Gearing up for Chickens and more!

[amanda0703]

My husband, sister and I are getting ready to start our own backyard farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in late June. Each of us are taking the lead with a different aspect of the farm, and I am doing the birds: Chickens and Ducks to start. We want to raise enough chickens to meet our meat and egg needs. I have researched many breeds already and am leaning towards the Barred Rock breed since they are good for meat and eggs, and let's face it.... they look cool!

I am planning on buying them as chicks from an online hatchery. What hatcheries do you recommend for Virginians?

I am thinking i'll get between 40 and 50 chicks with the intention of keeping a flock of about 10 - 12 long term for eggs and butchering the rest for meat once they are fully grown. Does this sound like a sensible number for a household of four adults plus occasional guests?

As far as brooders go, I am thinking about buying a large water trough that can later be used for some of our larger animals we will purchase later. I have read varied suggestions as far as flooring for the brooder: everything from newspaper to wood shavings, to bare floor. Thoughts and suggestions?

Over the summer I think i'll build a chicken house for the flock i'll keep for eggs and then a chicken tractor for those that are going to be processed for meat.

I am looking forward to starting up our chickens and welcome any and all advice, stories and conversations!

~ Amanda

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Amanda, and

! Pleased you joined us! Happy you are taking the poultry plunge! You can research hatcheries in the link below but most of the big hatcheries are good great at getting the chicks to you in great shape.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries

On the floor of the brooder a good choice is pine shavings - newspaper is okay underneath but make sure you have shaving down or they slip and perhaps injure themselves.

I think the number of chicks you are planning for is very reasonable. One word of advice on the breeds. The chickens we are used to in restaurants and in stores are a variety called Cornish X. There is nothing wrong with Barred Rocks but they will not taste (nor be near the size) of store bought chickens. That's not to say they aren't tasty - they are just different. Many people like Cornish X because they know what they are getting and the turn around time on them is quick - like 8-10 weeks from chick to freezer. Others dislike Cornish X because they are kind of bred to be growing machines and some don't like this. Your Barred Rocks will be a minimum of 16 weeks - likely closer to 20 weeks - before you process.

Good luck to you in your adventure!

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

In addition to what redsox said, many hatchery birds are not of the same quality, in appearance, eggs and meat, of better-bred birds. If you plan on keeping breeders for yourself, you might look into some better quality stock for them.

 

[drumstick diva]

you should check out "where am I, where are you" forum and find your state thread. People from your area will know more about where to buy birds, feed, equipment etc.

You are likely to find someone close enough to learn or buy from. Also advice on what type of housing is best for the climate. Boy, are you gonna be busy. Congratulations