurried home. My next problem was to find a recipe calling for scratch. I went through every single page of my lovely Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, given as a wed- ding present, looking for a recipe calling for scratch. There I was with 20 pounds Of scratch and no recipe. When I opened the scratch I had doubts that a beautiful fluffy cake would ever result from such a hard - looking ingredient. I hoped with the addition of liquids and heat, the result would be successful. I had no need to mention my Problem to my husband as he suggested very early in our marriage he liked to cook and would gladly take over anytime. One day he made a pie and when I told him how good it was, he said he made it from scratch. That assured me it could be done. Being a new bride is scary and when I found out he made pies, cakes and even lemon pudding from scratch ... well, if he made all those things from scratch I was sure he had bought a 20 -pound bag also. But I couldn't find where he stored it and I checked my supply ... it was still full. At this point I was ready to give up because all the people knew about scratch except me. I decided to try a different approach. One day when my husband was not doing anPthing, I said "Honey, I wish You'd bake a cake." He got out the flour, sugar, eggs, milk and shortening, but not a sign of scratch. I watched him blend it together, pour it into a pan and slide it in the oven to bake. An hour later as we were eating the cake, I looked at him and smiled and said, "Honey, why don't we raise a few chickens ?" Easter Gingerbread Coop My husband was busy out back building our first chicken coop. My daughter and I were inside building this gingerbread coop replica for our Easter table centerpiece. The chickens (marsh- mallow Peeps) are eating candy com (left over from Halloween candy) and laying chocolate eggs (left over from Christmas candy). Aside from not being able to get used to our house smelling like gingerbread at Christmas only — this was a fun way to help us get ready for our new hens. parents as Reading partners Month I took this photo of my 5- year-old son, Aidan, holding our Ameraucana hen named "Puffin." April is Parents As Reading Partners month here in New York, so we thought it would be fun to have Aidan read a chicken - themed book to one of our favorite hens. I just had to share it! Stacey Hickey, New York .�.a+u• mcney reads to his favorite hen, Puffin during Parents as Reading Partners Month in New York. Donna & Emma Eyestone USDA Requests poultry California Raiser's Personal Ltfo tmation I visited my local feed store, to pick up two bags of poultry crumbles this morning. At the checkout, the clerk asked if I were tax exempt, which I am not. She then told me, "The USDA guys were just in, and they have asked us to take down the names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone who buys animal feed. So do you mind giving me Your name, address, and phone num- ber?" It was given as a polite command, not a question. She had a database screen ready on her computer terminal for my information. I told the clerk that I did not want my information entered into a database She then tried to convince me by saying, "Oh this is just for something , like when they had that mad cow disease. We would be able to contact you. And you'll receive coupons and notices of sales." I told the clerk politely that I still did not want my information entered. I explained that I believe this could lead to unnecessary government control of small flock owners. She responded, somewhat irritated, "Oh, okay. You don't have to do it. They said it would be difficult to enforce." I remember you had several articles in the past on government attempts to require registry of small flock owners, after the avian flu problems in other countries. It •,au was building the real chicken coop while Emma Eyestone and her mom, Donna, made a gingerbread coon. 12 Baolcyard Poultry E 1* Only the best for your flockoucanfeelconfidentthat Whether you are tending to a backyard flock or breeding champion show birds, y Manna Pro has the best solutions for all your poultry needs. From feed to supplements, treats u can trust we a he r birds, protection from mites and pests, aids for keeping drinking water clean and even egg cleanser, that are dedicated to helping your flock meet its full potential. When you choose our products, y well -being of your birds is our highest priority. After all, we're as nurturing as a mother hen. Visit www.mannapro.corn for more information. MannaPff nurturing 11k These benefits and so much more when you supplement with Omega Ultra Egg For more info or a www.OmegaFietds.com 1- 877 -663 -4203 OMFGA -- ULTRA EGG` 14 appears the USDA is getting that registry — through our feed stores. When the government considered requiring small flock owners to register, there was an outcry. If now the govern- ment is asking my local feed store to obtain the same inf Executive Director of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (http://famrandranch- freedom.org) has some concerns. "For good or ill, businesses are free to decide to offer special deals to people for whatever reason they want — and if that includes ormation for USDA information for a government program Purposes —and telling me it's for coupons they Cando so. one analo and sales notices, that's deception. may be able to relate to is the a , "shopper Don't you think we have reason to be loyalty cards" that are offered at so many concerned about this? The clerk could take that information offering grocery, office supply, and pet stores now, off my check. I guess I now have to pay a card. Theerreality is to those cards are cash for any poultry feed so the govern- used to develop a lot of data on ment doesn't know how many chickens I both for the store's own use and sometimes have in my backyard? for sale. A lot of people, myself included, A Concerned Citizen really dislike that kind of tracking, but Ohio the stores are allowed to do it. My main Country- is that people aren't being told Publications replies: i Cook, Editorial StaCountry- what the information is being used for, side Je or if they are told they have to provide it. Without more information about the Or, for instance, if the store simply takes form you were asked to fill out, there is their information from their checks es no way to know for sure which tole is other source;' being implemented by which agency or If this isn't enough bad news for you, C, for what purpose. It's likely that a rule then this is Your luck day. Passed m 2009 is being implemented, but Hammerschmidt, y y Although Neil it's hard to know which one. According m Animal Disease Traceability, Manager of www.Regulations.Gov, in 2009, the vari_ give us any specific info ati declined he did ous rule- making agencies of the federal confirm that Traceability for Livestock government announced somewhere in the Moving Interstate would be announced neighborhood of 90,000 new laws, 981 later this s _ Of which directly affect agriculture. Be- on what Provisions Of the proposed rule cause of the mind- numbing bureaucracy required execute these new rules, were or weren't included in the new rule, usually takes again, Judith McGeary has concerns. es 2 -4 yes before they are "I have not heard an fully implemented nationwide. To make about timing or what changes from the agency matters worse, not all of the rules that might make to the rule in response to might affect owners of backyard flocks comments. If the final rule were the same are made by the USDA. Any government as the ro agency can enact a rule affecting a P poso rule, I have very serious culture. Including, but in no way limited small- scale out its impact, particularly on to, the Food and Drug Administration, view the Proposed owners." Readers can the Department of Homeland Security, tions.Gov by searching forvDockeNo. the Federal Emergency Management APHIS - 2009-0091 Agency, and the National Oceanic and If you're at the local feed store buy - Atmospheric Administration. Two of the '119 feed and are asked to sign a form at roln 2009 could checkout that be es enacted i the reason for new paperwork at the checkout counter- Both APHIS-2007-0014 and FSIS- 2008-0039 require businesses that sell certain poultry supplies, products, or live chicks to implement traceability measures. it's likely that although both lies were announced in 2009, the full implementation has simply taken a couple of years to begin. This would explain the request to consumers. While consumers aren't being forced to comply, Attorney Judith McGeary, You ve never been asked to Sign before, do us a favorhere at Backyard Poultry, and make a note of the form num_ her. Or, better yet, if you have a camera phone, take a picture of it and send it to us. Our staff is trying to determine which of the many regulations requiring retail- ers to track sales of animal products are being implemented, where they are being implemented, and by which government agency. It's a bit like playing Whack-A_ Mole, and we could use some help from Backyard Poultry readers. BackYard Poultry NU U U Since 1924 - "Horne )f Zhe Heaifhiest �r .v Ima Tradl'bion For Over 80 Years ! urges • me BIrdS hIcKens DuCKS • T Call Toll Free or Order Online 800- 451 -5603 A www.mthealthy.c ©m f= �rhatching round! r Download your FREE at http: / /www m dI • basKet For a complete listing of all books available from the Backyard Poultry Bookstore, visit our website at www.backyardpoultrymag.com. If you do not have Internet access, write to Bookstore Catalog Request, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or call 800 -551 -5691. t.IiICK Chick Days DAYS An Absolute Beginners Guide Ratsings Chickens from Hatchlfngs to Laying Hens -...� JENNA WOGUMCH Do you want to raise chickens but don't know where to begin? Then you need Chick Days, an entertaining photographic guide that chronicles the life journey of three chickens (Amelia, Honey, and Tilda) tram newly hatched fluffy butterballs to grown hens lay- ing eggs. Day by day and week by week, you'll watch these three chickens grow and change, and along the way you'll learn every- thing you need to know about chicken behavior, feeding, housing, hygiene, and health care. 128 pages, $1495 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Raising Chickens JEROME D. BELANGER You're no idiot, of course, you know there's nothing like the taste of fresh, free - range eggs from chickens you've raised Yourself, but you're wondering if owning Your own flock of birds would he all it's cracked up to be. In this Complete Idiot's Guide you'll find advice on locating and buying your first chickens; tips for buying or building the right coop; learn all about eggs from conception to cooking; learn to identify normal behavior in healthy chickens and what to do when something goes wrong, and decide for yourself if raising chickens organically is right for you. As a fast -time flock owner, you have questions, this book has the answers. 160 Pages, $1495 Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds CAROL EKARrus Gorgeous, f iflcolor photographs of more than 128 birds. This definitive guide includes a brief history of the breed, detailed descriptions of identifying characteristics and colorful photographs that celebrate the bi' quirky personalities and charming good looks. K it's fowl facts and photos you want, you'll find them all here! 278 pages, $2495 The Chicken Encyclopedia An Illustrated Reference GAIL DAMERow New —and in dispensable for all chicken en- [husiasts! Beginners and old pros alike will welcome Grail Damemw's latest contribution to the poultry world, The Chicken Encyclope- dia, n listing of more than I PW entries 100% know about chickens is either iinncuded here or it's Probably you want to knowing. Not only a reference work, it's interesting enough to read on its own, to get an education in chickenology. Or enjoy flipping through it to pick up fascinating facts on every page. The full-color photos and illustrations are also superb, both 320 pages, $1995 educational and a pleasure to look at. Chicken Coops 45 Plans For Housing your Flock JUDY PANGMAN Whether you're keeping one hen in a -`` small backyard or 1,000 hens in a large free - range pasture, you will find the perfect hous- ing plan in this comprehensive handbook. ,.,..., These 45 plans for housing both laying hens and meat birds (chickens or turkeys) range from fashionable backyard structures to large - scale, moveable shelters. You'll also find plans for converting trailer frames greenhouses and backyard sheds; low- budget alternatives for working with recycled materials; and simple ways to make waterers, feeders, and nestbocled With basic building skills, a little elbow grease, and this book stplans, you've got all you need to house your flock. 166 pages, book of Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks DAVE HOLDERREAD Bvefything you need to know to raise ducks suc- cessfully. Completely updated, this comprehensive, fully illustrated guide takes you through every step of owning ducks. It provides the most up-to -date in- formation on various breeds (including rare breeds), feeding, , ho smg, egg production, health care and more. Revised and up. Pages, $1995 Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens 3rd Edition GAIL, DAMERow This informative book for both beginning and experienced chicken owners covers breed selection, building feeders and shelters, how to collect and store your eggs to maintain freshness (or hatching), care for chicks, maintaining good flock health, raising broilers for meat, showing your birds, and more. Always considered the definitive book on chicken care, the updated version simply adds to its value with new sections, and many updates. Features include: Raising chickens for pure enjoyment; new breeds; a new chapter on deciphering chicken sounds, chicken intelligence, and training; new sections on Avian Influenza; Fowl First Aid; and much mom. 448 pages, $1995 Chicken and Egg A Memoir of Suburban Homesteading with 125 Recipes JANICE COLE PHOTOGRAPHS RY ALRX FARNDM chicken and Egg tells the story of veteran food writer Janice Cote, who, like so many other urbanites, took up the revolutionary hobby of raising chickens at home. From picking out the perfect coop to Producing the miracle of the first egg, Cole shares her now-expert insights into the trials, triumphs, and bonds that result when human and hen live in close quarters. *1 ba k5 recipes for delicious chicken and egg dishes, poultry yard fanners, and those contemplating taking the leap will adore this captivating illustrated memoir! 256 pages, $24.95 Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry LEONARD S. MERCIA An invaluable resource for everyone who raises poultry. It contains the most comprehensive and current information on raising chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, and game birds. Covers selection sing (forbothmeatandeggproduction), hatching and equipment, feeding, and rearing' 343 pages, $1595 Storey's Guide to Raising Turkeys For the Love of Poultry If you missed the first year of Backyard Poultry— here's your second chance. The complete collection of articles and pho- ms from 2006 is now a book! This large 8 -1/2 x 11 full -color anthology contains 320 pages featuring more than 30 writ- ers, including renowned poultry expert and author Gail Damerow, homesteading gum Harvey Ussery, and University of Wisconsin's top poultry spe- cialist, Ron Kean . 320 pages, $1995 The Small -Scale Poultry Flock An all - natural approach to raising chickens and other fowl for home and market growers HARVEY USSERY A comprehensive guide to whole - systems, mixed -flock poultry husbandry. Filled with essential information flock and care, housing, pasturing the putting it to work, holistic health, poultry in the kitchen, and creative strategies for more home - produced feeds, including cultivated earthworms and soldier grubs. Contains detailed butchering instructions with dozens of photographs and the best guide to working with broody hens available anywhere. 416 gages, $3995 - LEONARD S. MERCIA Complete how -to information on raising turkeys from young poults to delicious, thick- breasted birds. Discussions on selecting the right turkey for your flock, breeding and management, processing, flock mhealth,feedingandhousing.Containsin -depth hous- ing plan illustrations. Revised and updated, 199 pages, $1895 The Book of Geese a Complete Guide to Raising the Home Flock DAVE HoLDERRC'AD One of the classics of waterfowl management. An easy -to -read book with good illustrations and diagrams, takes you from the egg through incu- bation, gosling stage, feeding, housing, mating, health and physical problems. It covers all breeds of geese with descriptions Of the traits unique to each breed. This $18S5 really is the complete guide to raising the home flock. 209 pages, Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals Gardening with Guineas GAIL, DAmEROW Imagine a weekend breakfast featuring eggs, bacon, and honey from your own chickens, pigs, and bees. Or a holiday meal with your own heritage -breed turkey as the main attraction. With The Backyard Home- stead Guide to Raising Farm Animals, even urban and suburban residents can success- fully raise chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits;.goats,sheep, cows, pigs, and honey bees. It's easier than you think, and it can be done on small plots of land. This essential guide covers everything from select- ing the right breeds to producing delicious fresh milk, cheese, honey, at to be more self - sufficient, save eggs, and meat. Whether you w money, or just enjoy safer, healthier, m you'll find all the information you need in The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals. 360 pages, $2495 JEANNETTE S. FERGUSON This book is a delightful and informative guide to raising guinea fowl on a small scale - It covers the life of a guinea from egg to adult, including incubation, feeding, housing, training and com- mon problems. Jeannette includes information on reasons for raising guinea fowl (they eat gar- den pests, ticks and hate snakes), what you need to know before you buy guineas, working with newborns and young keets, and much more. 131 pages, $1495 The Mating and Breeding of Poultry HARRY M. LAMON & ROD R. SLOCUM This book, first published in 1920, and now back in print, outlines all you need to know to become an ac- complished breeder. It includes manipulating shape and color combinations, preparing birds for weather, encouraging the juiciest meat and largest eggs and much more . Authors Lamon & o$1495en at the Bureau of Animal Industry for the USDA. 341 pages How to Raise Chickens Everything You Need to Know CHRISTINE HEINRICBS This book is thoroughly modem and com- prehensive. It delivers everything the subtitle Promises: "Everything You need to know— Breed guide and selection —Proper care and healthy feeding — Building facilities and fencing — Showing advice:' And it's all pre - rented in the context of today's small, back- yard flock. How to Raise Chickens might sound like a for poultry book but this one goes way beyond the how w- mse191 muse pages, $19S5 Chicken Coops 45 Plans For Housing your Flock JUDY PANGMAN Whether you keep one hen or 1,000 hens, YOU will find a housing plan in this compre- hensive book. Coops range from fashionable backyard structures to large- scale, movable shelters. You will also find plans for convert- mg [railer fratDas, greenhouses and sheds using recycled materials and simple ways to make waterers, feeders and nestboxes. 166 Pages, $1995 City Chicks PATRICIA FOREMAN Chickens have become the mascot of the local food movement. A desire for sustainable, clean, Wholesome food and superior soil quality has led MOM and more suburban and city dwellers to keep laying hens in their backyards and gardens. City Chicks is an excellent resource for the beginner or 12avid chicken enthusiast. 460 pages, $2250 How to Raise Poultry Everything You Need to Know CHRISTINE HEINWCHS OUL 2117171�177 Poultry expert Christine Heinrichs lays out the distinctions between waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans), turkeys, gamebirds (pea- fowl, pheasants, quail and others), ratites (ostriches, emus, and rheas), and pigeons. She then clearly details the very different requirements for raising each species, from feeding and housing to husbandry and health, to showing and marketing and legal thinking concerns. Whether You're ing a flock or acquiring a few feathe d friends, this handy guide tell You everything you need to know. 192 Pages, $1995 The Chicken Health Handbook GAIL DAMEROw In this must -have reference for the small flock owner, Gail discusses the problems and diseases common to chickens of all breeds and all ages. It also explains how to hatch healthy chicks, provide proper nutrition, fight parasites, spotdiseasesandinfec donsintheirearlystages, Protect the flock from predators and building safe houses and yards. Generously illustrated. 344 pages, $1995 POULTRY The Have -More Plan The 50-yeaiwOHHomestead Classic! ED AND CAROLYN ROBINSON This is the book that encouraged thousands to go "back to the land" to find a better life after the Great Depression and World War II. Now let it guide you into the 21st century with its historical perspective and homestead ideas that are as valuable today as they were 50 years ago! 72 pages, $9.95 HIRTS Have You Hugged Your CHICKEN Today? Tell the world how you really feel... with aHigh- Quality, Fruit of the Loom® Backyard PoultryT- shirt. Available in navy blue or red, and two styles. Mini Farming Self Sufficiency on 114 Acre BRETT L. MARKRAM Mini Farming describes a holistic approach to small -area farthing that will show you how to produce 85 percent of an average family's food on just a quarter acre—and earn $10,000 in cash annually while spending less than half the time that an ordinary job would require. Even if you have never been a farmer or a gar- dener, this book covets everything you need to know to get started: buying and saving seeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertility practices, composting, pest and disease problems, crop rotation, farm planning, and much more. Be- cause self- sufficiency is the objective, subjects such as raising 1695 backyard chickens and home canning are also covered. 227 pages, The Encyclopedia of Country Living Tenth Edition CARLA EMERY practical advice, invaluable information and collected wisdom for folks and farmers in A the country, city, and anywhere in between. Includes how to cultivate a garden, buy UNT' LIVING land, bake bread, raise farm animals, make sausage, can peaches, milk a goat, grow herbs, chum butter, build a chicken coop, catch a pig, cook on a wood stove, choose & buy land, pinch pennies, create and live with renewable energy sources, deliver a baby alone, preserve and can your own food, make a quilting frame, prune a tree, bathe under primitive conditions, raise chickens, make your own vinegar, treat bites and stings from ticks, scorpions, snakes and spiders, and much more! t 922 pages, $2995 Tips for the Lazy Gardener /// JJ °°� LINDA TILGNER The title of this book usually elicits a chuckle. But really, how much time do you actually have to spend weeding and maintaining your garden? This compact effective reference contains hundreds of time- saving tips and routines designed to reduce maintenance and make your gardening activities more leisurely and enjoyable. You'll find ideas on planning gardens, building soil, sowing and transplanting, beating weeds and pests, and harvesting. Includes diagrams of burrow and nibble -proof fencing, gates, trellises and more. 139 pages, $12.95 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ / — — — _ _ — if you Prefer not to cutyour magazine, please write Your order on another piece of paper I Backyard Poultry T -Shirt Order Form An T- shirts are $14A0 each and available in red or navy blue. Please specify size(s) and color(s) and quantity. {please Note: Women's Cut sizes tend to run a little small and are 100% cotton) Color Quantity $ Youth size 14 -16 Color Quantity Adult size medium Col Quantity $ or Adult size large Quantity $ — ' - - - -- Adult size extra large Color $ Color Quantity $ Adult size 2X Quantity --- - - -� -- I Adult size 3X Color Color Quantity $ $ Women's cut size medium Color Quantity Women's cut size large $ Color Quantity I Women's cut size extra large Color Quantity $ Women's cut size 2X Backyard Poultry Book order Form Titles: $ _--- -- I $ I $ - -- I I I I Name: I Book(s) Total $ Address: T- Shirt(s) Total $ I City: State: ZiP: O Check Enclosed O Charge my credit card: S &H $4 first item $1 each addtl' item $ Phone: VisaiMC /AmEx/Dlsc No. Exp' Subtotal $ Signature WI Residents Add BACKYARD POULTRY WOKSTORl's 5.5% sales tax $ I 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 Total Enclosed $ I Call Toll -Free 800- 551 -5691 or Fax 715- 785 -7414 www.backyardpoultrymag — — — — — — — — — — — / — — — — _— _ _ — — — — — — SPPA NEWS: 6 j d SPPA Membership Offers Many Benefits DR. CHARLES R.H. EvERETT SPPA SECRETARYITUASURER n the midst of breeding season there is no better time than the present to join The Society for the Preservation of Poultry Antiquities (SPPA)! You may not be aware that the SPPA publishes biennially the larg- est Breeders Directory of individual breeders of rare and difficult to find breeds of poultry. As soon as you join You will receive the 2011 -2012 Breed- ers Directory. Throughout the year you will also receive the 12 -page Bulletin filled with vital information on historic e arthE 4 ?I breeds breeding, hatching and rearing rare sto, ck. There are also periodical up- dates on legislation that can affect the small farmer/breeder. By joining now you will also have the opportunity to be listed in the new 2013 -2014 Breeders Directory. Plus, You'll have the added bonus of receiving your copy as a part of your membership flues for this year. Each Directory is valued at $8. That's a phenomenal price for the information it contains. This year, for your $15 dues you will receive two different Directories plus the four quarterly Bulletins. Any way you slice it that is a great deal. witn calcium Bentonite A recently published University study shows the following benefits when usmq,� Food Chemical Codex Grade - ^y • Lower internal parasite burdens on hens with low tural resistance • When dusted with ` . sa si nifi • Significantly fewer Northern Fowl mites g vier body weight sil • Increased egg shell weight and thickness Larger g eggs containing more albumen and yo!,� � • Higher egg production • Improved general health • Based on the current price of organic table eggs, the cost of certified organic poultry feed, and the cost of the " 1 supplement, balancing the increased fee costs with the increase in egg sales, the study estimates that producers can increase- profitability by up to $0.06 /hen per day. To view this complete study and find out how RED LAPP. increase production and profitabili visit our c, profitability, eat rit,entproductsltd.com or call our toll free number 20 In In addition to receiving the 2013- 2014 Breeders Directory by joining now you will have the opportunity of listing your own stock for sale at no ad- ditional cost. Imagine having your stock listed before hundreds of serious poultry breeders. You will be able to disperse valued stock to other qualified breed- ers. If you don't have any rare stock yet then you don't have to have a listing, but may be the time to plan for it, as this is a chance you don't want to pass up. Joining is very easy. Mail a check I money order for $15 to Dr. Charles Everett, 1057 Nick Watts Rd., Lugoff, SC 29078. Be sure to include a note that contains your full mailing address and the name of the person joining the Society. Your materials will be mailed to you within 2 -3 weeks. Sometimes it happens faster. All the officers of the SPPA are vol- unteers who love rare breeds of poultry and the folks that raise them. We spend a lot of our own time and money help- ing different people succeed with rare breeds. Or you could just go and buy 4 gal- lons of gas. See which one takes you further! L__- I tt e d for at your focal Farm and Feed Stores. 14 If %?" R,.fl�ynz. i )Poukr,v COMING EVENTS: If you have a poultry - related event, send details 60 days in advance and we'll include it in this listing. Send to: Coming Events, Backyard Poul- try,145Industrial Dr. Medford, WI 54451 or a -mail: byp @tds. net For additional show listings, see http : / /poultrybookstore.coml 4th Annual Funky Chicken Coop Tour& April 7, 2012 Austin Area, Texas On Saturday,April 7, 2012, Austin -area poultn keepers will open their backyards to the public tk show off their chickens and their urban coops. Vs[ tors to the tour sites will see how recycled matenak can be transformed into a low -cost coop or how a design - conscious coop can enhance the beau of a landscape. Tour hosts will share their experi- ences with chicken care, coop design, maintaining harmony among the chickens, people and other Pets, and more. Chicken coops often integrate into larger proj- ects, such as organic gardens, sustainability, and pennaculture efforts, and school activities. If you are thinking about keeping chickens in your own backyard, You'll get some great ideas. The self-guided tour will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 P.m., rain or shine. We will have maps avail- able to purchase for $10 and one map per vehicle will be required for entry. For more information please visit our webslte: hfp: / /ausfinoDoptour.org ore -mail: pr @austincooptour.org. Bluegrass Poultry Association's 1st Annual Spring Show April 7, 2012 and Fail Show October 27, 2012 Frankfort, Kentucky Join us for our 1st annual Poultry and pigeon show on April 7, 2012 and October 27, 2012. For more information and to get a show catalog, contact Marty Short at 859 -274 -3337; e-mail martyshort I@ hotmail.corn. Join us on Facebook at Bluegrass Poultry. 