2026 Chick Thread!

[Iluveggers]

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 would recommend Barred Rock, Welsummer or Leghorn. Mine all have had stronger personalities but aren’t mean. Lots of eggs, too!

 

[SemiSweet2391]

I would recommend Barred Rock, Welsummer or Leghorn. Mine all have had stronger personalities but aren’t mean. Lots of eggs, too!

Ok great! I think I might go with Barred Rock. I have to get them from TSC so hopefully they have some in stock this year.

 

[gullinkambe]

I've already changed the plans I laid last year. The plan was to mix my Icelandic hens with Wyandotte roo's.

But the thing is; it doesn't feel right to me anymore to mix Icelandics. The longer I've had the hens (hatched them last spring), the more I come to appreciate the breed. They're different in temperament than most other breeds I've had. They're sort of... more primitive, I guess. More natural. For good and for worse. Kinda remind me how my Malamutes differ from other kind of dogs.

One of the things I REALLY appreciate with the Icelandics is that they're not "color-coded". I want all my animals to look different, and I love mixing birds to see what fun colors and patterns will appear. With the Icelandics I'll still get that, but be sure to get their hardiness and temperament at the same time.

So now I've ordered eggs from a certified breeder. Specifically rose-combed ones, I think they'll fare better here in terms of frostbite. No date set, but I suppose I'll get them in a few months.

I sealed the deal by culling two of three Wyandotte cockerels yesterday. I got one left, a splash, I might breed him to the blue Wyandotte pullets to get a splash hen, just for the fun of it.

 

[2ndTink]

I've already changed the plans I laid last year. The plan was to mix my Icelandic hens with Wyandotte roo's.

But the thing is; it doesn't feel right to me anymore to mix Icelandics. The longer I've had the hens (hatched them last spring), the more I come to appreciate the breed. They're different in temperament than most other breeds I've had. They're sort of... more primitive, I guess. More natural. For good and for worse. Kinda remind me how my Malamutes differ from other kind of dogs.

One of the things I REALLY appreciate with the Icelandics is that they're not "color-coded". I want all my animals to look different, and I love mixing birds to see what fun colors and patterns will appear. With the Icelandics I'll still get that, but be sure to get their hardiness and temperament at the same time.

So now I've ordered eggs from a certified breeder. Specifically rose-combed ones, I think they'll fare better here in terms of frostbite. No date set, but I suppose I'll get them in a few months.

I sealed the deal by culling two of three Wyandotte cockerels yesterday. I got one left, a splash, I might breed him to the blue Wyandotte pullets to get a splash hen, just for the fun of it.

I've never had the Icelandic's but they are very pretty. That's great you are going to be part of their conservation.

 

[Briarhopper Ranch]

1. What breeds are you getting?
•White leghorns
•Brown leghorns
•Silverudds
•Wellsummers
•Black copper Marans

2. How many?
•15 total (3 each x 5 breeds)

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

4. Are you going to raise them yourself or let a broody do it for you?
•I’ll raise them myself in two brooding boxes

I’m adding the new birds to a mixed flock of Easter eggers, cuckoo Marans, black Marans, olive eggers, Bielefelders, Houdans and legbars + two turkeys. I love variety in my flock!
•I’ve got an older hen who seems to be in a setting mood. I won’t rule out putting a few eggs under her from the pullets that I know my cuckoo Marans rooster is regularly mating. He’s a handsome gentleman / has a solid disposition.

 

[hollandhens24]

9 eggs currently in the incubator (one week out from hatching) This week I got a few more eggs that are just too pretty to eat, so I might as well incubate those when once my current batch hatches… then when my BCM and Welsummer come back online it’s very important that I hatch some of those, too

For those of you who aren’t able to keep all that you would like, how do you decide when to stop hatching, no matter how pretty the eggs? The 9 eggs I have in the incubator currently are basically only cooking because I got one gorgeous egg and just had to hatch it. I filled the incubator because I can get rid of chicks easily enough and will keep 2 chicks from this hatch, just so my “pretty” egg chick has a buddy. If my “pretty” egg doesn’t hatch, they’re all being rehomed. Not because all the eggs aren’t pretty in their own way, but with limited space I have to be very particular about who sticks around! This week I got three more pretty eggs that I would love to hatch. So, I’d like to set those next week, and again, might as well fill the incubator. Is this just an endless cycle?

 

[2ndTink]

9 eggs currently in the incubator (one week out from hatching) This week I got a few more eggs that are just too pretty to eat, so I might as well incubate those when once my current batch hatches… then when my BCM and Welsummer come back online it’s very important that I hatch some of those, too

For those of you who aren’t able to keep all that you would like, how do you decide when to stop hatching, no matter how pretty the eggs? The 9 eggs I have in the incubator currently are basically only cooking because I got one gorgeous egg and just had to hatch it. I filled the incubator because I can get rid of chicks easily enough and will keep 2 chicks from this hatch, just so my “pretty” egg chick has a buddy. If my “pretty” egg doesn’t hatch, they’re all being rehomed. Not because all the eggs aren’t pretty in their own way, but with limited space I have to be very particular about who sticks around! This week I got three more pretty eggs that I would love to hatch. So, I’d like to set those next week, and again, might as well fill the incubator. Is this just an endless cycle?

..... Yes, you are correct!

 

[The Bougie Coop]

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!

I just hatched out some mixed bantam cochins, just cuz they are adorable and I love them. This season I am planning on hatching out Vorwerks, Chocolate Silver Laced Orps, Silver Welsummers, Mosaics, and some fibro-frizzle mixes. I LOVE hatching and raising chicks. Love, love, love it.

Here are some pics of the bantam cochin fluff balls I took today for record keeping, plus the lone BCM that was left from the Epic USPS Hatching Egg Trashing of 2025. Enjoy the dopamine