Any poultry plans for 2014?

[Whoops]

My plans are to build a second, bigger coop, hatch out the marans eggs I have in the incubator, order and hatch out some CCL's to start a (very small) breeding flock.

 

[RockNSuccess]

My plan is to build my flock with focus on fancy colored Orpingtons, Marans, Ameraucanas and Olive Eggers. I love to have the multicolored eggs and the Orpingtons are such a beautiful and sweet bird! My current girls are not yet laying, but should be within the next month. The intent is to raise for eggs and meat for myself and family, although, I already have coworkers asking me for eggs when I finally have them. I am also reading tons and watching You Tube videos on processing meat. I think that will be the hardest part for me, but I am fully committed to it. If you want to see a great video on the humane processing of a bird, look up You Tube "respectful chicken harvest part 1 of 2, kill and pluck - how to." I love the way the young lady is so respectful of the hen and how concerned she is with making sure she is relaxed and not scared.

I am lucky to live in the the suburbs on a county island. A five acre property with 2.5 acres of pasture which gives me a lot of room to work without neighbors complaining about roos (although I don't yet have any). I currently have 3 Lavender Orpington eggs in the incubator. I started with 6. Three were infertile and the other three seem to be doing okay. However, this is only day seven and so things are still up in the air. These were shipped eggs and the box had a crushed corner when it arrived. Stupid USPS! I would love to get more hatching eggs from anyone who is willing to part with them. I am not looking for show quality. Good layers and meat producers (only dual purpose) is what I am after. While I want the fancy colors because they are so pretty, I cannot justify spending $50, $100 or more for a day old chick. ALTHOUGH, I completely understand that the people invested in the more rare breeds have a LOT of time and money into the venture and so are only charging what it takes to recoup what they have invested. So hoping for some eggs that people will part with....

WISHING ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR AND LOTS OF HAPPY HEALTHY CHICKIES!

"Hello, my name is Jacki, and I am a chicken addict.":yiipchick