2012 Cajun Classic and Serama International April 13-14, 2012 Historic Oak Alley Plantation Vacherie, Louisiana The Cajun Serama Council, the LA Chapter of the Serama Council of North America invites every- one to join us in the largest Serama extravaganza in North America. The historic Oak Alley Plantation, will be the setting for a Serama only show on Friday and Saturday, April 13 & 14, 2012. ABA/SCNA Judges, Matt Lhamon, Ohio, Don Nelson, Rhode Island and Jim Adkins, North Carolina will judge 40 different Gasses in both open and junior shows. Friday's activities start at 5:00 p.m. and include Chick Classes, 1-, 2- and 3- monthoids followed with a Malaysian (Ayam) Serama competition. Fol- lowing, a'Micro' Serama competition will be held. Simultaneously the White and Black variefies of the American Serama will be incaged judged, to meet the requirement of an ABA sanctioned meet. Saturday activities start at 9:00 a.m. Youth entries will be judged and all winners will be an- nounced. Authentic Cajun food will be available. ACajun 22 Zydeco band with Cajun dancers will entertain. A 200 -item raffle table and several silent auction items will be featured. A tent will offer hundreds of Serama sale. For additional information or to request a show packet, visit www.seramacouncilofnorthamerica. com or contact Jerry Schexnayder, e-mail to jers- chex@aol.com. ry The River Hills Farmers Market Poultry & Small Stock Expo April 14 & Fall Poultry Expo September 8 Silex, Missouri Saturday, April 14 we will host it's annual Poultry & Small Stock Expo. The day -long event will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will feature rare/hentage Poultry and small stock for display and sale. There will be opportunities to question veteran poultry Producers and writers, demonstrations on poultry breed selection, a country auction, youth activities and a large farmers market This event will be held at the Silex R -1 School in Silex, Missouri. Silex is five minutes off of Hwy. 61 and about an hour northwest 'f St Louis. Admission is free. Saturday, September 8 the group will hold the yearty Fall Poukry Expo beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Silex R -1 School. This event offers sharing of information between veteran poultry producers and backyard poultry keepers . River Hill producers have long experience growing locally for the St. From Service to Louis region. The even t will include a fun competi- Stewardship Workshop lion to select the best rooster in the River Hills and May — - 5, 2012 egg judging, Admission is free. Central Carolina Community Contact River Hills at 136 Zumwalt Rd., Silex, College MO 63377 or call 660 -456 -7565 or 573 -485 -7261 for information to attend or participate. Pittsboro, North Carolina Join the Fanner Vetemn Coalition (FVC) and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) May 4 — 5, 2012, for a two-day intensive workshop that will help transform today's veterans into tomor- row's fanners. This first -of -its kind workshop will educate and trainAmenca's service men and women on the skills necessary to steward some ofAmedca's most historic and endangered farts animals. Friday's program will include a full -day class- room session featuring many local farmers and will introduce attendees to a variety of heritage breeds that are a good fit for the small farm. Saturday's attendees will select a track and visit local, su, cessful small farm operations where they will get an up -close look at the realities of heritage breed fanning. Over the course of the two days, veterans will learn about hog production, Poultry production, heritage cattle, raising equines, and small ruminant Production. In addition, vets will be introduced to the marketing aspects of raising heritage breeds. To register for the workshop, call the ALBC office at 919 - 542 -5704, or email jberanger @alb, usa.org. The cost of the workshop is $95. Veterans have priority registration. AfterApril 1, the workshop will open to the general public for registration. For the full workshop agenda, visit: www. albc- usa.org /documents /veteransworkshop.pdf or contac:Jennifer Kendall: editor @alb,usa.org; 919 - 542 -5704. mission to the Poultry Show and the buy - sell -trade is only $2 per vehicle. This is an APA/ABA double show. If you are interested in showing your purebred poultry or rab- bits, you can get more information about entries and download the show catalog at our website: ww, uniontownpoufty.w,. If you have any questions, you mayalso contact ourcub secretary , Steve Stan - ish, at (724) 439 -5253. Vsftourmbsite or Facebook group page for photos from previous shows and for updates on this and other events. 4th Annual Poultry & Small Animal Sale April 21, 2012 Boyle County Fairgrounds Danville, Kentucky Join us for the 4th Annual Poultry & Small Animal Sale on Saturday. April 21st at the Boyle County Fairgrounds, 557 North Danville Bypass in Danville, Kentucky. The auction begins at 11:00 a.m., consignments accepted from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Auctioneer is Johnny Durham and Narrator is Dan Stoltzfus. All animals must be in a single sellable ventilated box or cage. All animals must be healthy and have health papers if required. For more information, contact Beverley Devine at 859- 326 -6289. Illinois Pet & Game Breeder Society's Animal Swap Meet April 28, 2012 and September 8, 2012 Stephenson County Fairgrounds Freeport, Illinois Set up any time after noon Friday. Swap runs Saturday from 6 a.m. to Noon. All health require- ments must be met. For information, call Judith Cary, Club Secretary, at 815 - 238 -5312. Uniontown Poultry Association 2012 Spring Poultry Show April 15, 2012 Fayette County Fairgrounds Dunbar, Pennsylvania Welcome spring with us at our 2012 Spring Poultry Show, Sunday, April 15, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 P.m. Sunday's show will also feature a "Pick -a -Prize Raffle" featuring poultry supplies and poultry- related items, concession stand, prize drawings, and a poultry and small stock buy -sell- trade outside the show hall. Our buy- sell,trades are one of the largest in the area, and together with the show, it makes for a great family activity. Our shows feature both standard and bantam chickens, waterfowl, turkeys, and other poultry Rab- bits and pigeons are also exhibited. Exhibitors come from all over "stem Pennsylvania, as well as Ohio and West Virginia. At the buy -sell -trade, visitors can Purchase poultry, rabbits and other small animals, farm produce and honey, tools, cages, fencing, pet and poultry supplies, and household items -there is always something different. Noncommercial vendors at the buy - sell -trade can set up a table without a fee. There are restrooms and plenty of free parting Ad- Backyard Poultry Central Pennsylvania Avian Club Spring Sale & Show May 5, 2012 Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania Join us for the CPAC Spring Sale and Show on May 5, 2012, Judging begins at 10:00 a.m. Judges to be announced. For more information, contact Greg Mathias 570 - 444-9191 or e-mail at mathiasgreg@yahoo.com. Sussex County Poultry Fanciers Spring Show Augusta, New Jersey May 19, 2012 It is spring in Sussex County, New Jersey. We would like to invite "all" to come to our spring show, on Saturday May 19, 2012 at the Sussex County Fairground, Augusta, y are located in the northwest part of the state of New Jersey. We have a beautiful show hall, with wonderful lighting, as well a great bam next door for our sale area, and some great food also. We also have some nice vendors coming as well We have a few judges pending so far for the show. We have some meets so far, with others pending. We will be having our famous Chinese Auction once again. We welcome all juniors to come and show with us. We will be having pigeons in the open show as well as in the Juniors' show. If you would like to receive a show catalog, contactAdene at chickensl234@hotmail.com; or call 973 -948 -6451 Animal Swap and Sale May 19, 2012 Antigo, Wisconsin Join us for an Animal Swap and Sale May 19, 2012 from 8 a.m. to noon W8672 Hwy 64 (3 -112 miles east of Copps), in Antigo, Wisconsin. Pay $2 for advertising costs and pull in vehicle and sell animals, equipment, cages, and animal related items. No admittance fee. Red breasted black Cubalayas, meat chicks, turkeys, rabbits and more. For more info, call 715- 216 -6053 or 715 -627 -4568. Coulee Region Poultry Club let Annual Spring Show June 2, 2012 Trempealeau County Fairgrounds Galesville, Wisconsin The brand new Coulee Region Poultry Club will host their inaugural poultry show on Saturday, June 2 at the Trempealeau County Fairgrounds in Galesville, Wisconsin. We will host meets for the APA and ABA, United Orpington Club, Ameraucana Breeders Club, Wyandotte Breeders of America. Rhode Island Red Club of America and Chochins Inter- national. This clubishow replaces the now-defunct Badger Poultry Club that held an annual show in Richland Center for nearly 50 years. Judges are Jeff Halbach and Jim Fegan. We will have a lunch stand, swap area, raffle and silent auction, Youth Showmanship, and plentiful awards for open show and youth competition. Camping is available, and motel and res- taurant information will be in the show catalog. For more information and show catalog, contact Mike Gilbert, W5171 Baker Rd, Holman, WI 54636; email; info@redstagacres . com or call 608 - 857 -3386. Apr"ay 2012 The BEST EGGS come from o"Ra your own backyard! COOPS INCLUDE: „.... Roost Bars -. Nest Boxes Shingle Roof Chicken Doors Ramp 5a6Cmp and morel For 12 -15 New llesigps °• Zed \MITI Pan'l5 Co[rttxxly �'� • Blank -12et egg cartons • Generic Print -12et egg cartons • Egg Boxes SCUD labeling o stamping your egg carton! 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The interest in raising chickens all across the country has you considering getting a flock to add spice and glamour to your backyard or garden. Involve some youngsters and you have the perfect mix of fun and responsiblity. But is it right for your situation? The following two articles are from readers who have already taken the plunge, and now share their experiences and advice. MARY MURRAY OHIO n winter 2010, in our part of the Midwest, winter lingered on and spring was unhurried to arrive. Slowly though, each week the blasts of frosty air seemed to mix with the promise of violets, daffodils, and freshly - plowed fields. Warmer weather was sure to come, and no matter how much we thought the cold winds would never stop, in time they slowed, were warmer, and soon we found ourselves enjoying the first hint of spring fever. No matter the year, it seems that March is always a month of promise when all of our winter planning and dreaming begins to come true. After winter visions of blooming fruit trees, berry bushes, and bountiful gardens, I stood like a wide -eyed kid in a candy store on a Saturday when our family visited the local feed store. I pored over books, magazines, and seed packets. This year our children wanted their own gardens to tend, and so while we looked at flower and vegetable seeds, we talked about what each of them wanted to grow in their little plots of land. Our son was determined that watermelon was a must for him, while our daughter wanted flowers in every shade of pink and purple. Adorable Chicks Makes Saying No Difficult It was during all this talk about gardens that we heard it. That unmistakable sound. That sound of spring... a delightful "peep" coming from somewhere in the back of the store. In a flash seed packets were forgotten and children dashed to find the source of the sound. In no time at all we were looking into two water tanks filled with fluffy, butter yellow, and oh -so adorable chicks. our family had talked about getting chickens for a couple of years. I remember my grandmother having chickens and those fond memories of her country home have kept them on my "wish list" for quite some time. Whenever our neighbors are out Of town, we've found it fun to "chicken sit" for them. The kids would always enjoy the non -stop chatter as we fed the hens, and of course the thrill of being the first one to find an egg. 24 So it was with excitement, but caution, I stood looking at these day -old chicks. Excitement because I began to really think it over seriously —we'd need supplies, a coop, fencing for a run —and caution, because my husband was not with us as I began to seriously ponder this idea. And Never Name Them! It was then our daughter found the smallest chick in the bunch... tiny and oh -so sweet. She gently cuddled her, then gave her a name. A name! What's a mom to do? How can you possibly put a chick back that has now been named? Her attachment to this little chick was immediate and I began to panic. My in -laws were taking us to dinner, it was time to go, what could I do? I couldn't arrive at dinner with a box of peeping chicks without talking this over with my husband. He knew I had wanted hens for quite awhile, but this was a family decision. It was hard, but I had to say no. We'd talk it over as a family, seriously this time, and not as a "someday" wish. And so with teary eyes, my daughter put the little chick Our six chicks arrive at their new home... and soon, dinner's on... followed by a nap. Backyard Poultry back. We then went to dinner and of course the kids couldn't wait to tell their daddy and grandparents all about the chicks. I remember my husband saying, "Well, if she named the chick, we have to go back and bring it home." j `But the minimum purchase is six,,, I told him. And so, 1 after dinner, we found ourselves back at the feed store. The littlest chick, Cinnamon, was still there, and she, along with five others, were carefully tucked into a box. We purchased all the necessary supplies and soon were on our way... with our daughter gently holding the box of peeping chicks on her lap all the way home. Chicks Grow Fast —Have a Coop Ready The chicks quickly outgrew the and nt then the large appliance - moving box, and finally camcloser, we completed our plans for size box. en As moving day The foxes and the chicken coop with an attached w tilt t� coyotesecurity- e can sometimes raccoons we often see, g amed, I read hear in the distant woods, meant extra safety was n books, magazines, and on -line articles to make sure we were ready. We secured the doors with square lock pins and the nest boxes with D clamps. The run was made with a heavy gauge wire roof to keep our local falcons out, and my husbanspent of the hours pounding rebar into the ground along the perimeter run and coop to discourage digging animals. A length of vinyl flooring was cut to fit on the coop floor. This not only keeps the wood floor clean and dry, but it also keeps me from having to scrub the floor clean several times a Warm and cozy under the red brooder lamp. Below: With lots of tender loving care from the kids, the chicks grew quickly! April /may 2012 a A rake is kept beside the coop door to rake the shavings daily to freshen them up. year. When it's coop cleaning time, it's easy to sweep the pine shavings into a wheel barrow and toss them into the compost bin, or till them into the garden. Vinyl floor- ing is quick and easy to mop, let dry, then top with fresh pine shavings. (Vinyl flooring works well for adult While we added the finishing touches, birds, but should nev- a curious kitten explored a nest box- er be used for chicks while in the brooder. Make sure the chicks can't slip on any smooth surfaces, eluding newspaper, which can cause slipped tendon, properly known as perosis. A layer of paper towels or old cloth towels work well.— Ed.) Window screens were covered on the outside with 14 -gauge wire and held in place with deck screws and fender washers. This allows me to easily open the windows on hot days (and nights) and still feel the hens are safe and secure . When the coop was complete, and moving day came, we introduced the girls to their new home. Tentative at first, they explored each nook and cranny of the coop, then slowly, one at a time, ventured into the run. Soon they were pecking, cackling, m 25 L damps and square lock pins secure doors and nest boxes against predators. - - -- °-- -1 3 coup reauy for the chicks' arrival. The vinyl flooring can be seen below the pine shavings. Incubators, Brooders, Cages & Supplies 26 and Performance at a Reasonable Price O GQF MANUFACTURING CO. PO, GA 312 SAVANNAH, GA 31002 NSA visit GQFmfg.com I miss them, but often I'd find our kids inside the run just sitting and enjoying time with the chickens. Wafting for the Eggs Fast forward to July 15. My morn- ing routine was established... let the girls out early before the heat of the day began. I always peeked inside the nest boxes, just in case I'd find an egg. The hens were 18 weeks old now, so the big day could be any time. Opening the next box, but not really expecting to find anything, I couldn't believe I'd discovered four eggs! I was so thrilled! I called my husband, who was on his way to work, then ran to tell the kids. We had all spent a long week at scout camp, I knew the kids were exhausted and needed their sleep. And so I waited. Finally, three long hours later, children were up and we ran to the coop together. They were as excited as I was! Now, each day, it's a race to be first to make a room- ing "chicken and egg check." In a few more weeks, we discovered six eggs in the nest boxes.., just what I was waiting for to ensure that we were rooster -free! Owning Chickens Offers Old - Fashioned Fun As I write this, it's late August. The distant rumble of thunder promises a shower and it will be welcome in these dog days of summer. Garden baskets are filled with sun - ripened tomatoes, cucum- bers, zucchini, and sweet com, much of which is shared with our hens. This summer has been a terrific time of fun and learning for our children. In a world of video games and electronic gad- gets, it's been heartwarming to see them slow down and enjoy the simple country pleasure of owning chickens. Eggs like these are now a daily treat! Backyard Poultry q! M �A =a210 Raising poultry at home is a truly rewarding activity that the entire family can enjoy together. Take comfort in knowing your birds will grow healthy and strong with our high- quality and nutritionally - balanced feeds. FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOUR FAMILY x BWE Sm JEN CORCORAN WISCONSIN « ]� Ovou can not have a chick- en, I replied with exas- peration to my daughter's umpteenth request. She pushed the glossy pages of Backyard Poultry toward me and whined, "But Mom, it says here that this breed is good for cold weather!" I'd tried everything to dissuade my ear- nest and determined eight -year-old for the Past two years. This girl wanted a chicken so bad that she used to sneak store- bought eggs out of the refrigerator and bring them under the covers with her at night in an attempt to warm them into hatching. Needless to say we've been through a lot Of sheets in our house. Regardless, I could come up with no justification for deny- ing her fondest feathered desire that she couldn't shoot down like a honed sniper. "I don't have time to take care of more animals." "I'd do it! It would be my respon- sibility!" "We don't have a hen house.,, "We can build one together! It'd be fun to do as a family," she said, sneakily throwing in the word she knew could tip the Scales of Decision to her favor. "You have plenty of pets, honey." "Yes,but these would be working chick - S8 ens! They'd lay eggs! Like, every days, "With how much we eat, I have to shop anyway every day. I'll just buy eggs," "But farm fresh eggs are so much better! Everyone says so. I could sell them" "And what would you money you earned?" "Buy more chickens!" do with the rstght- year -old Fynn Corcoran and the first hen she received as a surprise birthday gift, in front of the original chicken coop. (Heavy sigh). "I'm not sure that eggs, even if they are tastier than the average egg, is enough reason to start up a chicken hobby, honey." "But it's all I want for my birthday. Just one chicken." "I'm sorry, Fynn. It's just not going to happen" And then she threw down the gloves. She brought out the big guns. My little eight - year -old daughterdangled the carrot that she knew could make this momma donkey budge. "We could get show birds and compete with them." I looked down into my daughter's sly brown eyes and felt a mixture of exaspera_ lion and nostalgia. I'd grown up showing pigeons, and had filled my children's heads with visions and stories of the lovely Baldhead Rollers that I'd. bred and shown as a youth. My father and I had shared many memorable times traveling in the old Country Squire station wagon to compete in pigeon shows around the state of Wisconsin. In fact, my childhood bedroom at my parents' house still has a :closet full of dust covered trophies topped with tarnished metal pigeons. Raising pigeons gave me an early interest in genetics and the rewards of breeding and raising; animals that were superb examples of their breed. As an adult, living in the country enables me Baolayard Poultry Lacey, the broody Silver Laced Wyandotte hen that hatcnen some Ao,craaca..e chicks. to live out the dream of raising American Saddlebred show horses, but so far my daughter's youth and relative inexperi- ence makes it difficult to completely enjoy traveling to shows together. She looked up at me with steely brown eyes and delivered the final, and master- fully manipulative, closing argument. "Mom, all I want is to have fun with you, like you did with Grandpa growing UP!, My resolve melting at a dangerous rate, I managed to wrench my gaze away from her, where it rested on my husband. He stood behind my daughter, arms crossed, shaking his head with a "Don't you dare" expression on his face. "Absolutely not, Fynn. End of discus - .;. „1 tnld her. grateful for the grounding strength of my husband. "Now go get ready, honey. Your birthday party starts in an hour." Later, our large extended family crowded around Fynn and the chaos of presents and torn wrapping. "Well, that's the last one," I told Fynn as she set the last gift down. "Nopel There's one more!" announced her crazy aunt Julie (who, incidentally, is my husband's sister). Then the small group of friends and family gave a collective gasp. Giggles began to spread through them like a vocal wave. From around the comer of the house, Julie's boyfriend John carried a live trap cage with a tan colored, frantic - looking chicken stuffed into its cramped quarters. "Happy birthday!" John announced with conspiratorial glee. He set the cage down with the now squawking bird in front of Fynn, who squealed with joy. "A chicken! My very own chicken! This is the best birthday ever!" I looked over at my husband with a stunned expression. Clearly he hadn't a clue about this feathered surprise, either. Well, what could we do? Throw the thing on the grill ?! Our daughter was ecstatic. What could one silly little chicken hurt? My husband closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as though he had a piercing headache. When he finally looked at me, it was with silent, though grim, resignation. We were the proud new owners of a chicken. Once we got the wild -eyed, formerly free -ranged hen home, Fynn immediately went about setting up a larger, more ac- commodating cage for her new pet. An old rabbit hutch did the temporary trick, set up in the wash stall of our horse bam. In the next few weeks my daughter ignored the buff colored hen's loud protestation and practically smothered her with love. Before long the bird was eating out of her hand. Literally. But not before we got rid of the lice, scaly mites, and nasty looking fungus on her comb. Ick. I mean really, the in -laws couldn't have found a parasite -free birthday gift ?! Rose the hen wintered just fine in the horse bam, but she never did lay an egg. That would be because old grandma hens don't do that. (Boy, can the in -laws pick 'em.) But she was pretty, and Fynn The custom-made stained glass panel that adorns me peas 01 .ar oc......- April /May 2012 The hallway of the Corcoran's hen house. w .bactcyardpoultry,neg.com 29 1 adored her, and she seemed conte i We even found a cute purple children playhouse that we cleverly converted to small coop so that she'd have more roo to move around outside. Until, that is, daughter got it in her determined head th Rose needed a buddy. Aw, heck, what one more hen? We found a breeder Ameracaunas close by and drove to Pic up a young pullet. "What kind of chickens do you raise. asked the breeder. "We don't. We just have one mystery breed hen," I replied. "Yeah, one lonely hen," my daughte chimed in. The breeder looked down at m daughter, who was fairly hopping with excitement. "I could sell you a rooster too if you'd like to have a breeding pair,' she offered. "Uh -uh. NOPe. Thanks, but no way." I felt proud of myself at the conviction in my words. Smug, even. "We don't want to breed chickens. We just want a friend for our Pet hen" I eyed the shiny black chicken the woman held. "She's big," I commented. "Yeah, I guess she is." She held the bird up and looked at it closer. "Hmm. I think this is a hen," she said with a touch of uncertainty. I should have paid better attention to the tiny trickle of alarm that ran through me. "Eve" came home with us that day and quickly settled in with Rose, who taught the new chicken that under no circumstances was there to be any silly rabble- rousing, and that Rose was The Boss. Even so, the new bird grew bigger and bigger, and as spring melted away the snow, the black chicken remarkably overtook the buff hen in size. Eve had long legs, a sprouty tail, and a significantly larger head than Rose. And she had a sus- picious, severe- looking eye. One day Eve began to make odd sounds from the direction of the purple hen house. From the confines of the large dog kennel that was the chicken mn, we heard noises that sounded like Eve had a moldy hunk of wood shaving stuck in her craw. Or maybe it sounded like rusty refrigerator hinges. Or like your chain - smoking uncle clearing his throat. Or like.... "That thing is a rooster," my husband said, concisely voicing my growing fear. "No, no, she's just hitting puberty or something," I protested hopefully. "Yeah. Puberty for a rooster," he said, 30 nt. shaking his head and walking away. s And so goes the story of how Eve a became "Steve:' m I still don't exactly know how the my whole thing snowballed. One minute at Fynn was staunchly making her case for s why we needed to get an Ameracauna of hen for Steve's male ( "Rose doesn't lay k eggs anyway, Mom! We need at least one layer hen!), and the next I was forking T' over enough money to buy a scrumptious family -sized fried chicken dinner with all the flxins in return for a show -quality Ameracaunapullet.Ourcollection now in- cluded a Grandma hen, a gender - confused rooster (okay, we were the ones that were y confused) and a pricey diva. The chicken situation looked pretty dire. And then it happened. One fine mom - ing I squeezed into the claustrophobic confines of the playhouse- turned -hen house, and immediately I sensed some- thing amazing had happened. In one of the nestboxes was a large pale blue egg. I Picked it up. It was still warm to the touch and perfectly smooth. I gave Merribel a soft stroke of appreciation before I turned to walk to the house. My husband met me along the path. "What are you smiling about ?" he asked. Triumphantly I held up the blue egg for his inspection. "Great," he said, his expression totally void of enthusiasm. "You're really getting into this whole thing, aren't you." It was a statement, not a question. I shrugged hap- pily and flitted off to the house. Well, you can't just have one layer. They're like Potato chips. Err, except we didn't want to eat these potato chips. We added a Speckled Sussex named Nosey, and a Silver Laced Wyandotte named Lacey. We were getting three beautiful tasty eggs a day and our little chickendom couldn't be happier. Until my husband, bless his heart, opened his big mouth and said, "You know, I could build you a better chicken COOP if you want" Big mistake. Fynn and I began poring over plans for hen houses. Neither of us wanted to do the box-on -stilts type of backyard coop. No, no, this had to be better than that. Fynn wanted room enough for 20 hens. I wanted it to be simultaneously aesthetically pleas- ing and functional. Chicken grandeur, if i You will. I wanted Steve to shout from e the rooftop that he had the best digs in the county for his happy little hen harem. My Poor, good sport of a husband. c The nest boxes have hinged perches that can flip up to dose them off when necessary, and the bottoms slide out for easy cleaning. The nest box backs open into the hen house hallway for easier egg collection. Two months and many arguments later we had built our hen house. With the help of some very good, eye - rolling friends, the plan of birdie - grandeur materialized. Friends and family that witnessed its erec- tion commonly inquired, "Why are you going to such trouble for a chicken coop ?" to which I replied haughtily, "It's called a hen house. Please don't cheapen it" In honor of the first humble little chicken coop, the new building was stained a dark purple color with warm yellow trim. A large bay window was nstalled above the front porch, and on ach side of the building a large sliding window. The whole thing was insulated hke a house, but there was a fresh -air ex- hange fan installed that could be turned Backyard Poultry �. 