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[Blknfresh71]

I am new to chicks I bought 12 hens from macmurray hatchery and they they in a rooster they were delivered June 15th I have a barred rock 2 road island reds 4 americana's 2 long horns and 3 partridge rocks with a fancy foot rooster. Any idea of when I'll get eggs I haven't opened up my nesting boxes yet should I do that now? Also my rooster has not crowed yet?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Depending on breed and individual bird, pullets generally start laying anywhere form 18-30 weeks. Cockerels are hard to predict when they will start crowing. It can literally be anywhere from 8 weeks to one year. It's best to have the nest boxes ready to use by 16 weeks.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

Mountain Peeps gave you good advice. The average onset of lay for the breeds you have is generally around 20-24 weeks, though some hens mature faster than others, while others mature slower. Sometimes this time of year can also push back when they start laying eggs, hence the wide range of 18-30 weeks. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the fact that your rooster has not started crowing yet, but rest assured, he will.

 

[Blknfresh71]

Thank you so much for all the advice...I was hesitant about joining since I have no friends who remotely understand why I want to raise chickens! I am glad I joined because I am having fun with my birds and now I can start to share all my hours of watching photos and videos...not to mention some advice from those who know and care!

 

[Blknfresh71]

glad to know he will but I have a feeling when he does I might regret saying that!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Thank you so much for all the advice...I was hesitant about joining since I have no friends who remotely understand why I want to raise chickens! I am glad I joined because I am having fun with my birds and now I can start to share all my hours of watching photos and videos...not to mention some advice from those who know and care!

Well, I can guarantee you that all of us understand that love for poultry. You've come to the right place!

 

[drumstick diva]

Nothing but, enablers here - we will never tell you, you have to many birds. So welcome to the flock.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Blknfresh71]

Thank you all I live in southern New Jersey so the weather is about to change any suggestions on a heat lamp for an 8 by 10 coop?

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you all I live in southern New Jersey so the weather is about to change any suggestions on a heat lamp for an 8 by 10 coop?

Welcome to BYC!

No heat is necessary for chickens unless they are very young, old or sick. Chickens come with feathers and lots of down and can withstand the most brutal of temps. However if you are going to see -30 one night, you might consider a heat lamp around the roosting area just to bring up the temps a bit.

Make sure you have adequate ventilation in your coop. Never close it up tight. The chickens are going to put out a lot of moisture in their poop and breathing and this moist air needs to go somewhere or it will rise and fall back down on the birds as water or frost, causing frost bite. About 1 square foot of vent space per bird in your eaves. Birds roost low to the floor, air rises and goes out the roof. Vents on two opposing sides of the eaves. If it is going to be really wind one winter night you can close off SOME of these vents, but never all of them.

I wrap my roost bar with an old towel. Birds loose heat through their feet. So warm feet mean warmer birds. And use a 2x4 as a roost bar, with the 4 side up so they can tuck their feet and toes under their breast feathers.

Good luck this winter and stay warm!