Chicken Math...integration...quarantine

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Brooder mat?
If you hatch, you will get ~50% males...and you might want to think about eating them.

And that's why I like dual purpose breeds.

 

[Folly's place]

Buy the larger brooder mat; they overestimate the number of chicks that can be raised under it. Or buy two mats.
Having the chicks separated but out at the coop is perfect, and makes integration much easier too.
Headhen, you have been lucky! I'm fanatical about biosecurity myself.
Mary

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Buy the larger brooder mat; they overestimate the number of chicks that can be raised under it. Or buy two mats.
Having the chicks separated but out at the coop is perfect, and makes integration much easier too.
Headhen, you have been lucky! I'm fanatical about biosecurity myself.
Mary

I'm only planning on hatching 6 or 7 eggs so there will be plenty of room for them. I'm only looking to keep myself in eggs, not at all interested in getting into the business of selling eggs. I'm retired and I have quite enough to keep me from getting bored.

 

[Folly's place]

Six or seven eggs: start with 15% to 20% more eggs, because many may not develop. Then, plan on lotsa cockerels, because it can work out that way. How about ten or twelve eggs, at least, to get maybe four pullets?
Mary

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Six or seven eggs: start with 15% to 20% more eggs, because many may not develop. Then, plan on lotsa cockerels, because it can work out that way. How about ten or twelve eggs, at least, to get maybe four pullets?
Mary

I don't mean to sound rude, BUT: That's how many chicks I want to go with. If I get a bunch of cockerels then they can go to the freezer. And how many cockerels vs pullets is a crap shoot, or as Forest Gump would say "you never know what you'll get." I'm the one doing the work so please let me set my own limits of how much additional work I want to take on. I grow vegetables as well and I think my retirement should be enjoyable not a competition.

 

[aart]

I don't mean to sound rude, BUT: That's how many chicks I want to go with.

She's saying if you want 5-6 females it's good to start with more eggs.
I go by the 50% and 50% rule of thumb.
50% won't develop/hatch, 50% will be male....
....so if I want 5 females set 20 eggs.

 

[Folly's place]

I certainly don't mean to interfere with anyone's retirement!
Mary

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

She's saying if you want 5-6 females it's good to start with more eggs.
I go by the 50% and 50% rule of thumb.
50% won't develop/hatch, 50% will be male....
....so if I want 5 females set 20 eggs.

But I really only want maybe 2 more pullets. I have 5 right now and remember my goal is to produce enough for my own consumption. I understand that you all are trying to be helpful but you need to consider that everyone's goals regarding their flock are not the same. I don't want the chickens to consume all of my time and energy.

 

[aart]

But I really only want maybe 2 more pullets. I have 5 right now and remember my goal is to produce enough for my own consumption. I understand that you all are trying to be helpful but you need to consider that everyone's goals regarding their flock are not the same. I don't want the chickens to consume all of my time and energy.

Well, you went from wanting to buy a couple more pullets,
to us talking you into(kinda) hatching...
...and you being willing to eat cockerels("dual purpose birds").
You can sell or eat extra pullets too.
But maybe you're back to buying a couple older pullets?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Well, you went from wanting to buy a couple more pullets,
to us talking you into(kinda) hatching...
...and you being willing to eat cockerels("dual purpose birds").
You can sell or eat extra pullets too.
But maybe you're back to buying a couple older pullets?

No you haven't frightened me off yet. I'm still willing to give raising my own chicks a go. For nothing else that my cockerel Randy Roo is the sweetest of all my chickens. And I think he deserves to see his final work. I just like to take things a little slower. I don't want 90 chickens running around. That's way too much poo to deal with. So thanks again for your help. Keep in mind the name is Wee Farmer Sarah (emphasis on Wee) and I like to keep things a little smaller. Gotta go now. My Boss is calling me...