New with 6 chickens

[BigChickenDinner]

I am a member here, as of today. We have between 6-9 laying hens, depending on predation. I built a nice-looking, rustic, coop out of scrap wood, which was fun and challenging. We installed a fenced-in run around the coop, and we let them out to free-range for about 30 minutes a day prior to sunset. We have 3 production reds (love the large eggs), 1 Rhode Island red, and 2 silver-laced Wyandottes.

We'd like to learn a lot more about birds, especially how to increase egg production. Aside from the basics, we do not want to spend a lot of money on our flock and hope to provide for as many needs as possible, in-house. We are also exploring breeds to add to our flock. We're currently thinking of buff orpingtons. And for our little girl, we are considering Polish and silkie - no idea if they are practical layers.

We would also like to figure out how to reduce food waste.

 

[Dr Evy]

Welcome to BYC! We’re so glad you joined!

 

[Yowza Wowza]

Thanks for joining the forum! I hope you enjoy your time here.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! It's so nice to meet you! Please make yourself at home!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. Neither polish or silkie lay very well. You would also need to keep them seperate from the others. They tend to get picked on by reds and wyandottes, and many other breeds. They aren't set up for free ranging either.

 

[AmyMon]

We have 2 Buff Orpingtons and 2 RIRs as well, plus 2 Black Sex Link.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Polish and silkie -

As @janiedoe had mentioned, neither of these breeds lay well at all, Silkies are notorious for going broody and neither are really capable of free ranging.

 

[Blue Raptor]

I am a member here, as of today. We have between 6-9 laying hens, depending on predation. I built a nice-looking, rustic, coop out of scrap wood, which was fun and challenging. We installed a fenced-in run around the coop, and we let them out to free-range for about 30 minutes a day prior to sunset. We have 3 production reds (love the large eggs), 1 Rhode Island red, and 2 silver-laced Wyandottes.

We'd like to learn a lot more about birds, especially how to increase egg production. Aside from the basics, we do not want to spend a lot of money on our flock and hope to provide for as many needs as possible, in-house. We are also exploring breeds to add to our flock. We're currently thinking of buff orpingtons. And for our little girl, we are considering Polish and silkie - no idea if they are practical layers.

We would also like to figure out how to reduce food waste.

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. The Best of Luck with your Flock! And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska.