Surviving Minnesota!

[holm25]

You guys, I am going to have too many newbie questions on here ...I apologize in advance.

Trying to figure out when to place my chick order. Books say at 6 wks to introduce them to the coop as long as night temps are above 50. In the Twin Cities, that puts us into late May, early June. So working backwards, do I shoot to have the chicks arrive in mid-April sometime?

Also, where is the best place to order from to get just 6? These are the ones we would like: Silkie Bantam, Brahma, Ameraucana, Australorp, Orpington, and Rhode Island Red/Production Red.

If you want Silkies I will have chicks from some really nice ones next spring! I can also get you Easter Egger which are the exact same thing as a hatchery ameraucana. I just can't gaurantee genders until they are 3ish weeks old.... Silkies even longer. But you can't buy sexed Silkies anywhere.

IMHO April is a great time of year to get chicks. The end of April or beginning of May...

 

[MNChickMom]

You guys, I am going to have too many newbie questions on here ...I apologize in advance.

Trying to figure out when to place my chick order. Books say at 6 wks to introduce them to the coop as long as night temps are above 50. In the Twin Cities, that puts us into late May, early June. So working backwards, do I shoot to have the chicks arrive in mid-April sometime?

Also, where is the best place to order from to get just 6? These are the ones we would like: Silkie Bantam, Brahma, Ameraucana, Australorp, Orpington, and Rhode Island Red/Production Red.

Chicks MN~
My first batch of chicks I ordered with a early April hatch date. If you are ordering chicks for backyard purposes (not showing) then really anytime that fits in your schedule. And when I say fits in your schedule, you will waste a lot of time watching those fuzzy little nuggets run around. (also known as Chick TV)

If you are getting chicks with the intent to eventually show them or you have kids that will show them in shows, usually an earlier hatch is beneficial. There are many show quality breeders on this thread, as well as other breeders on this thread.

Whether you choose to go with a breeeder or a hatchery both are good choices. Hatchery birds tend to be bred for egg laying, while breeders are generally more concerned about Standards of Poultry. (Looks of the bird)

With that being said I am trying to breed my buff orpingtons and rhode island reds this year, but I am waiting until after the Hutchinson show on October 27-29th to do any test hatches.

 

[holm25]

Personally if I were to start over I would go find a breeder and buy chicks instead of a Hatchery. In all reality you do t really get a breed when you buy from a hatchery. Nothing you get is even close to a standard and so far away from its breeds standard in weight and confirmation that I do t think you could even consider a breed. Like my New hanps from Meyer look nothing like Minnie's New Hamps? If I saw the by each other I would never think they were the same breed.

Some of you may think I sounds crazy but I am starting to see the benefits from buying from local breeders that breed to the standard. The birds just look so much nicer and I am a lot happier with those birds over my hatchery birds.

 

[duluthralphie]

Living in Lakeville puts you close to Minnie, I am not sure what she has left, but I bet she has some. MnChickmom You're making a production red aren't you?

I have nothing on your list.....BUT if you want to trade an Australorp for a Partridge Chanticler and something for DOM or Legbar we have you covered. I think all of us have EE or a version of it to make pretty egg baskets.

 

[BantyChooks]

Living in Lakeville puts you close to Minnie, I am not sure what she has left, but I bet she has some. MnChickmom You're making a production red aren't you?

I have nothing on your list.....BUT if you want to trade an Australorp for a Partridge Chanticler and something for DOM or Legbar we have you covered. I think all of us have EE or a version of it to make pretty egg baskets.

I have a mean australorp she can have!

 

[holm25]

Living in Lakeville puts you close to Minnie, I am not sure what she has left, but I bet she has some. MnChickmom You're making a production red aren't you?

I have nothing on your list.....BUT if you want to trade an Australorp for a Partridge Chanticler and something for DOM or Legbar we have you covered. I think all of us have EE or a version of it to make pretty egg baskets.

Minnie isn't hatching and selling right now... I believe she is only hatching for herself and will sell culls... But I guess one could PM her and see?

 

[lvie]

You guys, I am going to have too many newbie questions on here ...I apologize in advance.

Trying to figure out when to place my chick order. Books say at 6 wks to introduce them to the coop as long as night temps are above 50. In the Twin Cities, that puts us into late May, early June. So working backwards, do I shoot to have the chicks arrive in mid-April sometime?

Also, where is the best place to order from to get just 6? These are the ones we would like: Silkie Bantam, Brahma, Ameraucana, Australorp, Orpington, and Rhode Island Red/Production Red.

Get your chicks from the breeders on here - there are quite a few and they can give you a heads up on other breeders also. Holm, Duluth Ralphie and Jerryse to start with. MnChickMom? EJB? Reputable, knowledgeable breeders.

 

[holm25]

I agree with Ivie

 

[duluthralphie]

Minnie isn't hatching and selling right now... I believe she is only hatching for herself and will sell culls... But I guess one could PM her and see?

Her culls are not all that bad...and I know you collect culls!!

And do pretty good with them.

 

[holm25]

Her culls are not all that bad...and I know you collect culls!!

And do pretty good with them.

I have some mighty fine culls running around lol! My Buckeyes weren't culls but I have a certain Dom Cockerel that was and he shaped up to be a pretty darn good bird!