Illinois...

[chickendreams24]

@ChicagoClucker
I appreciate the thought but I promised DH2B that I wouldn't be incubating any more eggs until spring so eggs from MeepBeep would have to wait until then but I could maybe convince him of some more chicks. They would also be close to the same age as Faraday40's chicks that I'll be getting even if I did get them later. Just a thought. Sorry if I'm being too pushy. Their eggs are beautiful and someday I do hope to get a few and maybe I'll get lucky and their eggs will even have the dark brown speckles

 

[ChicagoClucker]

@ChicagoClucker
I appreciate the thought but I promised DH2B that I wouldn't be incubating any more eggs until spring so eggs from MeepBeep would have to wait until then but I could maybe convince him of some more chicks. They would also be close to the same age as Faraday40's chicks that I'll be getting even if I did get them later. Just a thought. Sorry if I'm being too pushy. Their eggs are beautiful and someday I do hope to get a few and maybe I'll get lucky and their eggs will even have the dark brown speckles

You aren't being pushy at all. And speckles would be nice. I love my Marans eggs, dark brown with speckles. I will message you once they hatch to let you know how many I have available.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

I have 1 egg pipped and another chirping! Splash Orps saying here we come. Either I marked the wrong day on the calender or they are early, not due til Friday.

 

[Junibutt]

I have 2 CCL hens and 1 White Legbar pullet that are being crossed to a CCL rooster that has the white gene. So if anyone is interested in the eggs, I am in Chicago.

1 hen does not have the white gene so all offsprings will be CCL but 25% will be carriers for white.
1 hen does carry the white gene so 25% off offsprings will be white and 50% carriers for white.

Then the white legbar pullet just started laying so her eggs will be hatch-able in a few days. She will hatch 50% white Legbars and 50% carriers for white.


@ChicagoClucker Blue Isbar eggs are notoriously hard to hatch especially if the air cells are detached. How are the air cells in your case?

 

[Junibutt]

I have a beautiful BLRW hen that is FREE to a good home. local pick-up only.
She is about 18 months old. She went broody about 3 months ago. I broke her broodiness, but she hasn't started laying back yet. Since my coop is overpopulated anyway, its time to say goodbye to her.

 

[Faraday40]

Tragedy stuck when I checked on the chickens this morning. I found a dead orp chick with its head missing! So now I'm wondering what happened. This is the 2nd time I've ever had a chick die. (Out of more than 400 chicks over the past 7 years!)

So now I'm wondering what happened. My best guess is that "something" pulled the chick out through the wire. Cage was not damaged. Mommy hen & other chicks were fine inside the cage. I found a small hole (perhaps mouse) in the sand of the run, or It could have been a hen or roo. Which is more likely?

 

[tamiadele]

I'm in Gurnee! I don't have chickens yet, but we're looking for land in the Wadsworth area and looking into laws regarding chickens. Lake County allows them, but I don't know if wadsworth/gurnee has separate regulations. Anyone know? Also, where have you had success buying chickens from?

 

[Junibutt]

Tragedy stuck when I checked on the chickens this morning. I found a dead orp chick with its head missing! So now I'm wondering what happened. This is the 2nd time I've ever had a chick die. (Out of more than 400 chicks over the past 7 years!)

So now I'm wondering what happened. My best guess is that "something" pulled the chick out through the wire. Cage was not damaged. Mommy hen & other chicks were fine inside the cage. I found a small hole (perhaps mouse) in the sand of the run, or It could have been a hen or roo. Which is more likely?

Sorry to hear that. Head missing sounds like a small predator vs another hen or roo.

 

[Faraday40]

I'm in Gurnee! I don't have chickens yet, but we're looking for land in the Wadsworth area and looking into laws regarding chickens. Lake County allows them, but I don't know if wadsworth/gurnee has separate regulations. Anyone know? Also, where have you had success buying chickens from?

Hi welcome!
I did not see either town listed in https://www.municode.com/library/IL , so that was a bust. If you're in a rural area, then the county codes usually apply. If you want to guarantee no problems in the future, try asking at the town's offices. Now is best BEFORE you invest in anything.

As far as getting chicks/hatching eggs, chicken people tend to flock together. When you're ready for chickens, there are plenty of people here who may have the breed(s) you want..... and we like to share our "addiction." (The Indiana BYC thread also has some great people.) I found that getting eggs/chicks directly = better quality & health.(a little more work or driving involved) In the spring most feed stores sell chicks. Those are from hatcheries & a very inexpensive & easy way to get chicks. I also know people who order chicks & have them shipped. It's more expensive (unless you're buying a lot), but they make it easy for vaccines & you can select from a big variety of breeds.

So now comes the fun part of researching breeds. Think about what your main goals are.... highest egg yield, calm/docile temperament, alert to predators for free ranging, appearance, size, etc. and then have fun researching. When you have some ideas about what you want, ask around to see what other people who own them think.

My fav are the orpingtons. Big, beautiful, friendly, cuddly, etc. They're good layers (not excellent) and because of their size, they eat more. Mine are like trained puppies who like to jump in my lap for snuggles. I even taught a few to do card tricks. I sell chicks from time to time when my daughter has some type of hatching project. My current chicks are already spoken for.

 

[tamiadele]

Wow! Thank you so much for all your suggestions! I've done a lot of research on what kinds I want, and think i have it narrowed down, i just need to make sure i buy land where they're allowed! It's really important to me to have a farm in the future where I'm not limited to what I can grow or raise.
I'll have to check with you as to what you have available at the time when I'm ready! Thank you again for everything!