Newbie and first post!

[Angileen]

I use a live stock tank with a hardware cloth top stapled on 1x2 wood frame that fits over the tank. I also use a Chick Heating Plate Brooder Plate, they are a lot safer than heat lamps, no chance of fire. And more natural for your chicks. They climb under it to warm up and you can raise the leg's on it as the chicks grow. In winter I would hang a heat lamp for them when the temp drops below zero, make sure they can't come into contact with it and chain it up so it has no chance of falling and causing a fire. You could also build a winter run for them, wrap it in heavy duty clear plastic so the sun can shine in but snow can't get in, or build one with the clear Polycarbonate Roofing Panel for the sides and top. This will help make more space if you have a smaller coop. I have a large chicken coop and run but I still want to build a run with these roofing panels for winter, my chickens will not walk on snow that is not packed down this would allow them to enjoy some time out in the sun and give them some more leg room.

 

[Angileen]

We are starting a chicken coop. Finally. With all the time we have now, it’s a great opportunity to start! With that said, my daughter really wants silkies.
I was thinging
3 female barred Plymouth rocks
3 female silkies

Problem is that I can’t find a hatchery with both breeds.

Any ideas?

also,
Other combos I could try?
We live in Maine so we need cold hardy and good with children.
We are looking for eggs and family pets.
thanks,
Chris

I know you already ordered chicks but just want to list a few breeds that I have that are good natured. My Buckeye's make good pets I have 3 hens and a Rooster. My Roo is more tame than my Girls. I hold him all the time. My Jersey Giant Girls also are gentle one of my Jersey Giant girls wants to be held all the time and will pull on my cloths until I pick her up. my Jersey Giant Roo is not mean but doesn't like to be held, My lavender Orpingtons and Buff Orpingtons are also Gentle and also like to be held on occasion. Speckled Sussex are also Gentle I also have Dominiques and Marans. None of my Chickens are mean but I spend a lot of time with them. My Marans Rooster pecked me once when he was a Juvenile, instead of letting him get away with it I picked him up and carried him around for a while, he wasn't happy but I had to let him know who the boss was. One other time he challenge me I turned on him and chased him around the pen he has never challenge me since. If you do get a chicken that starts to show some signs of aggression don't back down and let them know you wont have any of it but don't hurt them. The best thing to do to make sure your chickens will make great pets is to spend a lot of time with them and make sure your children are gentle. Do not chase them around to catch them( unless you have an aggressive chicken who needs to be taught a lesson) if you allow your children to chase them around too much they will start to fear you, and always be gentle with them. And try to buy breeds that are known to be Gentle.

 

[Angileen]

I know you already ordered chicks but just want to list a few breeds that I have that are good natured. My Buckeye's make good pets I have 3 hens and a Rooster. My Roo is more tame than my Girls. I hold him all the time. My Jersey Giant Girls also are gentle one of my Jersey Giant girls wants to be held all the time and will pull on my cloths until I pick her up. my Jersey Giant Roo is not mean but doesn't like to be held, My lavender Orpingtons and Buff Orpingtons are also Gentle and also like to be held on occasion. Speckled Sussex are also Gentle I also have Dominiques and Marans. None of my Chickens are mean but I spend a lot of time with them. My Marans Rooster pecked me once when he was a Juvenile, instead of letting him get away with it I picked him up and carried him around for a while, he wasn't happy but I had to let him know who the boss was. One other time he challenge me I turned on him and chased him around the pen he has never challenge me since. If you do get a chicken that starts to show some signs of aggression don't back down and let them know you wont have any of it but don't hurt them. The best thing to do to make sure your chickens will make great pets is to spend a lot of time with them and make sure your children are gentle. Do not chase them around to catch them( unless you have an aggressive chicken who needs to be taught a lesson) if you allow your children to chase them around too much they will start to fear you, and always be gentle with them. And try to buy breeds that are known to be Gentle.

Also forgot to mention I have Easter Eggers too, I find they are a little more nervous than my other breeds but I do have one that likes to fly up and sit on my shoulder. Since you have fewer chicks it will be easier for you to spend quality time with each individual. I have 33 so I wasn't able to tame each one equally. Having said that my Easter Eggers are not aggressive but they are not as docile as some of my other breeds.