New Mexico

[TwoCrows]

My husband teases me that I am going to walk into Tractor Supply in the spring and pick up whatever is available.

My hubby forbids me to go anywhere near a Tractor Supply store in the spring, chicks just somehow manage to jump into my cart on their own, I swear I have no idea how they get in there?!

 

[WilderSkye]

My hubby forbids me to go anywhere near a Tractor Supply store in the spring, chicks just somehow manage to jump into my cart on their own, I swear I have no idea how they get in there?!

I know right! Plus, there a million 'little' things there I can load up on. If we get out under $100 he is happy.

I have nailed the flock down to Buckeyes. Since we can only get up to four hens, either four Buckeyes, or two Buckeyes and two Sussex. The lady I spoke to yesterday at My Pet Chicken was loads of help. We are massive Derry Girl fans so at least one hen will be Sister Michael and we gotta have an Orla. If we had a rooster it would def be Uncle Colm.

 

[TwoCrows]

I know right! Plus, there a million 'little' things there I can load up on. If we get out under $100 he is happy.

I have nailed the flock down to Buckeyes. Since we can only get up to four hens, either four Buckeyes, or two Buckeyes and two Sussex. The lady I spoke to yesterday at My Pet Chicken was loads of help. We are massive Derry Girl fans so at least one hen will be Sister Michael and we gotta have an Orla. If we had a rooster it would def be Uncle Colm.

Buckeyes are a gorgeous breed, I've always wanted to keep them! They are a Heritage breed out of Ohio. So pretty!

 

[WilderSkye]

Buckeyes are a gorgeous breed, I've always wanted to keep them! They are a Heritage breed out of Ohio. So pretty!

They really ticked pretty much all the boxes for us. I was concerned about being confined at times and The Featherbrain web site has this, "This is great news for homesteaders who live in northern climes with nasty winter weather. As one keeper said of her Buckeye flock, “These birds have been cooped and held for 6 days during blizzards and are fine… no fighting amongst themselves.”
Since they will be out in the yard with me daily this is great.
I didn't think we could have Sussex but we discussed our summers and how the property is set up and that bird got back on the short list. Only concern with that bird is that it will learn to come through the doggie door!

Initially thought: Silver Penciled rock, Buckeye, Welsummer, and a Sussex for our four birds.

April is a long ways away so this can change. But I fell in the love with the Buckeye when I saw it and read about it. A pea comb is the cherry on sundae for this bird. A bit concerned with broodiness. We could have more chickens but I do not want the 10 hens it would take for one rooster. We simply do not need that many....famous last words I know. We just paid $13.98 for an 18 ct of eggs this week at Walmart here.

 

[TwoCrows]

They really ticked pretty much all the boxes for us. I was concerned about being confined at times and The Featherbrain web site has this, "This is great news for homesteaders who live in northern climes with nasty winter weather. As one keeper said of her Buckeye flock, “These birds have been cooped and held for 6 days during blizzards and are fine… no fighting amongst themselves.”
Since they will be out in the yard with me daily this is great.
I didn't think we could have Sussex but we discussed our summers and how the property is set up and that bird got back on the short list. Only concern with that bird is that it will learn to come through the doggie door!

Initially thought: Silver Penciled rock, Buckeye, Welsummer, and a Sussex for our four birds.

April is a long ways away so this can change. But I fell in the love with the Buckeye when I saw it and read about it. A pea comb is the cherry on sundae for this bird. A bit concerned with broodiness. We could have more chickens but I do not want the 10 hens it would take for one rooster. We simply do not need that many....famous last words I know. We just paid $13.98 for an 18 ct of eggs this week at Walmart here.

I've heard Buckeyes aren't excessively broody, but I guess you will find out! Heritage breeds aren't known to be heavy layers however you should get a couple few eggs per week from each hen. I can't wait to see your birds!

 

[WilderSkye]

I've heard Buckeyes aren't excessively broody, but I guess you will find out! Heritage breeds aren't known to be heavy layers however you should get a couple few eggs per week from each hen. I can't wait to see your birds!

