I think this is ultimately where we're going to land. Mostly because everyone in the family - despite ALL SWEARING that these are MY chickens - has a different favorite. :)
These things unnerve me . The reason I'm raising chicks is to control what's in the eggs - MY food. It chronically irks me that it's soooooo much work to find out what "natural" means.
I would never have expected it, but we have a brat Buff Orpington. My son - who has never been around chickens - pointed her out at week one and said "she needs to go" LOL. By week two I agreed and she was out. Temperament of the whole group seemed to change after that. I did warn the new...
Roos are a problem for us. Correctly stated, a problem for the city. :rolleyes: We did order sexed pullets so am hopeful *most* of what we have are girls.
I like the one-of-each idea but I have this "odd man out" thing too. The Barred Rock is THE friendliest chick I've ever had & there's only ONE - ack! So the BR is a must. It's just figuring out who else gets to stay. :)
I can only keep four of the chicks I currently have in the brooder. Production, friendliness & tolerance to confinement are my priorities. I live in Portland, OR. Which would you keep? I have:
3 Buff Orpingtons
3 Black Australorps
1 Barred Rock
1 Silver Laced Wyandotte
Thank you, all! Super helpful insights. Truth be told I would absolutely LOVE a rooster in my flock, but I'm in city limits. I will remain hopeful that it's a pullet!
Barred Rock was my guess, but only because it's the only barred chicken I'm familiar with. How can you tell the difference between Barred Rock, Dominique & BSL?
And why do you say cockerel @JedJackson ?
This arrived as my "Meal Maker" chick from Meyer Hatchery so *should* be a pullet. Top of the head is yellow and the rest is mostly black with - what looks like - barred feathers starting to come in. Chick is 3 weeks old. Breed?
We have 2 Welsummer, 2 Buff Orpington, 2 Black Australorp and 2 Silver Laced Wyandotte available.
Marek vaccinated. Raised under Brinsea eco glow on organic non-GMO (Scratch and Peck brand) fermented feed + handfed same dry chick feed w chick grit. ACV in the nipple waterer from day one. Chicks...
Chicks dig it! My chicks took to it easily and appear quite happy scooting under it. Set up was easy. Plus no stress or worry thinking about the potential for starting a fire! Yes, it's a little spendy. For the ease & peace of mind, if you can afford the price, I would definitely recommend...
There is definitely a way to have more than three hens! See here: https://multco.us/health/records-and-regulations/animal-codes It comes down to notifying the neighbors, having (what the city deems to be) appropriate housing and paying the $31 permit fee. Honestly, having bees is more...