1, 01 r 4 r 4 Some of the birds roosting at night. on with a timer switch to ensure proper ventilation year round. Lights and elec- trical outlets would allow the use of cozy heat lamps during the harsh winters. The floor was lined with linoleum beneath the bedding, and the walls were painted with an epoxy paint that allows me to wash them without fading. Three large individual pens divided the hen house with custom nest boxes. They were built with hinged perches in front of each so that we can flip them up and close them off, and bottoms that slide out like trays for easy cleaning. I found decorative rooster pull knobs from eBay to put on their backside open- ings, which face the hallway for easy egg collection. And did I mention the charm- ing purple antique rooster cabinet I found on Craigslist? Perfect to fill with various chicken supply necessities, mounted above a wooden countertop that hides the food and supplement storage bins. And then there's the stained glass. I know, I know. Ridiculous, right? But I did have a friend that did custom glasswork; I found a great pattern of a proud, handsome rooster, so she designed a colorful panel to fit in a big half -moon window. The day it was mounted on the peak above the front wall seemed like the final perfect touch. It throws bright splashes of cheery hues throughout the hen house, and I'm pretty sure that the girls love that rooster. Steve, however, seems a tad disgruntled. We slowly increased our flock, and even experienced the joy of watching some batch on their own, thanks to the broody Lacey, who happily surrogated seven Ameracauna eggs. When I walked in to the sleepy hen house at dawn that morning, I sealed my fate as a chicken lover. Slipping in to the "nursery" pen, I hun- kered down in front of the nest boxes and got eye- to-eye with Lacey, who proudly raised tip to reveal two downy heads be- neath her ample bosom. Five more eggs were either cracked or rocking. I felt my heart swell with excitement, and I hurried to the house to wake my sleeping daughter. Now, had it been a school day, Fynn would have emitted a grumpy groan and rolled over, but upon my urgent whisper that the eggs were hatching, she catapulted out of bed and ran barefoot through the dewy grass to the hen house. The Wyandotte hen agreeably allowed Fynn to hold one of her hatching eggs, and my daughter's smile was full of wonderment as she felt the shuddering force of life within the shell struggling to break free. Later that day, after Fynn hauled her father over to see the new arrivals, he remarked to me, "I thought you said all seven wouldn't hatch. I see seven chicks." "Well, Lacey's a good mom, Dad!" Fynn said happily. Jay looked at me with suspicious eyes, and then back at the hen that had doubled our little flock's size in a mere 21 days. "I'm not making this coop any bigger, you know," he warned. "It's a hen house, Dad. Please don't cheapen it!" Fynn quipped, and I grinned at her with quiet pride. She'd become a chicken geek, just like her mom. WITH OUR DNTH TRIAL! : Put one to the test on your ' own property. _ CLEAR & MAINTAIN meadows, pastures, roadsides, fencelines, walking paths, and underbrush from woodlots with ease! CUT tall grass, weeds, brush, brambles, sumac — including tough saplings up to 3" thick! _.. CHOP/ _ MULCH most of what you cut, ' leaving NO TANGLE of material to trip over or pickup like you get with hand -held brush cutters. AR-E , Self- 32 LIPPING ` Propelled and Tow - Behind Models Call for a FREE DVD & Catalog! TOLL FREE 1 -877 -200 -6196 www.DRfieldbrush.com ELIMINATE Landscape Eyesores with a DR® STUMP GRINDER! • EXPAND lawn areas. TREEi • OPEN UP fields & SHIPPING t meadows. w,umn arm. • BLAZE new trails. • REMOVE mowing hazards. The DR® STUMP GRINDER uses carbide - tipped cutting teeth that take over 400 "bites" per second, to pulverize stumps into a pile of woodchips. Quickly and easily, you can grind any size tree stump below ground level. Gone forever! Call for a FREE DVD & Catalog! TOLL FREE 1 -877-200 -6196 www.DRstumpgrinder.com Backyard Poultry We now accept all major credit cards. W,Sandg ►oultryoco 205 - 755 -70$2 1 Clanton, Alabama HELPFUL HINTS: BROODING CHICKS IS If You Learn From The HARVEY USSERY W W W.THEMODERNfIOMESTEAD.US o become an expert at brooding just - hatches chicks, learn from an expert: Spend some tim watching a mother hen to see how efficient she provides for all her babies' needs. The chicks' do' doesn't insulate them as well as their eventual feat} so— should it get breezy —the hen calls them to huddl der her breast and wings for some on- the -spot wamtir rain shower blows up, she finds dry shelter. She spend of her time finding high - quality natural feeds for her i ensuring rapid growth and excellent health. Finally, tl will defend them from predators looking for a meal. (I have seen one of my Old English Game hens thrash a Cooper's hawk trying to grab one of her chicks. When that whirlwind of fury hit, the hawk's only concern was finding something to do somewhere else — anywhere else.) Those lessons from a pro mostly sum up all we need to know about brooding chicks until they are well feathered, less vulnerable, and ready to take care of themselves: Keep them warm and dry. Protect them from predators. And feed them as diverse an array of live, natural feeds as you can, from day one. If your brooder and your management meet these requirements, brooding chicks is easy and success is virtually certain. A mother hen caring for her little ones can teach us almost all we need to know about brooding chicks. Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Harvey Ussery. 34 ..9 The Brooder I will assume that you're brooding at the home scale, say somewhere between 25 and 100 chicks at a time. For brooding at this scale, set -up can be simple indeed. Most home flocksters do not maintain a permanent, dedicated brooder, but simply set up a temporary one for the three or four weeks needed. We brooded our first batch of 25 chicks, for example, in the carton in which a new refrigerator had been delivered, parked temporarily in our shop. (Do note, though, that by the end of the brooding period there was a coating of dust everywhere in the shop!) Most flocksters use electricity to warm the brooder, so a convenient outlet is a better option than a long set of extension cords, which creates hazards. A basic layout: A friend of mine simply blocks off the end of a small tool shed with a thin plywood barrier as a temporary brooder space. Another blocks off a comer of a horse stall in her barn using straw or hay bales, and tops it off with a mesh gate to keep the chicks inside and protect them from intruders. It is essential that the brooder be well ventilated, to allow for constant air exchange. At the same time, a direct air draft on the chicks can chill them dangerously. The compromise between the two needs is ensuring there is no draft at floor level where the chicks are, but providing plenty of air flow above them. Abundant ventilation is not only necessary to ensure constant fresh air for the chicks —it helps as well keep the brooder dry, preventing health problems related to damp conditions. Many flocksters employ a "draft shield" to block drafts at floor level, perhaps a long strip of cardboard 12 to 18 inches high, set in a circle around the space under the heat source, or a long strip of metal flashing which gets rolled up and stored until the next batch of chicks. In either case, the draft shield should be expanded as the chicks grow and need more space. Backyard Poultry A temporary plywood partition turns the end of a tool shed into a basic brooder, complete with rheostat- controlled electric heater, anti -waste feeder, waterer which is raised as chicks grow, and free- choice grit. Pine- shavings litter provides best manure management and keeps the chicks entertained as they scratch in it. Below: An even simpler brooder set up in the corner of a horse stall, blocked off with hay bales. Additional hay inside brooder provides fun for the chicks. f a flammable surface underneath. There should be no danger o accidental wetting of bulbs, sockets, or plugs. The "Ohio" brooders If you brood only the occasional batch of chicks, the more ca- sual approach sketched above works fine. An alternative with a couple of advantages is the "hover" type brooder, sometimes called the "Ohio" brooder because it was developed at the Ohio Experiment Station in the early 1940s. It's easy to make a hover style brooder with a single 4 x 8 -foot sheet of plywood or particle board. just cut it in half and use one 4 x 4 piece for the top, and rip the remaining 4 x 4 -foot piece into strips 12 inches wide by 4 feet long to make the sides. Attach "legs" of 1 x 1 or 1 x 2 wood strips, 16 to 18 inches long, in each corner, to create a 4- to 6 -inch gap between the lower edge of the hover sides and the floor. (Alternatively, you could suspend the hover from the ceiling or rafters of the building in which the brooder is housed.) The original design featured two interior lamps mounted on opposite sides, one of 250 watts and one of from 115 to 150 watts. If you are not brooding in freezing conditions, however, you can—and probably should, for safety —use bulbs of lower wattage. Porcelain bases are essential. (An alternative design for brooding in very cold temperatures, featuring top- mounted 250 -watt lamps, is shown in the bottom photo on page 36.) The Ohio brooder is considerably more energy efficient, since only the space directly under the hover is heated, rather than the entire space inside an open brooder. The space outside the hover remains much closer to ambient temperature, which could be quite cool, maybe even freezing. That's actually an In addition to blocking drafts, a draft shield prevents right - angle corners in the brooder in which chicks can "pile up" if cold, frightened, or otherwise stressed, leading to suffocation in the worst case. Avoiding sources of stress is better than pro- viding solutions, of course. I have never used such a circular shield and have never had a problem with piling up. The usual source of heat for the chicks is either an electric heating element or heat lamps, suspended overhead. Heating elements with a rheostat for dialing temperature up or down are readily available from poultry supply houses. If you rely on lamps, it's better to use two, so heat remains available even if one burns out. My farm co -op offers both 15o -watt flood lamps and 250 - watt heat lamps, either of which screws into the same shiny metal reflector hood with porcelain base. Some flocksters prefer an infrared heat lamp, others opt for heat lamps with ordinary clear light. I've used both and have seen little difference in performance. Whether suspended or clipped to a handy anchor, the lamp must be securely attached to prevent falling onto a combustible surface. Heat lamps (250 watts) should be no closer than 18 inches, 125- or 150 -watt lamps no closer than 13 inches, from gprWMay 2012 subscribe orxeuew Today: Backyard Poultry Chickens, waterfowl, tur- keys, guineas... if you now have a small flock, intend top urch one, or ever dreamed of ase having some of these birds grace your back- yard, this is the magazine for you. Start or renew your subscription todayl surpnx and Might youl) Yes' Stan my subscription to BACKYARD POULTRY. 0 1 Poll year $21 is issues) 0 2 years, $35 (Save $7.00!) City, State, Lip Mad to: Backyard Poultry 145 industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or call toll free: 800 -551 -5691 wy„w b�7ryardpoultryfn" -COm 35 advantage: The chicks self- regulate for temperature, running about in the cooler space outside when inclined and retreat- ing under the hover to sleep or for a quick warming session. After the Inst couple of days, place the feed and water outside the hover to encourage more time in the cooler air, which speeds feathering. It's convenient to set up a hover type brooder in the living space the chicks will "mature into." For example, I screw my hover together when needed right in one of the sections of my poultry house, temporarily blocked off fro the main flock with a wire partition an a wire-on -frame door. Once the chick are well feathered and no longer nee the warmth of the brooder, I disas semble it and hang it flat on a wall. A acquaintance of mine in the America Pastured Poultry Producers Association broods his layer chicks (up to 200 pe batch) under a hover set up temporarily inside a 10 x 20 -foot "eggmobile" that will be their movable pasture home their entire lives. - .jp2 u,000er with hinged top for easy access to the interior. Unless ambient temperatures are quite cold, lower - wattage lamps are sufficient in a hover than are needed in an open brooder —these are 100 -watt and 150 -watt, with firmly attached Porcelain bases. Note placement of feeder and waterer outside the hover, which encourages chicks to spend more time in cooler air. The Chicks Are in the Mail Just before hatch, a chick absorbs - the last of the egg's yolk, and thus has m sufficient water and nutrients on reserve d for a period of two or even three days S before it has to have food and water. Dur- d ing this "on hold" period day -old chicks (and ducklings, goslings, turkey poults, An and guinea keets) can be sent through the American up- Auouaung is probably a safer choice for 250 -watt lamps, for brooding in quite cold, even freezing, temperatures. This 3 -lamp hover, 4 feet each side and 18 inches high, broods 200 layer chicks inside the 10 x 20 -ft eggmobile which becomes their permanent Pasture home. Photo courtesy of Tim Koegel, www.organicpasturedpoultry.com. 36 Pr0:cshrrg the chicks; Most of us will set up the brooder inside a building that protects from the usual suspects —fox, raccoon, weasel, mink, possum, skunk. Remember, how- ever, that rats can be devastating to help- less chicks. If you have rats around, either trap them all or secure the brooder with half -inch hardware cloth. Snakes have a taste for chicks as well, so make sure they have no place to hide. Prevent access by the family dog or cat, who can leave a lot Of mayhem behind even if only-playing- with the chicks. Younger children are not predators, but need close supervision in order to enjoy the exciting new project without excessive handling of the chicks. As for older children, what better opportunity to learn responsibility and empathy with our domesticated companions than being given a role in brooder management? mail. Shipping is unquestionably stress- ful for the chicks, so it's a good idea to r check first for local sources of day -olds. For many of us though, our only source may be from , hatcheries far away. Our first priority must therefore be helping our new wards recover from their trip. Hatcheries usually ship a minimum of 25 chicks —for maintenance of suffi- cient shared warmth inside their shipping box —so most brooding projects involve at least that many chicks. Actually, a few hatcheries now ship as few as three chicks in an order, sending them Express Mail and adding long- acting heating packs to help keep the chicks warm. Cost per chick can get pretty steep in these small orders, but if there are stringent limits on the number of chicks possible in your Project, look through an issue of Back- yard Poultry to find advertisements of hatcheries offering orders of just a few chicks. Your local farm co -op may also sell chicks in small lots, though their selection may be quite limited. While it is possible to order chicks "sexed" (separated by gender at the hatch- ery), it is just a fact of life in the industry Backyard Poultry Be sure everything in the brooder is ready before the big moment —the arrival of the chicks. that —when most flocksters place all - pullet orders —too many cockerel chicks remain unsold, and they are "euthanized" by the hundreds of thousands. I choose not to contribute to that outcome, so I al- ways order chicks "straight run" —that is, in the natural ratio of about half cockerels and half pullets —and that might be your preference as well. Remember, though, that "free to good home" roosters are not a hot item, and you should be prepared to butcher excess males for the table as they grow and require culling. Most hatcheries offer vaccination and debeaking of their chicks, at a small additional cost per chick. Though many flocksters see vaccination (usually against coccidiosis or Marek's disease, though other vaccinations are available) as added "insurance," domesticated chickens are naturally healthy. I have never once chosen to have chicks vaccinated, and to my knowledge have never had a problem with coccidiosis or Marek's. As for debeaking— chopping off half theupperbeaktoprevent"cannibahsm"- let's recognize it for what it is: mutilation, practiced solely to correct for inhumane mismanagement. While routinely em- ployed in industrial layer houses with up to a hundred thousand layers under enor- mous stress, our goal should be to avoid entirely any source of stress which would lead to crazed, destructive behavior. Don't just take my word about avoid- ing these options. Ideal Hatchery, one of the nation's two biggest suppliers of chicks for home and small farm flocks, states unambiguously that it does not rec- ommend either vaccination or debeaking for small -scale flocks. Remember the need to help chicks get over the stress of shipment as soon as possible. Tum on the heat in the brooder the night before arrival, so it is nice and warm when you put in the chicks. Notify your post office of your expected ship- ment and be sure you are home to take delivery. I like to have my postmaster The That Lars The .3 Braggs Mountain Poultry 1558 Kreider Road Ft. Gibson, OK 74454 www.braggsmountainpoultry.com • Houses 4.6 average ,Ke hhae • IJo tools ragvfred for assembly •Removable llne • Eery a"ess for egg 99 colle kab • N.1a 1 reslnant wish lockable access p d •Dual wll mnmucdon provides iniulaXm and mangsh April /May 2012 vuww.backyardpoultrymag.com 37 The first priority is a drink of water —the best antidote for shipping stress. I like to dip each chick's beak into water to get them drinking right away. call me when my chicks arrive with the morning mail, so I can run in and pick them up right away. The most important boost for the chicks is getting their first drink of water, which should be slightly warm rather than cold. You can usually order electrolytes from your hatchery as an additional boost, but my country boy version is a mix of half a gallon of water with a quarter to a half cup of raw honey, a couple of tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar, and a couple of cloves of raw garlic squeezed through a garlic press. After the first 24 hours, I replace the honey mix with pure water. Chickens instinctively look for food on the ground, so chicks may not at first recognize feed in the feeder as something to eat. I like to get them started with a lit- tle feed scattered over some newspaper or burlap sacking laid over the litter. If you use newspaper, lay down only a single sheet or two. A thick layer of newspaper will quickly become coated with manure, whereas the chicks will soon shred a couple of sheets and incorporate them into the litter. (An additional concern— especially in the case of ducklings and goslings —is the possibility of damage to the tendons of the legs if hatchlings are constantly walking on a slick or un- yielding surface such as a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard.) Once the chicks are eating from the feeders, dispense with the scattered feed. Managing the Brooder The most essential way in which you should try to imitate the mother hen is 36 to pay frequent attention to their needs: Monitoring the brooder as often as you can is the key to success. Litter. There is one thing we need to do in the brooder which the mother hen doesn't have to do for her chicks. When chicks are running about with their mother, their droppings are scattered at random over the ground, and decompositional organisms get to work right away to incorporate them into the soil. But in a brooder, the droppings continually ac- cumulate. Without proper management, they quickly become highly unsanitary and unpleasant, to us as well as to the chicks, and create excess dampness. Our key to natural management in this case is not the mother hen, but those decompositional organisms. That is, we should base management of the poops on the same sort of microbial action nature uses to break down organic residues like manures and return them to earth. We create a field day for decomposer microbes when we provide them plenty of high- carbon litter that readily fluffs up (so there is always plenty of oxygen in the mix). My preferred litter material is kiln -dried pine shavings, available from my local farm co -op in compressed bales. You might use ground corncobs, thor- oughly dried softwood sawdust, peanut or buckwheat hulls, or shredded sugar cane, depending on byproducts available near you. Some flocksters use straw, while others avoid it. Straw is high - carbon, to be sure, but if it gets too damp it can sup- port the growth of Aspergillus molds, the spores of which are bad for the delicate respiratory tissues of the chicks (and yours as well), so monitor a straw litter especially carefully if you use it. In any case, do not use long straw, which will cake with manure into a nasty, imperme- able coating. Use chopped or shredded straw instead. An absorptive litter at least several inches thick is almost magic stuff. Ken- nard and Chamberlin (the same research- ers who helped design the Ohio brooder) discovered in a number of critically important experiments in the early 1940s that "built up" litter (litter allowed to become more and more biologically ac- tive over time) not only provides sanitary decomposition of the droppings, but pro- vides positive feeding benefits as well. The decompositional microbes produce Vitamins B 12 and K, which the chicks take in as they find interesting things to eat in a mature litter. The experiments even demonstrated that biologically active lit- ter compensates for deficiencies of key nutrients, including protein, in ways that are not fully understood. Should you do successive batches of chicks in your brooder, please don't heed the advice you are likely to see on the subject —to "clean out and sterilize" be- tween batches. If all that biological activ- ity is so beneficial, why would we want to get rid of it? All my correspondents who allow the litter to develop report without exception that later batches of chicks actually do better than earlier ones. Do add fresh litter frequently, how- ever. If you smell ammonia, immediately top off with more high - carbon material. And next time, make the addition just before the "whiff point," since ammonia can damage chicks' lungs at a concentra- tion too low for our noses to detect. Adjusting temperature: You may see instructions to "maintain temperature at 95 °F the first week and reduce by 50 each week." But I advise forgetting the thermometer —I've never used one in a brooder —and key instead on the behavior of the chicks. If they're clustered under the heat source, they're chilly and you need to increase the heat by lowering a heat lamp or coming on another or dialing up the rheostat. If they're crowded around the perimeters of the brooder as far as they can get from the heat source, it's too warm. If they're scooting about like water bugs on a pond, that's the Goldilocks point ( "just tight "). Of course, like all babies they need to sleep a lot, so don't be perturbed to see chicks beak -down in the litter. Watering Brooder Chicks Do not use any waterer that allows chicks to wade or splash —if they get wet, they can quickly chill and die even at room temperatures. There are a number of options for chick waterers, but they all feature a `lip" that holds the water but is too narrow for the chicks to get in. Water in the reservoir, whether a quart Mason jar or a gallon plastic tank, flows freely into the lip through a hole in the base until the hole is covered, when a vacuum forms inside the reservoir which prevents further flow. I like to set the waterer on a stand Backyard Poultry or suspend it, to keep it free of litter kicked up by the chicks. Drinking water should be at about shoulder height, so the waterer should be raised —by setting on blocks, or by shortening the cord if suspended —as the chicks grow. I clean waterers frequently,but only by rinsing or by swabbing with a brush. It is not neces- sary to sterilize by boiling or using toxic chemicals such as chlorine bleach. Prevent wet spots around the waterer, since damp litter is more likely to sup- port growth of molds or pathogens and parasites such as cocci and roundworms. If the litter gets wet, remove it and add fresh, dry material. Be especially vigilant when brooding ducklings and goslings, who are exuberantly messy with their water. Feeding Brooder Chicks Chicks are notorious wasters of feed, so feeders should be designed so they cannot get inside and scratch for the most desirable bits. Chick feeders usually have a cover with holes for the chicks' heads, or a rotating reel which both prevents perching on the feeder and scratching in it. Despite the shortcomings of highly processed feeds of uncertain freshness, most of us are stuck with purchased feeds. (of course, you could well experi- ment with making your own, as I do. See sidebar.) Poultry feeds are usually offered in three formulations: chick or starter (highest in protein), grower or pullet developer, and layer (lowest in protein, highest in minerals needed for laying, should not be fed to chicks). Most starter feeds are "medicated" with coccidiostats to prevent infection by cocci (the parasitic protozoans that cause coccidiosis),I have always avoided medicated feeds, trusting that normal ex- posure to cocci (almost universally present whereverchickens are raised) will actually strengthen my chicks' naturally robust im- mune response. If you are unable to find non - medicated starter feed, you can feed your brooder chicks from the beginning with the second stage "grower ration," ane supplement protein with added fish mea or raw beef or deer liver. Be on the lookout for a conditiot known as "pasting up" or "pasty butt" The chick's feces come out viscous ant sticky, and coat the down around the vent First aid for the condition is essential– if we do not gently pull away the feca AprWXELY 4012 PROTECTING STANDARD -BRED POULTRY © EQuarterly Benefits include: «t•n•� ° Newsletter- Annual Yearbook 1`1@ Sanctioned Shows and Judges 6 JOIN TODAY -Dues: $20 per year or $50 for 3 years Junior members $15 per year or $40 for 3 years American Poultry Association PO Box 306, Btlrgettstown, Pa. 15021 Phone: 724 - 729 -3459 - Email: secretaryapa @yahoo.com Website: amerpoultryassn.com w .bactryardpovttrYi ag.com 39 For More Information Further discussion of brooders and brooding can be found in Chapter 5, "Starting the Flock," in my book, The Small -Scale Poultry Flock (Chelsea Green, 2011). Thanks to Robert Plamondon for providing easy access to reports from the Ohio Experimental Station in the early 1940s about more sensible poul- try brooding: Formore details on building and man- aging an Ohio style brooder, see http: // www.plamondon.com/broodershtn-j. And see http: / /plamondon.com/ faq_deep_littechtml for more fascinat- ing facts about the benefits of bioactive litter in the brooder. I also highly recommend Robert Plamondon's excellent guide to brood- ers and brooding, Success With Chicks (Norton Creek Press, 2003). Information on how to build a brooder can be found in "Build a Brooder for Chicks, Keets and Poults," by Gail Damerow, Backyard Poultry December 2010 /January 2011, page 30 and considerations when buying a brooder in "Choosing a Brooder," by Gail Damerow, Backyard Poultry April/May 2011, page 28. My website, www.themodemhome- stead.us, has lots more information about a number of topics referred to in this article. Using the "Livestock "drop down menu, choose "Poultry" and search table of contents for: Information about using mother hens to raise your new chicks, see "Working with Broody Hens: Let Mama Do It, first published in June/July 2006 Back- yard Poultry (and, for an even more extensive discussion, Chapter 27 of my book, which may be the best treatment's of this topic available anywhere); "Euthanizing" excess hatchery cockerels in "Moral Puzzles in the Backyard"; Deep litter as the ideal approach to manure management (which begins in the brooder): `Brooding Chicks on Deep Litter" and "When Life Gives You Lemons...'; "Making Your Own Poultry Feeds," along with several other articles about feeding using homestead resources, especially `Raising Earthworms to Feed the Flock" and "Cultivating Soldier Grubs to Feed the Flock." 