- Dec 9, 2010
- 13
- 0
- 22
I recently decided to get chickens again (after a long hiatus) so I could have safe, clean, organic, free-range eggs and chicken dinners. When my friends found out, my project quickly grew to a five-household "co-op." One friend bought a coop, another helped with the pen, etc. I learned about BYC from one of these folks.
I had planed a very small flock of Wyandottes or Delawares. However, one friend wanted Jersey Giants cuz they're big, another Ameraucanas for the blue eggs. When I ordered 10 Jersey Giants from Ideal, they added 6 Rhode Island Reds "for warmth." 5 were cockerels, 1 a pullet. I kept the pullet (of course) and one cock, whom I named Henry (see my pic). I hope Henry and the girls get along, cuz I'd love to stick some fertile eggs under one of the hens when she goes broody.
We originally thought we'd keep 10-12 hens, but with the economy in CA being so bad, we decided to add a few more to provide eggs at little or no cost to people in financial difficulty. I'll put the eggs in my church frig for whomever wants them, and they can "pay" the church for them as they see fit.
So I ordered more chicks: Silver Laced Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, and a few high-production Leghorn hybrids -- to get some efficient layers. I ordered the Wyandottes "straight run" so I can add another roo or two to the flock. Now everyone has what they want -- I hope. We'll trim the flock late next year to a reasonable number.
My other hobbies include gardening, quilting, cooking, and most anything that gives me an excuse to avoid housework.
I had planed a very small flock of Wyandottes or Delawares. However, one friend wanted Jersey Giants cuz they're big, another Ameraucanas for the blue eggs. When I ordered 10 Jersey Giants from Ideal, they added 6 Rhode Island Reds "for warmth." 5 were cockerels, 1 a pullet. I kept the pullet (of course) and one cock, whom I named Henry (see my pic). I hope Henry and the girls get along, cuz I'd love to stick some fertile eggs under one of the hens when she goes broody.
We originally thought we'd keep 10-12 hens, but with the economy in CA being so bad, we decided to add a few more to provide eggs at little or no cost to people in financial difficulty. I'll put the eggs in my church frig for whomever wants them, and they can "pay" the church for them as they see fit.
So I ordered more chicks: Silver Laced Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, and a few high-production Leghorn hybrids -- to get some efficient layers. I ordered the Wyandottes "straight run" so I can add another roo or two to the flock. Now everyone has what they want -- I hope. We'll trim the flock late next year to a reasonable number.
My other hobbies include gardening, quilting, cooking, and most anything that gives me an excuse to avoid housework.
