Earthen Acres Homestead: First mixed laying flock

[Tre3hugger]

Thank you guys so much! Number 5 is still holding out.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you guys so much! Number 5 is still holding out.

 

[Tre3hugger]

So the last egg was an early quit. Would have been from my speckled sussex. Oh well. Relieved to be done incubating for the moment, and love my new fluff balls. Learned a lot this month!

 

[BY Bob]

So the last egg was an early quit. Would have been from my speckled sussex. Oh well. Relieved to be done incubating for the moment, and love my new fluff balls. Learned a lot this month!

That is a pretty successful hatch. Great job and congratulations!

 

[Tre3hugger]

That is a pretty successful hatch. Great job and congratulations!

Thank you! 6 fertile eggs, 5 into lockdown, 4 little babies. I'm happy for my first hatch. I'm trying to figure out what to do with these little ones. I'm keeping max 2 pullets and eating or selling the boys. If i keep 2 pullets, I think it would be prudent to cull my biggest eater, least laying, biggest physical hen from my current flock. It makes lots of logical sense but she is my friend,..I may have messed up there. Can't make any decisions until these babies are sexed so for now I will just focus on there care and try not to go crazy considering my options. What do you think?
Thanks for your involvement in this process. It's wonderful to have "chicken friends" to share this journey with. @Pretty Birds @drumstick diva @BY Bob

 

[Pretty Birds]

Thank you! 6 fertile eggs, 5 into lockdown, 4 little babies. I'm happy for my first hatch. I'm trying to figure out what to do with these little ones. I'm keeping max 2 pullets and eating or selling the boys. If i keep 2 pullets, I think it would be prudent to cull my biggest eater, least laying, biggest physical hen from my current flock. It makes lots of logical sense but she is my friend,..I may have messed up there. Can't make any decisions until these babies are sexed so for now I will just focus on there care and try not to go crazy considering my options. What do you think?
Thanks for your involvement in this process. It's wonderful to have "chicken friends" to share this journey with. @Pretty Birds @drumstick diva @BY Bob

You're welcome! If you do have to get rid of a hen or two, you could always sell them to a new home, but that is a decision you'll have to make. Have fun with your new baby chicks!

 

[Tre3hugger]

The guinea coop is really coming along! They are 3 weeks and a day old today. Plan on moving them out to the coop on monday. Will probably give them a brooder plate for nights for a week, then they are on their own heat wise! I built this coop out of pallets and 2x4s.

Build thread here! https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ild-8x4-coop-for-about-250-pic-heavy.1373989/

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you! 6 fertile eggs, 5 into lockdown, 4 little babies. I'm happy for my first hatch. I'm trying to figure out what to do with these little ones. I'm keeping max 2 pullets and eating or selling the boys. If i keep 2 pullets, I think it would be prudent to cull my biggest eater, least laying, biggest physical hen from my current flock. It makes lots of logical sense but she is my friend,..I may have messed up there. Can't make any decisions until these babies are sexed so for now I will just focus on there care and try not to go crazy considering my options. What do you think?
Thanks for your involvement in this process. It's wonderful to have "chicken friends" to share this journey with. @Pretty Birds @drumstick diva @BY Bob

I would not make any decisions now. Just enjoy the chicks for themselves. Many time the world brings its own answers to our doorstep. Enjoy the now. There will be time for decisions later.

 

[BY Bob]

The guinea coop is really coming along! They are 3 weeks and a day old today. Plan on moving them out to the coop on monday. Will probably give them a brooder plate for nights for a week, then they are on their own heat wise! I built this coop out of pallets and 2x4s.
View attachment 2139226
View attachment 2139227
Build thread here! https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ild-8x4-coop-for-about-250-pic-heavy.1373989/

That's s pretty good build for discarded items. Nice job!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Excellent advice. Thank you! @BY Bob