40 Start reemng natural foods from the first day — clumps of grass, dandelion, or garden thinnings with soil attached, hard - boiled egg, soldier grubs, earthworms. Note how these broiler chicks are ignoring the certified - organic contents of the feeder, fresh -made at such effort and expense by yours truly, until they've had a run at the good stuff. mess, it will dry in place and occlude thi vent. In a worst case, the chick could die simply because it cannot poop. Feeding a little raw cornmeal or fim oatmeal can help clear up pasty butt and feeding finely cracked grains suck as wheat and oats the first two days can help pre vent it. Ensuring that the chicks are not chronically chilled is an essential preventive. But my key to prevention comes from the fact that I have never seen I single case ofpasting up in a chick on pasture with a mother hen. I therefore offer brooder chicks a variety of natural foods from day one: dandelions and clumps of grass, pulled up by the roots with soil attached; lettuce trimmings; hard - boiled eggs crushed by hand, shell and all; earthworms and soldier grubs from my vermicomposting and black soldier fly projects. In addition to preventing pasting up and boosting vitality, natural foods get chicks ready for hustling more of their own grub once they are out on pasture — andyou do plan to pasture your chickens, right, if only on your lawn? Remember your chicks' need for grit, small pieces of stone taken into the gizzard to grind their feed in lieu of chewing. Chicks eating commercial feeds only may not need grit, but those eating whole grains or fibrous natural foods should certainly have it avail- able. Chick -size granite grit (average size about that of radish seeds) is cheap and readily available. I sprinkle a little over the feed the first couple of days, and afterward offer it free - choice in a separate container. Leaving the Browder Your chicks must be fully feath- ered and capable of maintaining body temperature without added heat before leaving the brooder. Early in the season they might need to stay in the brooder four weeks; in the summer, only three or even less. When you think they may be ready, turn off the heat in the brooder, then check on them at night. If they are sleep- ing comfortably rather than huddling together against the cold, it's time to take apart the brooder until the next batch of chicks. Harvey Ussery is the author of The Small -Scale Poultry Flock (Chelsea Green, 2011), which offers an inte- grated poultry husbandry based on imitation of nature for production of safer, more wholesome poultry at any scale. For more information about, or to order his book, see page 16. —Ed. Backyard Poultry Nutrena" gives your flock the right nutrition. You collect the rewards. Get this reusable egg carton free when you buy 3 bags of NatureWise° premium natural poultry feed, or Country Feeds® the balanced nutrition that comes at a great value. Made from food -grade recycled plastic, our egg carton is dishwasher safe and recyclable. So its easy to clean and easy to reuse. Just visit your participating Nutrena° dealer today to collect the rewards. ature NUNTRYR4 Wise Official promotion datesare 3/1/11 through 5/3111. Offer applies only to the purchase of three (3) 4016 or 5016. bags of NatureWise' and Country Feed? poultry feed by Nutrena° that are purchased Offer lid while supplies last together at one time. Offer valid only at participating Nutrena° dealers. va. Not valid wkh other offers www.NutrenaPoultryFeed.com TAMMY WILLIAMS, MODERATOR wW W XMCKENCROSSING.ORG hickens are very interesting animals. They do well i small backyard flocks, even developing a ladder of so- cial hierarchy. If well socialized with people they become very friendly and will follow their human counterparts like a Puppy on a leash. Of all their Purposeful acts, the most intrigu- ing is the persistence and dedication of a broody hen to protect and nurture her chicks to adulthood. When the maternal instinct arises from deep within, it bums like the flames of a blazing inferno; she is powerless against it and succumbs to the desire. She will set her own eggs or those belonging to another. She will resort to stealing the eggs of another, anything it takes to quench this insatiable hunger. She plucks her own feathers, one by one, until her underside is exposed and as bare as the trees of winter. She stands in the nest, peering intently, inspecting, unimpressed; she turns to one side, scratches lightly, turns to the other side and with a few light steps, creates a slight depression in the straw. With feath- ers from her own body she meticulously fills the depression, constructing a soft, cushiony pillow. She repeats this methodi- cal process until perfection is achieved, then gently lowers her naked belly onto her precious commodities. For 21 days she will sit, patiently waiting, nurturing and pro- tecting at all costs. She sacrifices her own wellbeing, abandoning the nest once, maybe twice, a day, and only for a brief moment to replenish lost nutrients and dispose of bodily wastes Through daily inspections she tidies the nest, adding more feathers, straw, or grass OHIO NATI Poultry Mark your calendar now to attend Americ annual exhibition of Poultr d and rearranging these materials to retain that cushiony Pillow of clouds en- casinghereggs. She gently rolls the eggs searching for fatal flaws and ensuring the fragile life held within doesn't stick to the shell. She sits unde- Mama hen will ferociously defend her terred, fully pre- brood against any perceived danger. pared to sacrifice her own life to pro- tect the lives of her developing offspring. She flattens her body, taking on the appearance of a pancake, and lowers her head, eyes glaring into the distance; hypnotic eyes, threatening eyes, eyes that instill a fear so great that intruders dare not tread too n close. She is territorial, emitting a low, terrifying, T -Rex like growl that sends unsuspecting victims fleeing the forbidden space. She bellows a piercing squawk and attacks, her beak Re a sword, her claws like eagle talons. Because ofherdevotion, hatch day approaches. The eggs jump, swaying back and forth to the movement of the chick's struggle to emerge. Chirps can be heard, protesting its imprisonment. She becomes anxious and nervous as she continuously peeks under her body and into the nest. She anticipates their arrival to be soon. She sits calmly, unruffled by the commotion beneath her, when suddenly a small, fuzzy head appears from under her wing, then another and another, popping out like xbm kernels. She looks intently from one to another and exhibits an immeasurable sense of pride. She escorts her chicks out into the world, directing them to food and water. They are curious little creatures and look to her for guidance, their very existence is dependent upon her. At the first sign of imminent danger, she whisks them to safety, tucking them under her body, prepared to defend them and stand against whatever evil rears its ugly head. She clucks softly, they run to her as if she is a magnet and they are metal. She locates a tasty morsel and calls them to dinner. She keeps them close at hand, if one wanders too far away, it is beckoned with a scolding of clucks and cackles. They imitate her every action, and any variation war- rants a firm yet delicate peck of discipline. As time passes, the chicks transform from helpless little be- ings into peers of equality that she no longer has an attachment to, and will soon be forced to compete with for food, shelter, social standing, and mating rights. She sees them for what Show they have become and distances herself from them. That maternal instinct that a's large St recently raged out of control has now been Y an Waterfowl. extinguished. November 10 a 11, 2012 State Fairgrounds in Columbus, O For more information, visit our website at: www.ohionational.org 42 Tammy Williams is the moderator on www.chickencrossing.org, a small, friendly forum where people can share stories, photos, and knowledge of chick- ens, chat with other chicken owners, ask questions and get answers on all chicken - related issues. Backyard Poultry supplement Used together wim y", .— dement, ration including Supplement is designed supplement, optimize our BabyCake" Sup upp t p p nutrition and minimize maintenance. 15 oz. BabyCake" 36 oz. UltraKibble for Chicks" 1. Farmers' Helper- ForageCake- supplement Quality ingredients like salmon meal, dried fruits, seeds, grains and specially formulated UltraKibble° are pressed into each cake. Helps make droppings less moist and hence easier to remove. 2.51b. or 13 oz. ForageCake" protein, backyard pets, and captive wno species kept for enjoyment and increased quality of life. 151b. or 28 oz. UltraKibble" 888- 8FORAGE (888- 836 -7243) TnSOi ptt To find a distributor, dealer or online retailer please visit our website: j LLB' 1Tii www.foragecakes•com - -- sasta nanle sulatfuns eo.i�n rc G, Riid Division of C &s Products Co., Inc. • www. cs- prod.com Spe Wly Fm4oels 25 years of producing quality products with on time delivery and 100% i rate. The ApriVMay 2012 cover photo winner was sent to us by Lily Kline of Superior, Wisconsin. Titled, "Chicks and flowers —the first signs of spring!" couldn't be more aptly named. -- ..,..efts: My daughter was visiting a family friend who raises chickens and loved the Chicks.—Kelly Weiler, Wisconsin Poulby April /May 2012 * Family Album at-_ " W, Some of the eggs collected during our apdottes first week of laying— Ti. ow Our two dogs, Lily and Piper, meet- ing one of our new chicks. —Matt and Aimee Parker, Indiana We love our chickens, and new chicks are pure joy. April Seigler, Idaho Could Your Photo Be On The Next Cover? Tips to Make Your Photo a Winner • Beauty: Photos should he just plain pretty enough to be placed on the cover. Think vertical with some space on top for a masthead. Many otherwise perfect photos are taken in a way that makes it impossible to display them in the position of honor on the front cover of the maga- zine. If we won't be able to do it justice, then the judges will avoid awarding it first place. • Clarity: The judges will be scrutinizing this aspect thoroughly cover size without loss of cll arity . and will only award first place to clear photos that can be en1 • Conciseness: Photos are better if there isn't too much clutter or aren't too many things going on. arged to • Good photos tell a story . 44 BaokYard Poultry These are two surprise Japanese bantam chicks. I heir mo went missing and was assumed dead, one morning I h peeping coming from under a pile of hay bales in our barn,, Mom had Idddettti+ht St1aµ'letLee Jenson, Washington C r firt attempt at raising chickens, a s error �.... ht- year -old Sebastian loves his baby chick. — Tiffany ennsylvania Our cat, Parry Murray, wanted to see the chicks the morning we transferred them from the brooder to the new chicken coop. —Amy Sowder, Iowa April /May 2012 Photo Contest Rules Send Your Photos Today'. Each issue's winner will he displaYed in the position of honor— on the front cover of the magazine! Photos must relate in some way to domesticated poultry or their products. No hmiton number of entries. Attach your name, address, phone number or e-mail and photo caption leradescrip- tion to each photo (not on the front of the photo, please). Backyard Poultry retains the right to publish and /or repro- duce any and all photos submitted, in future issues or publicity, with or without mention of source. To have your photos returned, please include a self - addressed stamped envelope. Each issue's winning entry will be placed in a gallery of finalists, to be announced annually in the February /March issue. First prize —$50; 2nd prize —$30; 3rd prize —$20. Send your entry to: Backyard Poultry Photo Contest, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451; or e-mail photos in jpg format to byp(irtds.net. w .backyardpoaltrymag.com 45 Products • Heat Lamp • Lamp Stand • Drinkers /Waterers • Feeders • Feed Grinders • Supplies ...and much more! Ask for our unique booklets —Free! an Fencing Poultry PRE=MIER www.premierlsupplies.com 800 - 282 -6631 • Washington, IA Classic Drinker, 0.25 gal Excellent for use in the brooder. Shallow pan allows chicks to readily drink. Also available in 0.40, 0.80 and 1.3 gallon. Classic Drinker, 0.31 lb .................. #540007 $3.75 Classic Feeder, 2.2 lb Push fit and fixed feed flow feeder. Simple to clean and cone shaped top. Also available in 3.3, 6.6 and 11 lb sizes. Classic Feeder, 0.4 lb ... ........... #540022 $6.50 Chick Tray Provides a clean and hygienic area for feeding day old chicks. Textured surface minimizes feed wastage. Chick Tray, 0.8 lb ............................ #540044 Combo Drinker, 0.8 gal Has a twist lock base. Fill with top upside down and base removed. Can hang. Also available in 1.6 and 3.2 gall, Combo Drinker, 0.7 lb ..................... #540012 $9 Yellow Feeder, 3.3 lb For use in a brooder or with a few 1 To reduce feed waste hang feeder ju: above bedding. Also available in 151 Yellow Feeder, 0.5 lb ....................... #540071 Chick Stand Designed to lift all drinkers and fe, up out of litter to provide a cleaner to around high traffic feeding areas. Chick Stand, 1. 1lb ................... ..... . #54on4a a New! lamp Stand Our heat lamp stand (made by folks who make the heat lamp) eliminates need to developifind a secure spot from which to hang a heat lamp. Top of stand is 46' above the ground. Lamp Stand, 3.6 lb #540070......$29.00 Premier Heat Lamp The -Premier' heat lamp is superior to all others we've tested in its strength, safety, protective guard and hanging system. Use standard or infrared (heat) bulbs no larger than 250 watt (sold below). Has a 16 ft cord that provides the "reach" needed. Premier Heat Lamp, 3 lb .... #557000 Heat Lamp Bulbs Smooth Glass "Never- loose" base. Sold /priced in pkgs of 2. 250w clear (2 pk), 0.7 lb.... #557032 250w red (2 pk), 0.7 lb ....... #557033 Pressed Glass Much more shock resistant than smooth glass. Same "never- loose" base. Sold/ priced in pkgs of 2. 175w clear (2 Pk), 1.5 Ils ..... #557034 175w red (2 Pk), 1.5 lb ....... #557035 PrkesaresubjeetwctWmewohoarrw , Electric netting for adult pouhrY See Premier's fence ad on the inside back cover of this magazine. fter studying the incubation of many species and breeds it be- came clear to me that almost all eggs follow a similar process during incubation and hatching. Once we un- derstand the hatching process, we can then use applied artificial techniques to improve our hatch rate and save viable eggs of valuable breeds from the com- mon problem of "dead in shell." This article is applicable to many breeds and species, and details the key stages of incubation and hatching. It explains methods of pin - pointing hatch- ing time and when intervention is really necessary. I use my exhibition Dewlap Toulouse geese as an example breed and used pictures of a Macaw parrot to illus- trate the hatching process. It cannot be stressed enough how im- portant it is to be prepared before the in- cubation of any egg. It can also be broadly stated that any egg will do much better if left in the care of reliable parents for at least 66%. of the incubation period. The work to obtain viable eggs starts with sound husbandry and care of the breeding stock and the old saying of "you only get out what you put in" holds true in all aspects of a breeding program. As part of a comprehensive incubation tool kit you should consider acquiring the h following items: - - -- -� — racy every season before incubation. • Reliable and accurate forced air inc bators with adjustable vents and au turn facilities. (Checked with at lea two reliable thermometers). • A reliable and accurate still air incub; for with adjustable vents that can be use as a "hatcher incubator" (Checked wi at least two reliable thermometers). • Calibrated thermometers (I use tw mercury rod, alcohol and digital the mometers). • At least two reliable humidity gauges. LED mains operated Candler. Weighing scales which measure i gram units (those used for cooking deal). A Hatching Tool Kit that should con- tain: surgical tape, surgical gauze, alcohol and gel, Inadine Dry powder spray, Q_ 1, forceps, artery clamps, surgical sek- - "'—r �� "•omc gCCJB. 46 sors, bleeding control spray, magnifying glass, artificial skin spray (for damaged eggs), clean towels, pencils, plastic boxes for isolation of eggs or hatchlings. ed The final thing is to house your incu- th bators in a quiet cool room and test run them for accuracy every year before your o eggs are due. This is also when al l of the r- thermometers are used, after checking them for accuracy (calibration). These are Placed in each incubator to check that all temperature readings are accurate. n Once you have collected the eggs are they are washed (if required), weighed, marked and stored for a maximum of 14 days in cool conditions with a daily 180 degree turn. The egg is weighed and in Pencil write on the egg the weight, a code to identify the parents, date laid and date set. Finally place a +on one side and an x on the opposite side. During the breeding season individual egg information is easy to forget and once written onto the egg no errors can be made regarding identity. You should do your research on the chosen breed or species' individual incuba- tion requirements before setting eggs in the incubator. For example, it appears African and Chinese geese have eggs which lose moisture more readily than Sebastopols and Dewlap Toulouse (Ashton 1999). Therefore their humidity requirements will be higher, perhaps 45 -55% humidity. Chickens and ducks have a slightly higher optimum incubation temperature of 37.5C where geese benefit from being a little lower at 373C. A little research before Backyard Poultry Egg are weighed and marked. incubation pays dividends later. However many owners have a mix of eggs from different breeds and will have to provide average conditions if only one incubator is available. A more flexible option is to have two machines so you can ran one as a dry incubator and the other at average humidity to accommodate the needs of the eggs being incubated. Overall eggs should lose approximate- ly 14-17% of their fresh laid weight by external pipping to produce healthy hatch - lings. For example, if a fresh laid Toulouse egg weighs 150 grams then it needs to lose 22.5 grates by approximately Day 28 t achieve a 15% weight loss. This would be a weekly weight loss of 5.6 grams. B checking weekly weights of the eggs the humidity can be adjusted accordingly s the target weight is achieved. Eggs may also be assessed for weight loss visually by checking the size of the developing cells,but it's not as precise as weighing. S for the example breed of Dewlap Toulou eggs the incubation requirements shoal be as follows: Temperature 37.3 °C /99.3 °F, humidi 20 -25% (dry incubation), vents fully We hourly auto turning after 24 hours with once daily hand turn of 180 degrees• six days commence daily cooling a misting for 5 -10 minutes increasing to minutes daily from l4 days until internal fl pipping. Eggs should be weighed weekly to check they are losing adequate moisture. The technique of cooling and misting i of the eggs remains controversial though other experienced breeders have employed d these techniques (Ashton 1999, Holdetread r 1981). There appears no clear rationale how" benefits the growing chickthough i some consider the cooling as beneficial to 1 the chick's stamina. In relation to moisture loss, it appears that as the egg cools to the room environment then heat is lost fromthe i egg. It may be argued that rapidly escaping heat from the pores of the eggshell also car- ries water and gas molecules with it. Cer- tainly there is evidence that daily cooling appears to improve hatch rates in domestic geese. The misting of eggs with tepid water at first appears illogical in stimulating water loss but this may increase further heat loss by evaporation. It is better to set eggs in batches of at least six which usually ensures there is very good chance there will be more than one hatchling. The eggs are incubated in a horizontal position and not turned for the first 24 hours, after that the auto turn mechanism is switched on. In the very early stages of the embryo's development it is crucial that optimum and stable condi- tions are maintained. During this time the embryo grows from a simple cluster of cells to a basic embryo with a supporting cardio-vascular system. Not only is this a period of major physiological change but also a time of rapid bio- chemical processes as cells divide and migrate to their pre-programmed positions to form the basic structure of the embryo. The bio - chemical processes are complex and include converting iron stores to haemo- globin to establish a vascular system and o also conversion of nutrients to fuel this whole process. it is in this five -day period By that the early embryo is so fragile and any mistakes in incubation can result in an o early embryonic death. With this under- standing it can be clearly understood why stable incubation is required. Temperature air swings only serve to slow down or speed o up these complex processes and lead to Toulon" gprII/Xay 5012 major disruption. It is therefore vital that J the incubator is "ran in" for days before setting the eggs, as changes at this time ty should be avoided. Often an incubator will n, produce temperature spikes when eggs are a introduced. To avoid this fill the incubators After with infertile fresh eggs which are gradu- nd ally replaced by fertile ones as more eggs 15 are introduced. This solves the problem of actuations in temperature and provides the stable conditions required. So the eggs are now set and have been ncubat.d in stable conditions. At 5 -6 days the owner can candle the eggs and etermine which are fertile. The eggs can ,main in the incubator and the candler is positioned over the air cell (blunt end) to llaminate the contents of the egg. If you ook carefully at this stage there should be a red "dot" about the size of a match head with faint blood vessels surrounding t. Those eggs without any indications of fertility should be re- candled at 10 days and thrown away if they're infertile. Once the basic embryo has developed then more complex cardio- vascular struc- tures grow which act as the embryo's life support systems. A system of blood ves- sels grows out over the yolk sac to supply the nutritional needs of the growing chick while the body is encased in an amniotic sac filled with amniotic fluid. This sac serves to protect the fragile growing em- bryo and its delicate tissues by bathing it in amniotic fluid. A further sac develops from the naval area and rapidly grows as a vascular balloon which encases the chick, the yolk and amniotic sac. This "balloon' covered with an intricate and generous supply of blood vessels leading directly Above: The appearance of an infertile egg. Below: A fertile egg at 4 days incubation. Below: The appearance of fertile eggs at 5 days. w .backy,dpoolhymag.com 49 ... and 6 days incubation. back to the chick. Over the next two weeks the chorio- allantoic membrane grows to completely line the inner surface of the entire eggshell. As the membrane and its blood vessels lie adjacent to the shell it places the blood vessels in near contact with the pores of the eggshell. Therefore gas and moisture exchange can occur, ridding the embryo of carbon dioxide and excess water molecules and also absorb- ing oxygen for the growing chicks needs. This vital membrane meets the growing embryo's internal respiration needs until it is mature enough to use its own lungs for pulmonary (lung) respiration. Research has shown that inadequate turning of the egg in the first two thirds of incubation can lead to stunting in the development of the chorio - allantoic membrane. This would reduce the membrane's ability to provide adequate gas and water molecule exchange to meet the growing chick's needs and lead to a late death at approximately the third week of incubation. Once the basic form of the bird has been developed, the remaining part of incubation is simply about growth and maturing the chick until it is capable of independence free from the egg. Incubator conditions should remain stable and a regime of daily cooling and misting of the eggs maintained. There should be continued monitoring of the egg's weight loss and therefore development of the air cell which provides a visual reference of moisture loss. Hatching This appears to be one of the most controversial topics about incubation and Yet although complex can be easily under- stood. The chick does not randomly hatch — there is nearly always a set sequence and process to follow. Once this is under- stood then hatching and management of hatching eggs becomes clearer. By the 24th to 27th day of incubation (depending on breed) the egg should have lost approximately 13% of its weight and the air cell should be of a good size. The air cell should be slightly slanting 50 The chorio- allantoic membrane has almost grown to cover 66% of the inner surface (above). By halfway through incubation the membrane entirely lines the shell and has developed major blood vessels to supply respiration, fluid and protein needs (below). is caused by the chick changing its position within the egg. During late incubation the chick nomtally settles into aposition with its head bent over and pointing towards its tail. To encourage correct positioning, incubate the eggs on their sides with the blunt end slightly elevated at a 20 -30 degree angle. Again this mimics the position of many eggs in nature as they he in the concave of the natural nest. At this point incubation settings remain unchanged for temperature and humidity, the only change is the eggs are now placed in their fatal position and turning is stopped. Within another 12 -24 hours of "dip down" of the air cell small shadows become visible within the air cell. These shadows start at the back of the air cell and over a further 12 -24 hours gradually extend down the sides and fatally along the front of the air cell. On candling there is often movement visible of the shadows. This change is due to the chick gradually moving into its final hatching position. It gradually draws its head up from a position facing its tail and upwards towards the air cell. When viewed from the air cell end of the egg the chick's head is turned towards the right and under its right wing. With the head and beak lying adjacent to the air cell membrane the chick is ready for internal pipping. As the chick is almost fully mature the chorio-allantoic membrane is unable to fully meet the chick's respiration requirements. Oxygen saturation levels fall slightly and carbon dioxide levels begin to rise. Often this change in the failing chorio-allantoic membrane can be seen on candling as previously red blood vessels appear to take on a darker red color. The change in blood gas levels is thought to Provoke involuntary muscle contractions which have a direct effect on the chick. The large hatching muscle located on the chick's neck begins to contract with force and results in the chick's bill piercing the in- ner membrane of the air cell. This is further A Dewlap Toulouse goose egg at 25 days incubation. downwards. At this point the eggs should be candled daily to determine their prog- ress. Within a 24 -hour period the air cell appears to suddenly dip downwards and appears to have grown noticeably in size. It often takes up a distinctive "dipped" shape and becomes easily recognizable. The egg is now out of balance and no longer needs turning. If the egg is placed on a smooth surface it will always roll to the same position, which is the side with the greatest amount of air cell uppermost. This now becomes the top of the egg and a cross marked on the shell so the egg always remains in this position. The chick is now lying in its optimum position for hatching and will find maneuvering into its final hatching position easier to achieve. The sud- den change in size and shape of the air cell This graphic of candling in late incubation shows the dark mass and vascular detail just below the air cell. Backyard (Poultry These two graphics show the distinctive appearance of the air cell at "dip down" (above) and the correct position to place it in on the incubator floor (below). helped by a tiny sharp harder area on the tip of the upper bill (the egg tooth). With a hole in the air cell membrane the chick is finally in a position to commence breathing using its lungs. Starting with occasional breaths a regular panem of pulmonary respiration soon becomes established. Internal pip- ping has now been achieved and a major Physiological change has occurred. inter- nal pipping can be verified in two ways: often the shadows visible in the air cell on candling appear to pulse rhythmically and if the blunt end of the egg is held to the ear a faint "click... click... click" sound can be heard. It is in this phase of hatching that many chicks die resulting in late "dead in shell.- It is a time of great stress and physiological change within the chick's body. The heart is pumping rapidly due to exertion and hying to compensate for changing blood gases. It appears that inadequate moisture loss during incubation causes the chick and its supporting cardiovascular system to be overloaded with fluid (hypervolemia). With the heart having to pump faster and harder to compensate, the chick goes into acute heart failure. The tissues in the body become swollen with excess fluid (edema) and the chick weakens. The space for maneuver- ing into its hatching position becomes even tighter and the chick's body is simply too weak to withstand the vital changes required. It is now clear why monitoring egg weight loss is so important! In the incubation of rare breeds every chick is vital. Therefore if I am concerned in any way about the chick or external pipping is delayed, I intervene. Using a sterilized tiny sharp drill bit I carefully enter the air cell at the center and very top of the egg. Using the candlercheck that the chick is not directly below the proposed point of entry. By twisting the drill bit by hand the eggshell is gradually eroded away and a hole ap- proximately 2 -3mm diameter is made. This safety hole provides access to fresh air and should be no larger or premature drying of the membrane will occur. This is termed as artificial external pipping. This safety hole can save the lives of many healthy chicks. I can recall instances of rue chicks success- fully external pipping then going into rota- These two graphics show the appearance on candling of the start of "Shadowing" from the side and front view of the egg. candling of the progress of "Shadowing" and "Internal Pipping" when viewed from the front of the egg. Lion within the egg until theirbody occluded the external pip area and then died! With the chick successfully internally pipped it can breathe easily and rest for a while. However the oxygen within the air cell is soon used up. After about 6 -24 hours the chick's bill begins to strike up. wards against the eggshell. This repeated "jabbing" action results in the breaking of the eggshell over a small area and appears either as a small raised pyramid, a cracked area or even a hole. The chick has now externally pipped and has access to free air to meet its respiration needs. It is only at this point that you change incubation conditions. It is recommended to lower the temperature by about 0.5 °C and increase the humidity to 65 -75% (lockdown). It is now that the chick enters its latent phase and it appears as though there is little progress. This phase can last from 6 -72 hours depending on species or breed incubated. Gradually the chick becomes more vocal as the lungs finally mature. Apart from the constant "clicking" noise from breathing the chick will occasionally whistle or peep. It is vital to point out that the "clicking" or "`tapping" noise is not the chick tapping against the shell trying to release itself. Many owners' nerves are shredded at this stage and they misinterpret the noise and prematurely intervene with disastrous consequences! To reassure the reader I advise putting your chin on your chest and try forcibly breathing in and out. In this position you can mimic the "click- ing" noise which is actually caused by the chick's head being bent and made in the Pharynx as it breathes. While the chick rests during this quiet phase it is preparing for its final hatching sequence. By changing pressure in the thorax and abdominal contractions the Yolk sac is drawn inside the abdominal cavity. Meanwhile, the lungs have fi- nally matured and the job of the chorio- This graphic shows the position of the safety hole to achieve "Artificial External Pipping." April/Xay 201E 'R"ew•beegpardnoultrymeg.00m 51 A baby Macaw to successful rotation despite a safety hole being made earlier. ailantoic membrane becomes redundant. The blood vessels start to gradually close down and recede into the chick's navel. If you prematurely assist before this stage, you will usually cause haemorrhage from the still active blood vessels and find the yolk sac unabsorbed. It is this stage that you find it so diffi- cult tojudge when intervention is both nec- essary and safe. I do not follow the school of thought that chicks that are unable to hatch are best left due to a weakness in the chick or their bloodline. This sweeping and erroneous statement does not account for healthy chicks previously hatched from the same parents. Hatching delays are often the result of slightly imperfect incubation techniques and this should be taken into account. Yes, sometimes chicks are weak and there is often mortality under the par- ents, nature does select for the strongest. However, if we are to employ artificial incubation techniques then we must accept that we are capable of making errors and at least give these chicks the opportunity A Macaw egg is candled showing the air cell, shadowing and external pip mark. This graphic shows the appearance on candling of "External Pipping:' In most normal hatches the "pip" is made in the upper right quadrant of the pencil marked cross. 