I'm about to choose my chickens

[soimcrazy]

This is what I'm after....
...I dont want too many hens, about a dozen or so
and only hens
I would prefer ones that will start laying sooner than later. From a previous post SpottedCrow mentioned that the Polish, Leghorn, and Araucanas lay within 20 weeks, but then again the others lay within 6 months which is only a few more weeks, so a better egg would be worth the wait.
And I would like a chicken that is a good egg producer, is one egg a day typical?
I'm interested in the eggs, not meat.
I'll be ordering them via mail order so I dont want to be limited to a minimum of say 15 or 25. I want to be able to order about 5 chicks from 3 different breeds.

I know I'll need a light to keep them warm at first, and a thermometer.
Whats the best food for them and the best watering method for the chicks?
I live in Virginia. The winters here are mostly mild...often in the 30s and sometimes 20s....rarely lower than the 20s. Any chickens I should avoid?

any advice? THANKS !!

 

[skeeter9]

All of my pullets began laying between 4 and 5 months. I have Ameraucanas, Buff Opringtons, Silver-laced Wyandottes, and Australorps. Of these, all are very docile and friendly. We average about 4-5 eggs per hen per week. Our winters are about the same as yours, and all of my hens have no problems in the winter. Our coop is only enclosed on 3 sides and the hens don't even seem to realize it's cold outside!!

As far as taking care of your chicks goes - there are lots of threads on this. You can use the "search" feature at the top of the page, or look in the section of the forum about raising chicks. Basically, yes you need a light to keep the temp at the proper level, and make sure they have plenty of food (chick starter) and clean water at all times. You can use just about anything for the chick starter, as long as they can get to it. I recommend a waterer that has a jug on top and a little tray (usually red) underneath. You will probably want to put it up on something to raise it a little bit above bedding level to keep it clean.

Lori

 

[Jsto]

I struggled at first, thinking that if I mail ordered, I'd have to get at least 25. Then I found www.mypetchicken.com, where you can order as few as 3 chicks because they use a heating pad. Ideal will also send less than 25, but they often pack 'males for warmth' so you end up with more than what you need. Don't quote me on this, but I think Meyer also uses the heating pad and will send a small order.

I can say that although my chicks haven't arrived yet, my dealings with mypetchicken have been great so far. The owner is lovely and worked with me so I could get my chicks when it was most convenient for me, even though it was a bit rushed. My chicks are arriving next Tuesday or Wednesday and I'm so excited! Good luck

Edited to add that Mypetchicken also exclusively offers sexing of bantam chicks, which is awesome if you are hoping to add banties to your flock, but would prefer not to have any surprise males in your shipment.