Frustrated with all the options

[mrskenmore]

Agree, totally.

Wolfe,

I have had chickens for eight years now and know the predicament you are in. It is really hard to build and maintain a smaller suburban flock with city regulations on roosters.

I live on Long Island and have a similar situation. I got my first batch of chicks (3) at a feed store in NH. We went there to skirt around the six chick minimum (hindsight 20/20 should have gotten six lol) we had a sex link an ee and I still have my barred rock! After losing the sex link shy of her third birthday it was again tough to figure out how to add to the flock, maintain those minimums and guarantee no roosters while still experimenting with fun breeds.

So next batch we picked up three more chicks locally from someone who did a bigger hatchery order. They grew to be a roo and two pullets, thank goodness he took the roo back, but now we only had four chickens total which was disappointing as I was trying to up the flock numbers. Third batch I upped the number to four baby chicks and ordered from meyer. 1 orpington died in 24 hours, no ones fault just a failure to thrive/nature thing.

Keeping chickens I guess you have to just realize there will be heartbreak and tough decisions to make. Have fun along the way and try not to over think it too much (which is WAY easier said then done).

I agree with many comments on this thread, you could go to a breeder, but not guaranteed you are getting what you pay for. Then they typically don't sell sexed chicks, unless you find an autosexing breed. Then that limits your breed options.

This spring I opted to go with Mt Healthy Hatchery. I ordered 5 to arrive in April, I am adding to a flock of four. I chose them because my original three came from there through that NH feed store. My ee lived to be seven and as I mentioned my barred rock still enjoys each and every day and has been laying through out the winters- including this one!

Attaching this great article I came across that pretty much sums it all up for me! Good luck and have fun- getting baby chicks is always an exciting time!!

https://the-chicken-chick.com/buying-chickens-to-start-laying-flock/

 

[SherC]

I’m currently shopping for my first flock of chicks and it’s just overwhelming. I don’t really want to buy potentially below average stock from one of the big hatcheries that offer vent sexing. I’d love to support a local breeder, but they are hard to find and usually sell straight run.

I can only have 6 hens, so straight run isn’t ideal. I’ve found some nice mid-size hatcheries, but again, most everything is straight run.

I’ve considered just ordering auto-sex or sex-link, but then I’m limited to certain breeds that may not be on my wishlist.

Another option is just to buy started pullets, but then you don’t get to raise them. So thanks for letting me vent. I’m sure I’ll end up with some wonderful hens..eventually.

I ordered from Ideal Poultry and the only ones that were not sexed correctly were the Easter Eggers. My Australorps, Delawares, Barred Rock all began laying at 6 months and with only 18 chickens, I'm getting 8 eggs/day now, even with the shorter days.

 

[SmotherHen]

The newest additions to my flock are four Black laced Golden Wyandotte hens. They are a northern bird and were first bred in the US great lakes area during the late 1800's. They have a small comb called a rose comb so frostbite is not an issue on the comb. They are now 8 months old and one laid her first egg two days ago then skipped today. I got them from Cackle nursery, they are gorgeous healthy birds and all arrived alive.

The reviews for Cackle from their customers is very good and i've only heard good things about them. I purchased their small Town pkg. - you pick 3 female chicks from a list they are offering and they deliver 4 to you for around $53 and change. They always throw in an extra chick in case one dies.

For the past two weeks we've had Really cold weather in Maine, one night it got down to -18 degrees and on several others nights in the negatives and single digits. I've had No problems with any of my hens and the cold weather doesn't seem to bother the wyandottes at all. they are a good sized bird 6-7 lbs. for a hen and warm coat of feathers. The only thing the hens do Not like is the wind. Our chicken coop actually resides in a large shed so the shed gives them ample wind protection and a snug, safe place to walk around in all day when the weather is bad. ps. the picture in my icon is an ISA Brown hen with her first egg. I got 6 of them from tractor supply and they are now two years old and doing well.

 

[Kelsykin]

I was just looking at MPC and wondering if they were accurate on sexing the day olds. I really want a mille fleur d’Uccles and I really don’t need to get attached to any more boys! They have a 9 bantam chick minimum to my zip code though

The only order I have ever placed with MPC was not a good experience. I will never order from there again.

 

[Kelsykin]

What is a “straight run”?

A straight run is literally as hatched. No sexing of what hatched.

 

[Kelsykin]

I'd love to hatch my own, but I can't have any more roosters. We don't eat chickens, so we'd have to rehome or sell, and roos are so plentiful here because of ordinances that people can't give away their extras.

I think that's true for a lot of BYCers. We just can't take the chance of getting males.

I take all the roosters, that people want to give me. I have 6 acres for them to free range on. Yes, I have multiple coops on the property. I also have several roosters that sleep with the hogs.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I take all the roosters, that people want to give me. I have 6 acres for them to free range on. Yes, I have multiple coops on the property. I also have several roosters that sleep with the hogs.

That's amazing! I love this!

 

[Kelsykin]

That's amazing! I love this!

Not to say the jerks don't end up as dinner. And yes I had one that went after one of my sons. Another teenage son caught it and butchered it for our dinner.

 

[Ribh]

There's nothing wrong with getting pullets or slightly older chicks & it takes the worry out of sexing & they are far less likely to die in those 1st weeks~ especially in those 1st few seasons while you are learning. Plus eggs arrive sooner. I started with POLs & it is a fallacy to say they aren't as friendly as starting with chicks. Honestly, it all depends on how much time you spend with your birds, how you interact with them & the sort of relationship you want to have. If you want friendly birds you have to put in the time knowing patience & treats are your best friends. IMO chicks belong with their mother learning how to be a chicken, not with a human ~ not a popular view but hen raised chicks are smarter & generally healthier.

 

[mrskenmore]

There's nothing wrong with getting pullets or slightly older chicks & it takes the worry out of sexing & they are far less likely to die in those 1st weeks~ especially in those 1st few seasons while you are learning. Plus eggs arrive sooner. I started with POLs & it is a fallacy to say they aren't as friendly as starting with chicks. Honestly, it all depends on how much time you spend with your birds, how you interact with them & the sort of relationship you want to have. If you want friendly birds you have to put in the time knowing patience & treats are your best friends. IMO chicks belong with their mother learning how to be a chicken, not with a human ~ not a popular view but hen raised chicks are smarter & generally healthier.

I agree- I think especially if you get the right breed- they will be personable and friendly