The dangers of chicken math!

[Lexiluke]

My name is Dan and I am an addict. It all started back in April when I purchased 15 laying chicks. Within two weeks I decided to try meat birds also. 20 Cornish Cross were purchased. Now I had 35 birds. The loss of 3 crosses to preditors and one of my layers to a neighbors dog and eventual the harvesting of my meat birds left me feeling a little lonely. Suddenly, 3 BBW and 2 BBB turkeys somehow found there way to my garage and then a week later, 5 Bourbon Reds. Forgot to mention I picked up 8 Pearl Guinea keets last week. Things seemed fine until my wife said "I really want some more chickens" and now I have ordered 25 more layers! Does this ever end?

 

[RonC]

It's a good thing I can't have more where I live. Maybe I should move! I have to remember "just say no".

 

[mstricer]

No

You just need to know what to do if you have too many. I had the same problem when I first got my 17 Buff Orpingtons, Love them they were in the basement way too long, about 15 weeks. Nicest birds I've ever had. Then I found out that Meyer hatchery was right around the corner from my house, I was all down hill from their, The same year I got the Orps (from another hatchery) I purchased 4 Faverolles, 3 Spitzenhaubens, Black Giant Jersery, OMGoodness. I then saw the colored eggs, I fell in love. I purchased Easter Eggers and Peneadesencas, and Blue Laced Wyandottes (just for giggles) I then found the hatching thread and Marans, bought eggs and never stopped. I'm on year three and finally learned what to do. I only have Easter Eggers, Lavender Ameraucana, Marans and D'Uccles and Olive Eggers, Olive Eggers I hatched from my group and some eggs I bought from a member here. The rest are from breeders on BYC. I do have a Barred Rock hen that is going to throw me some Barred Olive Eggers I hope

Now for what to do if you have too many. I live in an Amish community and they will buy my extra roosters and spent hens, we trade for produce. I also found an auction that sells poultry, I made a couple hundred dollars. I do however have two styrofoam incubators and a 75 year old cabinet incubator that hatches 200 eggs. I have only used it to hatch out for others to make a little cash.
Good Luck and have fun
Michele

 

[fiveladybugs]

I'd like to say no, but right now I have 42 chickens/ducks & 39 eggs in the incubator...

 

[ArcticFowl]

ya my math sucks too I started with 15 mixed.. and 2 toulouse geese then a month later got 5 mallards and 1 rouen then a month after that for 26 americaunaus and 5 more ducks and I am already planning and preparing for 100 Gambel Quial and 100 Bobwhites in a coop with a nice run..

it dont stop because you always think wow this would be neat to try and cool.. then you just get crunched with the Bird Flu and then you wake up and say what the heck... wait didnt I want this breed too

 

[Lexiluke]

I got the call from the post office right at 7:30am and we were there by 7:31. 26 new chicks are safely in their brooder. All have taken to the water and are finding food without assistance (let's hope this continues). 5 Buff O., 6 Barred Rocks, 5 Americanas, 5 Silver Laced Wyandottes, and 5 RIRs. So far, I am very pleased with Meyer Hatchery.