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.

 

[Iluveggers]

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.

Honestly I’d suggest McMurray or Ideal. If you order 15 shipping costs go way down. (I usually order more than I want and find a friend or someone on Facebook/Craigsliat that will buy the extras at cost). They will also let you choose single pullets of any breed, so if you want a couple of Welsummers but want to try 1-2 chicks from a couple other breeds, you can! I think the minimum pullet per breed at Cackle is 3? Just depends if you want a variety

 

[FrostRanger]

Honestly I’d suggest McMurray or Ideal. If you order 15 shipping costs go way down. (I usually order more than I want and find a friend or someone on Facebook/Craigsliat that will buy the extras at cost). They will also let you choose single pullets of any breed, so if you want a couple of Welsummers but want to try 1-2 chicks from a couple other breeds, you can! I think the minimum pullet per breed at Cackle is 3? Just depends if you want a variety

Meyer also has no breed minimum, they just have minimum order size of 3 in summer and 8 in winter

 

[BladeBoundMagus]

Meyer also has no breed minimum, they just have minimum order size of 3 in summer and 8 in winter

I'm not doing Meyer again right now. Mainly because the breeds I want they won't ship until April, and out of the 5 I got this year, 2 died and one is the Barnevelder with neuro issues. So I'm a little worried about ordering from them again.

 

[BladeBoundMagus]

Honestly I’d suggest McMurray or Ideal. If you order 15 shipping costs go way down. (I usually order more than I want and find a friend or someone on Facebook/Craigsliat that will buy the extras at cost). They will also let you choose single pullets of any breed, so if you want a couple of Welsummers but want to try 1-2 chicks from a couple other breeds, you can! I think the minimum pullet per breed at Cackle is 3? Just depends if you want a variety

Unfortunately Ideal has welsummer hatch dates being in May which is way too far out. And while I did consider McMurray, I don't want to order extras and then not be able to turn around and sell them at cost. I did try getting friends in to order with me, but unfortunately they can't this year .

Variety does sound nice though, and McMurrary does have dates that are about as soon as Cackle's.

 

[hammyanne]

I'm not doing Meyer again right now. Mainly because the breeds I want they won't ship until April, and out of the 5 I got this year, 2 died and one is the Barnevelder with neuro issues. So I'm a little worried about ordering from them again.

I was just about to ask where you got your barnevelders from because I als ordered barnevelders last year and both died from what I can only describe as failure to thrive :/ it made me wonder if the breed was more susceptible to health issues

 

[BladeBoundMagus]

I was just about to ask where you got your barnevelders from because I als ordered barnevelders last year and both died from what I can only describe as failure to thrive :/ it made me wonder if the breed was more susceptible to health issues

Idk, I thought they would be hardier from what I've read. I think next time for them I'll go more local and try again, because they are pretty. Where did you get yours from?

Also update, my husband decided he wanted silver laced wyandottes too. No experience with them but "they look cool." I'll be getting them instead of the orpingtons.

If anyone knows of good hatcheries or breeders specific to Barnevelders, let us know!

 

[WhatsUpDuck]

Lord Jesus willing we will be making our Myer's order tomorrow