Breed combination.

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

Hey everyone!
We're still trying to track down a good place to buy chicks, but, since we only want a few, have pretty much given up on ordering online. Our local farm store will have wyandottes, black australorps, rhode island reds, and easter eggers this spring, so I thought we could get one of each and then drive a little ways out to a nearby silkie breeder (We really want those!). I emailed the farm store a few minutes ago and am waiting to hear back on if they can sex the chicks for us. I don't know if this is something most farm stores do or not. If it works out, do you think this would be a good combination of breeds? They would get lots of socializing as youngsters , but i would hate to have too much fighting. Another thing; I'm pretty much counting on the silkies being straight run, so how many should we get so that we could have about two females? We would try to give away the males.

Thanks!

 

[feedman77]

Unless the farm store gets just straight run, look for the ones marked pullets. Those should be 90 percent hens. Sex linked birds will be 100 percent. Most Ees around here are straight run.

Have or had all breeds you listed but sillies. Plus buff Orpington and barred rocks. All in a large flock no issues. So any you choose would be fine.

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

Okay, thanks for the info!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

If your farm store gets in straight run and you're asking for them to sex the chicks... they aren't going to do it, or be accurate at it. Your pretty much going to get what you get. I'd make a contingency plan ahead of time so you have a plan for any unwanted cockerels you get.
That said, my local Agway and TSC had 'sexed' pullets, but people will pickup chicks and place them back in the closest bin, mixing them. Plus there's the 10% that will be boys that slipped by.

Good luck with your chicks!!! I have a mixed flock as well, as you can see below, and they get along as well as any chickens... They don't stay together by color or breed either, fully mixed.

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

If your farm store gets in straight run and you're asking for them to sex the chicks... they aren't going to do it, or be accurate at it. Your pretty much going to get what you get. I'd make a contingency plan ahead of time so you have a plan for any unwanted cockerels you get.
That said, my local Agway and TSC had 'sexed' pullets, but people will pickup chicks and place them back in the closest bin, mixing them. Plus there's the 10% that will be boys that slipped by.

Good luck with your chicks!!! I have a mixed flock as well, as you can see below, and they get along as well as any chickens... They don't stay together by color or breed either, fully mixed.

Thanks. I'm pretty sure that the farm store will have pullets. I know the silkies are straight run, but the breeder will take back any unwanted cockerels. Still don't know what to do about possible males in the other breeds, though.

 

[feedman77]

Give away to friends. Run an ad on craigslist.

Raise and eat them.

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

Give away to friends. Run an ad on craigslist.

Raise and eat them.

Aw, I don't think I would be able to eat them, but we do know an increasing number of people who have chickens.

 

[jane s chickens]

Hey everyone!
We're still trying to track down a good place to buy chicks, but, since we only want a few, have pretty much given up on ordering online. Our local farm store will have wyandottes, black australorps, rhode island reds, and easter eggers this spring, so I thought we could get one of each and then drive a little ways out to a nearby silkie breeder (We really want those!). I emailed the farm store a few minutes ago and am waiting to hear back on if they can sex the chicks for us. I don't know if this is something most farm stores do or not. If it works out, do you think this would be a good combination of breeds? They would get lots of socializing as youngsters , but i would hate to have too much fighting. Another thing; I'm pretty much counting on the silkies being straight run, so how many should we get so that we could have about two females? We would try to give away the males.

Thanks!

I bought 8 silkies last spring. 2 died, 1 got wry neck, 3 were roos, 2 are hens.

 

[yellowish_chickenfeet]

I bought 8 silkies last spring. 2 died, 1 got wry neck, 3 were roos, 2 are hens.

Oh no...Sorry to hear about your chickies. Hope we have better luck...

 

[jane s chickens]

I culled 2 roos, so I have a trio. Tried to hatch 3 eggs from them in October but they didn't hatch. Want the hens to set on eggs for me in the spring. Would like to have 5 or so hens to set eggs for me.