Re-Cooping (see what I done there...lol)

[kristilane]

We had a nice coop, it worked for us. Husband decided he wanted the chicks to free range, I told him this was a bad idea considering where we live the chicks would not come back to the coop. Surprise....I was right!!! Over about a week of time, every chick we had was never seen again. So I am Re-Cooping!!! They will be coop chicks and not free ranged. We live on the back side of a 50 acre peanut field surrounded by swamps and dirt roads. Heres my question....we have temperature ranges from 110+ in the summer to freezing and below in the winter sometimes, what is the best breed to have for those ranges of temps? Where do I find these beauties? What's the best feed for them? I'd love to be able to grow their food rather than buying pellets. Just looking for ideas Thanks!

 

[CHICKLOVER69]

I ordered mine from meyerhatchery.com . Very happy. I live in close to the same conditions. You can read aboud hardy breads here in the forum. Type hardy breeds in the search bar. I ordered 8 pullets and they sent 9. All were pullets, no roosters. I got Barred Rock, Rhode Island Reds, Black Australorps, and Light Brown Leghorns. Mine started laying today at 18 weeks. Had 5 eggs in the nest box. Dont know which ones , but i finally got eggs. As far as feed, I just go to the feed store and tell them i want chicken feed. They will give you what you need based on their age. I wish i could free range. I have an acre back yard, but also have dogs and dont want to have to worry about hawks and coons. So, i made a coop and fenced run with hardware cloth. I think it is snake proof. fingers crossed

 

[RWD]

Are you just after eggs, or do you want a meat bird, or do you want a dual purpose bird? Your chicks didn't forget to come home, you were feeding some predator. Hawks, owls, fox, dogs, etc.. Your temps are not anything to worry about as long as your chickens have access to shade, shelter, and fresh water.

 

[kristilane]

Eggs only. It would be ideal to have a swap of some kind to trade a meat chick for new egg layers with another homesteader but I don't know of anyone anywhere near me I agree, we feed some predator also

 

[ECBW]

For dual purpose, I suggest Barred Rock. But I like a colorful flock and eggs, so my flock is always mixed.

Did you free range chicks, as in babies?

 

[RWD]

For sustainable dual purpose, I suggest Bielefelders. They are docile, pretty, lay up to 230 eggs per year, and the roos are huge.

 

[kristilane]

Not chicks as in babies but chicks as in female chickens...sorry for that confusion

 

[aart]

Not chicks as in babies but chicks as in female chickens...sorry for that confusion

Female chickens are called Pullets if under one year old and Hens if over one year old.

 

[mossyroo]

Quote:
I think I'd start calling them hens as soon as they started laying.

 

[RWD]

Quote:
Then what would you call started pullets.....