Here's an article in today's NY Times about free-range city chickens:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/nyregion/16chickens.html?
_r=1&oref=slogin.

Are there any fowl friends still on this list? What's going on in
your fowl world?

Here's some news from mine:
My four hens have been laying for 14 months and have produced 864
eggs! That's not bad considering they're all so-called dual-purpose
breeds, not laying breeds. About half their diet is organic
commercial layer pellets, the rest is scraps from my kitchen and my
neighbor's kitchen, some greens that I grow for them, and Dumpster-
bound veggies that I get from a neighborhood seniors' lunch program.
To keep them quiet first thing in the morning, they get a few
handfuls of their favorite treats: sprouted wheat berries and raw
brown rice.

In the parts of my yard that they have access to, they've stripped it
clean of snails and slugs, as well as most plants! They don't eat
rosemary, fuschia or fig leaves, although they will eat ripe figs
within reach. Everything else I don't want them to touch I have had
to fence off or put out of reach.

This past weekend one of the birds finally figured out that she could
hop up the steps from the garden up to the deck. It's only about 6
steps but for some reason they never tried it before. She joined me
for a little R&R in the sun, and then when I went inside to refill my
coffee cup, she followed me right in. She poked around in the kitchen
a bit, and was curious but very polite -- she didn't even leave any
calling cards.

It would be good to know if anyone is still interested in keeping
this group active.

Cheers,
Jennifer

with focus on raising chickens:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?
f=/g/a/2008/06/27/carollloyd.DTL

---

To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
From: jennifer@...
Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:04:35 -0700
Subject: RE: [sf-fowl] Digest Number 13

Hi Tara,

Fortunately my hens haven’t yet discovered how good theireggs taste, but I looked up the problem in the book, “Storey’sGuide to Raising Chickens,” by Gail Damerow. She says once a chicken getsthe taste for eggs, it’s really hard to break them of the habit and itcan spread to other birds. I guess you’ve figured that out already. She suggestsremoving or debeaking the culprit (I’m not recommending that, just passingon her advice!). She also says they may eat their eggs if bored or if theirrations “allow chickens to satisfy their nutritional too quickly, leavingthem with nothing to do.”

She also suggests discouraging nonlaying activities in the nestby hanging a curtain in front of it to darken it. Cut the curtain into hangingstrips or temporarily pin up one corner, she suggests, so that hens aren’tsuspicious about going in to lay. Good luck!

 

I’d love to see your Silkies. Can you post pics to the SFFowl site?

Jennifer

 

---

To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
From: jennifer@...
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 06:50:25 +0000
Subject: [sf-fowl] Winter molting & laying experience?

Hello fowl friends,
Those of you who have hens, I'm curious about your experience with
their molting and laying in the winter.

My four hens are 11 months old. Three of them (a Dominique and two
Orpingtons) stopped laying in late December and molted in January. It
seems like the worst time of year to lose so many feathers, but they
appear to be healthy.

The fourth hen, an Australorp, hasn't lost a single feather and
continues to lay, although her production dropped starting in December
from about 6 eggs/wk to 4/wk.

Would love to hear about other local hens' experiences during these
cold dark months.
Cheers,
Jennifer

Hello fowl friends,
Those of you who have hens, I'm curious about your experience with
their molting and laying in the winter.

My four hens are 11 months old. Three of them (a Dominique and two
Orpingtons) stopped laying in late December and molted in January. It
seems like the worst time of year to lose so many feathers, but they
appear to be healthy.

The fourth hen, an Australorp, hasn't lost a single feather and
continues to lay, although her production dropped starting in December
from about 6 eggs/wk  to 4/wk.

Would love to hear about other local hens' experiences during these
cold dark months.
Cheers,
Jennifer

I would love to see it in person once you get it sited -- thanks
Heidi !

--- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, hmdnklgd <hmdnklgd@...> wrote:
>
> hi all, i would be happy to show my coop. it has not yet been sited
in my yard. so, once this is done i can forward pictures to the list.
>
> heidi
> tara hui <tarahui@...> wrote:
>           I'm definitely interested as I have been thinking of
adding some ducks to my collection of hens... haven't yet had the
chance to build a coop or a pond yet. Would love to get some help
with the coop design - can ducks live in the same coop as hens?
>
> Once the provision has been made for their living arrangements, I
would love to fill in the rest of the order. Glad there are two more
months after my greywater workshop to get ready ;)
>
> Heidi, would you be willing to show us the coop that you've built?
>
> May be we could meet up at some point and see if Heidi could give
us some assistance on building a coop? I live in SE San Francisco, be
happy to host.
>
> Tara
>
> =======================================
> US = Unchecked corporations + Special-interest government
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>   To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
> From: kpeteros@...
> Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:49:15 +0000
> Subject: [sf-fowl] Re: Runner Duckling Order
>
>       Sounds great ! So that you know -- and any others who may be
> interested -- McMurray Hatchery has the Black, Chocolate, Blue and
as
> well as the Faun & White -- whichever you want can be specifically
> designated in our order. I could not find any other hatchery that
> sexed the ducklings. If you look at McMurray's website, you will
see
> that the prices differ (approx $5-$7 per duckling) depending on the
> color and whether you order "straight run" (aka "luck of the
draw"),
> a female or a male. I probably will get one of each color for the
> fun of it and to easily tell them apart. We just need 1 or 2 more
> people to be included in our order. I have a friend who may be
> interested in acquiring 2 but she has not checked with her landlady
> as yet, but I likely will have an answer from her sometime in
January.
>
> You are way ahead of me regarding a coop. I would love to see what
> you built as I have not done that yet. I have a number of honeybee
> hives in my backyard, and need to re-arrange things first so
> everyone's needs can be met. Luckily, I have 2-3 months to get
ready.
>
> Anyone else interested ?
>
> -Karen
> H: 415-585-2076
>
>
> --- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "hmdnklgd" <hmdnklgd@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi! I am very interested in sharing your order. I am looking for
2-
> 3
> > females, specifically the black-feathered variety. Please let me
> > know how this might fit into your plans. I have not done this
> aspect
> > of the research.
> >
> > Also, I have built myself a coop, and I am interested in building
> > another. So, if I can help... please get in touch.
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Heidi Dunkelgod,
> > cell 415-624-9059
> >
> >
> > --- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Peteros" <kpeteros@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have been doing research on the web for sources of day-old
> > Runner
> > > Ducks, but only have been able to find one source that will sex
> > the
> > > ducklings:
> > >
> > > http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/ducklings.html
> > >
> > > Since I only want 3-4 of them for their eggs, I have no
interest
> > in
> > > acquiring any males. However, the minimum order for the
> > ducklings'
> > > safety is 10 ducklings -- any of the types they sell.
> > >
> > > If any one is interested in combining their order with mine,
let
> > me
> > > know. I probably will be placing an order in mid/late March,
and
> > > hoping to time it so I can pick-up the ducklings from the USPS
on
> > a
> > > Friday/Saturday.
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
>   Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!
>
>
>
>
> "Design is art optimized to meet objectives." -Shimon Shmueli
>
> ---------------------------------
> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.
Try it now.
>

I'm definitely interested as I have been thinking of adding some ducks to my collection of hens... haven't yet had the chance to build a coop or a pond yet. Would love to get some help with the coop design - can ducks live in the same coop as hens?

Once the provision has been made for their living arrangements, I would love to fill in the rest of the order. Glad there are two more months after my greywater workshop to get ready ;)

Heidi, would you be willing to show us the coop that you've built?

May be we could meet up at some point and see if Heidi could give us some assistance on building a coop? I live in SE San Francisco, be happy to host.

Tara

=======================================
US = Unchecked corporations + Special-interest government

---

To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
From: kpeteros@comcast.net
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:49:15 +0000
Subject: [sf-fowl] Re: Runner Duckling Order

Sounds great ! So that you know -- and any others who may be
interested -- McMurray Hatchery has the Black, Chocolate, Blue and as
well as the Faun & White -- whichever you want can be specifically
designated in our order. I could not find any other hatchery that
sexed the ducklings. If you look at McMurray's website, you will see
that the prices differ (approx $5-$7 per duckling) depending on the
color and whether you order "straight run" (aka "luck of the draw"),
a female or a male. I probably will get one of each color for the
fun of it and to easily tell them apart. We just need 1 or 2 more
people to be included in our order. I have a friend who may be
interested in acquiring 2 but she has not checked with her landlady
as yet, but I likely will have an answer from her sometime in January.

You are way ahead of me regarding a coop. I would love to see what
you built as I have not done that yet. I have a number of honeybee
hives in my backyard, and need to re-arrange things first so
everyone's needs can be met. Luckily, I have 2-3 months to get ready.

Anyone else interested ?

-Karen
H: 415-585-2076


--- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "hmdnklgd" <hmdnklgd@...> wrote:
>
> Hi! I am very interested in sharing your order. I am looking for 2-
3
> females, specifically the black-feathered variety. Please let me
> know how this might fit into your plans. I have not done this
aspect
> of the research.
>
> Also, I have built myself a coop, and I am interested in building
> another. So, if I can help... please get in touch.
>
> Best regards,
> Heidi Dunkelgod,
> cell 415-624-9059
>
>
> --- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Peteros" <kpeteros@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been doing research on the web for sources of day-old
> Runner
> > Ducks, but only have been able to find one source that will sex
> the
> > ducklings:
> >
> > http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/ducklings.html
> >
> > Since I only want 3-4 of them for their eggs, I have no interest
> in
> > acquiring any males. However, the minimum order for the
> ducklings'
> > safety is 10 ducklings -- any of the types they sell.
> >
> > If any one is interested in combining their order with mine, let
> me
> > know. I probably will be placing an order in mid/late March, and
> > hoping to time it so I can pick-up the ducklings from the USPS on
> a
> > Friday/Saturday.
> >
>

---

Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live. Share now!

