2013 Chicks Picked Out!

[filumene]

I need help! Do any of you BYCer's have Light Brahamas, or Buff Brahamas? I want to get some but it says that they mature slowly. Could you tell a difference? Is there a major difference in them with egg laying? Any help is SOO much appreciated!! Thanks!

Buff Brahmas are awesome! You will enjoy looking at them - they are a favorite here. The rooster is the nicest boy ever, no worries with the kids. As far as maturing slow, I didn't notice any difference from "normal". I have some orpingtons that I am growing out and they will be seven months in a few days and no eggs from any of them! I would definitely recommend the brahmas! Good luck.

I have a few pictures of one of our hens in my profile.

 

[kiwijean83]

Just placed my order for 2 Salmon Faverolles, 3 EE's, 1 Ancona, 1 Blue Andalusian, 1 Wellsummer, 1 Delaware, 2 Marans (not sure of variety), 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Buff Orpington and 1 Australorp to arrive in April. This will be my first venture into chickens (and ducklings, have 10 of them coming in April too), so I am very excited!

I now understand the chicken math that I have heard discussed all over these boards...I was only looking to get 10 chickens...and 5 ducks. Eeep

 

[missnu01]

I have a small white leghorn that lays an x-large egg almost everyday. She'll take a day off every few days, but this is also winter...and she's a little chicken. That's a lot of egg, for real. I'll take a pic tomorrow of her...she's a workhorse...She doesn't run from me, and will come up when I have food, and will occasionally take food from my hand, she is not like lovey...she doesn't mind me, but she would prefer I not pet her and such. So we just hang out...

 

[DeepFriedBacon]

I only have 3 right now, 2 americana's(probably just easter eggers) and a blue one with feathered feet, can't pin down what she is.

As far as planning, this probably won't happen till next year, as I'm planning the large coop and run to build this year, so I'll have everything done, nice compost in the run before they even arrive.

The plan for the new flock is as follows: a split coup and run, each side holding a rooster and 10 hens. I am very interested in a sustainable flock for both eggs and meat, one side I 'm thinking will be 3 brama hens, 3 jersye giants, 3 new hampshire reds and a NHR roo. The otherside, I would like to do 2 barred rocks, 2 white rocks, 2 leghorns, 2 australorps and a dark cornish roo.

The run, will be 30' x 40' split down the middle, coup will be sized to hold 15 birds comfortably(each side).

I'd love to free range, but lotta predators on my property. We even have nesting hawks and owls on our land.(5 acre plot behind our house).

Hopefully that group of hens will produce tons of eggs of all colors, and still have the ability to breed certain ones and try to get some good meat birds outta the deal. I know it's a long way off, and I have to get a better understanding of the chicken genetics, and how crosses work, but I was hoping maybe the new hampshire red and jersey giants will produce a faster growing large bird, and the cornish roo and barred hens will make decent birds, possibly mate the giant red and barred cornish offspring together and see what happenns. I know crosses don't breed true, I'm just figuring out this part... and rambling but future dreams...lol

 

[insanity]

Just placed my order for 2 Salmon Faverolles, 3 EE's, 1 Ancona, 1 Blue Andalusian, 1 Wellsummer, 1 Delaware, 2 Marans (not sure of variety), 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Buff Orpington and 1 Australorp to arrive in April. This will be my first venture into chickens (and ducklings, have 10 of them coming in April too), so I am very excited!

I now understand the chicken math that I have heard discussed all over these boards...I was only looking to get 10 chickens...and 5 ducks. Eeep :
you

Thats a good order. I love my barred rock Spot. Shes a great layer(5 a week) and never picks on anyone.

I ordered 4 EE,2 Black Frizzle, 3 Marans(cockoo, blue splash,&ast ), 1 Mille Fleur, 2 ast. Polish, 2 Salmon Faverolles, 3 silkie bantam, 1 appenzeller spitz, 1 Blue Andalusian,1 Silverlaced Cochin, 6 ast bantam, and 4 ast rare breed (hatchery choice). I am already working on a larger coup and run.

 

[Familyochickens]

Ok thanks LilSlinkFarm. Beowulf1877, doesn't it take a long time for jersey giants to mature? I too was looking inti that breed! And FamilyoChickens, do you like your buff orps? I'm looking into that breed for this spring. I have my chickens breeds listed down to 8 different ones. I need to get it down to 3 different breeds! Hahaha

jersey giants grow to full size over 2 years, i have read their eggs are big and they are nice, which is important to me, i love my buff orps...and would like more, but the kids want a variety to look at!!

 

[omaeve]

JUST GOT MY ORDER IN

all the way from Texas to Virginia ...Ideal Poultry 1/30/2013

Feather Leg Bantam Special,
St Run 25 $1.05 $26.25 Air Mail Charge $3.75
Total Charge $37.00
CAN YOU TELL I AM EGGCITED....I will let you all know this is a one day special..I started with 6 chicks last fall and lost 3 due to predation. will trade for some silkie, polish or purebread Ameraucanas(I have Wheaten x Blue Wheaten)

 

[DeepFriedBacon]

How was the order process and customer service? I was also looking @ Ideal, as they carry the assortment that I would like.

 

[billyb]

Buff Brahmas are awesome! You will enjoy looking at them - they are a favorite here. The rooster is the nicest boy ever, no worries with the kids. As far as maturing slow, I didn't notice any difference from "normal". I have some orpingtons that I am growing out and they will be seven months in a few days and no eggs from any of them! I would definitely recommend the brahmas! Good luck. 

I have a few pictures of one of our hens in my profile.

Okay thanks soo much!!!

 

[Charlieandlola]

I just finalized my order.
I'm ordering from two different hatcheries. Murray McMurray and another one that is local to my area.
I ordered a total of 40 meat birds (cornish roaster and cornish cross)
I also ordered the ornamental layer collection which is atleast 8 different breeds picked by the hatchery (I ordered 15 birds)
I ordered 15 total from the following list, Black Australorp, Barred Rock, Gold Star and Silver Laced Wyandotte.

Of course I ordered more than I thought would and I'm sure I'll be freaking out the first week of april when they all get here.