2026 Chick Thread!

[hammyanne]

1. What breeds are you getting?
Ameraucanas (Isabel, Ermine, Silver, Calliope) and Silverudd Blues

2. How many?
78 Eggs on order

3. Are you hatching, getting day olds or started pullets?
Hatching! If I have a broody I might tuck some under her.

4. Are you going to raise them yourself or let a broody do it for you?
I just finished building a new brooder in my garage. I may give a broody a few to raise. As much as I love having my broody do the work, I'm hoping to socialize these chicks as much as possible!

 

[2ndTink]

Added question?: Which breeds are considered "auto-sexed" breeds?

Here are a few: Legbar, Rhodebar, Bielefelder, Fifty Five Flowery Hen, and Niederrheiner

Barred Rocks as well.

There are many crosses that will produce sexlinked chicks too.

@ReluctantChickenOwner are you buying chicks or hatching yourself?

 

[BladeBoundMagus]

I was given a limit of 10 by my husband (which is double the limit he gave last year). I'm buying day old chicks, but exactly what I'm getting is still up in the air. I KNOW that I'm ordering at least 3 welsummers, potentially 4 or 5, and if I order more than 3 one will be a roo. (I'd like to start a small project of breeding to SOP over a few gens, because I don't have breeders near me). I think Welsummers are my favorite breed personality wise, and even my husband wants more. Very spunky and curious.

But that's the only certainty, as that leaves me with 5-6 slots, and Cackle does breed minimums of 3 for large hens. I'm torn between English Orpingtons, Brahma, Cochins, or Barnevelders. Preference for more cold tolerant breeds.

English Orpingtons: I have the American variant, very friendly. I like the idea of a rounder and less leggy version, plus the silver laced Cackle has are gorgeous.

Brahmas: Never owned, but I'm interested due to their friendliness. Little concerned about size. Specifically looking at the dark type.

Cochins: Apparently very friendly, very pretty, very round.

Barnevelder: I own one currently. I suspect she has some sort of neurological issue, so I want to see if her... lack of brightness and skittishness is either a breed trait or just a quirk of hers.

I'll have to raise them myself, my silkie apparently decided to go on a year long broody strike.