---

To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
From: kpeteros@...
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:49:15 +0000
Subject: [sf-fowl] Re: Runner Duckling Order

Sounds great ! So that you know -- and any others who may be
interested -- McMurray Hatchery has the Black, Chocolate, Blue and as
well as the Faun & White -- whichever you want can be specifically
designated in our order. I could not find any other hatchery that
sexed the ducklings. If you look at McMurray's website, you will see
that the prices differ (approx $5-$7 per duckling) depending on the
color and whether you order "straight run" (aka "luck of the draw"),
a female or a male. I probably will get one of each color for the
fun of it and to easily tell them apart. We just need 1 or 2 more
people to be included in our order. I have a friend who may be
interested in acquiring 2 but she has not checked with her landlady
as yet, but I likely will have an answer from her sometime in January.

You are way ahead of me regarding a coop. I would love to see what
you built as I have not done that yet. I have a number of honeybee
hives in my backyard, and need to re-arrange things first so
everyone's needs can be met. Luckily, I have 2-3 months to get ready.

Anyone else interested ?

-Karen
H: 415-585-2076


--- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "hmdnklgd" <hmdnklgd@...> wrote:
>
> Hi! I am very interested in sharing your order. I am looking for 2-
3
> females, specifically the black-feathered variety. Please let me
> know how this might fit into your plans. I have not done this
aspect
> of the research.
>
> Also, I have built myself a coop, and I am interested in building
> another. So, if I can help... please get in touch.
>
> Best regards,
> Heidi Dunkelgod,
> cell 415-624-9059
>
>
> --- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Peteros" <kpeteros@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been doing research on the web for sources of day-old
> Runner
> > Ducks, but only have been able to find one source that will sex
> the
> > ducklings:
> >
> > http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/ducklings.html
> >
> > Since I only want 3-4 of them for their eggs, I have no interest
> in
> > acquiring any males. However, the minimum order for the
> ducklings'
> > safety is 10 ducklings -- any of the types they sell.
> >
> > If any one is interested in combining their order with mine, let
> me
> > know. I probably will be placing an order in mid/late March, and
> > hoping to time it so I can pick-up the ducklings from the USPS on
> a
> > Friday/Saturday.
> >
>

Sounds great !  So that you know -- and any others who may be
interested -- McMurray Hatchery has the Black, Chocolate, Blue and as
well as the Faun & White -- whichever you want can be specifically
designated in our order.  I could not find any other hatchery that
sexed the ducklings.  If you look at McMurray's website, you will see
that the prices differ (approx $5-$7 per duckling) depending on the
color and whether you order "straight run" (aka "luck of the draw"),
a female or a male.  I probably will get one of each color for the
fun of it and to easily tell them apart.  We just need 1 or 2 more
people to be included in our order.  I have a friend who may be
interested in acquiring 2 but she has not checked with her landlady
as yet, but I likely will have an answer from her sometime in January.

You are way ahead of me regarding a coop.  I would love to see what
you built as I have not done that yet.  I have a number of honeybee
hives in my backyard, and need to re-arrange things first so
everyone's needs can be met.  Luckily, I have 2-3 months to get ready.

Anyone else interested ?

-Karen
H: 415-585-2076


--- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "hmdnklgd" <hmdnklgd@...> wrote:
>
> Hi! I am very interested in sharing your order. I am looking for 2-
3
> females, specifically the black-feathered variety. Please let me
> know how this might fit into your plans. I have not done this
aspect
> of the research.
>
> Also, I have built myself a coop, and I am interested in building
> another. So, if I can help... please get in touch.
>
> Best regards,
> Heidi Dunkelgod,
> cell 415-624-9059
>
>
> --- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Peteros" <kpeteros@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been doing research on the web for sources of day-old
> Runner
> > Ducks, but only have been able to find one source that will sex
> the
> > ducklings:
> >
> > http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/ducklings.html
> >
> > Since I only want 3-4 of them for their eggs, I have no interest
> in
> > acquiring any males.  However, the minimum order for the
> ducklings'
> > safety is 10 ducklings -- any of the types they sell.
> >
> > If any one is interested in combining their order with mine, let
> me
> > know.  I probably will be placing an order in mid/late March, and
> > hoping to time it so I can pick-up the ducklings from the USPS on
> a
> > Friday/Saturday.
> >
>

Hi! I am very interested in sharing your order. I am looking for 2-3
females, specifically the black-feathered variety. Please let me
know how this might fit into your plans. I have not done this aspect
of the research.

