What are your chicken goals

[littlecoopnextdoor]

what an interesting thread! my chicken goals are mostly compost XD but also I want to have a couple more varieties in my flock. I'm in a city so I can't have too many. I always admire the big flocks on here.

 

[Alanzs]

Your goals sound great and more is always better!!!

I raise day old chicks (1-200 at a time) until they are pullets @5 weeks old, then, I sell them to local folks here in the far north of New Zealand. Business is good and it's heaps of fun. My goal is to continue raising chicks and providing locals with Hy-Line Brown chickens to lay beautiful, healthy brown eggs.

I have a 3 year old Border Collie/Springer Spaniel doggo who is trained to herd the chickens (and our sheep too...) back into their brooding/rearing area. Since she was a tiny pup, she's been around the chicks. She really enjoys herding them as it's part of her daily "job." Because of her Springer Spaniel bird dog genetics, she will very gently (soft mouth) pull a chicken out of the bushes, etc., and bring them to me. She makes what would be a total hassle a complete breeze. And, really, it's so much fun to see her in action.

Good luck with all your chicken goals and may your eggs always hatch hens!

 

[Alanzs]

Standard poodle for sure!

My dream breed is my Sprollie (Border Collie/Springer Spaniel). She has "the eye" of a Border Collie (she squats and stares at the animals she's herding) and the soft mouth (will get a bird and hold it softly and bring it to me) and less intensity of the Springer Spaniel. Super smart, can learn anything I have ever taught her almost immediately. She can round up the sheep and chickens and is super affectionate to people. Knows dozens of commands and is just perfect for this time in my life. She makes tasks I cannot do anymore, easy. And, to see the joy in her eyes when she's done her job is the best love ever.

 

[MaeM]

Honestly, I just want my current chickens to be happy.

I don't know if I'm ready to expand the flock. I keep chickens as pets and I've had very bad luck with my current flock. One of them died in my arms in April, at just one year old, and I can't get over that. We had a beautiful relationship but it was too short, and the way it ended was kind of traumatic. (He had some sort of seizure in front of me).

Then, in June, my favorite hen fell severely ill. Damn, I almost cull her. After months of treatment, she ended up surviving but with chronic tracheal stenosis. Now I got used to it, and so did she, but all of this was an emotionally draining experience.

I'm sure that you get my point by now. It's not that I don't want more chickens, there are actually a lot of breeds that I'd love to have. I'm just not emotionally ready for more chickens.

Plus, the other ones that I have are super misbehaved I don't know if I'd have the patience for more 3-year-olds in chicken bodies!

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

So in talks with my hubby, I am realizing my chicken goals are changing.
Originally I wanted a smallish flock (I have 19 girls, 1 cockerel) and whatever extra eggs we get I just give away, mainly at work.

(Literally keeping 60-80 eggs in my fridge, fam of 7, and likely give away 7 dozen or so a wk. )

I knew I wanted to raise our own meat chickens too.

In discussion, I realized I want more eggs to give away! (Yes I said give away, makes my heart super happy to just provide people with eggs) not only that, my kids would like to sell eggs at the farmers market.

So we are nixing the turkeys for now, focused on a second coop and run for abt 30 more chickens!!! These will be dual purpose as the goal to raise our own meat hasn't been eliminated. (Anyone have dual purpose breed suggestions?)

So as of now the goals are:
50 chickens or so running around.
A plethora of eggs to give away/ kids to sell
and meat for the freezer.

What are your chicken goals??

Keeping my babies alive and thriving!

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

Love your flock goals, that's awesome!

We just started our small flock this summer. I don't know that we have "goals," really, but I guess they would be:

• Have enough eggs to give to friends and family
• Continue learning about chickens in general and how to care for them well.
• Continue visiting, bonding with, and getting to know our own flock.
• Add to the flock in spring or summer trying a couple of new breeds
• Don't go crazy lol. We only have room for about a dozen birds, but I could see myself having 20+ VERY easily

Sounds like chicken math is kicking in.

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Dogs are always good!! What's your dream breed??

Tibetan Mastiff

 

[Iluveggers]

Keeping my babies alive and thriving!

That is a PERFECT goal

 

[MaryJanet]

My goal is to maintain a happy, healthy backyard flock of 6-12 hens of various ages, breeds and mixes. I need their help with enriching the soil, weeding, bug reduction, egg contribution, and with adding a little chickeny gorgeousness to catch the eye and make people smile

Right now there 3 hens, 1 broody sitting on three eggs, 3 pullets, and 2 refugees from the flood. The refugees are in quarantine for another 10 days, the pullets are just coming out of quarantine, and the eggs are due to hatch the day after tomorrow.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

My goals are to get some more chickens. About 50 more. Some Jersey giants, polish crested, barnyard mixes, and maybe even some fancy feathered leghorn hens if I am lucky.

This is a good goal to have!!
Are you just wanting more breeds? More eggs? Just simply More chickens lol??

I love your goals. Especially the part where you mention rescuing unwanted, deformed, or special needs chickens. Thank you for that. <3

Super kindhearted people sure do exist!!! ❤

@Aunt Angus I don't think I asked earlier. I believe you have one set up currently with a couple special needs chickens correct?? Are you planning multiple set ups and housing based on handicap or just housing them all together is a specialized coop??

what an interesting thread! my chicken goals are mostly compost XD but also I want to have a couple more varieties in my flock. I'm in a city so I can't have too many. I always admire the big flocks on here.

Compost is great stuff!!! I am getting excited to have enough to put in my garden and around our new fruit trees in the spring!!!

What varieties are you looking for??

Keeping my babies alive and thriving!

❤❤❤
I think that's one common goal amongst us chickens owners on here, and truly should be the first and main focus of any flock, whatever their purpose is!!

Tibetan Mastiff

I have an English mastiff I am caring for for a friend who passed. Hes an amazing pup!!
Well he's like 6yrs old now but whatever!!!

My goal is to maintain a happy, healthy backyard flock of 6-12 hens of various ages, breeds and mixes. I need their help with enriching the soil, weeding, bug reduction, egg contribution, and with adding a little chickeny gorgeousness to catch the eye and make people smile

Right now there 3 hens, 1 broody sitting on three eggs, 3 pullets, and 2 refugees from the flood. The refugees are in quarantine for another 10 days, the pullets are just coming out of quarantine, and the eggs are due to hatch the day after tomorrow.

Nice achievable chicken goals!!!

What mixes or breeds do you have currently?? What are the eggs gonna be??