Hello from SE Missouri

[hilltop ranch]

hi, just found this site recently and it has been incredibly helpful in researching what I wanted. I went to a poultry sale with specific breeds in mind but kinda went out the window as I took my 5yr old and 3yr old boys with me.

I end/ed up getting 2 silkies(my sons just had to have them) 3 rir/ golden comet crosses, 4 black sexed links and 2 khaki campbells.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like got some nice egg layers, and the silkies make great pets!

 

[drumstick diva]

What can you do? Kids just love silkies. They also make good house chickens.

 

[hilltop ranch]

we stayed out there with them for awhile tonight and just blew my mind how tame and easy to handle the little silkies were....only problem so far is one of the rir/comets wanted to fight with the silkie rooster a few times....

the guy told me the silkies laid decent and sat really well......

my son said" dad we're not eating these when they stop giving us eggs"

 

[hilltop ranch]

how long should I leave them cooped up before opening up the run?

 

[TwoCrows]

If they are using the coop well, going to roost at night, laying in the nest boxes, I would say after a few days or so, you can let them out. Keeping them locked in teaches them to know where "home" is. You can usually tell when they are ready.

Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - good luck with your new birds. Give them a couple of days to adapt to the coop. If the squabbling increases you may want to allow access to the run a little sooner.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

 

[gander007]

 

[hilltop ranch]

thanks for all the tips...ya they were great yesterday and today as far as knowing its time to go in and to want to run back to the coop quick when something startles them...like a scary cardinal