Mika97
Hatching
- Jun 30, 2015
- 7
- 0
- 9
I didnt think I was interested in raising chickens until my roommate decided he wanted to try raising laying hens from eggs. We rent a nice place with a huge backyard with plenty of space for chickens to forage. Local (in-town) law limits us to 8 hens, no roosters. We also have a standalone garage that can serve as shelter in harsh weather. We plan to build a 15 foot by 7 foot run between the garage and the (solid wood-slat, 8 foot) fence, completely enclosing it, except for the near side, which would have a 2 foot square opening into a homemade, 8-stall nesting box for egg-laying, protection, heat and light. We have a mellow older dog, so I thought we should find a breed that bonds to humans well, since that might mean it would accept a potential predator as well. So I read the buff Ophingtons are so friendly they will sit on your lap and let you pet her. Not crazy about the color of the buff, so I searched the other colors. The lavendar ones look nice. What I want for eggs are very large white or brown eggs. I would prefer to have 1 dual-purpose breed (like Ophingtons), 1 huge layer breed (Red-sex-link?), and 1 meat production breed (Cornish Rock?) because I want to observe the behavior of each and their temperments toward the other hens. My other choice is Rhode Island Reds, based on what I've read, they lay eggs well and are cold and heat tolerant. My first question is this...are these assumptions correct about what I've stated? Second, should we bother with raising chicks? I would think buying 8 mature egg-layers would pay off sooner, and more successfully than buying the chicks and raising them? And, would having one of each type be feasible? Or is it best to stick with one breed type? Open to any of your thoughts! Thanks.
