Frames for two new chicken tractors complete

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
May. 4th, 2015
 Posted By admin -
Chicken tractor frames

Chicken tractor frames

Here is a picture of the two newest tractor frames on the farm. While we still have some traditional coops, we are transitioning to mobile tractors. It does require more daily work due to the fact the chickens are in a different place every day and hauling feed and water to them is a chore. However, they are much happier being on fresh grass and bugs every day versus the barren dirt runs a traditional coop provides.

 

 

Here are some updated pics of the completed tractors and their new occupants.

Finished Chicken Tractor

Finished Chicken Tractors

Chicken Tractors In The Field

Chicken Tractors In The Field

Chicken In Chicken Tractor

Chicken In Chicken Tractor

We will be busy for the rest of the spring making quite a few more of these tractors. If anyone is interested in a rough plan let us know and we will send it to you.

Spring 2015 is 90% sold out!

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Feb. 27th, 2015
 Posted By admin -

2015  has started off with a bang.  Traffic to our web site has been 4 times more last year!   Which also means emails. phone calls, and orders have also been significantly more as well.   As of today February 27th we have sold out of most of our breeds through the rest of spring.   We still have deliveries available for June and beyond but there are not any delivery dates available until then.

Here is a run down of what is currently available.

Partridge Barthuhners – Eggs and chicks currently available.

Isbar – Eggs 3 weeks out, chicks not available.

Augsburger – 3 chicks available now and then sold out.

Cream legbar – sold out.

Bielefelder – sold out.

Gold laced orpington –  chicks are 5-6 weeks out.

Mottled orpington – chicks 5-6 weeks out.

Isabel orpington – sold out

Crele orpington – possibly available in late April.

Tolbunt Polish – sold out ( hens not currently laying) Once they start we have 3 weeks worth of orders to fill then they will be available again.

All other orpington colors – sold out or not currently laying.

Thank you to everyone who has helped get 2015 started off at a record pace.

 

 

 

 

The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming! English Orpingtons Have Invaded.

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Nov. 22nd, 2014
 Posted By admin -

Omega Hills Farm has been invaded by English Orpingtons! We have several colors of 100% English Orpington flocks we are growing out for the 2015 season. Below are some chicks of the colors we will be offering.
Not all of our colors are in the picture. Missing are the:

  •  Mottled
  • Jubilee
  • Gold Laced
  • Crele
  • Partridge

 

This spring will be exciting for sure.

orpington-chicks

How we pack eggs for safe shipping

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Dec. 24th, 2013
 Posted By admin -
Packing Eggs for Safe Shipping

Packing Eggs for Safe Shipping

You ship eggs???  How do you do that??  Do they not break during shipment?

Those are a few of the many questions we get asked on a regular basis.

Trusting the postal service to treat our packages with care is a scary and somewhat foolish idea.  There are a number of dangers that any package faces during shipment.  However, those dangers pose a greater threat to our fragile shipments of eggs.   None of our customers want to be on the receiving end of a very expensive omelet.  So take a look at the picture to see how we package each shipment to protect the eggs from damage.

 

First we start off with foam that is specially made for shipping eggs.  Each layer of foam holds 9 eggs.  We stack 2 layers in a 6x6x7 box.  There are layers of foam on the top, bottom, and between the eggs.  The box is then sealed up and placed inside a larger 12x12x8 box.

The smaller box is then packed in tight to prevent it from moving around during shipment.  This provide the eggs with 4 layers of protection.  Two layers of cardboard, one layer of foam, and one layer of packing material.  On the outside of the box we label it “Live Animals” and “Fragile Handle With Care”.  We also mark the top so that the eggs will ride in the proper position.

While this has proven to be the safest method for shipping eggs, it does not guarantee  100% safe delivery.  If the box is run over by a forklift or thrown down a flight of stairs or even used as a soccer ball for bored warehouse workers the eggs will break.   And yes we have had a few shipments in the past that appeared to have that happen to them.  In those cases we filed a claim with the post office and had no troubles getting the claims approved.

So next time you are asked how people ship eggs, you can tell them exactly how we do it.

Tags

Appenzeller Barthuhner and Chocolate Wyandotte Hatching Eggs Now Available

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Nov. 15th, 2013
 Posted By admin -

We are happy to announce that we now have limited quantities of hatching eggs available for Appenzeller Barthuhner and Chocolate Wyandotte. We have been testing fertility and have been very pleased with the tests results of 95% fertility.

Sales are limited to 6 eggs per order. Hop on over to our shop and check out the eggs now available.

Brooder Cam Back Online

Category: Updates to the Farm
Nov. 1st, 2013
 Posted By admin -

After months of being offline the brooder cam is now back online. We finally have the equipment in place to expand our wifi network to the part of the barn the brooder is in. Now you can watch the baby chicks 24 hours a day!

NPIP Testing Complete

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Oct. 30th, 2013
 Posted By admin -

NPIP Testing

 

Yesterday morning we had a visit from the Mississippi Board of Health to test our flocks.  The testing was done so our farm could be NPIP certified.    The test involved drawing a blood sample from the wing of each bird and placing the sample on a test strip.  Within three seconds the test shows the result of a positive or negative for pullorum typhoid or PT.  They also swab the vent to check for Avian Influenza or AI.  The swabs then get sent to a lab to be examined.   While we know that the PT tests were all negative, we are awaiting the results of the AI test from the lab.  There has not ever been a case of AI in our state so it is very unlikely that we will have any issues with it.   If that is the case we should have our shinny new NPIP number sometime next week.

Bielefelder Hatching Eggs Shipping Out Now!

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Sep. 26th, 2013
 Posted By admin -

We are now shipping Bielefelder hatching eggs.  Here is a picture of some boxed up ready to go.  You will notice that each egg fits perfectly into the foam packaging to ensure safe delivery.   Even so, we always include extras just in case the postman didn’t get his coffee the morning of delivery.

bielefelder eggs

Bielefelder hatching eggs

Live Chicken Cam Just Installed

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Mar. 16th, 2013
 Posted By admin -

Our brooder “Big Mamma” just had an upgrade installed today in the way of a wireless webcam. You can check out the live feed below.

http://omegahillsfarm.com/brooder-cam/

 

Just be warned that watching the chicks is addicting and can easily waste your day away. We warned you!!

New Chick Brooder Complete!

Category: Chickens, Updates to the Farm
Jan. 21st, 2013
 Posted By admin -

IMG_0869
This week we completed our custom chick brooder.  The new brooder, aka “Big Momma”,  features a thermostat controlled heat lamp and a pull out drawer for easy cleaning.  All of our new hatched chicks will now have luxury accommodations for their first few weeks of life.

While “Big Momma” waits for her first house guests, she has been keeping watch over  the next batch of eggs in line for the incubator.   Three weeks from now those eggs will be visiting Big Momma again in the form of chicks.

IMG_0866

Follow Us on: