I want to simplify the number and breeds of birds I have but it seems like I'm expanding all the time. I really need to simplify my chicken math.
Here is a list of what I currently have:
Chicks ordered for later this year:
I originally got the New Hampshire and Delaware birds so I could use them to breed the Indian River Broiler. However, I've found that I REALLY dislike the temperament of the Delaware hens. They are pushy, bossy and bite-y. I haven't had a chance to do the Broiler cross yet as the birds are just under a year old. I'm going to give it a try, but I think I want to phase out the Delawares. The New Hamps are MUCH nicer, more friendly birds. I think I'll keep them for layers and breed them going forward. It really depends on how the IRB taste.
I fell in love with the Cochin breed after having my roo mailed to me as a "free rare chick". I want to breed them going forward for broodiness. Though we'll have to see how broody his BSL daughters are and how broody the chicks I got will be. I want to work them into my mutt chickens
I got the Dark Cornish so I can have pure meat birds going forward. I want to keep moving forward with these and maybe add LF whites in the future.
I got Buffs just because everyone loves them. The buff chicks I have on order are from a different hatchery and I was thinking about breeding them pure going forward. However, I'm now thinking about working the broody girls in the bunch forward into my mutt chickens and discontinuing pure buffs down the line
I got the English Chocolate Orps for their renowned broodiness. I was going to work them into my mutt flock, but I think it will be easier (and more lucrative) to sell Chocolate Orp chicks because they are so unique looking. I'm currently looking into getting them a rooster.
I love having the Dominique and barred Dominique crosses so I can breed BSL chicks. I ordered more of them since I don't have a Rooster, I can't replace these girls down the line.
I've been eating the mutt roosters, but keeping the girls around for egg production and to see how they do on broodiness.
I'm hoping to simplify, but it is hard to let go of plans before I even see how they work. Any advice would be appreciated.
Here is a list of what I currently have:
- 12 white leghorn cross hens/pullets
- 3 Dominique hens
- 3 Dominque cross hens (barred)
- 8 Buff Orp hens, 1 roo
- 8 New Hampshire hens, 1 roo
- 6 Delaware hens, 2 roos
- 18 BBS Cochin chicks, 1 roo
- 2 Dark Cornish hens, 1 roo
- 3 Chocolate Orp hens
- 4 Cochin/Dominique cross BSL pullets, 5 Cockerels
- 1 NH/Dominique cross BSL pullet, 3 cockerels
- 1 Buff/NH pullet
Chicks ordered for later this year:
- 6 Buff Orp pullets
- 2 Buff Orp cockerels
- 6 Dominique chicks (straight run)
- 4 EE pullets (for egg color variety)
- 6 Lavender Guineas (my mother wants them)
- 5 mixed flock eggs
- 8 Cornish eggs
- 19 Bantam Cochin/Chocolate Orpington eggs
- Broody hatch as MUCH as possible (broody mutts and pure breeds)
- Good meat birds
- Good egg laying
I originally got the New Hampshire and Delaware birds so I could use them to breed the Indian River Broiler. However, I've found that I REALLY dislike the temperament of the Delaware hens. They are pushy, bossy and bite-y. I haven't had a chance to do the Broiler cross yet as the birds are just under a year old. I'm going to give it a try, but I think I want to phase out the Delawares. The New Hamps are MUCH nicer, more friendly birds. I think I'll keep them for layers and breed them going forward. It really depends on how the IRB taste.
I fell in love with the Cochin breed after having my roo mailed to me as a "free rare chick". I want to breed them going forward for broodiness. Though we'll have to see how broody his BSL daughters are and how broody the chicks I got will be. I want to work them into my mutt chickens
I got the Dark Cornish so I can have pure meat birds going forward. I want to keep moving forward with these and maybe add LF whites in the future.
I got Buffs just because everyone loves them. The buff chicks I have on order are from a different hatchery and I was thinking about breeding them pure going forward. However, I'm now thinking about working the broody girls in the bunch forward into my mutt chickens and discontinuing pure buffs down the line
I got the English Chocolate Orps for their renowned broodiness. I was going to work them into my mutt flock, but I think it will be easier (and more lucrative) to sell Chocolate Orp chicks because they are so unique looking. I'm currently looking into getting them a rooster.
I love having the Dominique and barred Dominique crosses so I can breed BSL chicks. I ordered more of them since I don't have a Rooster, I can't replace these girls down the line.
I've been eating the mutt roosters, but keeping the girls around for egg production and to see how they do on broodiness.
I'm hoping to simplify, but it is hard to let go of plans before I even see how they work. Any advice would be appreciated.