Hi, from Upstate NY!

[Michael OShay]

I ordered all females...5 Black Austrolorps, 5 Columbian Wyandottes, and 5 Buff Orpingtons. I did a bit of research and tried to get chickens that would be rather gentle and decent egg producers. I have two grandchildren, ages 7 and 4, so I want chickens that won't be aggressive toward them, and we want good, healthy eggs.

I think I would be happy keeping 2 of the black, 2 Wyandottes and probably 3 Orpingtons. Murray McMurray also throws in that "mystery rare breed," so I guess it depends on what that turns out to be, whether I keep that one, or not. (an Easter Egger would be cool!)

I'll definitely check out those links. I'd like to be able to sell them locally...don't really want the responsibility of mailing/shipping them...I'd feel absolutely horrible if any didn't make it to their new home! I wonder if I'd have any luck making a connection at the local County Fairs? Hmm....

You picked some good chickens for your purposes. Out of many, I never had an aggressive Australorp or Orpington (my children, and now my granddaughter, made pets out of them) and the Australorps are especially excellent layers. Good luck with your flock.

 

[gander007]

Alright

Are you in this stage with your chicks

BYC has a very useful learning center

If you have questions just ask and someone will try to help you it just works like that .......

gander007

 

[rosiesgirls]

So, about 6 weeks later and the addiction has hit! I've decided to keep all my chicks! (bet no one saw THAT coming, ha ha!) My grandchildren have fallen in love with them and will be heartbroken if I give any of them up! All right, I'll admit it...I love them, too! They are all so sweet and curious and funny!

Turns out that my Mystery Chick is, indeed, a rooster...Partridge Cochin...but so far, he's pretty nice. A bit more stand-offish than the girls, but already he's doing his job of keeping them together and protecting them. When my daughter brought her dog to meet them (on a leash, of course), he continually put himself between the dog and his girls! What a good boy!!

I also think I have two other boys...two of the Columbian Wyandottes are quite a ways behind the rest of the girls, developmentally, and seem to have more of an upright stance, so I think they're little roos. I'm hoping all three of these guys get along ok. I've been told that, since they're being raised together, they'll probably work out their hierarchy and be ok. I hope so...I've gotten pretty attached!!

Thanks for everyone's ideas/advice on re-homing...even if it looks like I won't be using it! LOL!

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

Feel free to ask lots of questions! We're all here to help.