I am thinking of getting 3 or 4 egg layers to put in my parents' backyard in Mustang, OK. We aren't allowed roosters in our city, so I'll only be able to get hens. There isn't room to keep them until they are old enough to lay, so we wanted pullets. At least - going by what I've read - I would have to get day old chicks; get more than I really need (in case any die) or some end up being roosters... And I don't know how hard it would be to sell them once I am able to tell their sex.
Also, I just don't know where to start, when it comes to finding them.
I am having a really hard time deciding what breed(s) would be good for the backyard. There is a small garden, so I was also planning to start a compost (but that's another subject.)
If anyone can help me out on any of these specifics, that would be awesome!
1) I have one neighbor who isn't fond of a lot of noise and if the chickens make too much noise, the city will make us get rid of them.
2) I would like chickens that are medium-high egg layers, even in winter. They might not just be family eggs; I might trade some with my friend for some things from her garden.
3) We have hot summers and can have ice storms, though this past winter, it barely snowed.
4) There are dogs, but I have already planned on fencing off a part of the yard specifically for chickens. Should I do this a specific way or with a specific fence? The larger dog is more likely to want to cuddle with chickens, but the 7-pounder might not like them. She is being trained right now, though.
5) Do all chickens come already vaccinated?
6) Are chickens altered at all before you receive them? I want to have completely natural chickens - nothing clipped, cut, etc..
I can't think of anything else right now.
Tegan
These are the breeds high on my list:
Easter Egger
Star
Australorp
Plymouth Rock
Orpington
Rhode Island Red
Brahma
Americauna
Speckled Sussex
Araucana
Light Sussex
I would really like multiple breeds, but that's obviously not important.
Also, I just don't know where to start, when it comes to finding them.
I am having a really hard time deciding what breed(s) would be good for the backyard. There is a small garden, so I was also planning to start a compost (but that's another subject.)
If anyone can help me out on any of these specifics, that would be awesome!
1) I have one neighbor who isn't fond of a lot of noise and if the chickens make too much noise, the city will make us get rid of them.
2) I would like chickens that are medium-high egg layers, even in winter. They might not just be family eggs; I might trade some with my friend for some things from her garden.
3) We have hot summers and can have ice storms, though this past winter, it barely snowed.
4) There are dogs, but I have already planned on fencing off a part of the yard specifically for chickens. Should I do this a specific way or with a specific fence? The larger dog is more likely to want to cuddle with chickens, but the 7-pounder might not like them. She is being trained right now, though.
5) Do all chickens come already vaccinated?
6) Are chickens altered at all before you receive them? I want to have completely natural chickens - nothing clipped, cut, etc..
I can't think of anything else right now.
Tegan
These are the breeds high on my list:
Easter Egger
Star
Australorp
Plymouth Rock
Orpington
Rhode Island Red
Brahma
Americauna
Speckled Sussex
Araucana
Light Sussex
I would really like multiple breeds, but that's obviously not important.
