My husband has mentioned before about getting chickens to teach our son responsibility when he's older. Set him up to take care and tend the chickens and then possibly sell any excess eggs for a buck a dozen or something along those lines. He's only about 16 months now so he wouldn't be able to actively take care of them for a couple of years. I'm wondering if we should perhaps get chickens sooner than that and get them a little more established so its an easy transition for him to take over. I mean, he'd end up being in charge of watering, feeding and helping clean their coop and whatnot as well as harvesting the eggs. I've been doing some reading and I know it says they can mature to egg laying status in just a few months, some starting as early as 16 weeks or so. We live in a rural community sort of area so we'd be ordering the chicks online from someone when the time comes. I think I've kinda settled on Murray McMurray's Hatchery and have been looking at the Black and Red Stars as they're said to have gentle and calmer dispositions as well as being great egg layers.
I guess the main question/request I have to go along with this little intro is if anyone thinks this is a good idea. And if so, do you think starting things up sooner is the best way to go? And if so again, how much sooner should we go? Is it something we should start up soon while the weather is still warm or perhaps wait until next summer? Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I guess the main question/request I have to go along with this little intro is if anyone thinks this is a good idea. And if so, do you think starting things up sooner is the best way to go? And if so again, how much sooner should we go? Is it something we should start up soon while the weather is still warm or perhaps wait until next summer? Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!