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NJchixs said:
What I did with mine as they got bigger(I think they were about 8 weeks & it was May) I put them out mid morning in the dog run and then at night I would bring them back in at night. By then they where tired, so running around in the brooder box wasn't of importance to them. Yes it was tight and a pain but I didn't have room either. If I had to, I could put them out with the light at night, which I just may decide to do this time, but I will wait till its only on the 40's at night.
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Thats a great Idea, Im not sure why I am over thinking this. The weather is supposed to be in the 70's in the next few weeks. I will let them in their run for the day and then just bring them in at night, like you did. We have a smaller coop so a light at night may do the trick for them, I too will wait until the night temps are higher as well.
 
mame1616 said:
A breeding flock can be as small as a trio. It really depends on what your goals are.  If you're doing it with selling and making money as your primary goal, then numbers of birds are probably more important.  If your priority is ultimate improvement of the breed, regardless of the money-making factor, then quality is more important, because, to be honest, it takes a long time to evaluate some of these breeds as they grow.  Sometimes it's not until after a year - with the big birds like Giants and Brahmas expect two years or more - that you determine whether you want to pass those genes on, and that your breeding program has been is on the right track.Only then do you sell the birds that do not meet your needs.  Imagine breeding 30 or more birds and keeping them for all that time. Many of the best breeders hatch ten times that amount.  During that time you have to feed and water and house those birds while you wait for them to grow up, which costs money.  But, you can do a lot to improve your chosen breed with two or three unrelated trios when you start with really good birds.

If you're looking to make some money, start with the best birds you can buy, with perhaps one cock for every three to eight hens, depending on the size and breed, and that should produce enough birds that people will be happy to buy, and you will be happy to sell.  You can have a few different breeds this way. A small flock of one cock and, say, six hens, can produce a considerable number of chicks in a year. Even so, you'd have to hatch a pretty large number in order to cover the costs of maintaining them until you sell. It all goes back to your goals.
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wow, this was really interesting! I don't ever plan on breeding but wondered about this same topic.
 
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My twins in pre k are learning about rainbows. Nothing like whipping up rainbow cupcakes at 8p for show-n-share tomorrow!
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