HELP please....

[pwdrummer]

Alright all, I'm new to the forum and the website and to raising chickens as a whole. I've got a place for a brood, and when I get my chicks I'll pick up all the essentials. First off in the town I live in there is only one store to buy chicks. The variety they have are: Rhode Is. Red Pullets, Silverlaced Wyandotte Pullets, Buff Orpington Pullets, Black sex link pullets, Black Jersey Giant pullets, and Polish Pullets. I guess my question is how many do I need to start off with? I would like to end up with 4-8 at most. Can I have different breeds hangin with others or will they fight? I guess I need to read "Remedial Raising chickens for dummies" LOL...

 

[nivtup]

They will all get along fine if they are close to the same size.

I would get 8, and see how it goes.


Good luck!!

 

[nivtup]

Forgot to say

 

[pwdrummer]

Thanks

 

[joyous]

Welcome! Sounds like a good start! How big is your coop?

 

[KimberlyJ]

How many do you have room for?? Generally the coop needs to have 4 sq ft per bird and the run should have 10 sq ft.

 

[nanawendy]

Nice variety for only one choice. I would consider the size of coop you want or have. That should better determine the number of adult birds you can handle. Never poo poo learning more... I'm still reading the basics as new issues always arise. Good luck and have fun....

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

If you get them together, and they are all about the same size, they should get along fine. They will probably do some pecking at each other while establishing pecking order, but they should work it out. Are they chicks or pullets? Pullets are nearly full grown hens just about ready to start laying - you're lucky if you can find so many types of pullets. If your coop is big enough (at least 4 square foot per bird plus outside exercise space), then why not get a variety and see which ones you like the best? Then in the future, you'll know what type to get that works for you.

 

[MrsChickendad]

You might want to get your brooder set up with a heat lamp before you get your babies. That way you can regulate the heat at their level. Make sure you set it up so there is a place for them to get away from the heat, too. Temp should be 95º at brooder floor level the first week, reduce by 5º every week thereafter. If they are peeping and noisy, they are probably cold. If too warm, they will sprawl out away from the heat. They will also play the game, "Scare Mama—play dead chickie!"

As far as breeds go, do you want great layers, eye candy, dinner? The Black Sex links are terrific layers, but some people say they are prone to internal laying. Buff Orps are good layers, so are Rhode Island Reds. The Wyandottes are good layers and nice eye candy as well as being pretty laid back (at least ours are). I don't have any experience with Jersey Giants or Polish, but the Polish always seem to me to be jumpy, probably because they can't see thru that topknot!

JMHO. Good luck with your babies!

 

[ARose4Heaven]

Also check out the BYC home page... Raising Chickens 101.