Just Recieved 200 Chicks from Mt Healthy Hatchery

[ARose4Heaven]

Apple cider? I have 100+ babies coming and I am just on eggs! When they arrive I am just terrified that I will kill the little blokes! I have had chickens for almost 2 years now, but this is my first time mail order and I am getting more and more unsure of myself as I tick off the days.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

First things first,

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Second,

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Third, I agree with the call on the EEs instead of Araucanas. I ordered what were supposed to be araucanas, by way of the local Farmer's Union, through Mt.Healthy last spring and got EEs instead... of course I had also ordered 2 LBs that they never even sent... Mt. Healthy decided to send out BOs inplace of everyone's LBs without sending out a message asking if people wanted a refund or substitution. To make matters worse, the Farmer's Union tried lying to us and told us that the bright yellow chicks(missing any hint of feathery feet/legs) were our LBs... thankfully I had copied of pics of what our order should have looked like, and we were able to trade with the Farmer's Union for 2 extra EEs instead. ^_^ and I completely agree with the assesment on them being better layers!! One of our's laid a double yolker EXTRA JUMBO

for her FIRST egg.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

I am going to try to address each question, forgive me if I miss one.
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You have to make like 15 posts before you can post pictures. Just keep posting and you will be able to post pics in no time flat!

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We are going to retain some-most of our newly hatched roosters, caponize them(castration), and let them be strictly free rangers.

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Black skin & meat chickens are Silkies!

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as long as eggs aren't fertilized you can easily sell FRESH eggs for $2.50. more for Jumbo or Extra/Super Jumbo. We are growing our flock(currently 12 hens, 1 rooster, and 3 newly hatched un-sexed EE/BG cross chicks) for egg production & meat production for ourselves, and for selling eggs(especially when tourist season comes around! Living smack dab between 2 campgrounds is a wonderful thing!)

 

[SilverLacedMom]

Welcome to BYC! 200 chicks is a lot!!!

Cant wait to see pics!

 

[BantamoftheOpera]

200 babies?

 

[PamB]

WOW!!! Congrats!!! But....what do you guys do with that many chicks?? Do you keep them all??

 

[WhySayWhat]

Yeah, my local feed store insists that they get Araucanas as well...they order for 2 different hatcheries (I forget which, but both start with a "P", lol). I'm figuring I'll end up with EE's, but since that's what I want it isn't a huge deal (just have to know what to order). I think they advertise the other Blue egg layers that way so that they can charge more for the chicks, if they label them EE (mutts), they may not be able to sell them for as much.

 

[dolly85]

Congratulations on the new babies! I'm relieved to hear they came to you healthy and well. I'm recieving 25 pullets tomorrow from Ideal and have my fingers crossed they don't freeze to death, the high for today and tomorrow is only 20!!!

 

[12thmanjim]

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Raise some for meat, some for eggs, some to sell.

 

[12thmanjim]

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You have to make like 15 posts before you can post pictures. Just keep posting and you will be able to post pics in no time flat!

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We are going to retain some-most of our newly hatched roosters, caponize them(castration), and let them be strictly free rangers.

Quote:
Black skin & meat chickens are Silkies!

Quote:
as long as eggs aren't fertilized you can easily sell FRESH eggs for $2.50. more for Jumbo or Extra/Super Jumbo. We are growing our flock(currently 12 hens, 1 rooster, and 3 newly hatched un-sexed EE/BG cross chicks) for egg production & meat production for ourselves, and for selling eggs(especially when tourist season comes around! Living smack dab between 2 campgrounds is a wonderful thing!)

Thanks for the information.