Also, I have built myself a coop, and I am interested in building
another. So, if I can help... please get in touch.

Best regards,
Heidi Dunkelgod,
cell 415-624-9059


--- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, "Karen Peteros" <kpeteros@...> wrote:
>
> I have been doing research on the web for sources of day-old
Runner
> Ducks, but only have been able to find one source that will sex
the
> ducklings:
>
> http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/ducklings.html
>
> Since I only want 3-4 of them for their eggs, I have no interest
in
> acquiring any males.  However, the minimum order for the
ducklings'
> safety is 10 ducklings -- any of the types they sell.
>
> If any one is interested in combining their order with mine, let
me
> know.  I probably will be placing an order in mid/late March, and
> hoping to time it so I can pick-up the ducklings from the USPS on
a
> Friday/Saturday.
>

I have been doing research on the web for sources of day-old Runner
Ducks, but only have been able to find one source that will sex the
ducklings:

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/ducklings.html

Since I only want 3-4 of them for their eggs, I have no interest in
acquiring any males.  However, the minimum order for the ducklings'
safety is 10 ducklings -- any of the types they sell.

If any one is interested in combining their order with mine, let me
know.  I probably will be placing an order in mid/late March, and
hoping to time it so I can pick-up the ducklings from the USPS on a
Friday/Saturday.

Here's a story NPR ran on Nov. 4 about city chickens:
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?
action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=15926797&m=15926766

Tara,

Another option for chicks is www.mypetchicken.com. They'll ship as few as 3 chicks from a hatchery in Ohio, & they offer a wide variety of breeds, including some American heritage breeds. I had a very good experience ordering from them -- we got 4 chicks (3 breeds, including a Dominique, America's oldest breed). The hens are now 8 months old, very healthy & hearty, nice temperaments (they like to sit in my lap and get back & neck massages!), great layers. Mypetchicken.com is a good way to go if you're looking for a particular breed that's not offered at local feed stores.

Jennifer

--- In sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com, tara hui <tarahui@...> wrote:
>
>
> Thanks Robin!
>
> The Eco Village has recently order some chicks, I'll also see if they can spare couple of them.
>
> Tara
>
> To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
> From: robin_doyle@...
> Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 17:10:24 -0800
> Subject: Re: [sf-fowl] Looking for hens
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Tara,People sometimes give away adult hens on craigslist (in greater Bay Area), though it's usually because they are older and not laying eggs anymore. Also I know people who've taken in rescues from factory farms, I can find out where (if you are willing to nurture beakless traumatized chickens...)If you're looking for chicks, I highly recommend Rivertown Feed in Petaluma. Chicks are available starting in mid-March (till October). I wouldn't recommend ordering chicks long distance, as it is better to hand pick them, checking for health and vitality when you are keeping so few. I also know other places in Sebastopol (Frizelle-Enos) and Cotati (Larsen's Feed) that have chicks (in "chick" season) but with less selection of varieties and much poorer brooding facilities. Hope this helps....Robin
> On Nov 8, 2007, at 3:54 PM, Tara wrote:I'm looking for 2 or 3 more hens; not picky about the breed. Let meknow if you have or know a source, or would like to order together.Thanks!Tara
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Café. Stop by today.
> http://www.cafemessenger.com/info/info_sweetstuff2.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_OctWLtagline
>

---

To: sf-fowl@yahoogroups.com
From: robin_doyle@...
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2007 17:10:24 -0800
Subject: Re: [sf-fowl] Looking for hens

Tara,

People sometimes give away adult hens on craigslist (in greater Bay Area), though it's usually because they are older and not laying eggs anymore. Also I know people who've taken in rescues from factory farms, I can find out where (if you are willing to nurture beakless traumatized chickens...)

If you're looking for chicks, I highly recommend Rivertown Feed in Petaluma. Chicks are available starting in mid-March (till October). I wouldn't recommend ordering chicks long distance, as it is better to hand pick them, checking for health and vitality when you are keeping so few. I also know other places in Sebastopol (Frizelle-Enos) and Cotati (Larsen's Feed) that have chicks (in "chick" season) but with less selection of varieties and much poorer brooding facilities. Hope this helps....Robin

On Nov 8, 2007, at 3:54 PM, Tara wrote:

I'm looking for 2 or 3 more hens; not picky about the breed. Let me
know if you have or know a source, or would like to order together.

Thanks!

Tara

I'm looking for 2 or 3 more hens; not picky about the breed. Let me
know if you have or know a source, or would like to order together.

Thanks!

Tara