Tips for new chicken/duck owner....

[leiya]

Probably posting this in the wrong spot... I'm brand new to the chicken /duck world. I love my babies. I've got a mallard, Pekin and Indian runner (not sure about the last one) I've got 6 Rhode Island reds, and 4 black and white speckled chickens (not sure what they are called) I have a Wheaton blue old English Bantam (?) think that's what she said! That I hatched from an egg, and 7 other bantams (I think one is a golden sebright and I think I have 2 crochrin (or something like that) the others I have no idea what they are.. (I'm brand new!!) BUT I would love some advice or tips!! Anything y'all can teach me is great!!!!! Thanks!

 

[jadorsey9]

The black and white chickens are probably barred rock. They are a common backyard breed but mine is not overly friendly...at least not yet but I will get her trained. My advice is to have fun, provide quality feed and water, and buy an egg cookbook.

 

[leiya]

lol!! Good idea!!!! I do think that's what they are called! Mine don't want to be petted! Except when they are roosting in the coop they don't mind it! Lol! How many eggs can I expect?! A ton I'm sure!!!!

 

[popsicle]

If you're wondering about the breeds of any, take a picture and post it here.

Start collecting egg cartons, that many Rhode Island Reds and the black & whites (Barred Rocks or Ancona?) alone will give you almost a dozen a day (if they're all pullets).

How old are your chickens? I don't work too hard to tame down my chicks. I don't play with them or hold them much. They are usually pretty wild until they start laying, then they seem to calm down. Now my old hens run up to me and my toddler picks them up without problems.

If you need any advice or info about raising them (or just want to talk about your birds), check out the forums under the section "Raising BackYard Chickens."

 

[leiya]

Ok thanks! I knew this was probably the wrong spot to post this! Sorry! I think they were born in march. We hit them around Easter and they had no feathers!