first time chicken mom!!

[Duck mommy 2019]

so next year i’m planning to get some chicken. we will probably go to tractor supply to get them, and i have lots of questions!

what breed would be best? roosters or hens?

is it really a six minimum? i only want like 3?

how is baby chick care different than baby duck care? could i raise them in the same brooder as a few call ducks or maybe even geese?

can they eat purina flock raiser? and their whole lives or should they still be started on chick starter?

are they as friendly as ducks? like would i be able to harness train them? i take my ducks to places with me all the time, and would love to bring them!

i talked to someone, and i was thinking about raising just one meat chicken with the group. not to eat, just as a pet. i know they don’t live long but i would love to keep him as long as possible?

 

[Molly Mojo]

Congrats!

I’m also new.

Most of mine are between 2-3 months old.

I have Silkies, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, Leghorns, Orpingtons, Dominiques, and an Americauna.

Tractor supply does have a minimum buy, but they can be mixed.

Mainly to discourage “chick gifts” as novelty.

So far, the Wyandottes are the sweetest and most calm.

The Leghorns seem way to nervous and jumpy, even though they are friendly.

My Orpingtons and Wyandottes love to eat from my hand.

 

[Duck mommy 2019]

Congrats!

I’m also new.

Most of mine are between 2-3 months old.

I have Silkies, Blue Laced Red Wyandottes, Leghorns, Orpingtons, Dominiques, and an Americauna.

Tractor supply does have a minimum buy, but they can be mixed.

Mainly to discourage “chick gifts” as novelty.

So far, the Wyandottes are the sweetest and most calm.

The Leghorns seem way to nervous and jumpy, even though they are friendly.

My Orpingtons and Wyandottes love to eat from my hand.

ugh, 6 is probably gonna be too many. i would mix with some ducks but we are looking for sexed ducklings (we cannot get anymore drakes at the moment)

but your babies are super cute!

 

[Parront]

so next year i’m planning to get some chicken. we will probably go to tractor supply to get them, and i have lots of questions!

what breed would be best? roosters or hens?

is it really a six minimum? i only want like 3?

how is baby chick care different than baby duck care? could i raise them in the same brooder as a few call ducks or maybe even geese?

can they eat purina flock raiser? and their whole lives or should they still be started on chick starter?

are they as friendly as ducks? like would i be able to harness train them? i take my ducks to places with me all the time, and would love to bring them!

i talked to someone, and i was thinking about raising just one meat chicken with the group. not to eat, just as a pet. i know they don’t live long but i would love to keep him as long as possible?

Breed -- everyone has their favorite! Hens only! If you get a rooster, what will you do with him? Do you want to hatch out fertile eggs?
You could get your chicks from someone local, who has raised them past the brooder stage, I think chicks don't do well with ducks -- ducks are just too wet & messy! I have not been very impressed with the chicks I saw at our local Tractor store. I ordered a box from Ideal hatchery, and will find homes for the extras. Look in your local Craig's List for some like me with some extra chicks and you will not have to deal with that store policy.
Meat chickens often do not live very long, I would not want one as a pet.
Lots of chickens make good pets with training. I have a pet parrot that I train and enjoy very much, so I never did train my chickens, past them learning to come when called.
Chick starter is best for starting them, In my opinion.
Chickens can be friendly -- I think it depends more on the owner then the chicken.
Good luck with the new chickens!

 

[Peppercorngal]

so next year i’m planning to get some chicken. we will probably go to tractor supply to get them, and i have lots of questions!

what breed would be best? roosters or hens?

is it really a six minimum? i only want like 3?

how is baby chick care different than baby duck care? could i raise them in the same brooder as a few call ducks or maybe even geese?

can they eat purina flock raiser? and their whole lives or should they still be started on chick starter?

are they as friendly as ducks? like would i be able to harness train them? i take my ducks to places with me all the time, and would love to bring them!

i talked to someone, and i was thinking about raising just one meat chicken with the group. not to eat, just as a pet. i know they don’t live long but i would love to keep him as long as possible?

Chickens are not the same as ducks. First, if you only want 3 then I'd go to a local farm that hatches them or to a local feed store that doesn't require a minimum chick purchase like TSC does. I don't think breed is too important, if you are going to hand raise them they will be friendly. I'd choose something pretty like the Speckled Sussex, one of my friendliest hens is an SS. Do NOT buy a meat chicken. They do not live long, and it will just break your heart when she is no longer able to walk and eventually dies prematurely. I'd stick with hens. I have a couple of hens that jump in my lap, come when I call (so does my rooster!), and are just super friendly. I didn't hand raise them either, they just trust me and like cuddles from me. They should be on a "chick" feed at first and then you can use "all flock" after they are completely feathered. You can teach them tricks, but I've never known anyone to "leash" train a chicken, but I'm sure it's possible. They are wonderful friends and lay eggs for you to eat as a bonus, like your ducks do! I bet you can't wait now!