I'm just starting out with my chickens. My dad and I built the coop out of scraps and left overs from other building projects so we don't have a lot invested in it. Plus it was better than throwing out the scraps!
As far as breeds, they will be mixed as I have a mixed flock. 1 Rhode Island red rooster, 6 Buff and 5 Black Orpington, 1 silver Ameraucana (see lays green eggs), 2 Dominique, 3 mixed or unknown. 5 of my birds were given to me by a friend who was having preditor troubles, so I was greatful for the gift. The rooster was a gift too because he just showed up one day and they didn't know how old he was or who he belonged to. The only birds I bought were the 6 buff and 4 black Orpington mature, laying hens. One Black Orpington was one of the hen's offspring. Not sure if she is pure Orpington, but she was a gift.
I hope your hatch goes well. I have to tell you when I saw one pip that was it, I spent the rest of the day with my nose 5 inches from that little window watching them hatch. It was the just to neat.
I get hatch dates of 3/11, 3/14-3/15, 3/20-3/21, and longer because of the quail eggs I got. Here a link to my thread if you like to read some things there. I got a bunch of people popping in. It's my first hatch too. I wish you luck too.
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Cracking eggs happens. Don't beat yourself up!! You never now that could have been one that was not going to develope anyway.
I try and stay calm when I open the bator now because I figure if a hen can get off a nest an hour then me taking 3 minutes instead of 3 seconds will not hurt the eggs.
Three weeks fly by. Soon enough you will have your nose a few inches from the bator watching your little chicks hatch if all goes well!