52 tice your techniques. As the yolk sac and blood is absorbed, a hollow void appears in the area below the lowest point of the air cell. The light from the candler clearly illuminates this void area. Now it is safe to assist and you should prepare by sterilizing your hands and instruments using alcohol hand gel. Working from the top of the air cell where an artificial external pip hole may have been made pieces of shell can be gradually removed. It is safe to work down to the demarcation line of the air cell which should be outlined in pencil to of life before assessing their worth later. guide you. Once a hole has been enlarged This is especially so in the incubation of sufficiently for you to work in, then the endangered species or rare breeds when situation can be assessed. Do not remove every egg counts. any more shell than necessary. Using a Q- The final phase of incubation is finally tip moistened with boiled cooled water (or reached once the yolk sac and blood in sterile saline) the membrane over the chick the vessels have been absorbed into the can be moistened directly. Check the posi- chick's abdomen. The egg and its stmc- tion of the beak and ease the membrane rare has completed its purpose and the away by stretching rather than tearing if chick must now release itself from the possible. If no bleeding occurs continue shell. If viewed from the blunt end of the gradually easing the membrane away until egg the chick suddenly starts chipping the chick is exposed. around the shell in an anti - clockwise The aim here is a little progress at direction. This is called rotation or unzip- a time, then after about 5 -10 minutes ping and it is a relatively quick phase. I stop and replace the chick back into the have seen chicks rotate around the entire brooder for another 30 -60 minutes. This shell in less than ten minutes but usually allows the chick to rest and warm through. it is completed in 1 -2 hours. By the ac- It also allows the membrane to dry and lions of chipping at the shell and pushing shrivels any blood vessels a little further. of the feet the chick works around the Gradually the entire membrane is eased circumference of the egg until it has gone back and using the Q -tip the beak can be almost 80% around. At that point the egg eased forward and over the right wing. weakens and with a pushing action the At this stage the chick may start pushing cap of the shell "hinges" open allowing with renewed vigor or you can ease the the chick to scramble free from the egg. head up and out, which will provide you The chick is then taken and its navel area with your first direct view down into the is sprayed waith dry iodine powder then eggshell. Using your candler assess and placed into a clean container to rest. This action dries any slight bleeding as the powder coagulates and helps to minimize the risk of navel infection. The chick is then left to recover, rest and dry out thoroughly before being transferred to its tearing unit. Predicting when the chick is ready for final release and if assistance is required is fairly easy. The essential tool required is a good quality candler (and a dark room to view in). After external pipping the yolk sac and blood vessels are still to be absorbed. If the egg is candled through the air cell and around its low point at the front then there will only be a little detail visible. The dense yolk sac appears as a dark mass, though the major umbilical vessels may be seen. This is more easily achieved in white d and thin shelled eggs and incubating white chicken eggs is an excellent way to prac- A baby Macaw that had internally and externally pipped and in normal hatching position. The blood vessels have receded from the membrane and the chick is now ready to hatch. Backyard Poultry check that the blood vessels have receded and the yolk sac is absorbed. If you have assisted too early then allow the chick to curl up its head and re-cap the egg. Infertile eggs are excellent for this purpose. They are broken in two and the top half cleaned Of its membranes. The top has a safety hole put in it and the eggshell soaked in boiled water. This action causes the shell to be pliable and it can be trimmed just below the widest point so it provides a snug fit. After soaking again in hot water remove the cap, allow to cool and simply place over the chick in the shell. If necessary use surgical tape to hold it in place. You are now com- mitted to a fully assisted hatch. After a few hours assess the situation again and repeat as necessary until you confirm absorption of the yolk sac and blood vessels. You should then free the head and chest leaving the chick's abdomen in the remaining eggshell. Often the chick is ex- hausted but after being left in the hatcherfor an hour or so they make final efforts to kick themselves free from the egg. In cases where they fail to do this they will come to no harm and can be safely left to rest. They can be left this way overnight which allows the naval area to thoroughly dry and the chick may be safely removed from the shell. I hope this article has demonstrated that all incubation and hatching follows a Process that can be monitored by the owner. It has shown how to identify when and how intervention should take place to as- sist hatchlings in difficulty. With improved skills and understanding owners should be able to follow this fascinating process and improve their breeding success rates. References: Ashton, Chris (1999). Domestic Geese, Crowood Press Ltd. Holderread, Dave (1981). The Book of Geese. Hen House Publishing The membrane around this chick is gradually eased away from the beak and outwards to the edge of the membrane, finally exposing the chick. Co- authors Rob and Peter Banks both work in a background of healthcare but have maintained a col- lection of birds for over 30 years. They initially special- ized in artificial incubation techniques for parrots and endangered South Ameri- can Macaws. Their theories learned from hatching par- rots have been extended to other domesticated poultry, tortoises and reptile eggs that are also incubated artificially. They specialize in breeding exhibition Dew- lap Toulouse geese and found these incubation techniques resulted in a higher - than - average hatch rate. move: 1'he chick is now free and left to hatch itself and dry the naval area. Below: One hour after releasing the head and chest the click scrambles free from the egg. This year they hope to hatch their first Buff Dewlap Toulouse di- rectly decended from the USA bloodlines of Dave Holderread. They are also working These two graphics show the appearance on candling of the unabsorbed yolk and blood vessels (left) and absorbed yolk and vessels as a "hollow" void appears (right). April /May 2012 r f`t f This graphic shows the concept of "capping" in the event of premature assistance. with WckyThampson in Michigan to breed high - quality Sebastopols and introduce the more unusual colors of Lilac, Lavender and Cream to the breed and hope to import some of her Sebastopols to the UX. Two healthy Dewlap Toulouse goslings 18 hours after hatching and the end result of applied artificial incubation techniques. w .backyardpoultrymaq.eom 53 FEED: Medicated Chick Starter Feeds for Layers TIFFANY Town NUTRENA POULTRY EXPERT So you've got your chicks, your heat lamp, your brooder, your bedding, your feeder and waterer. You stroll over to the feed aisle to pick up a bag of feed, only to face yet another choice: medicated or non - medicated starter? Con- fusion reigns in most online and in -store discussions. Further complicating the de- bate is the introduction of the coccidiosis vaccination within the past 10 years. To make an informed choice, it's important to understand what the medica- tion in chick feed is, what it prevents (and doesn't) and when to use it. Much of what you feed will depend on your preference. If you feel strongly about raising your birds without medications, you may opt for the non - medicated version. On the other hand, many people wouldn't dream of not feeding a medicated starter. They like the added security of knowing they have a preventive measure in place. Why Use Chick Starter Feed? First, let's review the purpose of chick starter feed. Chick starter is a specialized type of feed designed for a very specific purpose: to nourish chicks so they can grow and thrive. This feed is formulated to what a chick's digestive system is set up for —early protein. A mother hen takes her babies out- doors to find tasty bugs, nutritious weeds and greens, which provide the protein and energy necessary for proper development. But not all chicks have the luxury of a mother or access to insects. Chick starter contains highly digestible proteins,usually around 18 percent, amino acids and carbo- hydrates in a small crumble forth. These small particles are important to encourage consumption for a small chick. How Long Should You Use Chick Starter? Some feed manufacturers, such as the makers of the Nutrena® brand, recommend a diet of chick starter for up to four months. Other manufacturers suggest anywhere from two months to until the chicks start laying, and then switching to layer feeds. Be sure to read labels carefully and do re- search on your specific breed or breeds. How Much Should You Feed? Although they look small and weigh next to nothing, chicks aren't shy when it comes to eating. An average chick will consume around 10 pounds of feed during the first 10 weeks of life. It's important to make chick starter feed available around the clock, as the chicks will self - regulate how much they eat. Raising the feeders off the ground a bit will help reduce waste. And, just like with your adult birds, access to clean water is an absolute must. Chicks eat nearly 10 pounds of feed in their first 1U weeas m fire. i uq a.�.. ••� -� _ ---- to fresh water around the clock. Photo courtesy of Megan Gold, Pennsylvania. 54 Chick starter feed has one purpose: to nourish chicks so they can grow and thrive. This bird sure looks healthy and happy. Photo courtesy of Orren Fox, Massachusetts. What Medicated Chick Starter Does Medicated chick starter is like an msur- ance policy, aimed at preventing a single disease called coccidiosis, caused by an in- testinal parasite.This parasite is wide spread and found in justaboutevery chicken yard. It thrives in dampconditions and with brooder - raised chicks. It is the number one cause of death in chicks throughout the world. The medication in medicated starter feeds such as Nutrena® Medicated Crum- bles is called Amprolium and is a coccid- iostat. Meaning, it's an agent added to chick feed to help prevent coccidiosis in young birds. No matter how hard you work to keep the coop and pen clean, as chicks scratch, peck and explore their world, they ingest the coccidiosis from the feces around them. It's normal for birds to ingest afew of these organisms and to build up immunity over L But cocci multiply rapidly in the gut and too many mean trouble. Symptoms of infected chicks include a red or orange tint to the feces, a drop in feed consumption, huddling, and acting lethargic. For beginning poultry enthusiasts, the symptoms may be hard to spot, and chicks can become perma- nently stunted, or even die, before you get medication. The low dose of cocci- Backyard Poultry diostats used in medicated chick starter feed allows a small amount of coccidiosis to survive so that the birds can naturally build up immunity to it. What Medicated Feed Does NOT Do It does not guarantee your birds will not get sick from coccidiosis, nor is it potent enough to cure an outbreak. There is only enough medication in the feed to act as a preventative measure. Once your chicks become sick with coccidiosis, their feed intake usually drops dramatically. Depending solely on a medication in the feed is not a good idea. The addition of a water soluble coccidiostat is a good route to go if you experience an outbreak. It is not targeted to prevent anything other than coccidiosis. It is not an antibi- otic, dewormer, respiratory medication, etc. It will not make up for dirty coops and poor air quality. It is not necessary for ducklings and other waterfowl. They are usually very hardy birds and not as susceptible to coc- cidiosis as chicks. Plus, few feed additives are approved for waterfowl and may be deadly, so read your labels carefully. It does not harm laying hens. If your hens accidentally ingest some medicated chick starter, their eggs are still safe to eat. Medicated Feed & Vaccinations Medicated chick starter is not recom- mended if your chicks have been vacci- nated for coccidiosis at the hatchery. The vaccination provides a small dose of cocci to the chicks to help them build immunity. Feeding medicated starter will kill off this small dose and nullify the vaccination. However, the coccidiosis vaccination is relatively new and fairly rare, so chances are your chicks have not been vaccinated. Ask the hatchery when placing your order. If they have received the coccidiosis vac- cination, it is the only vaccination that would react to a medicated feed; other vaccinations will not be impacted. When Medicated Starter Is a Smart Choice There are certain instances where it makes good sense to feed a medicated starter and give yourself some added peace of mind: • Brooding large batches of chicks, such as 50 or more at one time • Brooding large batches consecutively • If you live in a hot, humid environment • If you have a history of coccidiosis in your facility Steps for Prevention of Coccidiosis Whether you choose a medicated or non - medicated chick starter, there are additional steps you can take to help decrease the chance of a coccidiosis flare -up in your flock. Chicks kept on wire have less ac- cess to peck at feces, which reduces their chances of becoming infected. Clean your coop regularly, change litter frequently, and keep the brooding area dry. And don't crowd your birds. Over- crowding quickly leads to unsanitary conditions. Keep in mind, the availability of chick starter feeds varies by store. Some stores carry only non - medicated feeds, while others will carry only medicated feeds. Call ahead to your local retailer to make sure they have the type of feed you want. To find a Nutrena® dealer near you, visit www.NutrenaPoultryFeed.com. See Nuirena's special offer in its ad on page 41. 0"W COOP TeebnQ %►j The Yolk System., Unsurpassed con venlence for you and your rilrYN A mobile coupe that makes backyard chickens easy and fun. Molded and seamless, SS hardware, no wood and completely sanitizable. Sets up in minutes) %f %E Perfect for the Urban Homesteaded Hom esteadert • Fits 4-6 Birds • Simple & Easy • Superior Materials Scan the code or visit us �� ' online for more details 04 A www.theeggyolk.com � ' Info@theeggyolk.com Cackle Hatchery !IRVJPP! • Cornish Cross • standard breeds • fancy chicks Over 186 ' ducks • geese • turkeys • bantams • guineas • pheasants • quail • supplies • books varieties) • medications • incubators Free Color P.O. Box 529 Lebanon, MO 65536 Catalog 17-532 -4581 9 www- cackishatcherv.com The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy Is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect over 180 breeds of livestock and poultry from extinction. Founded in 1977, ALBC is the pioneer organization in the US, working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock. www.albc- usa.org PO Box 477, Piltsboro, NC 27312' (919) 542-5704 Aprn /May 2012 w 07.1bac gyax'rlpoultxymag.com 55 Houslnc: From Bloats to (Chicken) Tractors " I'he Yolk System" includes everything you need to house and care for your backyard chickens within an hour of your coop's arrival. Just add chickens! GEORGE BLAISDELL W W W.THEEGGYOLK.COM NORTH CAROLINA Sometimes it's not so easy to look backwards and see the path that led you to where you are today. It is not always easy to track the people you met, the relationships you devel- oped and all the other experiences that influenced you. What is the genesis for a business, what's the catalyst? In 1995 my sister was married to a guy named Steve Scott. He and I worked at a small start -up boat company called Logic Marine, now known as Triumph Boats, and there I also met Randy Sweat. Chickens and eggs were certainly not on the radar screen for any of us back then, other than as a pos- sible dinner or breakfast option. Okay, so that's not 100% true for me in that I lived in rural Chatham County, North Carolina at the time and our neighbors had free -range chickens that they had stopped tending. Over time, the flock had slowly evolved from a mix of hens and roosters to 100% roosters. Based on that experience I can appreciate why so many city ordinances around the country prohibit roosters. We had about 35 roosters surrounding the house with 56 a couple of peacocks thrown in for good measure. I was basically a city kid and every cartoon and other popular portrayal of roosters I'd seen said they only crow at sunrise; quaint but not true. Twenty-four/ seven is the real truth, especially when there are that many roosters to egg each other on (pardon the pun). This was not really a great rust exposure to backyard chickens, but they did eat a lot of the bugs and ticks in our yard, so there was some benefit. The Career Path When I wasn't at home trying to shoo roosters out of my yard, I was working as an engineer for a company that made power boats in an innovative way. Boat building moved from wood to fiberglass in the late 50s and early 60s, but not a lot had changed in the last 50 years or so. The process we pio- neered at Logic Marine was the use of rotational molding. This is a process in which powdered plastic is put in a metal (typically aluminum) mold and the mold is rotated around two axes inside a large oven heated to 500 °F. The powdered polyethylene plastic tumbles around inside the mold and, as the heat from the oven penetrates the surface of the mold, the powdered material starts to stick and melt in a manner similar to snowflakes hitting a hot windshield. As the first layer melts, additional powder starts to stick to it and in this way layer after layer of material is built up. The entire process is computer - controlled and, once all the material has melted and formed, the mold is removed from the oven to cool, then the mold is opened and the part removed. Randy Sweat was our tooling manager at Logic and became quite the craftsman of fabricated mold construc- tion. We were, by the way, building the largest, most complex rotational molds in the world at the time. The kayak industry had already been revolutionized by this process, but of course the complexities of making a 50 -pound kayak were dwarfed when compared to making a 23 -foot boat with a 300 hp engine. The benefits of the process and materials were the same though; a tough, durable product. The feeders, waterers, nest boxes, vents and doors are designed to fit and work together to give your chickens the best possible housing environment. Backyard Poultry Fast forward to 2009 and, although no longer married to my sister, Steve and I are still good friends. Steve is living in the city of Greensboro and has become very involved in growing his own, or buying locally - grown, vegetables, a practice known to some as being a "Locavore." He built his own "Taj -Mahal of chicken tractors" and started raising chickens, eventually added a beehive and was involved in a whole new way of living. The more we talked about this "better way to live," the more we realized that there were a lot of other people embrac- ing this new lifestyle, too. People living in the city who still wanted to have some measure of control over where their food was coming from and trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle with a smaller carbon footprint; an emerging cultural phenomenon sometimes called Urban Homesteading. Then about a year ago, Steve asked for my help in building a chicken tractor for another friend in the city who also wanted to enjoy the benefits of backyard chickens. I am an engineer and have been doing fairly involved carpentry projects since I was a kid. We should be able to knock out a wooden chicken coop in a couple of hours, or so I thought, but... not so much. We ended up with a couple of weekends and a lot more money into the project than I would have imagined and I wasn't even that proud of the results. I couldn't help but think that there was a better way to build a chicken tractor. By this time Randy Sweat was no longer working at Triumph Boats and had just set up a brand new shop build- ing molds for his own purposes. He and I started discussing the chicken tractor idea and researching every website and blog on chickens that we could find, in the process, we also discovered Backyard Poultry and immersed ourselves in all things poultry. We met with Steve and our other friends and neighbors who had chickens and discussed the good and bad points of other coop /tractor designs — a development approach that is critical in any product. What could we do to make a better product that would be easier for chicken - owning customers to use and also better for their birds? Our design considerations were many, but included mobility, ventila- tion, security from predators, weather protection, simplicity, bio- security, ease SWEETER HEATER BROODERS - CHICKEN COOPS - HEN HOUSES ADVANTAGES • Energy efficient • Trouble fir No hot spot • Will not burn • Improves circulation • Lower stress • Improved comfort • Natural •Easily sanitized by washing with disinfectant • No bulbs to break • No fire hazard Visit http: / /www.sweeterheate .com Dedicated to sharing informaion & guidance about raising d breeding our beautiful peafowl. J%mR WW Membership includes: Bi- monthly magazine, breeder directory. & invite to annual convention. For Memhership/general inrormalioo: Call 580.677.9075 or write 16813 Bridgeview Rd., Madill, OK 73446.8448 b v: n r A RID©WAY HATCHERIES, INC. LOW@ 38, OH +43332 614- 499.2183 WO.323 -3825 www.rk0wayhat&mry.com C Five CafaW 4D _www. Critter -Ca es. com Phoee .I 10 $,12 -9981 305 N Harbor BNd San Pedro. Ca. 90731 229.99 ..eeei„s Welded Hire & Poufby Mesh srmrmx �. 14.99 a Rail +,,,ms BOLD SRVMTm Chick -N -Barn 369.99 Chick -N -Yard 149.99 +.xmrms April /May 2012 www.bacrcya>•dpoultaymag.com 57 The Cal u!b That YYou corm: ectted w ramtasnc Tvua v Licensed ,fudges L Sanctioned Shows YE Cool Merchandise Comprehensive Newsletter T -shirt with 3 year $50 membership when mentioning Backyard Please specify size when ordering. _ do It for YOU I • L I Fcu* � r { 4�) 1502 Incubator t cub for W/ Turner Brooder Lamp $725.00 $134.75 $9.95 Wooden Nest Boxes single, $38.50 1 Ot. Chick Feeder O CALL TOLL 6 Hole Lavine Nest $175.00 A • 16 lbs. Feeder FWa Cartons or Trays of cleaning and, last but not least, dura- bility. We wanted a coop designed spe- cifically for chicken care as well as for exposure to the elements and very easy to keep clean. We knew we didn't want to use any wood in our product because we wanted to be able to completely sanitize it so customers would not have to worry about mites and lice that can hide in wood cracks or seams, or about ammonia and other smells that soak into the wood. Cleaning of The Yolk (the product name we came up with) needed to be quick and easy, using just a hose or pressure washer. We already had an appreciation for using quality materials from our work in the marine world, too. Stainless fasteners, hinges and fittings that would last virtually forever and provide problem free operation for the life of the product were key. Doors, ramps and vent covers would be cut on a computer - controlled router for preci- sion and repeatability, and we would use Starboard® — the same material used for hatches and covers on boats. We knew our target customers were those that expected the best and we wanted to develop a complete system. Designing the Run We even researched the wire for the cage run and decided that while chicken wire was good for keeping chickens in, it wasn't great at keeping predators out. Hardware cloth works but is pretty conspicuous and viewing the birds from any distance becomes difficult. Too big an opening in the fencing and predators can get an easy snack, too. Our solution to this was using16 gauge, galvanized, welded wire with a black PVC coating (which is almost invisible at a distance) that will keep out almost any predator. Feeders and Waterers We looked at standard, off the shelf food and water containers that hang. We felt they took up valuable space, were not convenient to locate in the coop or the run and didn't always protect the contents from weather or droppings. In order to have a complete system, we needed a better solution to swap in fresh water and food, simply and easily. The product needed to work for young or small birds, as well as larger breeds; with adjustable height, a simple and convenient location for bird and hu- 58 Backyard Poultry Ventilation in coops is critical for healthy chickens. These slide and rotary vents let fresh air in while keeping water out and adjust for seasonal changes. man ... okay, got it. You can check out that result, and our solutions for simple egg collection, at our website: www. theeggyolk.com. Making it Work Since our product was not going to be made in the conventional way — using wood, nails and tin or shingles — it required a mold, actually quite a few molds. Sketches and patterns were made of the molded parts. They were reviewed and changed until we felt we had a design that was right. Molds were needed for the various sized coops, nest boxes, axle supports, and water and feed holders, and the process involved many months of hard work. Randy's experience in building boat molds was put to task building the molds for The Yolk. Once the molds were completed we brought them to a company in Smithfield, North Carolina that had the equipment we needed to do the molding. The first Prototypes were molded and we built a complete Yolk system. We assembled our focus group of experienced chicken experts and told them to pick it apart. Be careful of what you ask for! We finished the day with a list of changes, but also with a renewed confidence that we were on the right track. Changes were made, molds modified and we went into our first production run. Going Forward The rest, as they say, is history, but we understand that our history is, and will continue to be, an evolutionary pro- cess. As more Yolks reach the market- place, we will continue to be open, as we have been all along, to design change, suggestions and improvements. We are April /May 2012 "Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you." Jeremiah 10:1 "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." !Timothy 1:15 "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel. Mark T: TS Hatch your own chicks La5i is Lisa. xttutdabie. Quality incubators since 1978 Full line of incubators and brooders with a two -year warranty _ Toll frea 116867-71 321- 267 -70 FREE color c WWW ONE SQUAWK WE HAVE ALL YOUR POULTRY SUPPLIES! taau 1- 888 -852 -5340 Your eggs deserve the Very best �•buekyardpoaltrymag.00m 59 Freedom Ranger Color Chicks `�aa�asx Freedom Rangers are specially suited for full pasturing, free range, organic certified, backyard, etc. To order Freedom Rangers, call Kendall at 717- 3364878 or visit www.freedomrangerhatchery.com Guineas are fast grow- ing, suitable for backyard growers who want to control ticks and for those who would want to use them as a meat bird. r °_ The muscovy is fast growing and a great range duck with a lean meat that is desired by many resturams. To order Muscovy ducklings call Stephen at 717-669 -0245 Call or visit us online. J.M. Hatt, &7 178 Lowry Road New Holland, PA 17557 717 -354 -5950 www.jmhatchery.com Randy Sweat, one of the coop designers, works on a coop mom. r ney are na,aav u. v V,� using a W stabilized HDPE resin typically used in the construction of white water kayaks. dedicated to the concept of "continuous improvement" and believe that is the best way to provide a top quality product to the public, be it boats or tractors — of the chicken variety, of course! We are busy developing other prod- ucts for the Urban Homesteader to help them eat and live better. Look for these in fine publications like Countryside & Small Stock Journal, the sister publica- tion of Backyard Poultry. Check out all of the Egg Yolk products at www.theeggyolk.com, email info@ theeggyolk.com, call 919- 200 -1729, or write to The Egg Yolk, PO Box 1823 Pinsboro, NC 27312. See their ad on page 55. — Ed. Backyard Poultry Over 160 ly varieties Chicks, Bantams, Ducks, Geese, o , Juvenile Fowl Much .ore! mum Order of 3 (hicks! Guaranteed Live Delivery! HEALTH: If you have health related poultry questions you'd like answered, send your questions to us at Backyard Poul- try, Attn: Answer Man, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or e-mail to byp @tds.net. We will try to include your question in an upcoming issue. Clarification of Reply to "Chickens May Eat Snow - Melting Chlorides" In Ron's reply to "Chickens May Eat Snow - Melting Chlorides" (Back- yard Poultry, Feb/March 2012, page 40), he stated, "Potassium chloride (KCI) is probably the most toxic." I'm concerned about this because as a fel- low warm - blooded vertebrate I ingest a lot of KCI. Also my cows get some. Am I being unduly concerned? Ned Schaaf, Oregon THE ANSWER MAN RON KEAN E %TENSION POULTRY SPECIALIST UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON Thanks for the question, and I hope 1 didn't cause undue concern.I certainly didn't mean for that. Odd Shaped Eggs Continue to Show Up I have been raising chickens since age 10, some 60 years, and I have never been in a coop and picked up an egg like this. (See photo below.) I thought it was very interesting and wanted to share it with your subscribers. I am uncertain what may have caused the unusual formation of this egg and would enjoy hearing any reasons you may know of. Clarence "Buddy" Brickhouse, North Carolina I guess I should have clarified that statement a bit. KCI is "probably the most toxic" of the list of salts the person gave. In moderation, it's not a problem, but it can be toxic. I found one source that said the LD50 (dose that will kill 50% of the people consuming it) for a 165 -1b. person was just under 7 ounces. Now, I doubt any of us would regularly consume anywhere close to 7 ounces of this, but a 4 -pound chicken is much smaller. If they were eating a few chunks of ice - melting salt, they could potentially ingest quite a bit, rela- tive to their body weight. Likewise, a 1,000 -pound cow (or somewhere close to that) could eat a lot of it without a problem. As with many things, a little bit can be good, but a lot is not necessar- ily better! 