Need Help Choosing Chicks

[willheveland]

Tioga County-NY/PA line

 

[new2chicks]

Quote:
Cool, we're neighbors (sort of).

 

[mmajw]

We have a variety of breeds and they all seem to do great in colder weather, we are in Maine. We only have a Rooster because that is what we got when we ordered babies. All of our breeds are listed below. Good luck with your hens.

 

[Tutter]

Quote:
Mixed flocks are nice looking, I think. Also, different breeds have different personalities, and different times that they will lay when the weather changes. But I don't tend to make my flocks mixed in size and personality. For example, I have flocks of mostly heavy birds, though several types, such as rocks, orpingtons and Australorps.

Why do you want the rooster? For giving you more chickens? And, if so, do you want the chicks to be purebred? If so then you'll need a rooster that is the same breed as the hens, and either one breed of chicken, or be able separate the hens of that breed, and the rooster, from the other hens. A rooster isn't necessary for egg production.

Yes, some chicks cost more than others, but not by a brutal amount for most, depending upon the breed, and where you get them, of course. My new chicks, which will arrive in June, varied in price between them, from 50 cents to about a dollar and a half.

The hatcheries, like Murray McMurray, have information on the breeds on their site, and mention which birds take the cold best. I don't live where it gets anywhere near as cold as it does where you are, but my heavy breeds have done fine in the winter, and even around freezing will lounge on top of things, rather than go in. It doesn't bother them.

Good luck!