Thot yall might be interested in this. We bought 50 Buff Orpington chicks about three weeks ago from Privett Hatchery. They ship year round. We bought from them because of their prices, about 30% less than Murray McMurray. It took 4 days for the chicks to arrive via US mail. All arrived in good shape and are doing really well. Generally pleased with the transaction however the order takers seemed a little rude and impatient. If you don't require alot of advice and know what you want you can save a few bucks.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), November 21, 2000

Answers

Where are you raising them this time of year ?

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), November 21, 2000.

We're located in central WI. They are currently in a homemade brooder arrangement in the boiler room where it stays fairly warm. I'll be moving them to the greenhouse soon where I'll keep the heat lamps on in the coop which is attached to the greenhouse. During the day they'll spend their time in the greenhouse where they'll be building soil with the chicken tractor tecnique and night they'll be in the coop under the lights for another month or so.

BTW the url for privett hatchery is http://www.yucca.net/privetthatchery/privettmain.html

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), November 21, 2000.

John, we have Buff Orps here too, I like them best of the breeds we've had so far, a very gentle bird, and the roosters behave the best, no fighting amongst themselves at all. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 21, 2000.

Hello John and all, Do any of you have any experience with Black Australorps? We're just getting started, and plan to bring chickens to our place in the spring, and this breed seems to be the best (from what I've read) for a dual purpose bird. We're planning on starting out small, maybe 25 birds... Any Advice?

-- Kristin in Central Alabama (positivekharma@aol.com), November 24, 2000.

I've ordered from Privett and been happy with the birds, but my experience with the clerk who took my order was much more pleasant than yours.

I ordered 15 Guinea keets from Ideal October 18th and have also been pleased with them. The keets arrived the next day. They have no minimum number of poultry. Minimum order is $20. Their prices are close to Privett. http://www.ideal-poultry.com/

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), November 28, 2000.

Kristin and Southern Homesteaders,

Ive raised them and had a great deal of success. I felt that they preformed admirably in all areas. Note though that Im up on the frozen tundra. Last summer some other Countrysiders were talking about their chickens getting heat stroke and dying. Ive never raised chickens in Alabama (or anywhere in the south) so I dont know if their tendency to draw more heat due to coloration would be a real concern or not.

Any southerners ever have increased problems with darker chickens?

-- William in Wi (thetoebes@webtv.net), November 28, 2000.

== Any southerners ever have increased problems with darker chickens? ==

From South Central Texas and the air conditioner running today, the answer is nope!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), November 28, 2000.