@Rockerhen: Beautiful birds and I love your movable coop!
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My Spangled Thai pair. They're getting so big! The rooster still has a pitiful crow.
Movable coop I built recently for them. It took a lot of work, but I am incredibly happy with the result, and the birds seem to like it too. They learned how to use the ramp within minutes of being in there. The chicken shape in the door is actually a window I cut out, with wire behind it.
Slightly dusty silkie hen.
And, of course, lots of turkeys. Thinking about killing a young tom for thanksgiving. We killed 11 birds last weekend, two roosters and nine older wyandotte hens who were not laying much anymore. They were all loaded with fat and actually cleaned out pretty decently for their age. We plucked the largest, youngest rooster and skinned the rest. They were easy to process, now a big ol' turkey may be a different story. It will certainly be an experience.
All good breeds. If eggs are what you want can't beat the Leghorn. They will lay ever day, all year. I would find good breeder birds. Not from a hatchery or feed store. They are healthier, lay on a consistence basics for more years, get bigger etc. Over looks are way better. Mature slower is the only down side which really isn't.
Be careful were and whom you buy from. Say the Ameraucanas. I found the name is said loosely. What people call Ameraucanas are actually just easter eggers. Not Ameraucanas. If you buy chickens find somebody that breeds the type you want and go checkout the conditions of how the chickens are raised. That alone will save you a lot of hard ache.
And
Thanks a lot! Yeah I'm realizing that about the Ameraucanas and I'm fine with the Easter eggers...really just want the egg coloring and most reviews I've read have said they are a very calm "breed" and good to have around. I'm actually leaning toward the Welsummer over the Maran after some looking around. Do the Brown Leghorn lay anywhere near as well as the White variety?
I can't seem to locate any breeders in my area. I'm in the Summerville/Moncks Corner area near Charleston. Have been leaning toward an online source but it would be great if anyone on here knows someone close.
I'm close by near Round O. It's my first year with chickens and I have a dozen. I don't know of any breeders near by but if there is anything else I can help you with, just let me know.