Spring 2017 first timers post!

[Merrymouse]

Must. Finish. Coop

Gary

Gary, Any updated pictures?

 

[Treerooted]

Ahhhhhh guys I only have 12 days until my 16 babies are hatched. I'm so excited. We start construction on the coop this weekend. I'm guessing I'll get at least two Roos, so we will end up with around 14 hens, fingers crossed. My coop is going to be 5x10 with 4or 5 nesting boxes and a 10x11 run. I plan to let the range across the yard every now and then as well provide fodder, meal worms and toys in their pen.

So exciting! Good luck on that coop build, better get cracking!

This is a really nice thread - hope you don't mind an oldie, lurking now and then.

It is isn't it? Feel free to step in when one of us has a hairbrained idea

@Merrymouse Oh I'm so glad you got it all sorted that's great! Love your (almost) final choices

. Since I'm a newbie I can't give any experienced advice, but I chose the Brahma for their cold hardiness and wonderful temperament; they're big birds (bigger then the Orpingtons). They're not know to be the most prolific layers, but I'm guessing that's fine for your flock.
Other white birds I had considered were Jersey Giants and Chanteclers.

 

[bramblefir]

Yay! My friend agreed to take my extra chickens that I dont want even if I get a rooster so I can order my chickens anytime now. I was waiting because I wanted 6 to 8 and they have a 15 chick minimum. So now I have to order 15 and I can try any breeds because what ever I dont want/need my friend will take and she doesnt care, she'll take anything. She has a big farm, plenty of space and all kinds of animals so she doesn't sweat the small stuff like adding a handful of chickens

So Im ordering from Meyers and so far I have:

2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Black Australorp
2 Easter Eggers
1 Barred rock
1 Golden Laced Wyandotte
1 Dominique
1 Speckled Sussex
1 Blue Amaraucana
1 Lavender Orpington


Im not sure they even have all these for the date I want so they can be switched out or whatever. Im looking for quiet, docile, color variety in both chickens and their eggs. Hmm, I need a white hen in there. So what do you all suggest? I was thinking of Cochin or Brahma but not sure I want feathered feet. Maybe a light brahma for some white in my flock. Im new to this so I have no idea. Thanks in advance for the suggestions doesnt have to be white just whatever everyone thinks would be a good addition. Oh and I dont want flighty because Im going to free range in the woods and only plan to have a flexible fence to keep them somewhat contained. So I dont want really good flyers if I can avoid it.

P.S. must be cold hardy for Massachusetts' winter

For a white(ish) bird I would recommend either Columbian Wyandottes or White Rocks. I personally love Hamburgs and would suggest them for their cold hardiness and excellent laying, but they're really good in the flying department too (which makes them really good on free range - I've never lost a Hamburg to predators). Of course, a sharp pair of scissors used on their flight feathers on 1 wing will take care of flying too.

Other breeds from Meyer's to consider are:

Chanteclers
Buckeyes
Salmon Faverolles
Dorkings

 

[naturegeek168]

Yay!  My friend agreed to take my extra chickens that I dont want even if I get a rooster so I can order my chickens anytime now.  I was waiting because I wanted 6 to 8 and they have a 15 chick minimum.  So now I have to order 15 and I can try any breeds because what ever I dont want/need my friend will take and she doesnt care, she'll take anything.  She has a big farm, plenty of space and all kinds of animals so she doesn't sweat the small stuff like adding a handful of chickens

So Im ordering from Meyers and so far I have:

2 Buff Orpingtons
2 Black Australorp
2 Easter Eggers
1 Barred rock
1 Golden Laced Wyandotte
1 Dominique
1 Speckled Sussex
1 Blue Amaraucana
1 Lavender Orpington


Im not sure they even have all these for the date I want so they can be switched out or whatever.  Im looking for quiet, docile, color variety in both chickens and their eggs.  Hmm, I need a white hen in there.  So what do you all suggest?  I was thinking of Cochin or Brahma but not sure I want feathered feet.  Maybe a light brahma for some white in my flock.  Im new to this so I have no idea.  Thanks in advance for the suggestions doesnt have to be white just whatever everyone thinks would be a good addition. Oh and I dont want flighty because Im going to free range in the woods and only plan to have a flexible fence to keep them somewhat contained.  So I dont want really good flyers if I can avoid it.

P.S. must be cold hardy for Massachusetts' winter

I am getting Buckeyes due to their friendless, cold hardiness, and the fact that they were bred to be active foragers multiple sources say that are apparently good mousers. They are, however, brown not white

 

[carolbiggs1965]

I just got my chicks today. One chick I don't think will make it. I can't wait. We are going to start building the coop soon.

 

[Baby chick101]

I am working on my first coop, the brooder will be in the coop and I am using the Mama Heating Pad.  I am getting 7 chicks the first week of April 2017.   I was hoping to get a few of us newbies together who are gearing up for our first time this spring!  Lets post pictures of our coops, our birds when we get them and see who gets the first egg!

Who is in?

Gary from Idyllwild Ca here

 

[Baby chick101]

That's really cool! I'm new too

 

[Baby chick101]

What's wrong with one of the chicks

 

[Merrymouse]

@Merrymouse Oh I'm so glad you got it all sorted that's great! Love your (almost) final choices

. Since I'm a newbie I can't give any experienced advice, but I chose the Brahma for their cold hardiness and wonderful temperament; they're big birds (bigger then the Orpingtons). They're not know to be the most prolific layers, but I'm guessing that's fine for your flock.
Other white birds I had considered were Jersey Giants and Chanteclers.

So I updated my list a bit and I checked a few different hatcheries. There are no blue egg layers anywhere! Or if they have any they dont have the majority of the other chicks I want. I added light Brahma to my list.

My new list is:
1 Dominique
1 Partridge Cochin
1 Light Brahma
2 Black Australorp
1 Speckled Sussex
1 Barred Rock
2 Buff Orpington
1 Gold Laced Wyandotte
1 Silver Laced Wyandotte
Can't get the Easter Eggers or Blue Ameracuna
Maybe a Lavender Orpington

I dont think there is anyplace that will have everything I want. Meyers had all except EE, blue Ameracuna, SS and Dom. Cackle had all except Blue Ameracuna, EE, and Lavender Orp. Has anyone used Cackle?

For a white(ish) bird I would recommend either Columbian Wyandottes or White Rocks.

Other breeds from Meyer's to consider are:

Chanteclers
Buckeyes
Salmon Faverolles
Dorkings

Columbian Wyandotte were on my list initially so maybe. Are the white rocks a white version of barred rocks?
Like the Salmon Faverolles but cant find them anywhere.

I am getting Buckeyes due to their friendless, cold hardiness, and the fact that they were bred to be active foragers multiple sources say that are apparently good mousers. They are, however, brown not white

Hmm. Dont know anything about buckeyes. Ill check them out.

Thanks All, I hope to order tonight or tomorrow so they dont keep selling out.

 

[pioneerchick816]

How I got past the 15 minimum order was with my meat chickens. I order half of them from Meyer (with a few layers) & half from McMurray with more layers. Guess that doesn't help much if you aren't going that route but just an idea to through out there into the chicken void

April can't come fast enough!!