Hi folks! Long time since I posted here. I'm back on the homestead now, and bringing it back to life. It's been about four years since I raised broilers. I have plans on doing it again this fall. In my sabbatical, I haven't given much thought to where I would get them.
I have done some price...
My run gets very muddy, and I try and keep a good layer of straw on top of it. This keeps it fairly not messy, plus makes a lot of mulch for the garden.
I don't know about their Delewares, but the chickens I get from them are usually nice and lay well. Don't expect breeder quality birds, because you won't get them. But you will get good, healthy chicks that will be good for eggs and meat.
Yesterday, I took my geese off of free range for the first time since I got them about two years ago, and they are in a coop and run setup now. This is just for the wintertime (as we have had predator problems so far), and mating season to keep everyone safe. My geese have been very self...
I've gotten straight run, and you get a little of both. Hens don't have as many health problems in my opinion, but cockerels will weigh more. Hens will usually be less expensive too.
Mixes quit being mixes when the parents look and act like one another, and when they reproduce their offspring looks, produces, and acts like the parents. When mix becomes breed. In one sentence when they breed true.
I suggest starting out with Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons. They are very docile, and lay lots of eggs. Not to mention they are a medium-large size, and make good offspring that lay well. Hope this helps! I'd research them and see if they fit your needs and goals. Hope this helps!
No they are eating all they want. Range is probably richer than what you would expect, and as long as you have a free choice feeder they should be okay.
I wanted to expand on our homestead. Chickens give us a great source of eggs and meat. Plus the manure, which is necessary for a great garden. They take care of bugs, and help keep the tick population in check.
Welcome to BYC and good luck with your bantams!