Thank you! That is great to know on broodiness. An excessive egg layer was low on our list as it is just the two of us. Perfect! I can't wait! The only reason we are waiting until April, other than setting up their home, is that you have to order a minimum of 8 chicks now. And in April 3 is minimum. It can get really boring here where I live, the chicks are going to be some fun entertainment for us all. The Sussex is for my husband. He wants a super friendly lap chicken. So the Sussex is for him. I am born and raised on a ranch and cotton farm in Texas. While I would love a pet chicken, it needs to have a working job.

 

[TwoCrows]

Thank you! That is great to know on broodiness. An excessive egg layer was low on our list as it is just the two of us. Perfect! I can't wait! The only reason we are waiting until April, other than setting up their home, is that you have to order a minimum of 8 chicks now. And in April 3 is minimum. It can get really boring here where I live, the chicks are going to be some fun entertainment for us all. The Sussex is for my husband. He wants a super friendly lap chicken. So the Sussex is for him. I am born and raised on a ranch and cotton farm in Texas. While I would love a pet chicken, it needs to have a working job.

It's definitely best to wait until the weather temps stay as warm as possible over night. Shipping is rough as it is on chicks and the cold can kill them. Make sure to track your order closely and notify your Post Office they are coming. I wouldn't wait for the PO to call you, if you know they have arrived, I'd just go and pick them up as soon as possible.

 

[WilderSkye]

It's definitely best to wait until the weather temps stay as warm as possible over night. Shipping is rough as it is on chicks and the cold can kill them. Make sure to track your order closely and notify your Post Office they are coming. I wouldn't wait for the PO to call you, if you know they have arrived, I'd just go and pick them up as soon as possible.

That is good to know. We have the worst PO service here. If we mail a letter across town (Clovis) they first ship it to Roswell, then to Lubbock, then here.

What I wonder about is Privett Hatcheries in Portales, 20 miles from us. I think they must wholesale. I know they do rare breeds or did. It would be cool to be able to just go to the hatchery and pick one up. It does make me consider hatching eggs, but then I read about the rooster ratio. I simply do not have a way to offload a rooster other than the roasting pan. And I am pretty sure we won't be able to do that.

Snow this morning!

I called Privett, it was rerouted to the Hoover's Hatchery, which aquired it. 15 bird minimum. And they don't have what we want. Would have been nice to just pick them up at there.

 

[TwoCrows]

That is good to know. We have the worst PO service here. If we mail a letter across town (Clovis) they first ship it to Roswell, then to Lubbock, then here.

What I wonder about is Privett Hatcheries in Portales, 20 miles from us. I think they must wholesale. I know they do rare breeds or did. It would be cool to be able to just go to the hatchery and pick one up. It does make me consider hatching eggs, but then I read about the rooster ratio. I simply do not have a way to offload a rooster other than the roasting pan. And I am pretty sure we won't be able to do that.

Snow this morning!

I called Privett, it was rerouted to the Hoover's Hatchery, which aquired it. 15 bird minimum. And they don't have what we want. Would have been nice to just pick them up at there.

My first couple flocks came from Privett Hatchery, before they merged or became Hoovers. I have no idea what kind of quality they have now. I too wanted to pick chicks up there at the Hatchery but that is no longer allowed at most hatcheries for cross contamination reasons and bird flu.

Our PO is the same way, everything gets shipped to El Paso even if it's something going cross town! I am thinking of getting some quail chicks this spring and rather then have them deliver to my PO and have to open the box myself (fear of dead babies) I'm going to see if my local Mom and Pop feed store, who sells chicks every spring, will order them for me.

 

[RennaeHanson]

I know right! Plus, there a million 'little' things there I can load up on. If we get out under $100 he is happy.

I have nailed the flock down to Buckeyes. Since we can only get up to four hens, either four Buckeyes, or two Buckeyes and two Sussex. The lady I spoke to yesterday at My Pet Chicken was loads of help. We are massive Derry Girl fans so at least one hen will be Sister Michael and we gotta have an Orla. If we had a rooster it would def be Uncle Colm.

I have 5 buckeye's too, they are an awesome breed, friendly and they lay well.