Utah!

[acemario]

I see a lot of utahns here lol. I'm picking out my hens soon and was wondering if anyone knows the best hens for utahs weather and is docile?

It sounds like you have a pretty firm grasp on what breeds do well here in Utah. I started last year with an Black Australorp, California White, Red Sex Link, and Easter Egger. All have done exceptionally well. The Leghorn was a roo and got a bit of frostbite on his massive comb, but he is still doing great!

I just hatched out some Marans and Olive Eggers to start a new flock. We'll see how they do! The Barred Rocks do very well here as well.

Good luck! Choose wisely!

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

It sounds like you have a pretty firm grasp on what breeds do well here in Utah. I started last year with an Black Australorp, California White, Red Sex Link, and Easter Egger. All have done exceptionally well. The Leghorn was a roo and got a bit of frostbite on his massive comb, but he is still doing great!

I just hatched out some Marans and Olive Eggers to start a new flock. We'll see how they do! The Barred Rocks do very well here as well. 

Good luck! Choose wisely!

choose wisely = have fun figuring out how to only have a couple because there are waaaay too many flavors lol

And remember whatever you say your maximum is now, will double next spring

 

[briansnarr]

Thank you. I really like the marans. They are pretty in my opinion also the easter eggers. Have you had any buff orbingtons? If so how was your experience? I hear they are broody. I wouldn't mind if I had a hen or 2 that could be broody. I just need hefty birds because not only do I have a whole list of predators that roam the yard nightly, I have A LOT of hawks around my area. Dont want my hens flying away with the hawks.

 

[briansnarr]

Thank you. I really like the marans. They are pretty in my opinion also the easter eggers. Have you had any buff orbingtons? If so how was your experience? I hear they are broody. I wouldn't mind if I had a hen or 2 that could be broody. I just need hefty birds because not only do I have a whole list of predators that roam the yard nightly, I have A LOT of hawks around my area. Dont want my hens flying away with the hawks.

 

[Sphinx]

Briansnarr, It sounds like you'll be best served by focusing most of your attention on a predator proof coop/run. I buried my fencing about 18" below the dirt so it'd be tough to dig under. I also used a bird netting material to completely cover my chicken runs so that nothing (except a panicked cow, as it turns out.... long story) can get in or out.

 

[briansnarr]

Ya I planned on digging the fence in the ground and I have some railroad ties I'm going to put underground in front of the fence so no predators can dig under it. I have neighbors that let their chickens run free all day long and to my knowledge they have no problems. I'm not gonna take the chance though. Its gonna be a fortress when its all set up. I have a gated area which the coop will be inside (once it gets here tomorrow) that way the chickens can free graze for long periods of time and will be safe.

 

[sillycmoy]

I've heard that in American Fork you have to worry more about raccoons. I live up by American Fork Canyon right near the mouth in Cedar Hills, and I'm worried about the birds. But I have my girls right now in an fully enclosed run/coop and I have them in a grow out pen during the day that is fully enclosed. The fence posts are drying with cement right now as we speak, so hopefully tonight since its quick crete I can start putting wire on it so I can let them out to free range tomorrow. During day light hours.

I just picked up the cutest, tiniest Bantams from Cynthia12. I got the Japanese Bantam, and then she also gave her a friend, might be a frizzle/silkie mix. So exciting to see her grow, and of course I got the buttercup, she is adorable. Can't wait to see her all grown up with her crown. So excited that my little flower is going to have 2 new friends. I put them in with the 3 week olds that I have now, and they are all doing awesome, was nervous about Sheriff, but she's actually terrified of them. LOL I did set up a separate brooder just in case, but I figured why not try it out first. I tried getting photos, but they are all eating and moving about that no one will hold still for a second. I will have to try again later. Thinking I'm going to turn one of my crates into a quick grow out coop with the attached grow out pen to it once the fence for free range is done, and kick the 3 week olds out with a light. Then hopefully in about 3 weeks with the other chicks about in the free range, they will all be used to each other that I can kick them all out together and then make the other coop. Right now, I know I'm going to use the 2 crates as the ends, and I'm going to add 2 maybe 3 feet in the middle between them to make it about 7-8 feet long, it will be 4 feet high, and 3 1/2 feet wide. So hopefully between the 2 coops I have enough room for all my lovely ladies. Now they all better stay ladies! So very excite about the fence though! Can't wait to let them run free. Now I just need to get some sod or something for my huge bare spot. But then again, I'm sure they will love all the dirt, and most of it is in the shade all day long.

 

[briansnarr]

Ya as of now I'm making the coop into a fortress because raccoons are all over the place in my area. Wish me luck. I think I'm gonna need it.

 

[Cynthia12]

Ya I was going for looks at first but I decided to go with what produces the most eggs and are cold hardy. I love the easter eggers. If I can find one I will for sure get one. I'm thinking of doing the buff orbingtons, along with a mixture of a few others RIR and probably some delaware hens. Just need some heavy set birds to withstand utahs cold winters. I doblike the barred rocks but I'm worried about their combs getting frostbite. I will have a heat lamp and everything they will need for winter.

I have some EE's and Delaware that will be hatching soon.

 

[Cynthia12]

blu, how are you feeling? My friend Brandi got her eggs...she loves them! She has the best beginners luck or something when it comes to hatching! Except of course, some SG eggs she got. But these other large fowl eggs hatch like no other for her..so I'm expecting her to get her Wheaten Ameraucana.

Met sill..Karen..such a sweet gal. Such darling children! I wonder why us chicken people are such nice people. Nice folks is what we is. lol..