62 I've owned layers for about eight years and now have 30 hens, but only this once have I seen an egg with two shells. (See photo below.) Any ideas of the way this happened? Dan Morris, Pennsylvania I'm not sure what might have caused this. My guess is that there may have been something applying pressure to the hen's uterus (shell gland), which might have caused the egg to form in this shape. Some possibilities would be • mass of egg yolks in the body cavity, • tumor, a swollen liver, etc. All three of these possibilities occur somewhat frequently in hens, unfortunately. It would be interesting to know if this hen laid any other eggs after this one, and if so, whether they were normal. My first guess is that something broke the outer egg in the nest, and the second egg got stuck in it. Albumen is pretty sticky as it dries, so the other egg might be very tightly attached to the outer shell. I can't explain what might cause such a sharp edge on the outer shell, if it was formed internally. Of course, I can't explain a lot of the odd eggs that have been submitted to the magazine either, so I can't say for sure. Either way, it's certainly interesting. Glass Found Inside an Egg We purchase our eggs from a neighbor who raises chickens. This morning while my mother was eating It is amazing to see so many unusual egg shapes such as the one below from Clarence Brickhouse, and other oddities like the one ....h -.:ahr from Dan Morris. Backyard Poultry her egg she found and removed from her mouth what we determined to be a small piece of glass, at first think- ing it may have come from her toast, she continued to eat the egg, with a watchful eye. After a few moments of inspection she found cooked into the egg a rather large (lcm x 2cm) piece of glass. The glass was cooked into the egg in such a manner that it could not have come from any other source; the pan was clean, and we have had no glass break in the house in more than a year. Have you ever heard of an outside contaminate being inside an egg, and if so how does it get there? Matt via email I haven't heard of something like this happening before.I think there are two possible ways that it could happen, though neither is terribly likely. One, the glass might have somehow gotten to the vent area and then into the vagina area of the hen. It might have been eaten by the hen, passed through the digestive tract, and to the cloaca, where it was picked up by the vagina. I suppose it is possible that it was in the nest, and got picked up while she was laying an egg (previous to this egg). If this happened, then there are some reverse muscle movements that could have moved the glass up the oviduct, and then an egg might have formed around it. Again, this would require a number of steps, none of which are overly common, but think it would be theoretically possible. Another possibility is that the glass was eaten by the hen, cut through the side of the digestive tract (my guess would be through the gizzard, but I can't say for sure), and then was picked up by the infundibulum (the very top) of the oviduct. If this happened, then an egg would have formed around it as it Passed down the oviduct. These are both theories of how a worm can be found in an egg, which happens occasionally. Of course, a worm can move on its own, so that's a little more plausible. The good news is that I doubt you will ever see this again! April /may 2012 �IDdn tchery Inc. • Chicks • Turkeys • Ducklings • Goslings • Guineas • Gamebirds • Bantams • Equipment • Books Call 717- 365 -3694 www.hoffmanhatchery.com JIM PO Box 129BP Gratz, PA 17030 THE t£ApER IN cH,C... SAO 5 ✓ 100% washable cotton ✓Single or double strap ✓ With or without shoulder protector -'Available in five sizes and eight colors ✓May protect chickens from chicken hawks a plucker that will handle C,. ALL BIRDS Watch as I pluck 1111p� a Duck, Pheasant and a Chicken in 2 minutes! watch now and order at: 1 www.pIuckwitheasypluck.com 877- 577.2279 i., G.uYrfCFa..M L .beckyardpouttaymag.00m 63 Annual International Poultry Exposition is World's Largest Poultry - Related Event RON KEAN, THE ANSWER MAN EXTENSION POULTRY SPECIALIST UNIYERSITY OF WISCONSIN- MADISON T he International Poultry Exposi- tion is the world's largest conven- tion and trade show dedicated to the poultry industry. Attendees and ex- hibitors are chicken producers and pro- cessors of broilers, turkeys, ducks, eggs, and breeding stock. It was held in Atlan- ta, Georgia January 24-26, 2012. I, along with more than 200M others from more than 100 countries, was able to attend this fantastic show. A main part of the expo is the trade show, which covers about 15 acres, in two huge rooms of the Geor- gia World Congress Center. There were 895 exhibitor booths, advertising nearly everything one can imagine relating to the poultry industry. One could literally spend days walking among these booths. Providing a product that "meats" your needs 988 Ragers Hill Rd., South Fork, PA 15956 FREE Catalog Started Capons, Heavy Cornish, Colored Comish is weees) Layer Chicks, Ducklings, Goslings. Bantams, Sll des, Turkeys, Game Birds, Guineas, French Guineas Broad Breasted White & Bronze Turkeys Rare Breed Turkeys `= Q HEAVY CORNISH SPECIAL Broad Breasted, Extremely hearty Fast growing (814) 539 -7026 �I The trade show floor of the International Poultry Exposition covers over 15 acres of space. This photo shows the feed area. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. One of the highlights for me is seeing he equipment that is set up at the show. there are room -sized incubators which ,vill hold thousands and thousands of latching eggs. Trucks that are specially made for hauling boxes of baby chicks, with generators and special ventilation, are neat to see. Automatic processing equipment is always amazing. Machines can take the chicken from bleeding out, all the way through defeathering and eviscerating, and cut up into pieces and into bags and boxes, without being touched by human hands. It certainly is far removed from the way we process chickens in the backyard. There are even automatic chicken catchers that catch broilers when they are ready for processing. These use rubber fingers to guide the chickens up a conveyor and into holding crates. Studies have shown that these are gentler on the chickens than human catchers are. Colony cages for fairly large numbers of hens (50 -100), with roosts, separate nesting areas, and scratching pads were drawing a lot of interest this year. Genet- ics companies from the U.S., and from several other countries, advertised their best and newest lines. LED lighting may be more common for use in chicken houses in the future. Several companies were touting the long life and low energy usage for LED bulbs. Along with these things, there are companies selling computer software insurance, building construction, egg cartons, wastewater handling, and many many other things related to poultry. Though most are aimed at commer- :ial production, there were a few booths hat market to smaller producers. Some ;ompanies that sell small table -top incu- Iators, hanging feeders and waterers, nest tuxes, etc. were there. There were several ;ompanies selling frames and covers for luasi- permanent or mobile range houses. One company was showcasing an au- Lomatic pop -hole door that would open and close on a timer. It was set to close tightly, but had a sensor so hens wouldn't get caught in it while closing. The Chicken Whisperer was even broadcasting from a booth at the expo! Aside from the trade show, there are a number of educational talks. Again, many of these are aimed at commercial produc- tion, but they are still very informative. Finally, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Asso- ciation, who sponsors the show, conducts a college student program at the expo. This program brings students in from universities across the U.S. that have an interest in poultry science. Poultry companies from across the U.S. send recruiters and the students can interview for both full -time positions and intem- ships in the poultry industry. It has been a very good program and it is always nice to see such an eager group of young men and women entering this field. I was able to take six students along this year, and they all agreed that it was a great experience. If any of you are ever able to get to Atlanta in January, I'd highly recommend attending the expo. It is definitely an amazing experience. Backyard Poultry The house fly is known to carry 65 differ t`dise ses, iricludmg Salmonella enteritidis (S.e.). To a poultry operation, S.e. can be an economic disaster. Help reduce the risk of spreading diseases by zeroing in on flies with Starbar* baits, sticky traps, bag traps and jug traps. When used in conjunction with an integrated pest management program, Starbar" products can help establish economical and effective fly control. K's To learn more visit starbarproducts.com, call your local distributor or call 1.800.347.8272 r r e Alwaya read and follow label directions. Fly Terminator is a registered trademark and Fly Stik and Lure -Fty are tredemarka of Fam. Companies, Inc. 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Lamon spent 16 years developing the breed. Gerdes has worked at re- creating it for seven. He does not consider his work completed and offers no stock to other breeders yet. Photos courtesy of Stephen Gerdes, Illinois. practices. The breed disappeared by the 1980s, when Nash turned his last birds over to a Missouri breeder. It remains in the Standard although none have been shown in years. Rumors have swirled around the poultry world for several years of breeders re- creating Lamonas. Gerdes is not the only breeder working on re- creating them. He decided to come forward after his sons reported that breed- ers at the Crossroads of America Poultry Show in Indiana showed interest. CxitlsTM HEINRICIL4 SPPA HISTORIAN ne of the few poultry breeders who Oraised Lamonas years ago has set his breeding pens to re- create the Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Agricul lure under Franklin Delano Roosevelt in honor of Harry M. Lamon, senio Being a good forager was one of the qualities Lamon sought in developing the breed. "Lamonas mature early, are splendid rangers and will pick up a considerable portion of their feed, cutting down on the cost of maintenance to an appreciable extent," he wrote. es poultryman of the Bureau of Antm Husbandry who originated the project. After being admitted to the APA star dard of perfection in 1933, the Lamona popularity as a general purpose breed w' eclipsed by intensive industrial pouln 56ne.True to Histor Back in 1912, Lamon initiated a project to develop a dual purpose breed for the American market. Working at the U.S. Government Experiment Station in Beltsville, Maryland, he began with Silver Gray Dorkings, White Plymouth Rocks and Single Comb White Leghorns. Gerdes is staying with that formula to develop the breed again. "I want to stay with the project as it was originated," he said. "I'm trying to copy it as close as I can to the historical breeding." Lamonas have red ear lobes but lay white eggs. Most breeds that have red ear lobes lay brown eggs, but the traits are not connected genetically. Dorkings, Redcaps and Hollands also have red ear lobes and lay white eggs. Consumers wanted white eggs, and the Lamona was developed to meet that market goal. They have yellow skin, important to the American consumer for meat. English breeds such as the Dorking have white skin, preferred by English consumers. White plumage makes pinfeathers less an noticeable. The Lamona is well- feathered to stay warm against the cold. Their small combs and wattles are not as subject to frost as the larger combs of Mediterra- nean egg breeds such as the Leghorn. r Leghoms were part of the breeding al for their egg laying ability, but Lamon wanted a larger bird for the table, one that produced a dressed weight of four Is to six pounds. Lamonas eventually were is recognized at 8 pounds for cocks and 6 -1/2 for hens. breed. Seven years into his project, he's cautiously optimistic. "They are a valued piece of history to me," said Stephen Gerdes of Illinois. "They recall so much of my youth and the breeders of the time" That was the 1960s and '70s, when he and breeder Marion Nash established their friendship over breeding pens and the show circuit. Gerdes is included in Nash's book, The Stringman's Scrap- book, published in 1974. The second edition is the one that includes details of Lamona breeding. The first time Gerdes saw Lamonas was those of Pennsylvania breeder Henry Miller in the 1960s. Gerdes bred and showed Lamonas through 1978, when his Lamona hen was Champion Americ Hen at the Illinois State Fair. The breed's name was conferred b y Backyard poultry Stephen Gerdes has an eye for Lamonas I like this hen from his new flock. His hen was the champion at the 1978 Illinois State Fair. Smith Poultry Supplies Fast, dependable service since 1988. We offer a complete line of supplies for show poultry 6 backyard flocks. Go to www.poul"supplies.com to see our competitive prices! smithkct@centurylink.net "Dress" your .,_J_ —V -+ Y l+V -�.6HpkyairdPpY1.00nl 69 gans. in,u ,"% �.............,...._.- --- --- characteristic, difficult to breed out while retaining the desirable characteristics. When Gerdes decided to take the project on, he started by looking for Plymouth Rock roosters with backs too long and legs too short to meet the Rock standard. He found some through con- tacts with other breeders. Finding Silver Gray Dorkings was more difficult. He contacted colleague and lifelong friend Duane Urch of Urch/ Turnland Poultry in Owatonna, Minne- sota. Gerdes, Urch and Nash were active in founding the Society for Preservation of poultry Antiquities (SPPA) in the 1960s to focus attention on preserving the tradi- tional breeds. Urch sent Gerdes 25 chicks. Three of the pullets from that group had the red ear lobes and long back Gerdes wanted for his first breeding pen. "You can produce a hundred chicks and get four or five for the next year's breeding," he said. 70 After mating the Dorkings to the Rocks and the Dorkings to the Leghor ns, he selected the white birds that had the most Lamona traits for the next year's breeding pens. The males from the Rock mating and females from the Leghorn mating tended to be whiter. t "I have to keep working with them," he said. "This project is in its infancy as far as I'm concerned" Hekeeps his flocks in several locations, after devastating experiences with predators and disease in the past. His flocks include about 500 breeding birds and a large collec- tion of waterfowl. He keeps Single Comb Black Leghoms,nc Aonas and White Faced Black Spanish breeding flocks. With his network of friends among poultry judges and breeders,he also keeps afew of the rare breeds that turn up at shows. He supplies stock to experienced exhibitors. "I undertook this project for personal satisfaction and in remembrance of Mari- on," he said. "I see so much that was given to me back in the 1960s and '70s.' Christine Heinrichs is the author of How to Raise Chickens and How to Raise Poultry, which focus on rais- ing traditional breeds. See Backyard Poultry bookstore on page 16 for more information. She also maintains the Society for Preservation of Poultry Antiquities' col- lection of antique books and magazines, which includes three books written by Harry Lamon. Backyard Poultry PLUS a year supply of Purina °Layena °poultry feed. Visit Us Online and Enter TODAY! Scan this code to enter the Chicken Coop Giveaway! Make the most of feeding time with SunFresh® Recipf Poultry Feed, a wholesome natural blend of plant proteins, sun -grown grains and high levels of vitamin E along with other added vitamins and minerals. Purina® SunFresh® Recipe Feed is optimized for better-tasting, stronger- PURINA A DIFFERENCE YOU CAN SEE" erosee :aa ar: RPURINA ... GwT No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Open to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia (excluding Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico where the sweepstakes is void). Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Sweepstakes begins 12/19/2011 and ends 06/0312012. For official rules, alternative mean of entry and odds, visit: www.Gritcom /official- rules-grit -Aspx. Sponsor: Ogden Publications, Inc. J.R. Lucas ONTARIO, CANADA W W W.BESSEMERPOULTRY.WEBS.COM e Swedish ducks are a landrace from northern Germany. (No that wasn't a typo; the part of Germany they come from was a province of the Swedish Kingdom when these ducks were ftrstrecorded). B1ueBlack/SplashBibbed ducks were very common across northern Europe. They apparently descended from an archaic landrace called the Dender- monde, and eventually changed slightly into the specific European Iandmces we're familiar with now: the Swedish (Germany), the Termonde (France), the Huttegem (Belgium; which has been ex- tinct for 20 years), the Shetland (Ireland), and the Danish. These breeds developed because different breeders have perfected them in different areas, causing the Den- dermonde to acquire slight differences and subsequently forting these breeds. All of these breeds look similar, with a couple of standouts (the Huttegem hav- ing a runner pattern, the Shetland having sex- linked bill color, and the Danish be- ing nearly a solid black). It was believed that Blue and Black - colored birds were far hardier than ducks of other color varieties; I don't know how accurate this belief is, but the Swedish itself is very hardy indeed. I generally consider this to be because it is a lan- drace from a harsh environment. Any specimens that weren't hardy would die, or to sum it up in one term, "natural se- lection. , Also, Blue ducks were believed to be hard for predators to see, and this may be true, especially since much of the ranging these ducks traditionally would have done was in wielded areas, so its dark plumage was hard to detect, and the white bib caused a broken outline. Blue individuals were often chosen for breed- ing before Black, Chocolate, and Splash specimens, because of these beliefs. The Swedish is the only one of the landraces that has been standardized by the APA. It was admitted to the Standard of Excellence (now called the Standard of Perfection) in 1884, and was only recognized in Blue, and is still the only recognized color to date. Other colors include Black, Splash, Chocolate (which is nearly extinct), and all varieties can spawn Rust counterparts, which appear like their parent variety, only with brown/ gray/black mottled wing bars. My experiences with these birds be- gan when I ordered some Blue drakelets from a hatchery. At the time, they were destined to be part of breeding plan for This Blue Swedish drake's bib is considered too large to show. This drake also has about 6 white primary feathers on each wing, which is considered too many; the ideal number for showing being two. a breed I'm working on. However, by autumn, I had fallen in love with the birds just as they are, and decided to breed them purely. I bought a Black Rust hen at a local fair around that time, and I'm looking forward to breeding more Rust Swedes, in Black, as well as Blue. The fellow I bought the hen from said they are great broodies, and true enough, they lay few eggs a year, a characteristic of broody birds. I have yet to find out whether she is truly broody or riot, but either way, Swedes are a meat breed, and I raise two egg - laying breeds of duck, so that trait doesn't mean much to me in Swedes. Swedes are heavier than they look. I haven't weighed mine yet, but my most honest guess is they weigh about 8 to 9 lbs., although they don't look much bigger than Orpingtons, which weigh This is the speculaum (wingbar) of a 5- year-old Black Rust Swedish duck. Rust is a color mutation caused by a mysterious gene. It causes the wingbar to acquire a mottled look, and soft brown feathers are often seen throughout the plumage. 72 Backyard Poultry to, and watch, a large flock of Swedish ducks at www.metzerfarms.com. — Ed.) The Swedish duck is an excellent breed. They are friendly, personable, very hardy, and do well on range. They would make an excellent addition to your duck flock. ...— �� , gc snuws me ome Feathering of the Blue Swedish duck. about 5 lbs. They have loose feather- ing, and the Blue Swedish usually have a lacy pattern on their body feathers, and drakes have darker heads compared to their bodies. Swedish ducks can fly vaguely. What I mean by that is they can get a few feet off the ground if they have a running start and a lot of space, and they can keep themselves off the ground very long. I find this to be a perfect balance, because they can reach high speeds doing this "attempted take- off;" the ducks can be loose, and can evade predators without flying off into the sunset, never to be seen again. Swedish ducks are marvelous forag- ers, easily able to find all of the food they need on their own, and are able to thrive completely this way, without any supplemental feed. (Except in the harsh winter months; they can't forage if their food is frozen and buried under three feet of snow.) I should warn you that Swedish hens are very loud, with a voice that carries far, and they quack frequently. (You can listen Breeding the Blue Swedish Duck A Blue Swedish duckling. Photo courtesy of John Metzer. April /May 2012 JOHN METZER K'W W.METZERPARMs.COM The most interesting component of the Blue Swedish duck breed is the production of the blue color. Blue birds do not breed true. In other words, if you mate a Blue Swedish with another Blue Swedish, only 50% will hatch blue. You will also get 25% black with white chests (called Black Swedish) and 25% that are a very light grey color, often called Silver or Splashed White Swedish. However, if you mate Black Swedish with Silver or Splashed Swedish, 100% of the resulting ducks will be blue. In addition, the first two or three primary flight feathers are pure white in a Blue or Black Swedish duck. This, along with the correctly sized white patch on the chest, makes the Blue Swedish a difficult bird to perfect in terms of feather coloration. Dickey's Incubators Inc. Est. 1965 536 Ada Dr. Millen, GA 30442 Phone /Fax (478) 982 -5515 7 days a week 8 am to 10 pm INCUBATORS AND HATCHERS Game Bird Incubator, 3 Trays, Bottom Hatching Tray. Wafer thermostat ..... ............ ........ .......... .......... 552340 Game Bird Hatcher, 5 trays w /cover ............... $476.00 NEW. Incubator With 2 Automatic Turning Trays, 2 Hatching Trays & Wafer Thermostat With Bectroric Thermostat .......................... $594.50 Electronic Thermostat Installed ......_ .................. $71.50 Clear Acrylic Door ....................... ............................... $63.00 Auto Humidity System, 5 Gel capacity ................. $35.25 Incubators or Hatchers Come With Digital Hygrometer TRH 158 * ships by UPS VISA, MASTERCARD, & DISCOVER Accepted. EMAIL: email @dickeyincubators.com veww.back"rdpuultrymag.com IM Egg Recipes for Spring, when the are laying ese two recipes will use up a dozen eggs, whites for the angel food, yolks for the sponge cake. I make the sponge cake first since the yolks don't have to be room tem- perature. Antibiotic Free Chicks Start your flock with a strong, natural immune system. 6 or More Baby Chicks Only $1.95 each! (727) 388 -9456 Quality Poultry Products for less: Discoun tPoul trysu ppl y. co m email: BabyChicks4Sale @aol.com chickens up a storm! Golden Sponge Cake Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Ingredients: 12 egg yolks 3 cups cake flour 2 -1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract 1 cup cold water 74 • Sift cake flour and sugar (separately) once before measuring. • Sift together three times: flour, baking soda, and salt. • In mixing bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed until very fluffy and thick. • Gradually beat in sugar. • Beat 2 more minutes on high speed and scrape bowl. • Turn to low speed and add vanilla, lemon extract, and cold water. • Then gradually, but quickly add sift- ed flour mixture while beating on low speed, scrape bowl. Beat only enough to blend, about 2 minutes. • Pour batter into an ungreased 10 -inch tube pan. • Bake 1 hour or until golden brown. • Invert cake to cool. • Loosen sides with spatula or knife and remove from pan. Angel Food Cake Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Ingredients: 1 -1/2 cups egg whites brought to room temperature 1.1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar 1 cup sifted cake flour 1 cup sugar 1 -1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 -1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon almond extract • Sift powdered sugar and cake flour sep- arately once, measure for correct amount and sift together four more times. • Place egg whites in a large bowl, add Image from Laura Haggerty's collection of vintage and reproduction cards. You can find more card choices at http ,./ /stores. ebay.com/KatyDids- Cards. salt, cream of tartar, vanilla, and almond extract. • Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. • Gradually add sugar 2 tablespoons at a time. • Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form, but not dry peaks. • On lowest speed add powdered sugar and flour. • Take off of mixer and finish mixing by hand with a rubber spatula folding over easy. • Pour (spoon) into an ungreased 10- inch tube pan. • With a knife or spatula, carefully cut through batter in circular motion 6 times to release large air bubbles. • Bake on lowest rack in oven for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. • Invert pan until cool. Loosen with spatula and remove from pan. Laura Haggarty and her family live on a farm in the Bluegrass region of Ken- tucky, along with their horses, goats, and chickens. She is a Life Member of the ABA and the APA. Laura blogs at farmwifesdi- ary.blogspot.coml. Visit their website at www.pathfindersfarm com. To learn more about the American Bantam Association, visit: wwwhantam- club.com; write: P.O. Box 127, Augusta, NJ 07822; call 973- 383 -8633 orsee their ad on page 57. Nocturnal Predators want to hunt and feed at night without being noticed. Any disruption to an ideal 'attack" environment will cause them to hesitate and flee. Predators believe the Solar Nite Eyes may be a set of eyes of another creature. This causes fear of the unknown and will keep them away from your protected area. This concept simply works! In fact, the Solar Nite Eyes is so effective that it's guaranteed to work or your money back! The Solar Nite Eyes will operate maintenance free for years when used properly. Not harmful to domestic pets. f'f LEX 14 Nde Eves 1111600, Predator solar powered NO Service -NO Maintenance operation Fully Automatic- turns ON at dusk Off at down light source High Intensity Optical LED's - Red key feature Magnetic base for easy on /off operation electronics Integrated circuitry for optimum light output Viewing distance Up to 1/2 mile self shut off Highly engineered circuit with timer dimensions LWO:4 1/8" Width:1 718" Height. 1 1/8" weather proof works in all conditions- year around long life span Upto5yeon+ JUST FOR FUN: When eggs chickei need to decorate i Easter time. In ft and L :-ng = lock's getting backyard feel the and I had my own nat the delicate blue, green ansbntzr "n'ed -" brown eges looked gorgeous simply placed in a bowl. But after several years of displaying eggs au nature(, I'm hav- ing fun exploring the possibilities' of using natural dyes to color eggs. I am Natural Egg Dyeing If you're interested in beginning with something less intricate than pysanky and, more importantly, something you can eat after they're decorated, natural dyes are the way to go. I prefer using all natural dyes when decorating my home- stead eggs, as the results are spectacular and occasionally unpredictable, making it lots of fun. Follow the chart on page 77 to create your own dyes from common ingredients. White, brown or colored eggs can be dyed. White eggs produce the most intense colors while brown eggs produce a deeper and richly earthy ver- sion of each color. Light brown eggs will yield a stronger color than darker brown eggs. I've found that holding brown eggs overnight in dye in the refrigerator produces a deep brilliant color. For those of you who like the ease of using the little bottles of food coloring, you'll be surprised at the vibrant color your brown eggs will produce. They color thrilled by the depth, colors and designs quickly in the comMercial dyes and the results are unique. I can get from dyeing and decorating my I also like usin y - natural herbs and backyard flock's colored eggs. I've been decorating eggs ever since Plants to decora ggs. Just paint a little egg whi and flowers I could hold apencil —it's part of my usin a tin gently press heritage. Being part Ukrainian means that them on the eggshell. i.et them air dry as soon as you're able to sit at a table and and display, or dip the eggs in dye to draw a straight line you're given an egg produce a reverse stencil effect. Any ,and a kistka, (a writing tool that holds P melted beeswax) and taught to decorate 1 assortment of plants will work although Pve found soft leaves work the best. Also. don't forget that empty eggshells, whether naturally colored or d, make delicate flower containers to use as in- dividual bouquets at the table or on the windowsill Pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg. The designs are not painted on, but are written with beeswax using a tool called a kistka. 