What is the most practical way to keep laying hens for eggs but also end up with some baby chick to?

[Mrs. K]

With that size of coop, you have gotten by the worst mistake people make with a way too small and poorly ventilated coop! So that is good.

Start smaller, perhaps 1/3 the size of the maximum flock and work into this hobby. I agree that I think you would be happiest with an all hen flock at first. Grow up the first bunch, get them laying, get some experience. See if you like that breed. Often times, I have thought I would like this breed, and later on didn't so much. Year two, try a different breed, or stick to what you have, if you want, add a rooster. Roosters are easy to get, try and get one that is nice, has been raised in a flock (has better manners and understands flock society) and about a year old. Generally his temperament is set.

Then see where you are and go from there. It sounds good and some people do, let their birds live till they die, but it does get expensive. Old birds often get crabby. And some birds, due to sickness or injury will need a coup de grace. It is a hard part of chicken keeping. You will get a lot of roosters when you hatch eggs, and the reality is you cannot keep them with in the flock, but many keep a bachelor pen, or a grow out pen.

As for your coop, I would build it or modify it so I could run it all as one room, or as a big room with an area sectioned off with chicken wire, or as two separate rooms. This would give you lots of options. Even with the acres, there are times you will want the chickens secure, as if you get hit with a predator. So I would build a run attached to the coops, so that you can keep your birds confined if you need to, as in you are gone for a couple of days.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

So, I guess what it really comes down to... Is that I need to decide if I would rather get over eating fertile eggs or just let it go about raising them and just get all hens and keep them for eggs adding a few new young hens yearly? Lol I'm not opposed to eating the cockerels, or letting someone else eat them, I just can't personally slaughter and eat a chicken I have raised from chicken.... Butttttttt maybe I should just go with hens. Looks like I have some thinking to do.... But in the mean time, I would still like to hear ideas of keeping two separate flocks incase we do decide to go that route! Thanks

I'm just really glad to see someone thinking it thru.....and building efficient, flexible housing....before jumping into the warm fuzzy place.
Kudos to you!!

You've gotten great advice outlining all the options.
Best of cLuck with your decision making process.
Remember, you can always change your goals and management down the road.

 

[Blooie]

Like @aart I'm glad that you are taking the time to weigh all of your options. I've learned one thing during this "chicken journey" - the only that's certain with these silly birds is the uncertainty.