First time ordering chicks....I think I made aHUGE mistake!!

[jonsccm]

The rare breed assortment looks good at MPC

 

[Featherstone5]

Y'all have been so kind!! I feel so welcomed to BYC...thank You!!!! Hubby and I are still talking through our plan. I have learned so much from your posts! I really appreciate your counsel! I will keep you posted on what we decide! Thanks, again!!

 

[wolfglen]

I've not any problems with any of my barred rocks being mean, but have with some of my others. However, I found something years ago when I did a little experiment; I took a hatching from my incubator and separated the chicks into two little brooders; I kept one on the floor and the other at chest level. I found that birds which are greeted at a face to face level grew up to be more docile and easy to manage than those raised at floor level where your greeting was overhead. Now, this may be something to do with instinct of thinking that someone from an overhead approach was a threat like a hawk, but it seemed to work.

I've also tried experiments where I hatched and kept all of the hens and roosters from a brood together and only removed the roosters from that flock as they became overly aggressive toward the others. Sure there were small squabbles, but eventually I'd get a flock with five or six roosters who got along with no problem and then the next generation would be even more docile. Just some theories, but they seemed to work for me.

 

[Trifele]

Hi Featherstone. Lots of folks have recommended a mixed flock for you, and I would agree with that. I am a newbie too. Haven't yet had a rooster, so I can't help you there.

We just started a small flock last July with 2 Easter Eggers, a Black Australorp, and a gold Sex Link. It has been FASCINATING to get to know them. There really are huge personality differences between breeds, and also between individuals of the same breed. The Gold Sex Link is our alpha hen, and she is a good leader. Smart bird, rules with a firm hand, but not mean. She lays like there is no tomorrow, which is what those hybrid egg-layers do. The Easter Eggers are clowns -- funny and curious. And you can't beat the blue and green eggs -- awesome. The Black Australorp is quiet, calm and sweet. I have to say her personality is my favorite. All are very friendly (they approach us, talk to us, we can pick them up, etc) and are laying well, even in our "Polar Vortex" winter weather.

So -- I'm very partial to Black Australorps so far. Will get more at the first available opportunity. I have read that they are excellent mothers. A friend of mine has a couple dozen Buff Orps, and they seem similar in personality. Her Buff Orps are excellent moms.

Good luck! I know you will love them whatever breed they are.

 

[Trifele]

PS -- we got all our birds from a local farm/hatchery. (I liked driving there to pick them up instead of receiving them in the mail, though I know that usually works fine.) I found the hatchery on line and then checked out reviews of them. Could not have been more pleased. It was a nice family running a nice operation.

 

[coop-er]

I will chime in here for what it is worth. I also ordered a brown egg layer mix from Meyer Hatchery. It was fun to get a mixed bunch and see what they grew up to be-I ended up with a beautiful assortment of birds, all friendly (including 2 roosters), healthy birds who matured to be a nice group of prolific egg layers. I personally prefer to look into my "chicken yard" and see a variety, Meyer did a great job. I have Barred Rocks, RIR, Buff Orps, Light Brahma. I will be getting additional birds from Meyer this month. Happy Chickening!

 

[MistyMountain]

A note: If you watch the hatcheries, they all seem to have a "Barnyard mix" type deal. You can get a variety (A surprise, Yay!!) and at a lower cost. They aren't second rate chicks, just leftovers from a hatch. You can tailor the mix for your liking. I have seen a brown egg layer mix, a rainbow egg layer mix, a heavy breed mix, a bantam mix, a top hat (Feathered head) mix... even a frying pan mix. You can choose straight run or pullets on most of them. If you read the description it will tell you what types of chickens are in it. I have seriously considered this, because my kids love my oddball ameracauna rooster... so I thought I might try to get different hens. I can't seem to decide, so I might let the hatchery!!

This is what I did last fall for my first chickens. It was exciting trying to identify all the breeds and did give me a chance to check out a bunch of different breeds while saving a bit per chick. That said, I would not it again. I ordered the Rainbow Egg Layers from McMurray. You do get a variety, but have no control over what that variety is. I got layers of all colors, but more than HALF of them were white egg layers, and of the 15 total in the package, 7 (probably 8 as I lost one yellow chick that looked like a white leghorn) were leghorns. Big egg production, low chance of going broody. I am happy that I added two EE on to the order to make sure I got them. McMurray offers a free "exotic" chick as well. No clue on which it could be in my order, but probably the Silver Laced Wyandotte Roo. I did not like him as a youngster and thought I would hate him as a Roo. Turns out, he is awesome! He is respectful of our space and is a proven protector of the flock. I am now trying to make up for not getting exactly what I wanted by ordering some silkies for brooding future chicks as well as more brown egg layers. I also added on two more roosters, an EE and a welsummer. I have the space, so I wanted to get a couple extras in there for egg color.

Don't be afraid, this is a super fun time!! Just one word of advice… have your coop ready as soon as possible!! From experience, having 17 chickens in the house until they are 9 weeks old gets a little old!

 

[Froghorn]

I agree it has alot in how they are raised. I have probably 20 or more different breeds out of 125 or so in my flock including the barred rock. For me I have seen no difference in the barred rock as far as mean. They all have a pecking order. Perhaps for these people you have talked to it just so happen that their barred rocks turned out to be at the top. Not the case though where that is always true. I have had very aggressive red stars too. I think out of all the breeds I have, that the red stars are the ones I would say if any would be more aggressive. However the pecking order takes care of that pretty much in a hurry. I don't think you made a mistake at all. They are great layers if that is what you want. I have purchased many times from My Pet Chicken. I have never been unhappy. I've made purchases elsewhere too! I would say just be careful that you know where ever you purchase that you are purchasing from a well known. It is ok to purchase from individuals too but be sure that their flocks are disease free. Visit and see their facilities. That will tell you alot. BUT ALWAYS, ALWAYS, vaccinate. You can not be to careful here. No matter how long any of us have been raising chickens there is always something to learn. Occasionally I visit here to read others posts and perhaps pick up on a hint or two myself. I sometimes put in my two cents with my experience hoping to help someone else. You will never stop learning. No, I think you made a good choice. Perhaps next time you will want to add a different breed or breeds to your flock. Good luck! Remember we all started somewhere.

 

[speckledhen]

Considering that the Barred Plymouth Rock is my favorite breed (of course, the barreds are the color variety-I have blues as well), including the roosters, and I haven't changed my mind from the start, I think a generalization is just not going to serve you well. Hatchery BR hens don't go broody in general, though some do. Heritage BR hens definitely do.

Roosters are individuals and beyond that, some lines are prone to human aggression and some are not. One can breed for calm temperament in their roosters. I do. However, with hatchery stock, you just roll the dice and hope you get a good one. One of my sweetest, most gentle roosters was a McMurray hatchery male. His sons were usually the same, but there were some exceptions. If they are genetically prone to aggression, no type of raising will change it, in my humble opinion. It's been my experience, anyway.


I was under the impression that My Pet Chicken is a dropshipper, not an actual breeder/hatchery.

Vaccinating is a personal management decision. I never have for anything and do not plan to start.

 

[write2caroline]

Not all roosters are mean. Just because of a breed trait doesn't apply to every breed. You might call to try to change your order. Or Add to it. I found speckled sussex are good broodies as are cochins or white rocks. But in order for a breed to breed they will actually go broody. My barred rocks were great layers. You can also use a incubator. I leave my roosters alone for the most part. I have had mean roosters and sweet ones. Most of my roosters never challenged me - only two did out of 6. Wishing you luck and a nice rooster. Caroline from Florida