New here - have a few questions...

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Sessa

Hatching
Sep 10, 2017
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Hi there, my name is Sessa. I'm new to (the idea of) raising chickens. I haven't gotten any yet, but I'm doing some research. I found a thread here on the friendliest, best-laying hens, so thanks to those who wrote about that. I would like to know - can anyone answer that question who lives in Australia?

Can someone tell me, first, what are hatchery birds - and opposed to... what? I gather that hatchery birds are better? But I'd like to hear a little more about what that means.

Second, do you have to have a rooster in order for hens to lay? I'd rather stick to hens, but I don't know if I need a male around.

Thanks to anyone who can help me here, as I'm not sure where to post these questions!

Sessa
 
Hi! Welcome!! To answer your second question, no, you do not have to have a rooster in order for your hens to lay eggs.
 
Last edited:
Sessa said:
Hi there, my name is Sessa. I'm new to (the idea of) raising chickens. I haven't gotten any yet, but I'm doing some research. I found a thread here on the friendliest, best-laying hens, so thanks to those who wrote about that. I would like to know - can anyone answer that question who lives in Australia?

Can someone tell me, first, what are hatchery birds - and opposed to... what? I gather that hatchery birds are better? But I'd like to hear a little more about what that means.

Second, do you have to have a rooster in order for hens to lay? I'd rather stick to hens, but I don't know if I need a male around.

Thanks to anyone who can help me here, as I'm not sure where to post these questions!

Sessa
Click to expand...



I don't believe hatchery birds are necessarily better than those you would get from a quality breeder. I have had both and they are all turned out to be great birds. If you want show quality or breed standards met then I would us a quality breeder. Hatcheries are breeding for quantity laying birds not quality or breed standard. And you do not need a rooster for your hens to lay, but they are nice for your girls protection. Good luck with your flock, what type of chicken have you considered starting with?
 
Welcome!
Hatchery birds are from disease free birds who have been tested and vaccinated. Hatchery birds are breed to same kind of birds unless stated the are a hybrid.
You don't need a Rooster to get eggs and your pullets will start to lay around 20 weeks of age, This is standard for chickens.You want to find a chicken that is going to do well in your climate with the Heat and cold. you will also want to make your chicken area predator proof, Snakes, rats, dogs and wild bird like hawks and owls...
There is nothing wrong with starting with a mixed breed chicken and if you spend time with them they will be friendly.
 
hautechics said:
I don't believe hatchery birds are necessarily better than those you would get from a quality breeder. I have had both and they are all turned out to be great birds. If you want show quality or breed standards met then I would us a quality breeder. Hatcheries are breeding for quantity laying birds not quality or breed standard. And you do not need a rooster for your hens to lay, but they are nice for your girls protection. Good luck with your flock, what type of chicken have you considered starting with?
Click to expand...

These are the ones I read good things about; I have no idea which are easy to get or really as great as the people said:

Delawares – “’get-on-your-lap friendly’ hens and lay very well”
Golden Comet – “hens are very friendly and wonderful egg layers that lay around six eggs a week a piece”
Easter Eggers – “produce more colored (green, pink, blue) eggs than the true Ameraucana”
Speckled Sussex – “friendliest”
Buff Orpingtons – “docile and easy to handle”
Australorps –
Silver Laced Wyandotte -

Any opinions?
 
Sessa said:
These are the ones I read good things about; I have no idea which are easy to get or really as great as the people said:

Delawares – “’get-on-your-lap friendly’ hens and lay very well”
Golden Comet – “hens are very friendly and wonderful egg layers that lay around six eggs a week a piece”
Easter Eggers – “produce more colored (green, pink, blue) eggs than the true Ameraucana”
Speckled Sussex – “friendliest”
Buff Orpingtons – “docile and easy to handle”
Australorps –
Silver Laced Wyandotte -

Any opinions?
Click to expand...
No opinion, but just be aware that the above are likely to be generalisations. You may choose a breed expecting certain characteristics, only for an individual to turn out to be quite the opposite.

A note on hatchery birds - if you are looking for quality representations of a breed, then they are not the place to go. The best is a recognised breeder. You can do a search and find threads on almost all breeds here on BYC and thus find out who those people are.

I'd be inclined to go for a mixed flock, then you will soon find out which breed suits your climate and your needs. Here's a link that may be interesting:
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html
 
Pork Pie Ken said:
No opinion, but just be aware that the above are likely to be generalisations. You may choose a breed expecting certain characteristics, only for an individual to turn out to be quite the opposite.

A note on hatchery birds - if you are looking for quality representations of a breed, then they are not the place to go. The best is a recognised breeder. You can do a search and find threads on almost all breeds here on BYC and thus find out who those people are.

I'd be inclined to go for a mixed flock, then you will soon find out which breed suits your climate and your needs. Here's a link that may be interesting:
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html
Click to expand...

:goodpost:
I started with a mixed flock myself and have had so much fun watching their different personalities develop :)
 
I have never have had a problem with hatchery's and I think private breeders charge way to much. I have 53 hens all laying and have not been sick or infested with lice or mites. In fact I have 4 speckled Sussex that climb on my lap every time I am sitting down. I even have a comet who think she is a parrot and has to be on my shoulder no matter what I am doing outside.
Really the big key for you to enjoy your first flock of chickens, so there is really no bad choice with what you make. Just don't over spend on your first chickens, give them lots of attention, talk to them, hold them and you will be just fine!
I am ordering another 50 chicks in February 2018 to go with my other 53 girls.
 

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