Starting First Coop (Lots of ?'s)

[JFreeman]

I am starting my very first coop ever. I have been around chickens in the past, and both my mother and mother-in-law have their own. I have researched breeds and feel the ones I have chosen would be suitable, and I already have my first three of the flock (Silkies). One of the many questions I have is this. Where do you get your chicks from? I want Mottled Houdan (1 roo, 2 hens), some Cochin (not entirely sure how many of which variety/color) and NO ONE sells them sexed specifically for that, and a silver laced wyandotte. I just see straight-run, min 5 chicks per breed/variety with minimum total of 15 chickens, ect. Any one know how to get what you want with however many you want? Plus, no one locally has Houdans for sale here.

Another question I have is, for those who have the standard (larger) Cochin and Bantam Cochin, is there any temperament difference? I'm thinking about getting 1 hen Bantam and 2 hen standard.

Also, I have read using several different sources regarding egg laying among the Cochin. Some say they are poor layers, and others say they are reliable layers. Is that a difference in the fact that it is the larger vs Bantam varieties?

Do you vaccinate your chickens? If so how often? With what? I really want to know before I get to the point I need to do it.

That's it for now. Thanks a bunch!

 

[JFreeman]

And is there anyone who knows of a good forum for some one thinking about buying a cow? LOL

 

[sumi]

I'm afraid I cannot answer all your questions, but here are some sections that may help you:

Where to get chicks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/16/chicken-breeders-hatcheries

Cochins discussion here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/195235/cochin-thread

On vaccinations, it's a personal choice and depends on what you do with your chickens and your circumstances. Do you take them to shows? Do you regularly add new chickens to the flock? Has anyone kept chickens on your property before and therefor is there a risk? Do you know of any outbreaks of disease in your area? There are lots of vaccinations available and some can save you a lot of heartache and losses, so personally I'm pro. With some diseases, like Mareks for example, prevention is a lot easier than cure! There's more info on vaccinations here: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps030

Best of luck with your first flock and enjoy!

 

[NosiphoChooks]

Hiya,

I live in the UK so can't be much help with where to get your chickens. Over here we have lots of people who breed chickens locally so can usually get hold of the different breeds quite easily or with a little bit of travel (the whole of the UK from top to bottom is only about 650miles!). I do have cochins (or pekins as we call them) and they are very sweet birds. I only have the bantam variety but they are very quiet, will let you handle them (and I didn't hand raise these ones had them at POL) and are quite low down in the pecking order. They do lay quite well to be honest. I get at least an egg from each of them every other day, usually about 4 a week from each. The eggs are small but for the size of the birds not too bad! They are great for a burger or egg sandwich!

Any more questions about cochins fire away, I do have a silky too but only the one.

Elsie x

 

[JFreeman]

Thank you for the resources and help. I have much to learn. I do not show, it is strictly for hobby purposes, and there have been chickens here before, but they weren't properly cooped, IMO. There is another flock (or several) just down the road, but nothing the yard they are kept in is in horrible shape, so not someone I would ask advice on. Thanks again!

 

[Percheron chick]

First off, where are you? that will help with pointing you in the right direction for getting chicks. Check out the Where are U section too as you might find a local resource on this forum.

I have only had standard chickens. Many people have trouble blending bantams and standards together as the big girls can be domineering and bully the smaller chickens. You are already finding out that there are too many cool breeds to choose from and you'll need one or two of each....

Show us pictures of the old coop. It might take very little other than a good cleaning and new wire to make it a fine coop. Some of the older coops make the most functional and beautiful ones.

 

[JFreeman]

I found the list of local breeders and hatcheries, though I decided to order from McMurray Hatchery. I Did continue to find neat breeds I wanted and thought were awesome, so I have selection totaling 15 ordered (plus a surprise from the hatchery) containing Mottled Houdans, Golden Laced Polish, Columbian Wyandottes, and Speckled Sussexes. I already have 3 silkies I bought from a local breeder. The little buggers are getting big. I wanted some Cochin, but the only way I can order them is by straight run, and I do not want any Cochin roosters right now. If there is a way I could buy one or two Cochin hens from some one local, I think I would at some point, but I think I'll be happy with the Wyandottes instead.

The old coop I doubt can be reused. All that is left is the little building, and it's so small only my children would be able to crawl in, and it is literally coming apart. The walls are so thin I can't move the little thing without it crumbling. The entire thing is rotted out anyway and needs to be tossed.

 

[aart]

And is there anyone who knows of a good forum for some one thinking about buying a cow? LOL

http://homesteadingtoday.com/cattle

 

[sumi]

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/

 

[JFreeman]

My chicks are going to be in next week, I'm so excited! The arrangements have changed, though, so I'm ending up with extra chickens I wasn't expecting. My mom is holding some Silkies for me, two blue, one black, two paint, and one white. I originally bought two white and one paint (later), and after I bought the younger/smaller paint, it turns out one of the white decided to turn paint too. I didn't get a good look at the feathering, so it may be a splash. Anyway, the supposed two white were supposed to be my mother-in-law's, but the true white has attached herself to the smaller paint. The older paint is still going to my mother-in-laws, and I may give her one of the blues, too.

The chickens I am expecting to come in next week are seven Mottled Houdans (two roos and five pullets), three Columbian Wyandottes (all pullets) (one is going to my mom), one Silver Laced Wyandotte (pullet) (also going to my mother), two Golden Polish (pullets), and two Speckled Sussexes (pullets). I'm thinking about buying a couple of Ameraucana pullets, since I just LOVE the egg colors, but I'm debating on if I am willing to trade other breeds for them. I think I could live without the Polish, and I bet I could part with a couple of the Houdans. We'll see how it turns out.