***OKIES in the BYC III ***

[Mommaj89]

Thank you! I tried our local Atwoods and all they had were straight run assorted chicks. I am such a noob that I had to google "straight run" while in the store. Someone on a Facebook group I am a member of said they had Buff and Easter Egger pullets at a feed store in Okc. Hopefully, I'll luck out there. I was wanting fairly young ones, but with feathers. I've read that sometimes they can be sexed fairly young. Is this true? I realize this isn't a 100% foolproof method, but I really, really don't want to end up with a rooster.

We're practically neighbors. I live in north Shawnee in the North Rock Creek area.

Just joined BYC today & found the Okie thread We're just a little south of Shawnee!!

 

[Kassaundra]

Just joined BYC today & found the Okie thread We're just a little south of Shawnee!!

Welcome, our thread isn't as active as it once was but there are still Okies that come and post on the thread.

 

[Kassaundra]

Hi, fellow Okies! I'm new to the backyard chicken party. I have never had chickens before and I'm looking at getting a couple of Easter Eggers, a couple of Buff Orpingtons, and a couple of something else. I'm wanting chicks and no roosters. Thoughts? Also, does this seem like a good pick for a beginner? What would you suggest as the other 2? I would prefer good layers for the final 2. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome and my pick whenever anyone asks for good producing chickens in OK is naked necks!!!!! Very heat tolerant and beautiful to boot.

 

[Kassaundra]

NanaK especially an any others interested I realized I finished two quilts and didn't post pics. So here they are, my version of an Underground Railroad quilt, made w/ swap blocks from this site, and the second is a double sided Bonnie Hunter inspired quilt.

 

[dunnmom]

Thank you! I tried our local Atwoods and all they had were straight run assorted chicks. I am such a noob that I had to google "straight run" while in the store. Someone on a Facebook group I am a member of said they had Buff and Easter Egger pullets at a feed store in Okc. Hopefully, I'll luck out there. I was wanting fairly young ones, but with feathers. I've read that sometimes they can be sexed fairly young. Is this true? I realize this isn't a 100% foolproof method, but I really, really don't want to end up with a rooster.

We're practically neighbors. I live in north Shawnee in the North Rock Creek area.

Welcome! Don't buy straight run if you don't want to end up with cockerels. It's better to buy direct from a breeder or hatchery an all female order. Even then, there's a 10% margin of error in sexed chicks. But better to end up with 1 or 2 roos than 5. I purchased mine from my local feed store in Bethany, who orders females only from Cackle Hatchery. I ended up with 1 cockerel out of 13 chicks, which isn't bad at all. You'll want to come up with an idea of what you will do with a cockerel if you happen to end up with one, no matter how your chicks are purchased.

 

[dunnmom]

Welcome to all the new BYC members! We're happy to have you here. I am in my 2nd full year with backyard chickens, so I am also still a newbie. This thread is awesome and I often get the best advice from our local pool of seasoned chicken owners.

 

[Turion1973]

As luck had last night Tractor Supply got Bantam Silkies in and they called us and we went and got them. I get a kick out of watching them run around under their heat lamp. The look like little cotton balls with legs. We put them in with 3wk old chicks Rhode Island reds and Plymouth. Its funny to watch, the older chicks almost act like they are mothering the silkies.

 

[Turion1973]

Thank you! I tried our local Atwoods and all they had were straight run assorted chicks. I am such a noob that I had to google "straight run" while in the store. Someone on a Facebook group I am a member of said they had Buff and Easter Egger pullets at a feed store in Okc. Hopefully, I'll luck out there. I was wanting fairly young ones, but with feathers. I've read that sometimes they can be sexed fairly young. Is this true? I realize this isn't a 100% foolproof method, but I really, really don't want to end up with a rooster.

We're practically neighbors. I live in north Shawnee in the North Rock Creek area.

I know in Ada, Orshelns has sexed chicks. We got Rhode Island Reds and Plymouth Rocks hens there.

 

[LindseyC]

I still have no idea what I want for my other 2. I started out only wanting 2.. then it was 4.. and now I'm up to 6. The coop we're building will have enough space for 8-12. Looking at the "Pickin' a Frickin' Chicken" chart, it says that RIR are only hardy with cold weather. As hot as it gets in Oklahoma, how do they do with that in your experience? I really like the looks of the Plymouth Rock hens. Is hen compatibility something you have to consider? I mean do they usually get along well regardless or are there some that aren't compatible with each other. Sorry for all of the questions but I want to be as prepared as possible.

 

[LindseyC]

Welcome! Don't buy straight run if you don't want to end up with cockerels. It's better to buy direct from a breeder or hatchery an all female order. Even then, there's a 10% margin of error in sexed chicks. But better to end up with 1 or 2 roos than 5. I purchased mine from my local feed store in Bethany, who orders females only from Cackle Hatchery. I ended up with 1 cockerel out of 13 chicks, which isn't bad at all. You'll want to come up with an idea of what you will do with a cockerel if you happen to end up with one, no matter how your chicks are purchased.

Yes, I've gathered that from all of my reading. There is no 100% guarantee that I won't end up with one. Surely they would be easy enough to find someone to take them and rehome them. I know they will likely end up being someone's dinner, but such is life.