Are you adding to your flock this spring?

[WallyG74]

Currently have 3 I got last year, 1 BO, 1 WTB, 1 perfect light braham, lol. Placed my order today with California hatchery for March delivery. 1 EE, 1 GQ, 1 BCM, I'm sooooo excited.

Have you ever tried Ideal Poultry? It’s really close if you’re in central TX. Cameron I believe?

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Have you ever tried Ideal Poultry? It’s really close if you’re in central TX. Cameron I believe?

I checked them out as well, but orders as small as mine don't start shipping until April, and I'm not much for patience, lol. I wanted to use McMurray again but they've increased there order about to 5.

 

[3KillerBs]

I just discussed the possible chick orders with DH. They're my chickens primarily but he's the one building the new coop so it has to be a joint decision. He convinced me to forgo the idea of blue layers this year, maybe pick up more Brahmas at the farm store, and place only two hatchery orders -- one from Ideal and one from Welp.

From Ideal we'll be getting 3 Black Langshans, 3 Dominiques, 3 Silver-laced Cochins, and 3 Feather-legged Cuckoo Marans -- all pullets. I'll accept whatever packing peanuts they add as welcome free chicken dinners.

From Welp we'll be getting Blue Australorps (5 Straight Run, 5 Pullets), Delawares (5 Straight Run, 5 Pullets), and 5 of the Blue Plymouth Tint cross pullets. Their 25 bird minimum really gave me a headache working out what we'd want because I want to try Blue Australorp and Delaware cockerels in hope of ending up with one or two keepers.

I intend to sell of approximately half the chickens as either started or POL pullets in the process of weeding down to about 15-20 keepers by fall.

 

[Brown Chick]

My husband says yes to more chickens! 2 olive eggers, 2 auracanas, 2 silkies, 2 cream leg bars. Fun fun fun!

 

[Tre3hugger]

let's see...I have 25 meaties arriving March 1st. Hopefully a hen or two will go broody when it warms up so I can replace my hawk losses this winter in my layer flock of around 25 or I will incubate some eggs from them. I am hoping to incubate guinea eggs when mine start laying again this year to add to the 5 I have left...oh and i have 25 quail on order for april 1st and 4 empty rabbit cages i just set up for a meat breeding trio...I am either really good or really bad at animal/chicken math!

What can I say. Year 3 on the farm means exponential growth!

 

[Tre3hugger]

3 Black Langshans, 3 Dominiques, 3 Silver-laced Cochins, and 3 Feather-legged Cuckoo Marans

Nice picks!

 

[3KillerBs]

let's see...I have 25 meaties arriving March 1st. Hopefully a hen or two will go broody when it warms up so I can replace my hawk losses this winter in my layer flock of around 25 or I will incubate some eggs from them. I am hoping to incubate guinea eggs when mine start laying again this year to add to the 5 I have left...oh and i have 25 quail on order for april 1st and 4 empty rabbit cages i just set up for a meat breeding trio...I am either really good or really bad at animal/chicken math!

What can I say. Year 3 on the farm means exponential growth!

I didn't mention the meat birds. We will build the new layer coop with brooder area first and then work on meat birds.

 

[3KillerBs]

Nice picks!

Thanks. I had a Black Langshan in the in-town flock who laid interesting, pixelated eggs, DH wants barred birds and likes the Dominiques because they're historic (he works at an American Revolution historic site), we wanted some dark layers, and DS#3, who helps me with the chickens, wanted cochins.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

I’m planning on hatching some hopefully. I might also pick up few EEs or BOs if they come in the feed store. I might have to expand my run if that happens... Not sure how I plan on that. Well unless I get rid of all my extra Roosters then I can add at least 6 hens. Right now I have a makeshift bachelor pad cause I can’t get rid of 2 Roosters

 

[NightingaleJen]

In a similar position to @MallardBay. We did not get (so far as we know yet) any cockerels form our July-delivered hatchery order, and honestly, I wanted a roo, since we're in a wooded rural area and we think he'd be beneficial. We'd either stay with the breeds we have (Dominique, BA, EE) or get the one breed I really wanted but didn't get for our first flock, Buckeyes.

Since we're also expecting a puppy this spring, it's up in the air. Brooding our flock in July worked out really nicely for us, anyhow, and if nothing else, I'll keep my eyes peeled for a roo in need of re-homing and cross my fingers that he is well-behaved. Our neighbors' children raise chickens, and some friends at church are very involved in 4H, so we are at least blessed with good contacts.