Advice for ordering chicks - breeds and other questions!

[HogWildAboutChix]

That makes sense with filling pullet orders and then filling straight run with what is left. Would work out fine with the dual purpose birds to get the Roos.

I typically do well selling Roos. Having the prettier varieties, Roos show off the breed better than the hens and are pretty coop ornaments.

I will check out the Black Sex Links. I have seen the Blue Rocks, they are good looking.

Does anyone have a preference on chick sources? Not a lot of breeders nearby. So mail order is usually our best bet for any quantity.

 

[Allthefloofs]

We have a Delaware and we like her a lot. She's a pretty reliable layer of dark brown/speckled eggs and she is a large bird. We aren't planning on eating her, she's a pet, but I can see how she would be a good eating bird if I look at her in an objective sense. We also have a Mottled Houdan which are apparently coveted in France for their meat. We also don't intend on eating her (all our girls are pets), but that might be a thought too in terms of dual purpose birds. We got our girls from Murray McMurray and My Pet Chicken.

 

[hysop]

That makes sense with filling pullet orders and then filling straight run with what is left. Would work out fine with the dual purpose birds to get the Roos.

I typically do well selling Roos. Having the prettier varieties, Roos show off the breed better than the hens and are pretty coop ornaments.

I will check out the Black Sex Links. I have seen the Blue Rocks, they are good looking.

Does anyone have a preference on chick sources? Not a lot of breeders nearby. So mail order is usually our best bet for any quantity.

I’ve only ever ordered from Cackle Hatchery and I’ve had a good experience with them so I’ve never ventured off to another hatchery. But I know there are lots of others people use here.

 

[HogWildAboutChix]

Glad to hear from someone who has a Deleware, I think they are very pretty!

Ive also thought about trying Favorelle and have read they coop well with Sussex, which I love.

So many chickens to choose from!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I also like Cackle hatchery.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Speckled Sussex are beautiful AND great layers. I’m obsessed with mine and I couldn’t ask for a better chicken. Speckled Sussex are pretty cold hardy and from my experience, heat tolerant to. Mine laid a nice light brown egg nearly every day. They are not broody, but are very active and social hens. I have only one right now but I’d like to get more in the future. Joy my SS, loves people and is as docile as they get. On top of that, she is no bully hen and I never have issues with her squabbling with the other girls. Sussex are dual purpose breeds, and come in a few different color varieties. My favorite however, is the Speckled Sussex. They’re beautiful and I couldn’t ask for a better bird!

A few pictures of my SS hen Joy

 

[CHlCKEN]

I also like Cackle hatchery.

It’s my first pick because I trust them to give me great quality birds, who come in healthy and accurately sexed. I would also recommend them.

 

[Allthefloofs]

Sussexes are on my wish list, we had ordered one and got a cockerel, roosters are illegal where I am so I had to rehome. I also love Favorelles but we are in PHX and I don't know if I can keep one cool enough, I felt like I was taking a gamble on a SS. We have a Buff Orp and our Wyandottes and Delaware suffer a bit in the heat here.

Speckled Sussex are beautiful AND great layers. I’m obsessed with mine and I couldn’t ask for a better chicken. Speckled Sussex are pretty cold hardy and from my experience, heat tolerant to. Mine laid a nice light brown egg nearly every day. They are not broody, but are very active and social hens. I have only one right now but I’d like to get more in the future. Joy my SS, loves people and is as docile as they get. On top of that, she is no bully hen and I never have issues with her squabbling with the other girls. Sussex are dual purpose breeds, and come in a few different color varieties. My favorite however, is the Speckled Sussex. They’re beautiful as I couldn’t ask for a better bird! View attachment 2463978View attachment 2463979View attachment 2463981
A few pictures of my SS hen Joy

Where did you get your girls? In the next couple years I want to get a couple.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Pheonixes and Cornish bantams and Naked Necks are my favorite. All lay decently and all are known to go broody. Also tons of different colors

 

[CHlCKEN]

Sussexes are on my wish list, we had ordered one and got a cockerel, roosters are illegal where I am so I had to rehome. I also love Favorelles but we are in PHX and I don't know if I can keep one cool enough, I felt like I was taking a gamble on a SS. We have a Buff Orp and our Wyandottes and Delaware suffer a bit in the heat here.

Where did you get your girls? In the next couple years I want to get a couple.

I ordered from Cackle Hatchery. I had 4 Speckled Sussex arrive with a couple ducks. I think you would have good luck with them!