Red Star Chickens

[Chirpy]

We went through a pretty cold winter last year (a few weeks below zero), with no heat in the coop and my Red Star (and the rest) did just fine. She continued to lay eggs faithfully all winter although she probably skipped 2 or 3 days a week so I only got four or five eggs a week from her during the coldest weather.

She's just a sweetie, she's the one to follow me around and be under foot when I'm outside. She likes it when my kids pick her up and love her.

I highly recommend them!

 

[Chicky Joy]

I have 8 chickens, all of them are Red Stars. They are great layers. They lay nice big eggs. They do seem to be hungry all the time but as I've never had chickens before I don't have any thing to compare as far as appetite goes. Ours do not free range so I don't know if they are particularly good foragers or not. They do love to eat bugs, and anything else they can get. They have a nice personality, very inquisitive.

We just got ours this spring so we haven't been through a winter with them yet. From what I've read they should be a hearty bird. We tend to have a very cold winter. I live on an island in northern Lake Michigan. Last winter was exceptionally cold. We had many nights and days with single digits or negative temperatures. We're going to do our best to get the coop as winterized as possible.

 

[burntumber]

I'm raising (11) Black Star pullets in a chicken tractor right now. They love it when I move the pen and immediately dive on any insects. They also eat the grass and weeds. I need to move the pen daily, now- they're six and a half weeks old. They seem to be foraging just fine. But then, I'm raising them to forage so maybe that's why. ?

? They don't eat any more than the broilers I'm raising of the same age- a variety of breeds.

I've raised Speckled Sussex in the past and these sexlinks seem more shy than the SS. I'm used to chickens that come to see me when I visit- but these pullets run to the other side of the pen!

LOL!

 

[freshegg]

does anyone have chicks or eggs for these buffs or red stars

 

[Chicky Joy]

I'm looking for a place to get some Black Star pullets if anyone has any ideas for this time of year

The hatcheries that have them are apparently done for the season.

 

[Chicky Joy]

*started pullets that is.

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Chick Joy:

Where are you located? We have abour 40 Black Star Started Pullets still available. They are 18 weeks old and starting to lay.

Jim

 

[Chicky Joy]

Jim,

I am on Beaver Island (northern Lake Michigan, 32 miles off of Charlevoix).

Could they be shipped?

 

[Goldfinch]

Some people like the Silver Laced Wyandotte- they are large, pretty, good layers and not nervous(usually).

I have two Red Stars- but I dont know their laying capability yet- too young. Also, I have them inside during their first Winter. Tonight I went into the house and found them both asleep next to the cats on the couch!

Anyway, they are sweet- make sure they are not being pecked etc. by the others tho. I have a warm light in the hutch plus ventilation also so no extra moisture collecting. I have seen discussions about best Winter chickens on some of the hatchery sites- maybe Meyer Hatchery etc.

The thing is- Leghorns were bred to be "egg machines" but some of them can be jumpy (I have heard- but I've never had them).Red Stars/ Buffs are good family or backyard chickens. They don't seem to be especially thick feathered- perhaps chickens from northern climates (the Netherlands etc) or chickens with thick feather ruffs around their feet? McMurray hatchery has a very large list of chickens- many rare with good descriptions. Ask for Jackie S. if you order anything- she 's been there a long time and can talk to both chickens AND people!
Best!
Goldfinch

Definately a good question-especially now.

 

[KayP]

My Red Star, Starling, almost never misses a day of laying extra large eggs since she started laying at 21 weeks. She's a sweetie, talkative, and docile. She was at the bottom of the pecking order until she became the first to lay and that seemed to give her some clout. She switched places with the Golden Laced Wyandotte, who was the last to lay at 27 weeks. Now they're all laying so we'll see who's on top. Only thing is, her eggs usually have spots in them, if that's a factor.