EGGS OR BABIES? When to buy chickens

[curious1969]

Quote:
I would start with chicks...you will invitably end up with an incubator before too long.

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
I would start with chicks...you will invitably end up with an incubator before too long.

I so agree!

 

[chickiechik]

WELCOME to BYC and your new endeavor!! I can honestly say from a newbies standpoint, I started with 11 chicks just 7 months ago with 1 nice big coop so we could have a nice supply of fresh eggs! Well let me tell you when they say chickens are like M&Ms they are not kidding.

My flock has grown to 36 and I am now the proud owner of 3 genesis incubators which are all full of eggs at the moment.

Luckily my hubby is very understanding, built me another coop, and is now building 3 breeding pens.

Needless to say, chicks are very addicting, but you will enjoy it and have alot of help here on BYC!

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts, I would start out with chicks and maybe next summer consider hatching when the weather is warming up. Depending on where you live the days and night are getting cooler and you will have to keep the chicks warm. If you were to get eggs you would have a much greater investment in money and time that it takes for the eggs to hatch and the weather will be even cooler yet. What you invest in now for your chicks can be used later if you should decide to hatch. I have a Little Giant, two Hova-bators and a GQF Sportsman cabinet incubator. I bought an LG with a fan for my first incubator with an egg turner as I wasn't sure if I was going to incubate more than once. (I know there are a lot of LG haters on BYC) but I have had many successful hatches. The price was right since I wasn't sure what I was getting into and I was pretty sure I could sell it and recoup most of my expense. My cabinet incubator I incubate in. I still use my LG and Hova-Bator styrofoam incubators as hatchers. Hatching can be very addicting. Whatever you decide, Good Luck and Have Fun...

 

[T-Amy]

Hi Puggles, wondering if you ordered your chicks yet and how you're making out?

I just noticed your post & bought my first set of meat chicks 3 weeks ago. 6 out of 26 that I ordered were either DOA or died within 3 days after I got them. Now, the 20 I have are doing really well, in my brooder in the basement. I live in the northeast so I'm doing research on here to find out when to transition them outside. the dust is starting to get to me!

I had to divide mine into 2 brooders as the meat chickens double in size almost every week. I hope you're enjoying your chicks if you got them- I have had fun watching them & the kids have gotten a kick out of it. We're planning to get more laying chicks in early spring so any suggestions on where you've heard to get them from (or where NOT to get them from) would be greatly appreciated.

 

[begbfg]

I have to agree with everyone else. Start with day-olds, then, once you get the fever...and trust me you will .....you can try incubating.

and I'm sure you'll enjoy your new endeavor!