PipelineGypsy
Hatching
Good morning everyone,
Currently I have 11 hens and 2 roosters. All of them are 10 month old RIRs. I am planning on getting some new chicks very soon. I am wanting more of a variety and I want some brood hens. I'm thinking about 2-3 each of: Ameraucanas, Buff Orpingtons, Cochins, Marans, and Wyandottes. Any foreseeable problems with those breeds and my RIRs? I am planning on building a brooder inside of my existing coop (plenty of room for it) to house the chicks until they are old enough to join the flock (12 weeks?), essentially using an extended version of the "playpen method". First, I would like to know if anyone sees any possible problems with my plan? I would like to have one rooster of each breed, but I know that is way too many roosters. How many is too many? I am also wondering about feeding. Considering they will be on different foods for a short while after I let the chicks join the flock, how should I separate the feed so that they only eat what they are suppose to? I have a hanging 40lb feeder that I use now for the layer feed. Would it be ok to let them just start eating the layer feed a few weeks early? I will appreciate all advice!
Currently I have 11 hens and 2 roosters. All of them are 10 month old RIRs. I am planning on getting some new chicks very soon. I am wanting more of a variety and I want some brood hens. I'm thinking about 2-3 each of: Ameraucanas, Buff Orpingtons, Cochins, Marans, and Wyandottes. Any foreseeable problems with those breeds and my RIRs? I am planning on building a brooder inside of my existing coop (plenty of room for it) to house the chicks until they are old enough to join the flock (12 weeks?), essentially using an extended version of the "playpen method". First, I would like to know if anyone sees any possible problems with my plan? I would like to have one rooster of each breed, but I know that is way too many roosters. How many is too many? I am also wondering about feeding. Considering they will be on different foods for a short while after I let the chicks join the flock, how should I separate the feed so that they only eat what they are suppose to? I have a hanging 40lb feeder that I use now for the layer feed. Would it be ok to let them just start eating the layer feed a few weeks early? I will appreciate all advice!