76 eggs. Ukrainian eggs, or pysanky, are works of art made by creating designs with wax while dyeing the eggs in a succession of deeper colors. The wax seals in the color in each layer resulting in intricately designed and brilliantly colored eggs when the wax is removed. Sealed with varnish, these raw eggs last for decades; we have pysanky that are over half a century old. The inside of the egg dries through the years until the yolk becomes a small hard ball that rattles when you gently move it. (Those who live in the South will find it sometimes necessary to work with blown eggshells because the summer heat may cause stored eggs to explode). For information about and supplies for making pysanky, go to http : / /www.ukrainiangiftshop.conV- While most pysanky have traditionally been made with white eggs, brown or colored egg pysanky can be very striking. For more information refer to http:/ /web. mae.com/lubap/Brown_Egg–PYsankY/ Brown_Egg_Home.html. These decorated Easter eggs were made using flowers and leaves. Janice simply painted a little egg white on the leaves and flower petals and gently pressed them to the eggshell. You can also lay a leaf on an egg, wrap it tightly with a part of an old nylon stocking to hold it in place and dip into dying material. Carefully remove the rubber band, nylon, and leaf. Allow the egg to dry completely before handling. Backyard Poultry These white eggs were dyed using the following materials: Front row left to right: Beets, red cabbage, turmeric Back row left to right: Red onion skins, red cabbage and turmeric, yellow onion skins Nature / E98 Dye Chart turmeric r^� ^utes ounsnme Yellow to 1 -1/2 teaspoons white P Up to overnight Dusky Gold vinegar for brown eggs 3/4 cu Bailin water 1 cup Papery yellow onion 30 to 60 Peach to skins, packed 1 -1/2 teaspoons white minutes Pumpkin Up ovemight vinegar r for brown 3/4 cu boilin water e s. 114 cup shredded peeled 30 to 6o Pink to beets, packed 1 -1/2 teaspoons white minutes Magenta Up to ovemight vinegar, ... for brown 1 cup papery red onion 60 minutes to skins, packed 2 hours 1 -1/2 teaspoons white Up to overnight vinegar L _ for brown Cabbage ' " " "rro.. , nours 9 cabbage (avoid white ribs) Up to ovemight 1 -1/2 teaspoons white for brown eggs vinegar Cabbage ' 1° ou minutes to Lime Green 9 cabbage 2 hours and Turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric Up to Overnight Deep Green 1 -1/2 teaspoons white for brown eggs vinegar Directions: Combine the recipe ingredients in a heatproof cup or bowl. Let stand at least one hour until room temperature; strain through a fine strainer reserving the liquid. Let eggs sit in dye until desired color is obtained. Gently pat dry, do not rub hard; store dyed eggs in the refrigerator. If dyeing eggs overnight, make sure to store the eggs in dye in the refrigerator. Tips for Dyeing: • Make sure your hands are clean and grease -free. • Wash eggs in vinegar water to remove any dirt or grease on eggshells. • Once eggs are clean handle as little as possible. Use spoons to insert and remove eggs from dye. • Gently pat eggs almost dry using paper towels. • Place on drying rack if available (to make a drying rack place push pins in a sheet of Styrofoam or an egg carton) • Let stand to air dry completely before storing. These brown eggs were dyed using the following materials: Left to right: Red cabbage and turmeric, beets, red cabbage Goslings, Ducklings, Guineas, 7Lrkeys, Chicks, Bantams, Pheasants, Chukars, Hatching Eggs & Books C� l ear view Stock Farm & Hatchery Box 399, Gratz, PA 17030 (717) 365 -3234 Fax (717) 365 -3594 Ringneck Pheasant and Chukar Partridge Chicks & Eggs Hatching several thousand chicks each Monday April through July. GAME FARM FOLLOW US ON FACE fiCb)K wwx.fambook.cnm/Dakwuodgametarm 1.800.328.6647 PO Box 274 • Princeton MN 55371 April/May 2012 i yP9V- -bfi-kyetrdpoWtryamag.00m 77 Now that you've enjoyed your flock's celon,d egg assodaaem, here's a couple of great recipes that not only use your hens' eggs but are served in their gorgeous shells. Spinach and Herb Eggs on the Half Shell Softly cooked eggs are mixed with fresh spinach and herbs,saut6ed and served warm in their shells for a lovely lunch, an appetizer or as a dinner accom- paniment. They are a nice alternative to deviled eggs. 4 large eggs 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh baby spinach 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives Dash salt Dash freshly ground pepper ....mo..... . h,dter Place eggs in a small saucepan and barely cover with hot water. Bring to a gentle boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer 6 minutes; place in ice water until cool enough to handle. Using a small sharp knife, carefully cut each egg through the shell lengthwise in half. Scoop out the yolks and most of the egg whites into a bowl, leaving the shells intact. Coarsely chop the eggs with a spoon and stir in the spinach, dill, chives, salt and pepper. Carefully mound the mixture back into the eggshells. Melt the butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the eggs, shell -side up, 2 to 4 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm. 4 servings Janice Cole is the author of Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Suburban Home- steading with 125 Recipes (Chronicle Books, 2011). She is a food editor and food writer. For recipes and more infor- mation about her birds visit her blog at ThreeSwinginChicks.com. Chicken and Egg: A Memoir of Sub- urban Homesteading with 125 Recipes is available from the Backyard Poultry bookstore, seepage 16. —Ed. Eggshells Stuffed with Raspberry Mousse This soft and delicate mousse is made with a raspberry curd and whipped cream and served in hollowed -out eggshells for a spectacular presentation. Each two - bite serving provides just a little taste. If you'd like more, double or triple the amount and serve it in small cups. 3/4 cup fresh raspberries, slightly crushed 3 egg yolks 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 6 egg shell halves (from 3 eggs) 6 fresh raspberries for garnish 76 Blend 3/4 cup raspberries in blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through fine strainer to remove seeds; discard seeds. (There should be 6 table- spoons puree.) Whisk 6 tablespoons raspberry Pu- ree, egg yolks and 1/4 cup of the sugar in small saucepan until combined. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly and vigorously, until mixture thickens and begins to boil around the edge. (Watch carefully so mixture doesn't overcook and curdle.) Remove from heat and pour into small bowl; refrigerate 30 minutes or until chilled. Meanwhile, if using raw eggshells, place eggshells in boiling water for 3 minutes to sterilize; cool. (If using shells from hard - cooked eggs, carefully remove any hard- cooked egg and egg membrane.) Beat whipping cream and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar at high speed until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whipping cream into raspberry mixture. Spoon into eggshells or pipe using a pastry bag or plastic bag and star tip. (Dessert can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead; refrigerate.) Garnish with fresh raspber- ries. Serve in egg cups accompanied by cookies, if desired. 6 servings Backyard Poultry Phone or write for our FREE, Color 2012 Catalog (1- 800 - 424 -7755) or..... Visit our website (www.metzerfarms.com) for even more poultry information 26000K Old Stage Road Gonzales, CA 93926 metzinfo @metzerfarms.com Building a C hic ken R.g�g C«le -3 n Youth Invention Teaches Creativity, Problem- Solving and Even a Few Chicken Facts GAEL DAMEROW The creative design for an egg cleaning device has earned hon- ors for a group of Michigan grade schoolers who invented and constructed the device. Amazingly, before partici- pating in the project; most of the kids had never seen a live chicken. The youngsters are students at St. Robert Catholic School in Flushing. Their project was an entry in a contest sponsored by the FIRST Lego League (FLL). Lego, of course, is the manufacturer of a well- known plastic construction set for making mechanical models. FIRST is an acronym representing For Inspiration and Recogm- tion of Science and Technology. The FLL is an international organization whose mission is to excite kids between the ages of 9 and 14 about science, technology, and engineering. Teams consisting of up to 10 students each are invited to participate. In 1999, when FLL started, 975 teams competed; today more than 16DW teams participate worldwide. Each September the FLL announces a new theme for its annual competition, so The 2011 Mustang team was joined by 9 students, 7 boys and 2 girls ranging from grades five through eight. The team coaches are Cathy Fischer of Baker Col- lege Online in Flint, who is the driving force behind the team, and her husband Bill Fischer, a technician at Shaltz Auto- mation in Flint. As a specialist in designing robots and other moving machinery, Bill is well qualified to guide the Mustang team in the subjects of robotics and program- ming. Cathy and Bill. have coached FLL teams together for the past 8 years. In addition to two coaches, the team has two mentors. One mentor is Cathy and Bill's daughter Beth Fischer, a se- nior at Flushing High School. Beth was a member of an FLL robotics team for 5 years and has mentored the Mustangs team for 3 additional years. The other mentor is Andrea Pinter, a science teacher at St. Robert. According to coach Cathy, identify- ing a food safety issue for which a solu- tion has not already been found was the team's first challenge. "We brainstormed to come up with a problem," says 6th grader Drew Gog- gins, who participated on the team for his second year. "We started the research by going on the web because our team, coaches, which includes two distinc tivities . t ac and mentors didn't know much about One is a game for which participants program a Lego Mindstorm robot. The second activity is a challenge, in which each team must identify a problem based on the theme, and develop an innovative solution. Encompassing both activities is the concept of core values, which encourages participants to respect their teammates and coaches, and to be gra- cious toward fellow competitors. The annual theme is always based on some real -world scientific topic. The theme for 2011 was food safety. Accord- ingly, the challenge called for teams to identify a problem related to food safety and develop a creative solution. St. Robert school joined the FLL pro- grain three years ago. The students chose to name their team The Mustangs, after their school mascot. The school colors are red, white, and blue, so the students chose one of those colors, red, as their team color. To help the team stand out in a fun way, Cassy Wright, the mother of one of the students, made horse -head hats with movable eyes and blue and white manes. Coach Bill Fischer demonstrates how to use a drill while 6th graders Maxx Catterfeld, kneeling, and Travis Tyree look on. Photos by Cathy Fischer Backyard Poultry uy.,J S PVC-rube TWA 61 l � Preliminary sketch showing how the Chicken Egg Cleaner works. Artwork by Robby Fischer food contamination," explains 6th grader Jackson Hanchett, on the team for his third year. The students researched many different food safety issues, including recalls of cantaloupe and fresh meat. "Brainstorming the design," was the EE Fora Limited best part of the project for 8th grader Paul Better, who was on the team for his third year. Eventually the group focused on egg contamination. "We got the idea from my family's chicken farm, and the subject of egg Smooth Out Rough Roads with the DRO POWER GRADER! Here's what makes the DR® POWER GRADER the fastest, easiest, and simply the best do- it- younelfdnvewa y grooming solution ever PATENTED DESIGN enables You to loosen and regrace enormous amounts of material with minimal power. POWERED ACTUATOR allows you to control grading depth from your towing vehicle with a remote control. 11"11x 1=m] I., CARBIDE- TIPPED SCARIFYING TEETH loosen the hardest composite surfaces. FILLS IN POTHOLES and washouts, and smoothes wash -board on gravel, limestone, dirt, or sand roads without hauling in new material, shoveling, or raking, for a FREE DVD & TOLL FREE 1- 877 -200 -6196 www.DRpowergrader.com April /may 2012 contamination kept coming up," says 7th grader Luke Hartmann, on the team for his third year. Luke invited learn mem- bers to visit his family's chicken farm, where [hey got to handle live chickens and learn first -hand about nest boxes and how to collect and clean eggs. Visiting the chicken farm was a memo- rable experience for 5th grader Meaghan Hartman, a first -time team member. "Also," she says, "we had some help from Gail Damerow, a ul po try specialist,,, That'd be me. My contribution to the proj- ect was primarily to provide information on the appropriate size for a hen's nest and on the importance of keeping nests clean to minimize egg contamination. The result of hours of research was The Mustangs Innovative Solution Chicken Egg Cleaner (CEC), a device consisting of a clean, dark nesting box to which a padded PVC tube is attached. When a hen lays her egg in the nest, the egg falls through the tube and passes a laser beam, which activates a sensor that sprays the egg for 10 seconds with clean water to wash off dirt, waste, and bacteria. While the soiled water drains into a holding tank, the egg continues FREE DVD & Catalog! TOLL FREE 1-877- 200 -6196 �.backyisrdpoulteyaoru m 81 THE NUTRITIONAL ADVANTAGE vitamins, amino acids. minerals, glucose Stimulate appetite Strengthen weak newborns Strong hatchability Resistance to disease 9 use Nutri- Drench for a strong start . The immune system i�stronger against disease. I get better production. Also helps with heat stress." RNerview Farm, Calhoun, GA 'Nuhi- Drench improves survivability in weak chicks. we use it when we move birds because they stress easily. It works fast' Bruce Sedman, Lyman, NE Hands free chicken plucker gets em' clean in 20 seconds! Features: • Tough UV- stabilized, food - grade, plastic tub and housing • I HP motor, 10:1 speed reducer • Spray ring to wash feathers away • Feather chute for tidy work area ONLY $1049! Ask about the "Set -Up Special" - Scalder, cones, & other equipment available" www.featherman.net PO Box 62, Jamesport, MO 64648 6601684-6035 email to:infoQfeatherman.net 82 At the Michigan state competition The mustang team car h at.. •••� - • ° + - -- ----- Finalist Award for their Chicken Egg Cleaner. Left to Right: (front row) coac Cathy Fischer, Luke Hartmann, Meaghan Hartman, Travis Tyree, Maxx Catterfeld, mentor Beth Fischer, (back row) coach Bill Fischer, Paul Better, Maris Wright, Robby, Drew Goggins, science teacher Andrea Pinter. (Not present: Jackson Hanchett) down the tube and lands in a clean, pad- ded basket where it dries while awaiting collection. "For one crazy moment," says coach Cathy, the team considered incorporating a live hen into the project. But the logis- tics of caring for a chicken and subjecting her to several competitions involving 1,000 noisy children didn't seem like a good idea. So Cathy prowled the internet d life -size hen figurine Cleaner. "What I found challenging was you would have to put the egg in just right or else it wouldn't come out the other end," says 6th grader Maxx Catterfeld, a third year team member. "Getting the egg out when it got stuck," was a challenge for 6th grader Travis Tyree, a first -timer on the team. Once their design was perfected, the team was ready to compete in an official foun FLL tournament. They practiced for the until she a covered with real chicken feathers. The faux hen, which the students named Sally, gave the project a sense of realism. Under Sally's watchful eye, the team tested the egg cleaner. "We tested it a lot by putting the egg through to see how it works. That was interesting to do," says gth grader Robby Fischer, who was on the team for a third year. Robby, as you might guess, is Cathy and Bill's son. "We practiced many times and I was the one to put the egg through the Chick- en one Cleaner," says 8th grader Mari s Wright, also enjoying her third year with the team. "I loved trying to find the right height and angle to drop the egg through without breaking it," she says. "We practiced by using real eggs," explains coach Cathy. "In the testing pro- cess — and we did it hundreds of times — we broke only two eggs by accident, which our Learn felt bad about. One of the eggs was my fault, because I was talking with my hands and I dropped it. The other egg just cracked." Avoiding breakage was only one of the many challenges the team had to overcome in designing the Chicken Egg Sally the chicken, purchased over the internet, proved to be an important visual aid. Baclryard Poultry Only two eggs were broken during hundreds of trials using real eggs. competition by presenting their project to their families, friends, and other students at their school. In October they traveled to Flint to enter their first contest, where the judges honored them with the highest Innovative Solution Award. "We had a touch screen attached to the unit that clucked when the egg was dropped," explains mentor Beth Fischer. "It was so much fun to watch the judge's reaction when that happened." At their second competition, also in Flint, they won a Research Award. For the second year in a row, the Mustangs moved up to the state competition, where only the top 13 among 48 teams would qualify to enter the state finals. At the state championship in Decem- ber, the Mustangs were presented with the Project Research Finalist Award. Al- though theirproject was not chosen as the one that would represent Michigan at the world competition in St. Louis, Missouri, in April 2012, the students are proud of their accomplishment. "They all did a great job," says coach Cathy. "We could not have been as suc- cessful as we were without all the help from our team, their family members, St. Robert Catholic School and Church, and the Flushing Community. We appreciate all the support and encouragement we received during our robotics season" Everyone involved recognizes that the Chicken Egg Cleaner is a prototype that requires serious tweaking to become a realistic solution to egg contamina- tion. But after all the research that went into designing and building the device, Participants learned a lot about chickens and eggs. "There are dangers in eggs that are not clean," is the main thing Robby Fis- cher learned. 3prWMay 2012 Soy-Free, Organic Feeds, And More, We make a great soy -free, certified organic chicken feed. But that's not all we do. We also have essential organic ingredients for your garden, pasture and orchard. Want more great organics? Please visit our website. Or give us a call. We welcome your questions. We work hard every day to bring you the best in organics. Please visit our online store at www.countrysideorganics.com or call 888- 699 -7088 Countryside Organics Certified Organic, Soy -Free Feeds • Animal Health Products OMRI Approved Organic Gardening and Farming Products • Good Stuff 801 2nd Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980 • Nationwide Shipping I e Sgiety for Preservation of PoultrtYAnt, Th SARA 94ities "Saving rare breeds from extinction" Join today with a one -year membership �' for or become a Life Member for only s2oo. The SPPA seeks to protect and preserve, for historical, educational, and recreational Purposes and in the public interest, standard bred domesticated poultry, waterfowl, SPPA brings together breeders who rvalue that rare genetic heritage, honor these breeds' historic value, and wish to share it with others. The Breeders Directory lists ail members who have stock available, what they are raising and how to contact them. The quarterly, newsletter gives its readers the latest and the oldest news and information, sharing members' experiences with the most modern information in poultry husbandry for small flocks to historic accounts of breed origins and progress. Contributors are among the most articulate and well-informed poultry people in the business. Send membership fee to: Dr. Charles Everett 1059 Nick Watts Road Lugoff, SC 29078 For questions and concerns about the SPPA contact: ik, crheverettf bellsouth.net m'ww.backyardp0u1trYmag.com 83 Developing the Chicken Egg Cleaner was a valuable euucau.,..... 1.11 ­ - - -- -- participants. "I learned that egg contamination can actually start at the farm," says Maris Wright. "I learned about chickens, food contamination, bacteria, and salmonella poisoning," says Jackson Hanchett. "What I learned was that soaking the eggs in water damages the bloom that naturally protects the egg," says Mazy, Catterfeld. "Another thing I learned was that when eggs are contaminated and they able project and may not work the way our team built it, but a modified version could." The best part of the project for coach Bill was "Helping to open the doors to the creative and fun side of science and technology for the students. It's always fun to watch the kids' ideas pop into their heads. It's like a light bulb being turned on as they learn something new." soak the egg in a chemical solution, some may absorb into the egg" Mentor Beth Fischer learned that "Chickens normally only lay one egg per day-" "I learned about how the outside of an egg can become contaminated and I learned about ways that we can prevent that from happening," says science teacher Andrea Pinter. Coach Bill learned "That this is a vi- Get more exclusive online -only cover- age of this project on the Backyard Poul- try website: www.backyardpoultrymag. com. — Ed. Gail Damerow has raised chickens for more than 40 years and has written numerous books about them. She shares her poultry- raising expertise in these books available from our bookstore on page 16: The Chicken Health Handbook, Your Chickens, Barnyard in Your Back- yard, The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals, Fences for Pasture & Garden, the recently updated and revised classic Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, 3rd edition, and her latest work, The Chicken Encyclopedia: an Illustrated Reference. Certified Organic Feed & Supplements Happy birds start with healthy feed and supplements. Modesto Milling sells certified organic feeds, minerals and supplements that promote the well -being of your prized feathered friends. Our unique formulations have evolved over decades to meet the dietary and energy needs of birds during the various stages of their lives. 84 We ship anywhere! Get your personalized quote today at www .modestomilling.com /bpmag.htmi or 800-897-9740. OMRI aQi Backyard Poultry Chinese Ringneck Manchurian Ringneck K Thunder Melanistic Mutant Chukar/Redleg Partridge Available! • • • % f . 40 ••.• NpspN •••• PE .c f AR�,pN :III# Over 1.4 Million Hatched In 2011 National Delivery... Guaranteed! :Nrj f: YOUTH: Hello, Poultry Pals! Peep! Peep! Peep! Do you hear it? It's the sound of spring! With all of the new chicks hatching out, there's never a dull moment around the coop. While this season has its ups and downs, there are still few things that compare with watching a hatchling fighting to break free of its shell. Whether your chickens are big or small or waiting for you in your plans for the future, enjoy your feathered friends —we are fun to watch and we like to see you, too! (Especially if you have a little bird seed to toss our way!) Keep your coop clean, Gertrude McCluck, C.I.C. Peep! Peep! i Color Me! 86 Minute Mystery "Gerry -[rude, wake up! We're under at- tack!" A dog's paw poked me until I stood, bleary eyed and stretched my wings. "Okay, enough Skittles, I'm awake. What's so important that you needed to get me up halfway be- tween moon rise and sunrise ?" "On night patrol I peeked into the chick box and there they were, all gathered un- der the red lamp, like they're having a meeting or something." "A meeting? Seven day -old chicks? That's ridiculous." "I think they're organizing; planning to take over the farm:' I think Skittles has watched too many spy movies on late nightTV.I yawned and shook my neck. "When I visited the brooder boxes today the chicks pecked at food, stood in the water, flapped their wings while running into each other like bumper cars, then fell asleep where they stopped —pretty much a normal day for a young chick." "That just shows how cunning this group is. Tonight I snuck in real quiet -like and they huddled together. I don't speak chick too good, but I heard peeping and cheeping." "Peeping and cheeping, huh? How... unusual," I mocked, then looked into the pleading eyes of my faithful friend and realized the sooner I got off my roost, the sooner I could get back on it. Stepping out of the cozy coop the wind slapped my face. Thankful for every downy feather I'd grown, I trudged into the barn and over to the brooder .box. Through the red glow of the lamp I could see my breath as I peered in. The chicks huddled together as Skittles had reported. Up higher than usual, I suspect someone forgot to put the light back in place after checking food and water. "This mystery is solved, Pooch. You don't have to worry about these chicks taking over the farm... at least for a few months anyway:' Why did the chicks huddle together in- stead of moving about? Answer On Next Page Photo by Gage Owens, Tennessee. Backyard Poultry % Find a way through the Maze to crack the ,, In Miff - wl. l� your caption iaea by April 15 along with your name and address to Baack Talk, 15154 W 231st St., Spring Hill, KS 66083 OR E -MAIL to Cyndi@ GertrudeMcCluck.net. Selection for publication in a future issue will be at the discretion of Backyard Poultry. Name, town and state will be printed with response unless otherwise requested. A few favorites from February/March Issue: • "Could I interest you in a pair of snow shoes ?" — George Wiedlocher, Carbondale, Illinois • "Now that's what I call a real 'cool' chick!" — Robin McKenzie, Stevinson, California • "Them hot flashes getting to you again, girl ?" — Deb Bucko, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin • "Time to call Weight Watchers..." — Stephanie Bushman, Amherst Junction, Wisconsin • "Are you waiting on the Tow Duck ? " — Zachary Gregory, Houston, Missouri • "Holy Cow, there were six of us when we came out! — Joanne Martin, Maynardville, Tennessee • "It looks like you're freezing your 'buff off! " —A.J. Klein, Sparta, Michigan April /May 2012 Jokes ... Get the Yolk? Q. Why did the farmer hire the chicks to fix up the coop? A. They were cheep workers! Q. Why do hens lay eggs? A. Because if they dropped them they'd break! Q. Can a chicken really be worth $2,000? A. Only if she saves all her money! Fun Facts: • Eggs have one shell and two inner membranes surrounding the albumen (white) and yolk (yellow). • An older egg will crack much more easily than a fresh egg be- cause fresh eggs have a tougher shell. The liquids in the egg very slowly break down the shell. This is why a hard - cooked egg is easier to peel if older. • The thin membrane under the shell acts a bit like cling film, help- ing the shell cling to the egg. Peel a hard - cooked egg in cold water or under running cold water. The water gets under the membrane and the shell is removed easily. Minute Mystery Answer: A heat lamp has to be placed at the right height to keep the young chicks warm enough, but not so close that they overheat. The temperature can change during the day and night so it's important to watch the activity of chicks to find the right position. Gertrude and Skittles adjusted the lamp and met Pratchett, the rooster, on his way to crow up the sun. Gertrude gave him a small bag of scratch grains and told Skittles it was her "snooze alarm" as Pratchett would spend 30,i- minutes pecking the grain before oil even thought about crowing again. v" j Gertrude McClack, Chicken in Charge is assisted by chicken wrangler Cyndi Gern- hart. Find out more about Gertrude and her book series for children and other fun activities at: www.GertrudeMeCluck.net www.backyardpoultrymag.com 87 Have birds for sale? Advertise in the Backyard Poultry Breeders Directory for less than $4.50 a month. Your ad will be seen by more tu.. RG Iltm nnultry enthusiasts who read every issue. Fill out the order form and return it today! Associations AMERAUCANA BREEDERS CLUB. New members receive a Handbook & quarterly Bulletins and are eligible for club awards. Yearly dues are $10lunior, $121iindividual and $181family. <Ameraucana.org> Michael Muenks, Secretary /Treasurer, 1222 Coklspnng Rd. Elgin, IL 60120 -5103. AMERICAN BRAHMA CLUB, Kim Aldrich, Sec./Treas., 12948 Ring Rd., St. Charles, MI 48655. 989 -865- 6702. <ki ma53 @ $bcglobal.net> <http:/ttheamericanbrahmaclub.org/default.htm>. Promoting the Majestic Ones! USA & Canada Mem- bership dues: AdultsfPartnemhip/Farm $15/yr., US Juniors $10/yr., all other memberships $30/yr. AMERICAN SUMATRA ASSOCIATION, <httpJ /sumatraa iation.conuMembership Dues: $1812 yrs.; $25/3 yrs. Newsletters, show awards, breeders list. Doug Akers <dakers @purdue.edu> ARAUCANA CLUB OF AMERICA. Promoting the tufted, rumpless, blue egglayingAraucana. $20annual dues includes quarterly newsletter, breeders guide, and Araucana Handbook. Mail inquiries to: Araucana Club of America, 207 Pickens Drive, Pendleton, South Carolina 29670 -9727. Visit our website and forum: <www.araucarta.net> CHANTECLER FANCIERS INTERNATIONAL, Mike Gilbert, Secretary, W5171 Baker Rd., Holmen, WI 54636. 