Hi Everyone,
I have a small backyard flock of 4 pullets aged 9-11 months. (one GLW, one Dominique, and 2 Sussex).
Backing up to my suburban backyard is an old farm. The farmer has always kept chickens, in fact my Dominique hatched from his last flock. He culled all his birds last fall due to lack of time to care for them.
He has offered me the use of his chicken barn in exchange for a dozen eggs a week. I will be responsible for all expenses, chores etc. as if it were my own. Utilities will be $15/month. So I will pay that plus the cost of feed and oyster shell.
He typically housed 25 chickens in there with no more than 2 roos. There is about a 1/2 acre free range fenced field attached to the barn. Once the chickens are fully feathered, he usually keeps the pop door to the field open all year.
It sounds very enticing!!! 25 chicks to brood in my garage and then move to his barn
SO here are my concerns.....
If I have been managing 4 in my backyard, would it really be much harder tro care for 25 in a barn? (I know the cost is higher)
I am pretty sure I will be able to sell the eggs.
Second, Can I integrate my four hens into the group of 25 chicks once the chicks are big enough to go to the barn? How hard would that be to add 4 hens to 25 maybe 10 or 12 week old chicks? I don't think I want to have 2 "flocks".
Finally, is there any reason not to get a bunch of different breeds? I was thinking about getting some Buff Orpingtons, some EE's, some Welsummers or Marans, some more Wyandottes, and finally some Dominiques for the farmers sake.
Can't wait to hear what you all think......
Liz
I have a small backyard flock of 4 pullets aged 9-11 months. (one GLW, one Dominique, and 2 Sussex).
Backing up to my suburban backyard is an old farm. The farmer has always kept chickens, in fact my Dominique hatched from his last flock. He culled all his birds last fall due to lack of time to care for them.
He has offered me the use of his chicken barn in exchange for a dozen eggs a week. I will be responsible for all expenses, chores etc. as if it were my own. Utilities will be $15/month. So I will pay that plus the cost of feed and oyster shell.
He typically housed 25 chickens in there with no more than 2 roos. There is about a 1/2 acre free range fenced field attached to the barn. Once the chickens are fully feathered, he usually keeps the pop door to the field open all year.
It sounds very enticing!!! 25 chicks to brood in my garage and then move to his barn

SO here are my concerns.....
If I have been managing 4 in my backyard, would it really be much harder tro care for 25 in a barn? (I know the cost is higher)
I am pretty sure I will be able to sell the eggs.

Second, Can I integrate my four hens into the group of 25 chicks once the chicks are big enough to go to the barn? How hard would that be to add 4 hens to 25 maybe 10 or 12 week old chicks? I don't think I want to have 2 "flocks".

Finally, is there any reason not to get a bunch of different breeds? I was thinking about getting some Buff Orpingtons, some EE's, some Welsummers or Marans, some more Wyandottes, and finally some Dominiques for the farmers sake.

Can't wait to hear what you all think......

Liz