Hello all from Indiana

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Welcome to BYC, @hillbillhip :welcome

So glad you finally decided to join after being a reader for some time. You found a great place for learning and expanding your knowledge about chicken care, health, behavior, and more. So glad all your chicks are still doing well!

If you are unsure of your breeds, there is a section of the forums for identification. If you post photos of them there, people are really quick to help you identify what birds you may have. That includes gender as they age too. The photos you've already posted of them are so adorable! (I'm no help at identifying breeds, sorry, hah!)

I have met ONE Chinese Crested in my lifetime even after working at shelters/clinics. I'd love to see photos of your pups! Enjoy your time at BYC and have a great day!

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hillbillhip said:
Hey everyone! New chicken owner here checking in from Indiana (Bluffton to be exact). I moved out to the country a couple years ago and decided it was time to raise some chickens since I have the room and I've always wanted to. I have been a lurker on this site for quite some time when I was planning to get my chicks.
Back in September I made the plunge and purchased 10 chicks that were delivered by mail (had no idea this was a thing!). It was the assorted brown egg layers from Hoover Hatchery. All arrived happy and healthy and still have all 10 to date, although it seems that maybe one of them has roach back, but is just as happy as the rest as far as I can tell.

I'm still not 100% on all the breeds. I'm fairly certain I have 4 barred rock, 3 silver laced wyandottes, and the other 3 I'm not sure. I think there's two of the same breed and one of another. I was planning on posting in the appropriate areas to identify these as well as post about sexing, because I have a suspicion I have two cockerels.

Before the chickens, it was just me and my dogs - 3 chinese crested puppers. As far as other hobbies, pretty much all the rest of my spare time goes into racing of different types. I do stage rally racing, rallyx, and I am constantly tinkering with small engine projects as well (gokarts, minibikes, etc.)

I attached some pics of the chicks growing up.
Click to expand...
Hi there!
I’m newish to chickens myself but I think the two cream colored pullets are Buff Orpingtons and the red is a Rhode Island Red. My Rhode Island’s are just approaching 6 months of age and I tried to sex them myself as chicks with no certainty. If you’re using the combs to try and identify cockerels, give it up I found that to be unreliable. Honestly the behavior and size of the chicks helped me determine sex. My cockerel was bigger, more boisterous, and bolder than the others even at a week old. His legs and feet were double the female chick’s size as well. This isn’t foolproof of course, I wasn’t certain I didn't have 2 roosters myself until they were much older. If you happen to have 2 roos it’s not a bad thing especially if you want fertile eggs, always a good idea to have a spare. If they have enough room to free range most will determine their own social order after some scuffles. If it is an issue you could separate each Roo with three or more hens. Congratulations on your new chickens! They look great
 
Lake2day said:
Hi there!
I’m newish to chickens myself but I think the two cream colored pullets are Buff Orpingtons and the red is a Rhode Island Red. My Rhode Island’s are just approaching 6 months of age and I tried to sex them myself as chicks with no certainty. If you’re using the combs to try and identify cockerels, give it up I found that to be unreliable. Honestly the behavior and size of the chicks helped me determine sex. My cockerel was bigger, more boisterous, and bolder than the others even at a week old. His legs and feet were double the female chick’s size as well. This isn’t foolproof of course, I wasn’t certain I didn't have 2 roosters myself until they were much older. If you happen to have 2 roos it’s not a bad thing especially if you want fertile eggs, always a good idea to have a spare. If they have enough room to free range most will determine their own social order after some scuffles. If it is an issue you could separate each Roo with three or more hens. Congratulations on your new chickens! They look great
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I was suspecting the cream colored one was a Buff Orphinton, but was not sure. I am about to make a post in the identification thread on them. It's hard to tell from the pics I posted originally, but I actually only have 1 cream colored (suspected cockerel) and 2 reds - one with roach back. Attached a pic of the one with roach back.

As far as the cockerels go, I do have plenty of space for them, about an acre to free range, but I don't plan on having fertilized eggs... 10 chickens is enough for me for now! Other than not wanting more chicks, I wouldn't mind a roo as long as it wasn't aggressive towards me or my dogs. And the one I suspect as a roo is getting aggressive.
 

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