Hoping to make a dime?

[Duckfarmer1]

Hi, I’m pretty new to chickens and, like everyone else, I’ll be getting more in the Spring. But, I have a lot of decisions to make before and was hoping to get opinions. As of now I have 1 EE, 1 RIR, 3BO, 5 Comets who are laying between 6-8 regularly, without extra lighting, and I’m very happy with this. I also have a BR rooster. This batch I don’t know ages because I got them from a bad farmer who went to jail for neglect. Surprisingly, the birds are super Healthy have never given me issues! But, I’m thinking they must be around 1ish, to be laying this well during winter. So, with that in mind...many of my birds might die next year, as I’ve read Comets typically live around 2 years.

I also have 2 NHR , that are about 17 weeks..along with 5 cockerels...lol. Not doing straight run again, even though they were only $0.10!

I will probably buy from TS as shipping is free and this is my first go around...unless someone has a much better deal. I read that Comets are great producers, but have short lives. I am in NW PA, with horrible winters, so that needs to be a factor. I would also like to eventually sell some eggs..right now I just give them away, so I would prefer they be of some color..not white.

This may sound dumb, but I would also love my chickens to be pretty. I love the blacks with hints of greens...or, really, just anything different than what I have now...to spice it up.

I also think..perhaps I should buy 20 instead of just ten? TS sells them in ten packs, and, I’m thinking..if I got 20 at a time it would be easier to just do the brooder, etc, another coop, etc at once..instead of spring and fall?

The ISA Brown looks like a nice, sturdy choice...but, that’s like when you go to buy a Chevy Suburban, and end up with a Pinto..(no offense ). I don’t need a Ferrari...just a nice looking, reliable chicken who will live a while.

So, I’m thinking nice options..BO, Americana, ....the Australopithecus...but is not sold at TS..or is not, a great chance that you’ll get one. And, the most likely first choice for a ten pack is the brown egg layer pack...which just throws in a variety...which would be fun. Then , if you all think it’s good to get 20...which would be the other type? Or just tell me all together a different idea so I don’t have to ask my husband, because he is sick of talking about my chickens!!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I feel you. My wife won't talk about chickens.
Extra cockerels will taste just like chicken.
I'm not sure what your question is.
I encourage you to peruse these breed selection charts for production ability, color varieties and temperament.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Unless your birds are in closed housing and not allowed to free range, I also encourage against looking for the friendliest, calmest breeds. The wary skittish birds will be much better at avoiding predators. And they tend to be the most productive.

 

[featherhead007]

I feel you. My wife won't talk about chickens.
Extra cockerels will taste just like chicken.
I'm not sure what your question is.
I encourage you to peruse these breed selection charts for production ability, color varieties and temperament.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Unless your birds are in closed housing and not allowed to free range, I also encourage against looking for the friendliest, calmest breeds. The wary skittish birds will be much better at avoiding predators. And they tend to be the most productive.

very good advice.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

I feel you. My wife won't talk about chickens.
Extra cockerels will taste just like chicken.
I'm not sure what your question is.
I encourage you to peruse these breed selection charts for production ability, color varieties and temperament.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

Unless your birds are in closed housing and not allowed to free range, I also encourage against looking for the friendliest, calmest breeds. The wary skittish birds will be much better at avoiding predators. And they tend to be the most productive.

Good chart..made some notes for future reference. I was using the BYC breeds lists and going through all the threads. My young birds are free range. I was hoping to do that with future Ones too... I suppose I will have to think on it but, it looks like BO would be a good choice.

I would really love some feedback from people as to what they have good luck with as far as...well, I get attached, so I’d rather not have my pets die in two years...but I’d also like them to lay a good number of eggs because I would like to tinker around with selling them for fur.