A BUNCH of grasshoppers

[Silkiehen]

Sounds like you may be better of with a dozen Guineas or 3 or 4 Geese. They would really deal with your grasshopper problem, especially the Guineas. Just do your research first because they are both "wild" and will range far and wide and fly away if given the chance. Also, keep in mind that they make great watch "dogs" and will defend their territory. Some Geese can be very aggressive.

I am wanting chickens. I don't like how annoying guineas are. We also have little kids around so an aggressive goose will not do.

 

[Percheron chick]

My chickens only wander about 200' from the coop. Every bug is picked clean in that area to the point where you only see the tiny just emerging ones.. It helps beyond their little perimeter as grasshopper from beyond come into their area and they are cleaned up. Where you will really see the improvements is next year as less larvae overwinter so less hatch. If you want to expend the area they cover, you will want to make a portable chicken tractor that you can move as the load changes.

6 chickens is probably on the low side of what you want to accomplish. I'd start with at least 10. That will allow for loses and the unwanted roo. Since you have kids, EEs are a must.

 

[Silkiehen]

My chickens only wander about 200' from the coop. Every bug is picked clean in that area to the point where you only see the tiny just emerging ones.. It helps beyond their little perimeter as grasshopper from beyond come into their area and they are cleaned up. Where you will really see the improvements is next year as less larvae overwinter so less hatch. If you want to expend the area they cover, you will want to make a portable chicken tractor that you can move as the load changes.

6 chickens is probably on the low side of what you want to accomplish. I'd start with at least 10. That will allow for loses and the unwanted roo. Since you have kids, EEs are a must.

I am getting 12 sometime this week! I am getting Pullets, not sure what they are yet cause I am getting them from Tractor Supply when they come in. . It says Red Pullets and then there are just regular pullets, so I'm not sure what they will be. I'm guessing the red pullets will be RIR And Red Stars. The others I'm not sure!

 

[Percheron chick]

I am getting 12 sometime this week! I am getting Pullets, not sure what they are yet cause I am getting them from Tractor Supply when they come in. . It says Red Pullets and then there are just regular pullets, so I'm not sure what they will be. I'm guessing the red pullets will be RIR And Red Stars. The others I'm not sure!

You don't have to settle for what they get in. Get what you want. They get their chicks in from the big hatcheries so there is plenty of variety to choose from. You have to ask. They will have a chart that shows the breeds they carry. They might have different breeds scheduled to come in on certain shipments. There is such a beautiful selection of chickens out there. No reason to get a monochromatic flock.

 

[Silkiehen]

You don't have to settle for what they get in. Get what you want. They get their chicks in from the big hatcheries so there is plenty of variety to choose from. You have to ask. They will have a chart that shows the breeds they carry. They might have different breeds scheduled to come in on certain shipments. There is such a beautiful selection of chickens out there. No reason to get a monochromatic flock.

Your chickens are soo pretty! I will probably end up just getting what they have. I may pick some from the straight runs too.