608-857 -3386 (Call before 9 PM CST) ,info (0 redstagacres.com> <http: / /chantecler fanciereintemational.org> DOMINIQUE CLUB OF AMERICA. Boosting America's Oldest Breed Since 1973. Large fowl and bantam. $10 annual dues. Contact: Tracey Rodenbach, President, 61 Difficult Rd., Pleasant Shade, TN 31745. <trodenb@gmail.com> <www.dominiqueclub.ony GUINEA FOWL BREEDERS ASSOCIATION. GFBA will encourage, support, and educatepeople as tome benefits in raising guineafowl and provide information and support to those who own or plan to own them. <www.gfba.org> <www.guineatowl.com> NATIONAL JERSEY GIANT CLUB, Robert L. Vaughn, Sec./Treas., 28181 Chickadee Ln., Pequot Lakes, MN 56472. 218 -963 -6117. a1vaughn2818@ charter.net> <nationaljerseygiantclub.com> Promoting Jersey Giants with newsletters including Informative articles, annual Members Directory and awards at club meets. U.S. Yearly Dues - Individual $15; Family $20. U.S. 3 Years Dues - Individual $40; Family $55. International Yearly Dues - Individual $20; Family$25 (U.S. Dollars). International 3Years Dues - Individual $55; Family $70 (U.S. Dollars). PALM BEACH COUNTY POULTRY FANCIERS ASSOCIATION, Made Reddy, Newsletter/Website, 2191 Pepper Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33415. ,www.poultryfanciers.com> A dedicated group of poultry breeders and enthusiasts that believe in the advancement of poultry breeding and exhibition. Dues are $20/yr. Ameraucana Michigan Chick Hatchery, ChickHatchery.com, John W. Blehm, Birch Run, Michigan. Bantam chickens: buff, laven- der & silver Ameraucana. Large fowl chickens: buff, lavender, silver, black & wheaten Ameraucana and partridge & buff Chantecler. so South Carolina RAMEY FARM, Gary L. Ramey, 440 Surrey Race Rd., Salley, SC 29137. 408 - 205 -8150. ,geareduplyn @msn.cem> <www.rameyfann.conu Quality true Ameraucana chicks. Hatching and shipping weekly. i MIS Colorado ROSEN AMERICAN GAME BANTAMS, Mark Rosen, 59221 E. U.S. Hwy. 50, Boone, CO 81025. 719 - 947 -3006. Mfireback @aol.com; httpl /rosenagb.webs.com. AGB's in Brassyback, BB Red, Golden Duckwing and White. Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. Koklass Pheasants, Erokel's FrancAins and Pied Peafowl. We ship nationwide by USPS Express Mail. These are show birds -NOT fighting chickens) We do not have a catalog. Araucana South Carolina RAMEYFARM, Gary L. Ramey, 440 Surrey Race Rd., Salley, SC 29137. 408- 205 -8150. <geareduplyn@ msn.conu axww.rameyfamn.com> True rumpless Araucana chicks. Hatching and shipping weekly. Pennsylvania GREEN VALLEY STABLES, Joe Ambrose, PO Box 511, Vanderbilt, PA 15486. < admin @thegreenvalleystables.com> <www.megreenvaAeystables.conu 100 %PureAseel and Red Jungle Fowl hatching eggs. Barred Plymouth Roc North Carolina BILLY PLACE FARM, Cynthia Glasscoe, East Bend, North Carolina. 336 - 699- 2677.<glasscoec9Qaol. wm> Barred Plymouth Rocks, Dominiques, Mottled Javes. Chicks -local pickup only. Buckeye Kentucky PATHFINDERS FARM, P.O. Box 35, Williamstown, KY 41097. 859- 801 -6081. <palhfindersfarm@ gmail.com> < www.pathfindersfamt.comBuckeyes> Exhibition Quality Buckeyes in large fowl. Chicks and started birds. Miswurl J SQUARED FARMS, 816 - 586 -2262, <jsquared@ centurytel.net> w .jsquaredfarms.cem>We raise Buckeyes & only Buckeyes! Rare, heritage, dual purpose. Day old chicks ship October -May. Limited supply. Not flock bred. North Carolina SONBURST FARM, LLC, Weaver, Salisbury, North Carolina. 704- 638 -6533. <Sonburst@bellsouth.net> Hatching eggs shipped, chicks for local pickup only. NPIP# 55 -1068. Cochins New York JAMIE'S COCHIN COLLECTION, Jamie Mats, 283 State Hwy. 235, Harpursville, NY 13787. 607 - /2b- /See. <maustro < www. jamiescochirlcollecbon .ceclinmie.wm> Dominique Georgia BOB'S BIDDIES HATCHERY, Bob Berry, 2155 Weaver Dr., Ray City, GA 31645. 229-455 -6437. <bobsbiddies@live.com> <www.bobsbiddies. webs.com> Baby Chicks -Rhode Island Reds, Dominique, Buff Orpington, Delaware, Dena's Special. Sexed and shipped year round. Other breeds February- September. NPIP Certified. Disabled owned/operated business. i 1 Indiana WOODSIDE AVIARY, James Kotterman, Peru, Indiana. 765- 985 -2805. Pheasant enthusiasts check this outl Displaying full color the Golden Pheasant, Ghigi Golden, Lady Amherst, Silvers. Also Temminck Tragopan, Brown Ear & Blue Ear. No brochure available. Give me a call and we'll talk about the birds! Minnesota OAKWOOD GAME FARM, INC., PO Box 274, Princeton, MN 55371. 800- 328 -6647. <oakwoodgamefarm.com> We sell day -old pheasant and chukar partridge chicks and eggs. Ask about our new smaller quantities on eggs and chicks. South Carolina HT AUSTIN, 1766 Homestead Rd., Bowman, SC 29018. 803 - 308 -1203. Rare pheasant egg assortment - available April and May only. Order early to reserve, limited supply. Will receive at least four breeds from the following: Lady Amherst, Red Golden. Yellow Golden, Dark Throated Golden, Plantinum, Silver, Buff, Green Mutant, Swinhce and Elliotts. $65 /dozen, postage included. Wisconsin PURELY POULTRY, Tyler Danke, PO Box 466, Fremont, WI 54940. 800 - 216 -9917, 920- 472 -4068. < Chicks@ Purely Poultry.com> ewww.PurelyPouhry.com>Wild Turkeys: Eastern, Rio Grande, Meniams, Osceola, Pheasants: Chinese Ringneck, Kansas Ringneck, Jumbo Ringneck, Manchurian Cross Ringneck, Melanistic Mutant. Mallard Ducks. Chukar Redleg Partridge. Quail: Bobwhite, Cotumix, Guineas. Michigan KREBS' FARM, Bernd & Mari Krebs, 1043 E. John Beers Rd., Saint Joseph, MI 49085. 269- 408 -0282. <steinbachers4ever @yahoo.com> Adult exhibition & breeding pairs. Rare Blue Steinbacher Kempf geese. Iowa WINTERS GUINEA FARM, Ralph Winter, 21363 White Pine Ln.. New Vienna, IA 52065. 563- 853 -4195. <www.guineafarm.com> <rwinter@guineafarm.com> Guinea fowl, Peafowl. Backy&Pd Poultlirf Jersey Giants Indiana MARIA'S JERSEY GIANTS, since 1976, Maria Hall, 7030 S. Bloomington Trail, Underwood, IN 47177.812- 752 -7825. <MHbluegiants4u6aol.com> <www.mariasjerseygiants.com> Quality Gentle Giant Blues, Splash & Blacks eggs, chicks, started birds & adults. Shipping. Ohio JOHNSON JERSEY GIANTS, Tim Johnson, 17660 W. POe Rd., Weston, OH 43569. 419 - 353 -0424. <tiPoultry@hotmail.01 Black Jersey Giants large fowl. Also New Hampshire Bantams. Peafowl Iowa THE PEACOCK INFORMATION CENTER, Dennis Fett,2478333OSt., Minden, IA51553.712 -483 -2473. <peafowlmail@peafowl.com> <www.peafowl.com> Peahen eggs, Peacock DVDs. Pigeons New Mexico INDIAN FANTAIL CLUB OF AMERICA (IFCA), Paul Tapia, Secretary/rmasurer, 1908 Utah St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. 505- 235 -1151. <tapzone @msn.com> Join the IFCA today and start raising and showing these beautiful pigeonsl Contact Paul Tapia for more information. Indian Fantail pigeons. Iowa SAND PRAIRIE QUAIL FARM, Dale, Becky or Joel Davidson, 2264 200th Ave., Maquoketa, IA 52060, 563 - 652 -5407. <sand_prairie -quail _ farm @yahoo. _ com-- w .sandprairiequailfarm.neb Quail chicks & eggs: Bobwhite, Tennessee Reds. Chicks Only: Chukar, Pheasants. Ship express mail, truck delivery. Massachusetts ANTONIO R. FERREIRA, JR., 49 Chestnut St., Seekonk, MA 02771. 401 -465 -1662. Northern Bob- white Quail. Eggs: $11.75/12, $23,50124, $49/50. Postpaid. •� r Florida BLACKBURN'S QUALITY BANTAMS, Wayne Black- burn, PO Box 736, Anthony, FL32617.352- 236-0359. Sebrights, Wyandottes and Self Blue Old English. I,- Seramas Oklahoma JUNEBUG'S SILKIED SERAMAS, June Suhm, 214 N. Service Rd., Moore, OK 73160. 405 -620 -2332. <junezn7@aol.com> < http:// silkiedserama .web.olficelive.com /default. aspt> Silkled Seramas. Loulelan8 JERRY'S SERAMAS, LLC., Jerry Schexnayder, PO Box 159, Vacherie, LA 70090, 225-265 -2238. <jerschex@aol.com> <www.jerrysseramasllaoom> Serama. KENNY'S SERAMAS, Kenny Reason, 1612 Redwood Dr., Harvey, LA 70058. 504.919 -9817. <reai6120att.net, South Carolina PIXIE CHICK SERAMAS, Juliette Haedein, 2445 Rockland Ave., Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487. JLPrfl/May 2072 <juliefte0pixiechickens.conu <www.pixiechicken com> Calllomia AMBER WAVES, as featured od The Tor! &Dean Show on Oxygen. Jim cell: 951- 233 -4231, <debbie@ amberwaves.info> Visit: <http: / /showsilkies.crom> Aleadmg information resourceforall poultry. Bearded bantam Silkies & Blue Slate turkeys. NPIP. Ship nationwideantl internationally. Creditcards accepted. Visitors welcome by appointment. Massachusetts GOLDEN EGG FARM, 413- 477 -8872 <kate @goldeneggfarm.00m> <www.goldeneggfarm. com> Hatching eggs- Champion Silkies- Master Exhibitor, Breeder, NPIPg1299. Michigan ROMAN'S NATURAL FARM, Derek & Nicole Roman, 13875 Arthur Rd., Rodney, MI 49342. 231 -844- 5662. <romansnaturalfarm @yahoO.com> < http: / /romansnaturalfarm.tripod.com> Rare Heritage Turkeys: Narragansett, Royal Palm, Blue Slate, Black Slate, Bourbon Retl, Auburn, Sweetgrass, Fall Fire, Calico, Chocolate. Guineas (assorted colors). Minnesota HAWK'S VALLEY FARM, Joanne Griffin, 18005 Truman Dr., Spring Grove, MN 55974.507- 498 -5108. <hvfarm@springgrave.coop> Bourbon Red turkeys. Selective breeding for color and maximum size. MEADOW RIDGE FARM, Brad Myers, 4893 Tree FaRn Rd., Pequot Lakes, MN 56472. 218 -568 -5680. Heritage Turkeys: Na..Nash, Bourbon Red, Royal Palm, Blue Slate & Black Spanish. s. Wisconsin LIBERTYTURKEYFARM, Kent Haroldson, 642 Perry Center Rd., Mount Horeb WI 53572. 698- 333 -1997. d ibertyturkeyfarm @yahoo.ocm>BOurbon Red, Royal Palm, Narragansett Poults & breeding stock. Various AVA GABBARD FARMS, Arkansas. <www.gabbard hatchingeggs,com> Hatching eggs & day old chicks. Ameraucana /Araucana, Ancona, Appenzeller Spitzhauben, Barnevelder, Barnevelder (bantam), Barred Plymouth Rock, Black Ameraucana, Black Australorp, Black Copper Marans, BlueAmeraucana, Blue Andalusian, Blue Birchen Marans, Blue Copper Marans, Blue Hamburg, Blue Laced Retl Wyandotte, Blue Orpington, Blue Splash Marans, Buff Brahma, Buff Orpington, Golden Cuckoo Marans, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Golden Lakenvelder, Golden Pol- ish, Golden Sebright, Light Brahma, Light Sussex, Mille Fleur D'Uccle, New Hampshire Red, Partridge Penedesenca, Porcelain D'Uocle, Pumpkin Hulsey Gamefowl, Red Silkie, Rhode Island Red, Rose Comb Brown Leghorn, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Silver Lakenvelder, Silver Sebright, Silver Spangled Hamburg, Speckled Sussex, Welsummer, Wheaten Ameraucana, Wheaten Marans, Wheaten Penedes- enca, White Marans, White Silkie. California CHICKEN RIDDLE, Bridget, 3030 Orestimba Rd., Newman, CA 95360. 209 -485-1413. <chopped50@ netvelocite.ne> No catalog) Large Fowl: Shamo, Buttercup, Salmon Faverolle, Minorca, Sumatras, Bamvelders, WhiteAmeracanas, ughtSussex. Wilke)) show quality and non -show quality teens and adults. METZER FARMS, 26000K Old Stage Rd., Gonzales, CA 93926. Year -round hatching. Nationwide shipping. Freecatalog now, 800-424 -7755, <Www.metzerfarms. com> Ducklings: Pekin, Rouen, Khaki Campbell, L lassmcation/Breed: 1 1 Your Farm Name: 1 1 YourName- I 1 Address:_ 1 City, State, Phone Nurr 1, E -mail Wet 1 Additional' 1 One Year Directory Listing (6 issues) $ 50 (H3 Additional Words $1.50 each: $ _ Total amount enclosed: $ Rackyard Poultry 145 Industrial Drive, Medford, WI 54451 Phone: 800 -551 -5691 • Fax: 715- 785 -7414 L _ . _ _ _ E- mail: c= yclass_fiedsCQ?tds.net 1 1 1 1 V+ .backyardpon,toI.Mag.com $9 Golden 300 Egg Layer, Blue Swedish, Buff , Cayuga, Mallard, Welsh Harlequin, White Crested & Runners (Black, Chocolate, Blue, Fawn & White) Goslings: Embden, White Chinese, Brown Chinese, Toulouse, Dewlap Toulouse, African, Canada, Buff, Tufted Buff, Sebastopol, Pilgrim, Crested Roman. Ringneckphees- ants, French Pearl guineas, Wild turkeys. Idaho FEATHERHILLS FARM HERITAGE HATCHERY, Tony Albritton, 16405 Orchard Ave., Caldwell, ID 83607. 509 - 995 -7284. tsjeaIbm§netscape.com> All bred to the Standard of Perfection. Large Fowl: Barred Plymouth Rock, White Chantecler, Partridge Chamecler, Speckled Sussex, White Wyandotte, Silver Laced Wyandotte, Silver Leghorn, Rhode Island Red Bantam: Barred Plymouth Rok. NarragansettTurkey, Pilgrim Geese. NPIP#91 -121. Illinois ANDYANDERSON, 17496 E. 1000 Rd., ML Carmel, IL 62863. 618 - 262 -8389. Call after 6 PM. Hatching gg"17perdozenfreightpaid. Wyandottebantams: Partridge, Buff, Blue Laced Black, Golden Laced, Columbian. Buff Orpington. Old English: Brown Red, Spangled, Wheaten, Mille Fleur. CHICKEN SCRATCH POULTRY, Larry & Angela McEwen, RR3 Box 44, MCLeansboro, IL 62859. 618 - 643-562. darry_agie (gchkkenscratchpou8ry. ce m ><www.chickenscratchpoultry.cem> Coronation Sussex, Light Sussex, Lavender Orpington, Black Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Welsummers, Blue Ameraucana, Black Ameraucana, Rumpless Araucania, Olive Egger. Red Golden, Lady Amherst. Quail: Pharoah C0tUmIX, Tuxedo Cotumix, BobwhiteQuail. Guineas: Pearl, Royal Purple, Snow W kite, Coral Blue. Turkeys: Narragansett, Bourbon Reds, Blue Slate, Royal Palms, Standard Bronze. Ducks: Blue Swedish, Cayuga, Pelun, Khaki Campbell. Peacocks: India Blue. TOWNLINE POULTRY FARM, INC., Box 108, Zeeland, MI 49464. 888-685 -0040. 616 -772- 6514. downlinehatchery @sbcglobal.ne> <ww a town linehatchery.00m> Poultry: Ise- Brown, Rfade Island Reds, California Grey Leghorn, Bared Rock, Araucana, Buff Orpingons, Black Sex -Link, Black Australorps, Cornish -Rock cross, New Hampshire, Golden Laos Wyandottes, Silver Wyandotte & Light Brahmas. Ducks, geese, turkeys & pheasants. Minnesota Middle River, MN 56773218 222-3556 Ave. <www. johnsonswatedowl.conu Grey, Buff & White Africans, Grey Pomeranians, Sebastopol geese, Rouen, Silver Appleyard, Pekin, White &BlackCrested, Saxony, Black Cayuga, Black, Blue Swedish, Black & Blue Ma ies, Campbells, Penciled, White, Blue, Black, Grey(Mallard), BluueE Bibbed & las el Callyducklings. Free brochure. SUNNY CREEK FARMS, Don Schirrick.15378160M St. SW., Red Lake Falls, MN 56750. 218- 253 -2291. <sunnycreekfarms.zxq.na> FreeullsarabbAlsbreads, waterfowl, chicks, gamebirds, Po hatch- ing equipment. URCHlTURNLUND POULTRY, 2142 NW 47 Ave., Owatonna, MNS6060-1071.507451-672. Largsk)W: Wyandotes, Rhode Island Reds, Rhode Island Whites, Iowa Java, Giants Buckeye Dominique,LwIlshan,Cochins, COUNTY LINE Hon. IA 522, 18.3193509130 hOom, Spanish RI C. BlacckL Leghorn, Brown Polish. anan Rd., Cogg a Hamburg, Faverolle, Welsummer, Campine, Sumatra, <www.ceumylinehaohery.00m> Rare and fancy pea- 9 fowl, guineas, chickens ,ducks,turkeys,gesse,bantams Ameraucauna. La Fleche,Crevacceur,Suhan,Phoenix. and more. FeaturingShowgirls &Silkss.Mostecenomi- Bantam: Modern Game, Rhode Island Red Leghorn, cal and tliverse poultry assortment available. Naked shan, Frizzlle, Siloe, Mille Fleur, Bukleye.Ancona. Geese: Canada, Egyptian. Ducks: Muscovy. Turkeys: Ave., M SC FARM &HATCHERY, 9749 500th Black Slate, Bronze, Red, Palm, Beltsville, Eastern Mi It es, I A 52 084. 563-66 2 -7 86 S. <pouttry@ sohlechthatcheh...cock Brown Leghorn, Blury.com> Wild, exhibition fowl. Poultry: Cornish Rock, Brown Leghorn, Blue Laced Red Wyandotte, Golden Lace Wyandotte, Sex -Link, Mlssourl Lebanon, Rhode Island Red, Barred Rock, Buff Orpington, CACKLE HATCHERY, PO Box 529, Americauna, White Laced Red Cornish; Bantams: MO 65536. 417 -532 -4581. <cacklehatchery@ Gold Sebright, Silver Spangled Hamburg. Ducks: cacklehatchery.com> <www.cacklehatchery.com> Mallard, its Mallard, Rouen, Khaki- Camhell, Pekin, 75 years of hatching and shipping baby chicks. Free Fawn & While Indian Runners. Color Catalog, 186 varieties. W ELP HATCHERY, Box 77, Bancroft, IA50517.800- 4 58 -8473, <www.weIpha1chey -00M> Specializing in Cornish Rokbroilers. Alscofferig babychicks, duck- lings, goslings, bantams, exotics, turkeys, Guineas, pheasants. Free catalog. MCNisa/Discover. poultry.com> Eggs- chicks- adults. Large Fowl: Partridge & Silver Penciled Rocks; Blue Orpington; SC & RC Rhode Island Red; WC Black Polish; Fled Corking; Goldlaced & Silverlaced Cochin. Bantam: Barred & White Rock; Buff & Dark Brahma; Goldlaced & Columbian Cochin; White Araucana: Bearded Silver Polish. South Carolina HT AUSTIN, 1766 Homestead Rd., Bowman, SC 29018 803 - 308-1203. Bantam hatching ggs,pdce in- cludes postage:$65 /dozen -Rare Barred Silkos. S38/ dozer Aswrted Silkiesfromfivedifferentcolom ,Black Rosecombs, assorted Golden and Silver Sebrights or assorted Polish from five different colors. Maryland WHITMORE FARM, Emmasburg, Maryland. Shipping day -old chicks March thru June. Shaw quality lines, ex- cellentgg color, selected for performance. Black and Blue Ameraucana, Ancona, Delaware, Black Copper and Blue Copper Marans, Welsummer. Photographs, pricing and online ordering at <www'. WhitmoreFarm. corm. Email <Info @WhttmoreFerm.cem> Michigan CEDAR CREEK HATCHERY, 5840 Sweeter Rd., Twin Lake, MI49457.231- 821-0670, <W W W.CEDAR CREEKHATCHERYCOW Chickens: Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, Golden Comes, California Gray Lghoms, Pearl White Lghorns, Buckeyes, SilverLaced Wyandottes, Blue Laced Red Wyandotes, Turkins, Amedosunas, Delaware, Light Brahma, Dark Brahma, Buff Brahma, Barred Rocks, White Rocks, Black Javas, Mottled Javas, Salmon Faverolles, Buff Cochin, Black Jersey Giants, White Jersey Giants, Blue Orpington, Black Copper Marans, Blue Copper Marans, Blue Splash Marans, Wheaton Marans, Wel- summer", White Crested Black Polish, Comish/Rock Cross, Cedar Creek Bluebell Superlayers. Pheasants: Ring Neck, Red Golden, Yellow Golden, DarkThroated T Washington ELYSIAN MEADOWS POULTRY FARM, John & Bev Tenneson, 10117 Fruioale Rd., Sedro- Woolley, WA 98284 -8200. 360456-6242. <btenneson @frontier. com>MASSIVE Llghterahmas& BlackMinorcas -Not yourordinary, everydaybirds, but40yearsof intensive breading statgss producing show - stoppers wherever shown' Visitors by appointment. Showbirds: $100 and up. Simply interested in productive, beautffulbirdsthat are backyard conversation pieces: $35 and up. WE SHIP. NPIP #91 -97. Oklahoma COUNTRY HATCHERY, Matthew & Dr. Den- nis P. Smith, PO Box 747, Wewoka, OK 74684. 405 - 257 -1236. <info @countryhatchery.nel> <www.coumryhatcheryneb, White, Blue &Date Pled Black & white Pied and Chocolate Muscovy grim and African Gas", Standard Bronze and Bourbon Red Turkeys; Pearl, Slate, and While Guineas; Black Australorps, Rhode Island Reds, Bug Orpington, Cor- nish Rocks, Bamevelders. Free GOlor Brochure. Wisconsin BUTCH'S BIRDS POULTRY FARM, Aiding Gun- derson, N6465 Schwantz Rd., Pardeeville, WI 53954. 608- 429 -9960. <amgund @fronber.com> <www.BUtchsBirds.cem> Geese, ducks, chickens, NPIP. PURELY POULTRY, Tyler Danke, PO Box 466, Fremont, WI 54940. 800- 216 -9917, 920 - 472 -4068. < Chicks @PUreIyPOUltry.ccm> c,ww'PurelyPOUhry. cem> 300 varieties: chickens, bantams, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, Peafowl, swans, pheasants, ornamental pheasants, chukare and quail. SUNNVSIDE HATCHERY, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. 920- 887 -2122. Shipping to North Central U.S. only. Jumbo broilers, Leghorns, Blacks, Browns, turkeys & ducklings. <,wwaunnySIdshatchery C0M> Oregon HOLDERREAD WATERFOWL FARM, Millie & Dave Holtderread, POSox492, Corvallis, OR97339.541-29- 5338. < duckgoosetan n @yahoo.con><w'ww.hNderread farm.com> SilverAppleyard; Saxony; Cayuga; Magpie; Welsh Harlequin; Khaki Campbell; White. Penciled' Fawn & While, Black, Blue, Emery Penciled, Blue Fawn Penciled, Dusky, Cinnamon, Saxony, Silver Runners; Dutch Hook Bills; Australian Spotted; Mini Appleyard; East Indie; Whhe, Gray, Pastel, Blue Fawn, Butterscotch Calls; S ilkie Ducks. Embden; &own, Buff Africans; Dew' - IapToulouse;American BIue;Amencan Lavender; Gray Pomerenian :TUffed Raman; Brown Chinese; Shetland; Oregon Mini - Geese. Pennsylvania HORSTMAN'S POULTRY, Dick Horstmen, 5 S Kings Creek Rd., Burgentown, PA 15021. 724 - 729-3701. <dickhorstman @comcast.net> <www.horsimans 1 Michigan WEBBED FOOT PINES WATERFOWL FARM, Lucas Dickerson, 3985 Packard Rd., Sand Creek , MI 49279. 517- 436-3949, 517- 442 -9686. <webbedfootpines @yahoo.ccm> Exhibition Gray & Buff Toulouse, Black & Chocolate Muscovy ", Silver Appleyartl. Minnesota NANCY MN5592L507- 732,5281. H<www'.EllsonS epFroerm. con> Shetland ducks. Oregon BOONDOCKERS FARM, Evan & Rachel Gregoire, 28055 Briggs Hill Rd., Eugene, OR 97405. 541- 689 -0881. Cell: 7755�kersFarm. dxoondockers @INe.com<www >. com> Ancona ducks. Wyandottes South Carolina q40 Surrey RAMEY FARM, Gary L. Ramey, y Race Rd., Salley, SC 29137. 408 - 205 - 8150.. <gsaraduplyn @msn.com> <www.rameyfarm.com> Blue Laced Red Wyandottes. Yokohama South Carolina RAMEY FARM, Gary L. Ramey, 440 Surrey Race Rd., Salley, SC 29137. 408 - 205 -8150. <geareduplyn @msn.00m> <www.rameyfarm.cem> Red Shoulder Yokohamas. Backyard Poultry Custom-777M aWjlag See moarrY out) webWte Need an "instant" fence? PoultryNef" & PRS Energizers What is PoultryNet? • Fence in most non -flying poultry (chickens, ducks & geese). • Fence out dogs, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, opossum & skunks. A prefabricated fence that arrives at your door as a complete roll (see photo at left) but still needs to be electrified with an energizer. Energizer and additional support Posts sold separately. White vertical strings are "welded" to black /white electroplastic conductive horizontals. White plastic posts built into the net (every 12 ft. in PoultryNet and every 6.5 ft. in PoultryNet Plus) support the mesh. PoultryNet comes in two heights. 42 or 48 in. tall with 12 horizontals and verticals every 3 in. A 164 ft. roll weighs less than 151bs. Note: Not effective with baby chicks that are small enough to crawl through the net openings and therefore are not deterred by the electric shock. PRS Solar Energizers - PRS 50 and PRS 100 energizers have these special features: • Half the cost and more output (joules) than other's energizers. • All metal case; very strong and rugged. Won't rust. It's aluminum and stainless steel. • Light brown exterior reduces its visibility to vandals and reduces heat buildup inside the case. • All metal clamps for lid. • 2 yr warranty on solar panel, energizer and case. • If properly used and stored batteries should last 3 -4 years. • Kits also available which include a 5 -light fence tester. A PRS 50 can power up to 5 rolls of PoultryNet. 40 (above) eoth the PRS energizeraud PoultryNetare ready to set up when they arrive at your door. See the centerspread ofthis magazine for Premier's poultry supplies�or baby chicks. Ask for our free booklets! ON Fencing Poultry Free Shipping! On qualified inkmet orders. Visit our website. PR jIER www.premierlsupplies.com 800 - 282 -6631 • Washington, IA ww.mypetchi w cken.com i #4 Order as few as 3 baby chicks to start!* Chicken coops starting at just $349! FREE a -books for beginners! 1 RE,E� vt N a�e o C��N NG � Gsv Female Bantams: We are the only supplier in the country. 90% sexing accuracy guarantee. Supplies: Waterers, feeders, egg baskets, egg cartons, incubators, diatomaceous earth. Gifts: Artwork, clocks, books, egg candles, Chicken poop lip balm, decals, kitchen decorations and more. Chicken Coops: We offer a great selection, with prices starting at just $349. *Visit www.mypetchicken.com for more details. ©2010 My Pet Chicken, LLC. 4f(8) Marian Karr From: Geoff Fruin Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 9:37 PM To: 'fsalomon @wisc.edu' Cc: Council Subject: RE: A quiet zone for IC? Mr. Salomon: Thank you for your email regarding the federal Quiet Zone program. In order to submit an application for a Quiet Zone, a city must complete a fairly extensive analysis of the individual rail crossings in the community. Due to the specialized and technical nature of these studies, urban communities such as Iowa City typically need to hire an outside consultant. In most cases, such an analysis would cost several hundred thousand dollars. The study results would detail the improvements that are needed to meet the federal criteria for Quiet Zones. In most cases, significant crossing infrastructure upgrades, such a quadrant and pedestrian gates, would be required. In other cases, some crossings would need to be closed or barrier medians would need to be installed. In urban settings, these improvements typically cost several hundred thousand dollars per crossing. Also, it is important to note that Quiet Zones do not strictly prohibit train horns. Train engineers can sound their horns when they feel it is necessary for public safety purposes. Certainly the zones eliminate routine horn sounds, but often in crowded pedestrian settings you may still hear the occasional horn. While it is cost prohibitive to fund such an endeavor locally, there is a potential that the proposed passenger rail service extension through Iowa City could bring a Quiet Zone closer to reality. The federal dollars that have been secured for that project would in part be used to upgrade crossings to meet the latest safety standards. Such improvements could allow Iowa City to qualify for a Quiet Zone, or at the very least make achieving such designation much less expensive. I would be happy to discuss your noise concerns in more detail. If you are interested in having that conversation please call me at your convenience. Sincerely, Geoff Fruin Assistant to the City Manager I City of Iowa City, IA 319.356.5013 Igeoff-fruin iowa- city.org - - - -- Original Message---- - From: Frank Salomon [mailto:fsalomon @wisc.eduj Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 4:47 PM To: Council Subject: A quiet zone for IC? Dear Council members: It was impressive to learn that Fairfield, Marshalltown, and a few other IA locations have railroad quiet zones. I sure wish IC did. My neighborhood gets blasted many times a day by locomotives passing the Greenwood Ave. grade crossing. Not only that, but the heavy ambulance traffic on Melrose Ave and the helicopters flying in and out of the University Hospital, not to mention sports traffic, make it a terribly noisy area. It's my understanding that railroad quiet zones are normally declared only where a track runs on or next to a street for a long stretch. What do you think IC can do? Is there a way to abate train noise? I moved here from a much larger city (Madison, WI), with much more traffic of every kind. I was startled to find out that IC is a lot louder than other places I've lived in. Does IC have any noise abatement policies? How can citizens encourage them? Sincerely yours, Frank Salomon 4f(9) Marian Karr From: Marianne Wilkening <wilkma @oaknoll.com> Sent: Sunday, April 22, 2012 4:14 PM To: Council Subject: PATV This correspondence will become a public record. As a citizen of Iowa City, I am writing to express my appreciation for your support of PATV. PATV connects citizens to a variety of public activities and alsoT helps the community connect with the Johnson County Animal Shelter — its events and great care given there to homeless animals. Sincerely, Marianne Wilkening 05 -01 -12 4f�� Iowa Valley . Habitat,,,.3 o I for Humanity® f ; 4 ' "the excitements building" April 16, 2012 To: Iowa City City Council members Community Development City Staff 2401 SCOTT BLVD. IOWA CITY, IA. 52240 PH 319.337.8949 FAX 31 9.354.3527 WWW.1 OWAVALLEYHABITAT.ORG Re: Comments on FY13 Annual Action Plan and CITY STEPS Dear Council members and Staff, You will be reviewing and voting on the recommendations from the HCDC regarding the FY13 CDBG /HOME funding recommendations. The committee has put in long hours and much consideration in coming up with recommendations for improving the lives of many in the community. I do not wish to contest or complain about their recommendations and I hope you give it a fair hearing and follow their recommendations. However, I do wish to air a concern about the scoring criteria used in coming up with their recommendations. CITY STEPS is the five year plan which prioritizes needs in the community. Unfortunately, home ownership by low income families is considered a "low priority" in the plan and thereby gives Habitat a low score in the ranking of projects. In past years, the low priority status did not seem to affect the final funding recommendations, but this year it did and Iowa Valley Habitat received a $0 recommendation for helping low income families into home ownership even though $120,000 was requested. In the executive summary you should note that home ownership is a priority. In the past, HOME funds were used to purchase lots for construction of Habitat homes. Habitat uses a different model than others and we have a 20 year track record of mostly successes. Some of the ways we differ from other non - profit housing agencies include: - -we leverage outside funds 4:1 meaning private funds are heavily relied upon - -we utilize literally thousands of community volunteers' hours to build the homes meaning widespread support and involvement by young and old -- each adult in the Habitat home must donate a minimum of 250 hours of sweat equity in the building of their own home, giving them pride and responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance - -we train the families to be responsible home owners, and as a result, we have had only one foreclosure in 20 years in Iowa City - -we sell the home at no profit and the family purchases it with a 0% interest, 20 -25 year loan (which is how we can make it affordable) - -the 33 homes we have built in Iowa City will pay over $65,000 in property taxes this year alone (and keep on paying for as long as they remain) - -in the last 7 years all HOME funds used in our homes are committed to being repaid whenever the home is sold to a family over 80% of area median income. This means that over the long -term, HOME funds will flow back to the City. My belief is that the thinking which went into the CITY STEPs plan and the creation of its priorities is flawed. While it is true that home ownership for most low income families is out of reach and might be considered a low priority, the Habitat model does make it possible and successful. With the Habitat model, neighborhoods can be both stabilized and improved as is evidenced in the Aster / Whispering Prairie / Whispering Meadows area of Southeast Iowa City. I am writing this comment both to ask you to reflect on the adoption of the FY13 Action Plan which zeroed out Habitat for Humanity's request to purchase additional lots for home ownership. In addition, I am asking you to consider amending the CITYSTEPs this coming year to change the priority level for low income home ownership which uses the Habitat model for success from a "low" to a "high" priority so future scoring on CDBG /HOME funding will be permitted. I am not asking for other models for low income home ownership be given a different priority, just one we have proven over 20 years works well for everyone. Peace, Mark Patton Executive Director a ,D T