getting started........

[KellyN81]

New here and looking to get some chickens in a few weeks or so. quick question.
When starting out is it better to start with hens who already lay young chicks 3-4 mths or baby chicks? And please explane why. Thank u. Btw looking to start with some buff org. From what I have heard they are a lil more docile and friendly

 

[LRH97]

Welcome! It's really just a matter of personal preference. Personally, I like starting with babies to watch them grow. Plus who doesn't like baby chicks anyway? They are a little extra work with their heat lamps and such, however. Juveniles like 3-4 months will be basically like caring for adults minus the eggs and layer feed. (They will still need starter/grower) Getting adults just skips the baby stage, which in my opinion, skips part of the fun. I do acquire adult birds or older juveniles when I want to add to one of our existing flocks though. But, it's really up to you. Orpingtons are sweet birds and are one of my favorite breeds. A good starter chicken. Best of luck to you!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! I agree with LRH97. I prefer starting with baby chicks. You can readily get the breeds you want, in the numbers you want (and sexed if you want pullets), and it is really fun to watch them grow. Orpingtons are beautiful, calm, gentle birds, and I keep a few of them in my flock for just these reasons. Another breed you might want to consider are Black Australorps, which have the same calm, gentle, temperament of the Orpingtons (not surprising since they were originally bred using Orpington stock), and are better layers than the Orpingtons. Whatever breeds you decide to get, good luck with your flock.

 

[KellyN81]

Thank u for the replys

My next question is.... Can u mix different breeds together? I'm sure I might have to start with babies but is is possible to mix say buff orp with say polish bamtams? I realise there is a size difference but is it possible? They will have their coop but will free range on about 3 acres in the day.

 

[LRH97]

Thank u for the replys

My next question is.... Can u mix different breeds together? I'm sure I might have to start with babies but is is possible to mix say buff orp with say polish bamtams? I realise there is a size difference but is it possible? They will have their coop but will free range on about 3 acres in the day.

Yes it's fine to mix breeds. Personally, I keep standards and bantams separate, (mostly because my HUGE Jersey Giant roo would turn the banty roos into a pile of ground chicken

) but there are plenty of people that have them together. I try to keep the age of the birds about the same, however.

 

[Michael OShay]

X2 on LRH97's advice. Also I would not mix bantams with any standard breed that can have aggressive tendencies. They will mix fine with gentle breeds like the orpingtons & australorps.

 

[KellyN81]

Ok u guys for the advice. I don't plan on keeping any roosters allready have one in the neighborhood that drives me crazy some mornings.
Might get one at some point in time.

Also if I'm getting chicks and they are straight run is there an easy way to tell what is a male and what's a female? At a young age? Or just take my chances and weed out any roosters when they get a lil older?

 

[LRH97]

Ok u guys for the advice. I don't plan on keeping any roosters allready have one in the neighborhood that drives me crazy some mornings.
Might get one at some point in time.

Also if I'm getting chicks and they are straight run is there an easy way to tell what is a male and what's a female? At a young age? Or just take my chances and weed out any roosters when they get a lil older?

You can try to feather sex, but I've never tried it so I can't be of much help in that regard. Maybe someone else can give you pictures of what to look for. I wouldn't recommend vent sexing to anyone that is not experienced (that includes me) in sexing chicks. I've just always waited and watched and what I don't want I sell to make some moo-la. That or keep and raise a few extra for dumplings. (That actually sounds pretty darn good right now!

)

 

[Michael OShay]

If you want to learn to sex chicks (either by vent or wing), there is an excellent video on how to do it at