Starting out........

Date sort Score sort
HobbyChic

HobbyChic

In the Brooder
5 Years
Joined
May 23, 2014
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
39
Location
Page County, Va.


I'm new at this and it is a VERY expensive hobby. Eggs don't cost this much! First tried to hatch dozen chicks by my homemade incubator. Didn't work.
But I love Youtube. Then I bought 10 straight run 7wk old chicks. Bantam(?) cochins and ameraucanas, From studying pics on internet I may have 4 pullets
which are young hens, right? And 6 cockrells which are young roosters (right)? Well, they are 3 mos. old. and I let them out of their very secure yard to
free range yesterday....for an hour or two under supervision. They did well and loved it. Upset when I let them out of their coop a.m. and not out of their
yard. They are all named and sweet but I don't see alot of smarts....

I have: Hot Stuff (^#@**) rooster-my boy
Happy Feet
Dirty Butt
Camo
Cheeks
Ghost
B#*^@h
Repecca
Fancy Pants
Chicken Little (runt)

Are they too young to be out all day, I live in the country mostly fields around me and wooded further away. My main worry is will they go in on
their own when it gets dusk?
Love this site, gives me all kinds of information. Thanks
 
Hi and welcome!
Yes, getting started can be expensive - but it's an investment that is paid back in pure joy.
Since you are not sure what you have as far as genders, I would suggest taking and posting some pictures of your birds in the "What Breed or Gender" forum, at their age you should get some pretty solid answers. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this

Have you taught them to come when called? This can help with that initial "return" training to get them back into the coop at night. Understand, though, that there is an inherent risk that comes with allowing them to free-range - I am neither pro/anti- ranging (I use a combination approach with my flock), but it's important to understand the risks and being willing to accept the possibility of loss of birds.
 
images


Welcome to BYC!

Sorry about your first hatch. But your flock is adorable! Love the names you picked out for them....very cute!

It is best to lock everybody in the coop for about two days straight. What this does is, is it teaches them where home is. They bond with the place that kept them safe and night and will always want to return at night. If you don't do this, they will not know to go in there to sleep.

Enjoy your wonderful flock! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Welcome to our flock!
 
Thanks, I'll try to get some pictures. Last time they were too interested in the camera but I got alot of beak shots.LOL
When should I start looking for homes for the roosters? I'd hate to give away my cochins unless I'm 100% sure.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like you have a cute flock! Roosters will hit puberty around 4-5 months usually when they can become a real nuisance with bothering the girls. You might consider dividing / setting up something in your coop for now so you can keep the boys and girls separate if you need to until you can place your roos ....
 
Welcome to BYC! I love your chickens' names. My granddaughter names our hens after Disney princesses. Good luck with your flock.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom