Ok, we are working on getting a bunch of things together to start up another coop - one for a good dual purpose bird. My thoughts are to make sure we have eggs for a family of 7 (and we go through maybe 3 dozen a week), have chicks to raise up for meat birds, and have birds that are hardy in colder weather (winter here in PA can be rough). I have done a ton of reading, and just don't know what type of bird is the BEST combination to make sure we have eggs and meat. Also, I have no idea how many we should have to keep ourselves with eggs mostly.
I have very few requirements on the chickens themselves. I don't care what color eggs they lay (brown or white), and I am not afraid to raise up a bird for a few extra weeks to get good meat. I have TONS of space here, so that is not an issue. I like to let my birds free range all day in a huge pen that is secure, and am not afraid to clip wings if necessary. I know I would need at least one roo, so something that would have the best possibility of being somewhat docile would be good, but not a requirement.
So, suggestions?? These are some I was looking at on Ideal's site...
https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/selectproduct.aspx?qty=1&ID=236S&Product=17
I have very few requirements on the chickens themselves. I don't care what color eggs they lay (brown or white), and I am not afraid to raise up a bird for a few extra weeks to get good meat. I have TONS of space here, so that is not an issue. I like to let my birds free range all day in a huge pen that is secure, and am not afraid to clip wings if necessary. I know I would need at least one roo, so something that would have the best possibility of being somewhat docile would be good, but not a requirement.
So, suggestions?? These are some I was looking at on Ideal's site...
https://secuservices.com/ideal/newideal/selectproduct.aspx?qty=1&ID=236S&Product=17