Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[ladyrsanti]

I was wondering if you all would chime in here.

I am feeling overwhelmed and would just like a small flock of various hens to collect eggs from, no show winners needed.

But the prices on some of these hatcheries after shipping seems like I would need them to lay for 5 good years to break even

Just wanting some good advice on how to inexpensively grow my flock, I would like egg colors to be a pretty rainbow for lack of a better term.

Did anyone answer greenmimama's post? I'm not sure I'm the best person to answer. My only advice would be that raising chickens for eggs is not a profitable venture. It's the nutritious eggs, knowing where they come from, the health of the birds, their happiness and yours that is the profit.

 

[snowflake]

Daaan, U musta reeeealy Pi** ed SOME BODY off..

x2
we had our freezer go out a couple times, once my DH pulled the plug and forgot to plug it back in

I ould try canning it if you can

Raz , wonder if that guys lawyer didn't do a very good job of defending the use of rain barrels, they needed to get some one from Mother Earth, they have been spouting the use of rain barrels for ever


edited by staff to remove reference to private dispute

 

[1muttsfan]

Taprock, Von looks great, andSweetie sure is cute

Greenmi, people often are trying to find homes for a hen or two, and in the spring there are often extra chicks when people hatch. Chickenstock is a great place to get chickens, and a wonderful social event as well; there are likely to be more chicks at the spring event. if you are not in a hurry you should be able to put together a nice little flock without having to order from a hatchery. Just ask every once in a while on here if anyone has an extra bird or two.

 

[snowflake]

I was wondering if you all would chime in here.

I am feeling overwhelmed and would just like a small flock of various hens to collect eggs from, no show winners needed.

But the prices on some of these hatcheries after shipping seems like I would need them to lay for 5 good years to break even

Just wanting some good advice on how to inexpensively grow my flock, I would like egg colors to be a pretty rainbow for lack of a better term.

the best way to get a good but small flock is to find some one on line (here is a good place to start) that has chicks to sell, some times people hatch eggs just cause they have a new incubator and want to try it out. a few years ago I had a lot of hens go broody and was giving chicks away..... If you want sexed chickens, or older hens you may have to pay $5 on up depending on breed. You could also go through a hatchery and go in with someone else so you can get the minimum at the lower shipping rate. Hatchery's have the advantage of offering vaccinations, Individuals often have better stock but not always? so hope this helped some,,,,,,come to chicken stock, meet the chicken nuts

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

This is from my son who wanted everyone to see him and Sweetie.

He was not as nervous this year and did much better. I talked to the judge afterward and she gave some pointers for him to work on for next year. This year he was still in the youngest class but next year he moves up a level. The hawk hocks still make me grin!

Great pics! They sure look happy!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

The flyer for Family Farm and Home was advertising for fall chicks too. I think they were just Isa Browns and meat birds though.

 

[greenmimama]

Thanks for your replies, I am not looking to get rich off of selling eggs not sure how that came across, but just want a varied flock for our own enjoyment, It is just always something I have wanted to do. Now actually doing it is so exciting!

I am not sure I can make it to Chickenstock, bummer it looks like that would be a great place to start.

So does anyone have any chicks, or young hens they would like to sell to me??


Another question, why do people want to buy fertilized eggs instead of day old chicks, sometimes the eggs are more expensive? Is it just a fun hobby?

Thanks for putting up with all my questions.

 

[greenmimama]

The flyer for Family Farm and Home was advertising for fall chicks too. I think they were just Isa Browns and meat birds though.

Really?? thank you for that, I will check them out.

 

[greenmimama]

The flyer for Family Farm and Home was advertising for fall chicks too. I think they were just Isa Browns and meat birds though.

Ok, I went to there website and there is nothing, I can't get it to let me look at the ad, was it advertising it for this week? I could probably stop ther on my way home tonight.

 

[1muttsfan]

People who spend a lot of money on hatching eggs are usually looking for very specific chickens breed and quality wise.