I found a small farm not too far from me that raises most of the chicks they sell on their own. They do purchase the production line RIRs but also have barred rock, white rock, silver laced wyandot, black austrolorp, etc. I went leaning toward the barred rock but really considered the RIRs too. I do want plenty eggs for us as well as for our two daughters that live locally and our son when we can get out his way. But at the same time I also want to have some broody hens to continue to produce some chicks for us too. From what I've read (I've been stalking posts here and other websites A LOT the last couple months) it seems like the production lines are less likely to produce broody hens so I was really leaning toward a more 'heritage' line but was told they are more difficult to find unless you've got a farm around you. The one I found is a centurian farm that the same family has worked and owned for more than 100 years now. So I kind of felt like I hit the lottery there.
When I arrived I talked to a man that works there and told him what I was looking for. He said he didn't think the RIRs alone would be what I wanted and that they didn't have enough BR pullets left, they were down to four. He recommended the Black Austrolop (sp?) so I told him that was fine and he proceeded to pick me out a nice little cockerel that's cute as a button and nine pullets. Once he started he realized he was down to only five pullets. He said he'd give me a discount on the chicks if I'd take those five pullets and five white rock pullets and the cockerel would be free. Deal!
Also found that his prices for starter were about 70% what I'd have paid in the other store and the feeders were a few dollars less too. So instead of walking out spending about $75 I only spent about $45. Great deal as far as I'm concerned. My youngest daughter took her two kids with me and now she and her husband want some chicks too. The other daughter is very jealous since she lives in the city and can't have any. Maybe she'll come visit more often now!
They all seem healthy and active. As soon as I got them home and in their temp house they started eating and drinking right away and are moving around and peeping like crazy. My only concern is that they were in a filthy enclosure at the farm and because of it they've got an awful lot of chickee poo in little balls stuck to the ends of their toes. I want to pick it off because I can't imagine it would be comfy or healthy, but I'm afraid to hurt them. Can it be picked off? Should it be picked off? Should I risk letting them stand in shallow water to soften it and risk them getting too cool? Also, there is one that's got poo stuck on his little tushie. Should I mess with that? I don't want to pluck fluff out trying to remove it, but again, can't imagine it's healthy or comfy. Any thoughts?
Lastly, my daughter ONLY wants chickens for eggs so she's leaning toward the RIR production line. Is there anything we should know before we go forward with that thought, other than she'll need to buy more chickens every few years or so?
When I arrived I talked to a man that works there and told him what I was looking for. He said he didn't think the RIRs alone would be what I wanted and that they didn't have enough BR pullets left, they were down to four. He recommended the Black Austrolop (sp?) so I told him that was fine and he proceeded to pick me out a nice little cockerel that's cute as a button and nine pullets. Once he started he realized he was down to only five pullets. He said he'd give me a discount on the chicks if I'd take those five pullets and five white rock pullets and the cockerel would be free. Deal!
Also found that his prices for starter were about 70% what I'd have paid in the other store and the feeders were a few dollars less too. So instead of walking out spending about $75 I only spent about $45. Great deal as far as I'm concerned. My youngest daughter took her two kids with me and now she and her husband want some chicks too. The other daughter is very jealous since she lives in the city and can't have any. Maybe she'll come visit more often now!
They all seem healthy and active. As soon as I got them home and in their temp house they started eating and drinking right away and are moving around and peeping like crazy. My only concern is that they were in a filthy enclosure at the farm and because of it they've got an awful lot of chickee poo in little balls stuck to the ends of their toes. I want to pick it off because I can't imagine it would be comfy or healthy, but I'm afraid to hurt them. Can it be picked off? Should it be picked off? Should I risk letting them stand in shallow water to soften it and risk them getting too cool? Also, there is one that's got poo stuck on his little tushie. Should I mess with that? I don't want to pluck fluff out trying to remove it, but again, can't imagine it's healthy or comfy. Any thoughts?
Lastly, my daughter ONLY wants chickens for eggs so she's leaning toward the RIR production line. Is there anything we should know before we go forward with that thought, other than she'll need to buy more chickens every few years or so?
) but my dogs were always great with our chickens. Regardless, they still won't be allowed around them unless I'm right there. I'm even separating the backyard into two separate fenced areas next month when they're big enough to go outside. We're converting the shop out back for them when they go out. Little monsters will have a room bigger than one of our guest rooms!
