A few more questions from a New commer

[SophieLain127]

If I only keep hens but decide I would like some chicks is there any type of "studding" services that farmers or other hobbist ever provide?


If I end up with some roos are they easily sold? I live in the city and roos would probably tick my neighbors off.

About how many eggs will 6 Comet hens lay on average?

Those of you that sell eggs what is the average amount of hens do you have?

Do you keep all the same type or do you have a variety?

If you cross breed them are there every any problems selling them?

Is it better to start out with a coop that is too big and grow or a smaller one and then expand with a second?

Could you use something like Sevin in like a 1/8 sevin and 7/8 dirt mixture for a dirt bath? If you don't use sevin what do you guys use?



Thanks for all your time in awnsering my questions.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
your welcome!

 

[orcasislandchickens]

No there is no "stud service for birds", but if one of your hens does go broody and you want her to have the chance to raise chicks you can buy hatching eggs and slip them under her to hatch and raise.

Roosters are not easily sold in my neck of the woods. They are almost impossible to get rid of here because we are near so many areas that allow hens but not roosters.

I don't sell eggs

Because I have so few birds I felt a homogenous flock worked best for me.

If you crossbred them is there any problem selling them. No harder to get rid of than purebred. Which is still pretty hard around here.

Go with a bigger coop and nicer setup. Almost everyone expands and it is cheaper and easier to just start out with a good setup.

Ditto the above poster. I treat only when indicated, and If I have to treat for something I don't fool around. I use the specific, best available treatment for that condition, and follow through with all second doses etc. on time. I keep the coop and run clean, and disinfect the whole setup twice a year. This is easier to do with just a few birds.

 

[patandchickens]

In some cities it is easy to find someone who will take roosters for eating (or you could eat them yourself); it is often hard or impossible to find lifelong-home type 'homes' for unwanted roosters, though, especially if they are not an unusual breed.

I wouldn't use Sevin unless I was treating a known problem, and then only on the birds and roosts. It is relatively more safe than some things but still has some health hazards and IMO not to be tossed around just for fun. Rotenone dust either.

To clarify, 6 comet hens should lay about an egg a day *apiece*, so you will get 5-6 eggs per day for most of the year.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat