Need advice - 2 RIR's

[Htwo]

Another question - if I want 6 birds, should I get a rooster and 5 hens? I don't necessarily want them having babies, BUT - my outdoor run area will open up into my garden area which will be fenced for them to forage in during the day. The outdoor run has netting on top, but the garden area does/will not. I don't know if I need a rooster to help protect/warn the girls from threats like hawks (we have a lot around) or not?

 

[Mrs. K]

Well, that worked out sweet. I recently had a wreck, and have been looking for hens - with nada results. I went to the sight my feed store uses, and $40 per head delivered for 4 week old pullets! Too pricey for me.... earliest I will be back in eggs looks like September, ugh!

I need my chickens, they get me outside for a walk every day, my coop is a ways away from my house.

However, I nearly lost my mind making a list, and crossing it out, and adding to it, and then counting them up, we are two people, there is no way possible we need a dozen hens... and then that enabler, my DH sitting across from me says, "Oh go ahead and get them, they are your hobby, and you enjoy it... and there are always coons. Start out ahead!" Got to love a man like that!

 

[Mrs. K]

I would say no to the rooster... unless you want eye-candy. This is your hobby, do it the way you want. I live on a ranch, we have every chicken predator...well coyotes, coons, weasels, owls and hawks. I do have great vegetation, and cover for them, but I don't let them out everyday. Having a good mature rooster does help my flock, not all roosters are good.

Personally, I have found that people tend to have more trouble raising up a rooster with flock mates. The rooster grows faster, and becomes sexually mature before the pullets, and without older birds to thump some manners into him, he often becomes a bully.

If you want a rooster, wait, raise up your girls until they are laying, and then look around, people always have perfectly beautiful roosters to cull. You want one that has been raised in a multi-generational flock, perhaps with a head rooster that is a year old. One that has not been culled cause he is just so darn nice, but an extra one all the same.

Mrs K

 

[Htwo]

Thanks, Mrs. K. I'm worried that if I go get chicks, I'll end up with one or more roosters. That's why I'm considering just buying pullets instead.

 

[Acre4Me]

Thanks, Mrs. K. I'm worried that if I go get chicks, I'll end up with one or more roosters. That's why I'm considering just buying pullets instead.

Are you near a big hatchery? Near enough to drive to? I’m thinking one of the bigger hatcheries is in MO. For myself, I live in OH, abou 3 hours from Meyer hatchery. They offer started pullets (around 16+ weeks old) for $12-15 each, so if I wanted started pullets, I’d get them there and drive to pick them up. Most large hatcheries offer the started pullets for similar price. The quickest option might be the “mix” where they give you what’s ready from the started pullets, their choice from select breeds, so you’ll know in advance what you might get. They always are good egg layer breeds.

alternatively, you can buy from a local farm or livestock auction or swap. But, can be a risk for disease.

Good luck!

 

[Htwo]

I've located a farm about an hour north that has 6 month old pullets for $12. I think that's the route I'm going.

 

[Mrs. K]

oh sweet- I would so be on top of that.