Illinois...

[Bullyshowgirl]

We have 12 Astralorps, 6 Americanans, 12 Buff Orps and are waiting for 16 Black laced Red Wyndottes...... We got straight run so we would have some to eat and girls to keep. As much as I hate to eat our babies I am more concerned with what my family is eating and how humanely the birds are raised. So I'm sorry if that idea offends anyone My daughter-in-law is still trying to convert me to Vegan....lol There are so many exciting breeds out there....I'd love to have a couple of each as long as they all get along <3

 

[Faraday40]

New to BYC and the IL Thread We are in N. IL...Lee County, and hoping to finish our coop this week (as the chickens are out growing their brooder rapidly....lol ) We literally got the chickens before the coop and then the race was on. I'm excited to meet more IL chicken fanatics !!!

Welcome!
I was in the same situation a few years ago. I always hatched Leghorn chicks in my classroom & then gave them away when we were done. When I was given a barnyard mix assortment, I fell in love the chicks & started my own chicken adventures. I still have those hens.

 

[Faraday40]

We have 12 Astralorps, 6 Americanans, 12 Buff Orps and are waiting for 16 Black laced Red Wyndottes...... We got straight run so we would have some to eat and girls to keep. As much as I hate to eat our babies I am more concerned with what my family is eating and how humanely the birds are raised. So I'm sorry if that idea offends anyone My daughter-in-law is still trying to convert me to Vegan....lol There are so many exciting breeds out there....I'd love to have a couple of each as long as they all get along <3

You'll have to update me on what you think of your Black Australorps. On paper they sounded like the perfect breed for me, but the only one I had was quirky & didn't like to cuddle. She made a lot of speckled eggs, though. I'd like to have one outstanding egg producer, but I also want one that is extremely people friendly like my orps. They're always underfoot, follow the kids around the yard, and must "help" with everything.

 

[Bullyshowgirl]

I've been reading up alot on different breeds and have heard mixed reviews on the Astralorps . Most of the ones that we dissatisfied with the temperment (friendly, aggression, flighty) were people that had bought from hatchery's or Feed stores. I'm kinda wondering if temperament in chickens isn't like that in dogs. If its hereditary then buying chicks from a mass supplier might account for that All my babies have come from our Tractor supply or Cackle Hatchery so I might not have great examples of the breeds. This is just a theory so I may be way over thinking this....lol To much time on my hands apparently! But I would be interested in other peoples take on this.

 

[Pixie]

We just got our flock in from Hoover's last week. Even though they are still little, I can see a difference already.

The Leghorns are flighty and standoffish. The Australorps are very curious and the first to check new things out. The BO's are mild and do not mind being held. (I even have one that will climb into my hand and 'settle' in like it was her own personal nest!).

It will be interesting to see if the personalities hold as they age or if they get even mellow-er/flighty-er.

 

[4stakes]

New to BYC and the IL Thread We are in N. IL...Lee County, and hoping to finish our coop this week (as the chickens are out growing their brooder rapidly....lol ) We literally got the chickens before the coop and then the race was on. I'm excited to meet more IL chicken fanatics !!!

Hi, welcome to BYC. Were not to far from each other. I'm in Baileyville. I hope you added chicken math to your coop.

The last two years we got around 20 chicks to pick from to show for 4-H, This year we ended up with 37 chicks, not counting the 18 we still have from last year. Have fun!

 

[Bullyshowgirl]

Chicken Math.....lol...Is that like the new Common Core math.....I can't figure it out either We have a second coop in the works....so I have a place to keep my Wyndottes separate if we decide we have something nice enough to reproduce.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I have to admit, I am poor at chicken math also. I built a small coop, figuring 3-4 chickens. Then it began, hatched out some CCL in late fall. So, built a larger temp coop in the garage. Hatched some marans (2) and down to 3 eggs in the incubator. Hoping to add a few more breeds. So, I will be doing another Coop soon too.

 

[Faraday40]

Chicken math hit me hard. I started with 5, but got a coop to hold 10-12. (Never thought I'd ever be able to fill it.) Right away I felt my babies needed warmth in that big coop. I also thought 3/5 were male, so I picked up 4 chicks from a friend. By their 1st winter, I had 8 hens & 1 roo. (Yes I tend to get mostly female.) Then came my daughter's 4H projects...... Our coop housed up to 14 hens at one point. I don't count the chicks, since many come & go as my daughter hatches. Also, the chicks are separated & raised in the garage or chicken tractor. (See the rationalization. LOL)

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Chicken math hit me hard. I started with 5, but got a coop to hold 10-12. (Never thought I'd ever be able to fill it.) Right away I felt my babies needed warmth in that big coop. I also thought 3/5 were male, so I picked up 4 chicks from a friend. By their 1st winter, I had 8 hens & 1 roo. (Yes I tennld to get mostly female.) Then came my daughter's 4H projects...... Our coop housed up to 14 hens at one point. I don't count the chicks, since many come & go as my daughter hatches. Also, the chicks are separated & raised in the garage or chicken tractor. (See the rationalization. LOL)

Haha, I love the rationalization! I think well I have 10 eggs in the incubator but most are shipped, so about 3-4 may hatch, so yes I can get more chicks!

By the way, I am down to one egg on my olive eggers. So sad.