FoxRiverRat
Chirping
- Feb 5, 2016
- 38
- 2
- 54
Hi all!
I've never owned chickens, but am very very seriously considering it. I've been looking around this site a lot, as well as watching youtube vids and plan on taking a workshop at a local farm before committing to getting chicks. A couple questions I've had trouble finding a firm answer to...
1.) When you get 1-2 day old chicks from a hatchery, is it customary to expect to lose a couple? So, if I want to end up with 5 should I buy 7? Clearly, I'll take good care of them, but I was getting the impressive that no matter what you should just expect a couple not to make it.
2.) I THINK I've concluded Road Island Reds or Buff Orpingtons fit my needs. I'm looking for good layers, cold hardy, and docile to some extent. I live in Northern Illinois. RIR's and Buffs a good start? Would you recommend just getting 1 breed or trying the 2 out?
3.) To have "organic" chickens and eggs, I'm guessing I should NOT get the vaccine service offered by the hatchery? Or would you recommend I get the vaccination service done?
4.) Any tips for introducing dogs would be welcomed. My dogs face a greater challenge than most, as I live on a river and have actually been praising them for chasing the ducks and geese off the lawn. I figured raising them from a day old, inside my house would help the dogs get used to them and hopefully help them understand these are different than the wild geese.....
5.) Are there any bushes, plants, herbs that I could plant around the coop/run to help with any possible smell? something to that would just smell great and mask any possible chicken or ammonia odors? (I have read up on deep litter method, keeping coop dry and well ventiliated to control odor as well)
Thanks for any tips and replies in advance!
Josh
I've never owned chickens, but am very very seriously considering it. I've been looking around this site a lot, as well as watching youtube vids and plan on taking a workshop at a local farm before committing to getting chicks. A couple questions I've had trouble finding a firm answer to...
1.) When you get 1-2 day old chicks from a hatchery, is it customary to expect to lose a couple? So, if I want to end up with 5 should I buy 7? Clearly, I'll take good care of them, but I was getting the impressive that no matter what you should just expect a couple not to make it.
2.) I THINK I've concluded Road Island Reds or Buff Orpingtons fit my needs. I'm looking for good layers, cold hardy, and docile to some extent. I live in Northern Illinois. RIR's and Buffs a good start? Would you recommend just getting 1 breed or trying the 2 out?
3.) To have "organic" chickens and eggs, I'm guessing I should NOT get the vaccine service offered by the hatchery? Or would you recommend I get the vaccination service done?
4.) Any tips for introducing dogs would be welcomed. My dogs face a greater challenge than most, as I live on a river and have actually been praising them for chasing the ducks and geese off the lawn. I figured raising them from a day old, inside my house would help the dogs get used to them and hopefully help them understand these are different than the wild geese.....
5.) Are there any bushes, plants, herbs that I could plant around the coop/run to help with any possible smell? something to that would just smell great and mask any possible chicken or ammonia odors? (I have read up on deep litter method, keeping coop dry and well ventiliated to control odor as well)
Thanks for any tips and replies in advance!
Josh