chickens

[saddina]

Rocks, RIR and BO are one of the parent breeds used in making sex links, the main differance is that when the chicks hatch they will come out with the boys being yellow chicks and the girl chicks will look like a RIR, BR or BO chick. So they can be seperated by color (has to do with girl babies getting thier father's coloring, and vice versa). Since you want only hens, it's your best way of not getting a surprize rooster, that you can get when you order pure breed chicks (mine were supposed to be sexed, but ended up straight run).

*note: very simplified explaination, but for what you're asking for that's the chicken genetics you'll need for today.

 

[ShrekDawg]

ok thats good to know I did not know that so I will def look into sex links sounds like a very good breed and I will trust the experts on this one thanks for the tips although maybe since theres so many chicks I could have a mix of breeds/some of each possibly, or not. but idk. What do you guys think?

 

[Mahonri]

Variety is the spice of life.

At present I have. (all pullets unless otherwise noted)

3 Blue Ameraucanas, 2 pullets and roo
5 Wheaten Ameraucanas (wish I had a Blue Wheaten roo!)
2 Golden Cuckoo Marans, pullet and roo (He looks SPECTACULAR)
1 California White Leghorn
1 Speckled Sussex
1 Black Sex link
5 Easter eggers of various colors (white, buff w/ blue head, red mix, black w/ gold) 1 roo
3 Black Ameraucanas (all 3 look like roos, may keep 1)
3 Splash Ameraucanas 2 pullets and a roo that is sick and quarantined.
1 Cinnamon Queen
1 Ancona
1 Delaware
1 Buff Orpington
1 Salmon Faverolle
1 Partridge Cochin roo
1 Del X LBLeghorn ( a beautiful Miss_Jayne Designer chicken)

I'll be re homing at least 5 of the roos.

I should really have a colorful egg basket by the end of October.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
You can mix it up, even if you stay with sex links... http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/category/our_best_egg_layers.html the stars are thier sex links.

Or...

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/rainbow_layers.html

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks that variety sounds good exspecially after reading all the positive reviews but I still kinda think I kinda want some other breeds too but idk but maybe I will just get sex links they sound great and seem like the best choice and then later on at a later date or when i get older or whenever than I can experiment with other breeds maybe later on possibly if I still want to/need to. But I think you are right for now I will stick with sex links because as you said they are the best option for a begginer/someone new to chickens because I definately dont want to be surprised with a roo exspecially if ordered from a hatchery and this way their gender is guarenteed and there are no surprises I will know/be able to tell right away whether or not its a roo. plus they are still weather tolerant (cold hot, snow sun, rain, etc), hardy, and great layers, and not to mention friendly and great personality! at least that is what all the reviews and stuff said but I do not really know until I get them I guess but it sounds good to me so I'll go with it lol! which is like all the qualifications they need to have and so they pass with flying colors! so for now I think I will forget the other breeds and just get sex links. you are right. I will trust the experts.

 

[cmom]

I did a lot of research before I got my birds.

Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent resource, as well as this web site which is an excellent source of information.

These sites are especially helpful in selecting breeds.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html

Also here are some other good sites, info and more good links.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/lcenter.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[Maryallison]

I agree with the others....about 12 hens should keep up with your egg needs! Good luck with it all and have fun!

 

[ShrekDawg]

ok thanks all this info is/has been very helpful

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

I would get


3 Barred Rocks
2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Black Australorps
1 Golden Campine
3 Rhode Island Red
1 Welsummer or Brown Leghorn

 

[ShrekDawg]

ok maybe I will look into that I hadnt thought of that thanks