Starting a flock

[chicksurreal]

So I ask all of you now that spring is coming. How many new chicks are you getting this year? Are you breeding or buying new stock? Are you downsizing or expanding? What are you doing with your older girls that are spent? Do you have more than one rooster or none? It really doesnt matter when you love chickens guys! Almost like buying a Hershey bar with or without almonds. Starting a flock is like being in a candy store. Every thing looks good and you cant make up your mind whether to get the good and plenty or the ju jubees!

We're adding 40-50 chicks this spring. We are well and truly hooked! We have one cockerel right now with 13 pullets and are going to start a separate flock with the new chicks (adding several different breeds. We've spent a couple of months trying to hone the list, but it just keeps growing!

 

[farmtastic]

I am starting and opening a new business, a meat farm and can't seem to find out how many chickens I will need to start and how much it costs to raise them.any suggestions would be highly appreciated!

 

[Our Roost]

farmtastic, Hmmmn, this really could serve further discussion if you were to open a new thread. First off, you should really look into state and federal guidelines that would give you a better perspective before you invest in your interest. This is truly where the definition of Agricultural farming for profit comes into play verses small time hobbyists looking to offset their feed costs. I really dont know what I am talking about but it seems the right direction to take. Asking questions and learning is a bonus.

 

[aart]

I am starting and opening a new business, a meat farm and can't seem to find out how many chickens I will need to start and how much it costs to raise them.any suggestions would be highly appreciated!

Agrees with Our Roost...start a new thread in the Meat Birds forum.

 

[marktoo]

Figured on 2 hens & build 8sq ft coop. Figured I could squeeze in 3 because of varying space requirements recommended web site to web site. Got 4 chicks figuring at least 1 would die or be a rooster....all survived & all are pullets. Now I figure I gotta cull a hen or built a larger coop!

CHICKEN MATH! No matter how you figure it you're gonna figure wrong! Go large!

 

[lyssafulmerz]

I started with 6 pullets I had gotten from the auction. They were healthy and layed for me a week after I got them, was getting about 3-5 eggs a day, I then decided I wanted more. Got 8 more from a lady those 8 were sick which got my flock sick had to cull all 14 hens. I have now started over with a rir and a deleware or columbian not sure which, they are laying everyday, I have since added a lavender americauna? And a black hen, and 2 seabrights all are healthy and came from auction, and got all og them for $2 a piece or less

 

[sheetmetaltom]

I got 10 chicks in aug., 2 were roos. so unfortunately they had to go into the pot.8 hens and 2 are laying one regularly, one sporatic. they all will follow you around the yard, come up on the deck and stare into the diningroom. they follow the dog around when she's outside. they seem to think she's one of them. she on the other hand just wants to do her thing and not theirs. but everyone gets along. been really cold here, but everyone seems to be doing good. glad I went with the chicks, was a learning experience. also should have built a bigger coop, so come march im moving everything and expanding my coop. glad I got them they add comedy to your day!

 

[dcourington]

I got my first 5 hens (1 year old) from a local young man in 4H that had raised them as a project. He was selling them to finance his next project. They were immediately at home with me although they do not care to be touched or handled by us, the sure do like cleaning the yard of bugs and kitchen scraps and are willing to follow me around the yard. I added to them a group of 6 hens a few months ago that were being given away due to neighbor issues. It took a couple of months to get them integrated but they are all pretty much getting along now and I am getting a good many eggs every day, even in the Winter. For me, getting babies is a lot of extra work, we might add a few more as pullets later on, but, for now, I love having the grown girls in my yard.

 

[rired522]

I started with 'started pullets', that I got from a hatchery. They were between 10-16 weeks old when I got them. A bit pricey, but I wasn't sure if I had the time to give to chicks. They were scared of me at first, but it didn't take them long to figure out I equaled food and treats...and now the cute little vultures follow me all around the yard....

If I had to do it all over again, I would start with chicks, just to have that experience. But if you aren't sure about chicks, look into the started pullets option.

Good luck!

where did you get your started pullets from?

 

[steny03]

I ordered mine through Murray McMurray hatchery. My black Australorps are all doing really well. No health complaints at all. They do vary in size, but I wasn't interested in show quality anyways.