We live south of Dallas, Texas in the rural part of the "Gingerbread City". We have had chickens in the past but not successfully, due to dogs, coyotes, etc. We started again back in June. It is amazing the resources and assistance that 15 years can give you. Before, it was word of mouth finding someone that would talk to you...mostly at the feed stores. Now, it is so convenient!! Thank you for having such a wonderful wealth of information on breeds and everything else under the sun that I would never consider.
We have 5 RIR hens, 1 Buff O hen and a beautiful BLRW roo. Now, our rooster was a freebie, he was unwanted and unliked by his former owner. Our friend, who we purchased all the hens from, did not like his coloring, said he had too much white. I thought and then said, I'll gladly take your reject. Well, let me tell you he is the best rooster!! Protective, loving to all of us, and the best provider and forager. When he finds, or catches a big juicy grasshopper he will cluck an alert to the closest hen who will come a running. He always goes without from the big juicy ones and saves them for his ladies
In honor of our friend, we promptly named our roo, "Woody". He is the only one that officially has a name, of course our daughter has names for each of them. We enjoy 5-6 eggs a day right now and I am shopping our Spring flock. I am looking into getting Speckled Sussex as I have been told they are an excellent dual purpose bird as well and good layers. And for my own selfish wants, I would like to have some French Copper Marans. Of course, my husband is not interested in the price of these Marans, but we are starting an flock fund from selling our fresh farm eggs to friends at church. I have told my daughter she can take the remaining proceeds after we have enough for our new chicks! Her response, we need alot more chickens so we can make more money! Baby steps....
My needs are firstly eggs! We have about 3 acres pastured and fenced right now and the chickens have an old Morgan building which has been turned into their coop. As we add more chickens....hoping for 50 new in the Spring, I want a good mixture of layers/dual purpose. Marans...simply for their beautiful eggs. (Maybe we will show, but I honestly don't see that happening). And some for broilers. With adding 50 new chicks in the Spring, I would appreciate some experienced people to give me recommendations for the mix. Thanks in advance for the help and advise!
Hachie
We have 5 RIR hens, 1 Buff O hen and a beautiful BLRW roo. Now, our rooster was a freebie, he was unwanted and unliked by his former owner. Our friend, who we purchased all the hens from, did not like his coloring, said he had too much white. I thought and then said, I'll gladly take your reject. Well, let me tell you he is the best rooster!! Protective, loving to all of us, and the best provider and forager. When he finds, or catches a big juicy grasshopper he will cluck an alert to the closest hen who will come a running. He always goes without from the big juicy ones and saves them for his ladies
In honor of our friend, we promptly named our roo, "Woody". He is the only one that officially has a name, of course our daughter has names for each of them. We enjoy 5-6 eggs a day right now and I am shopping our Spring flock. I am looking into getting Speckled Sussex as I have been told they are an excellent dual purpose bird as well and good layers. And for my own selfish wants, I would like to have some French Copper Marans. Of course, my husband is not interested in the price of these Marans, but we are starting an flock fund from selling our fresh farm eggs to friends at church. I have told my daughter she can take the remaining proceeds after we have enough for our new chicks! Her response, we need alot more chickens so we can make more money! Baby steps....
My needs are firstly eggs! We have about 3 acres pastured and fenced right now and the chickens have an old Morgan building which has been turned into their coop. As we add more chickens....hoping for 50 new in the Spring, I want a good mixture of layers/dual purpose. Marans...simply for their beautiful eggs. (Maybe we will show, but I honestly don't see that happening). And some for broilers. With adding 50 new chicks in the Spring, I would appreciate some experienced people to give me recommendations for the mix. Thanks in advance for the help and advise!
Hachie
