I NEED SOME HENS

[nxb161]

I'm still looking, and I would be interested, but the finger lakes would be quite a hike. I think it'd be neat to have different colored eggs. I am more open now to chicks and not just hens. So if anyone knows.

 

[nxb161]

Another question for everyone

Thanks again for the craigslist idea, I had looked quickly before you suggested it, but I've been searching for different words, anyhow. I found one from this place, and another from here.... So is it ok to get them from different places? Is it ok since they are all hens and no roos? My inital plan was to find someone that had all 3, but I really didn't want to just get some because they were there. I wanted certain breeds. Thoughts please!

 

[TheCrazyChick]

What is the youngest age that you'd have birds outside (20F - 40F) is the range this time of year, but its getting warmer by the week.
Or does it depend wildly on the breed ? or does it go on a bird by bird basis with how the  feathers come in?
[/quote]

I'm in NW Ohio. Similar temps to yours most likely. I put mine out at 6-7 weeks. It's been as low as 12 degrees and they weren't even huddled together. They just ran around in the coop and had fun. I put them in the lower run at 8 weeks and they were fine too. Huddled a little more often, but when they got too cold they went back into the coop.

 

[nxb161]

Me again, I found someone that had RI Reds, and Barred Rock that were 8months, and not laying yet, does that sound right?
They wanted $10 each a bit of a hike to get them, so I'm still not sure. I thought most started laying 20 - 24 weeks
Or am I way off on that?

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Most do - they will probably start laying shortly. They were a little young when the short days lengths hit so should take off with the longer day lengths. I have 4 hens from the same hatch and 2 laid an egg every 4-5 days all winter. The other 2 didn't start until about a week ago but have been laying daily now that the days are getting longer. (they are 9 months)

 

[nxb161]

Most do - they will probably start laying shortly. They were a little young when the short days lengths hit so should take off with the longer day lengths. I have 4 hens from the same hatch and 2 laid an egg every 4-5 days all winter. The other 2 didn't start until about a week ago but have been laying daily now that the days are getting longer. (they are 9 months)

Thanks for the info. I was very skeptical about the 8 months old and not laying, but I guess that makes sense with them going though the winter which would delay laying. I was debating getting 2 of these, and then 2 chicks since I'm trying to have all 4 be different breeds. Tractor Supply is sold out of Ameraucanas. I called 3 in the area, they all had them and sold them.

 

[TheCrazyChick]

Please don't forget about quaranting the birds. Especially any that aren't chicks and if they come from different places. When you get chickens that are older than a few days, and from different sources, they run the risk of having picked something up, disease wise. Especially older pullets. Search the site for the keyword "quarantine" and you will find lots of helpful information. I have three 7-month old Marans in quarantine right now that I picked up from a local farmer. They have 1 more week to go in quarantine before I integrate them with my 10 week old chicks out in the coop. So far they look healthy. Skipping this important step could put all of your birds at risk. If, however, you get all of them from the same place, then it would not be necessary, of course. Hope everything works out for you!

 

[fishnet1971]

be careful getting them on Craiglist. I did, wish I wouldnt of. They were sick and I didnt know it.

 

[jdywntr]

I probably wouldn't get older birds from different sources. They would need to be quarantined to be safe. Remember that just because you go to look at someone's birds, does not mean you need to buy them. I saw some virtual horror shows at some places and high tailed it out. I bought my pullets from a family that was having to move but clearly took excellent care of the birds. I ended up traveling about 80 miles roundtrip to get mine. I paid $8 each, they were 4 months old when I got them.

 

[nxb161]

Thanks all. I ended up getting some chicks, simply because I couldn't find anyone local that had hens, and the ones that weren't local didn't have the breeds I was looking for. I still want an Ameraucana & maybe a Bard Rock though. I'll keep in mind to look at the hens first and quarantine if I get any more. Here is a pic of one of my peeps.