2026 Chick Thread!

[Demarvell]

A bit early? Sure, but I can't be the only one thinking about getting chicks next year. Post about your plans here!

1. What breeds are you getting?

2. How many?

3. Are you hatching, getting day olds or started pullets?

4. Are you going to raise them yourself or let a broody do it for you?

Go wild and when the time comes, post pictures!

For 3 years now we have gone with gold sex links, as they are quiet, are prolific layers and don't cause much in the way of problems. We got ours here in April, (I'm in Eastern Idaho). But,,,, after two years, their laying is cut down to about 20% of normal. I have 23 of them and 7 are 2 years old and need to be made into dinner.
We get some that are 2 days old or there about. Local feed and mill gets them in each year. BTW, from the 16 young birds, we get about 15 eggs a day, average. Layer feed, water and occasional treats.
Hope that helps.

 

[BDutch]

With 8 bantams in my setup I have no room for more chickens. If I need to keep them in the run, they quarrel sometimes. The flock is not stress free bc my 2 youngest chickens (bantam rocks) are getting bossy over treats sometimes, and the older ones don’t always accept this. Therefore it would be dumb to make plans for chicks this year.

But not knowing what will happen in a years time … I have 3 , 10+ yo bantams. And my chickens free range a few hours on most days. I keep in mind I have to say goodbye or loose one or 2 this year. Would be very sad but also an opportunity to make plans for chicks later this or next year.

In the past, most of the time, I bought fertilised eggs to let a broody hatch and raise the chicks.

 

[TitiLoca]

A bit early? Sure, but I can't be the only one thinking about getting chicks next year. Post about your plans here!

1. What breeds are you getting?

2. How many?

3. Are you hatching, getting day olds or started pullets?

4. Are you going to raise them yourself or let a broody do it for you?

Go wild and when the time comes, post pictures!

 

[TitiLoca]

I would have been importing Black Rosecomb and Crele day old chicks from the USA as I live in the tropics (Puerto Rico) but destiny changed my plans when my daughter was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. I canceled my early order and can only consider purchasing coop age birds now if I find them.

 

[FrostRanger]

I would have been importing Black Rosecomb and Crele day old chicks from the USA as I live in the tropics (Puerto Rico) but destiny changed my plans when my daughter was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. I canceled my early order and can only consider purchasing coop age birds now if I find them.

I hope your daughter recovers soon. Family does come before new birds. Hopefully you'll be able to get the birds you want eventually

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would have been importing Black Rosecomb and Crele day old chicks from the USA as I live in the tropics (Puerto Rico) but destiny changed my plans when my daughter was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. I canceled my early order and can only consider purchasing coop age birds now if I find them.

Sorry to hear about your daughter. Best wishes for a complete and uneventful recovery. If you like, you can request prayer for her in our Prayer Warriors thread, many praying people there.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...lowing-jesus-christ-everyone-welcome.1135475/

 

[Backroadlogic]

I have 3 hens and 8 pullets that I'm going to let hatch out as many as they can this year. I have a lot of gamefowl in my flock and they generally do well without being bothered. 3 hens went broody last years(2 of them went twice) and hatched me out close to 40 chicks. I'm hoping for wayy more this year.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I’ve had a couple casualties this year so I’m going to add two or three new chicks to the flock come spring! I’m very excited. I love raising chicks.

I’ll be adding them to a 4 RIR and 1 EE flock. I’d like a breed that can stand up to the reds but also lays well. Suggestions?

 

[2ndTink]

I’ve had a couple casualties this year so I’m going to add two or three new chicks to the flock come spring! I’m very excited. I love raising chicks.

I’ll be adding them to a 4 RIR and 1 EE flock. I’d like a breed that can stand up to the reds but also lays well. Suggestions?

I've had Barred Rocks do pretty well with RIRs, if you wanted a different egg color may a Black Copper Marans would do well.

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I've had Barred Rocks do pretty well with RIRs, if you wanted a different egg color may a Black Copper Marans would do well.

Great, thanks! I can’t wait. I love chicks. They are so cute.