Which birds should I keep?

[gringold]

Well, I started out with twelve chicks. Three were definitely roosters and they went to a friend who has a farm. The rest all seem to be girls which leaves me with nine hens. I built a 5' by 4' coop and have about a 75 square feet of run. Obviously, some of my hens have to find a new home. Now I have to decide what to keep. I have 3 Australorps, two golden lace Wyandottes, one production red and three Leghorns. I want to have eggs and when they get past egg laying years a hen for the stew pot. I think that five is the most I should have with what I built. Any advice on what to keep? Thanks.

 

[GitaBooks]

I would certainly suggest first keeping those that are nicest to you and to one another, but aggressive, flighty or bullied birds. I always try to keep at least one of each breed of chicken if possible. So that means one Australorp, one Wyandotte, One Production Red, one Leghorn, and than one of any choosing!

This is just a suggestion. I hope this helps though. Best of luck!

 

[mmmyyykkkeee]

I had similar scenario recently. I had to decide which ones to keep and which ones to cull. Gita's suggestion make a lot of sense. I actually left the ones that look very healthy and huge, friendly, and each of breed (except for BO, we kept them all). So i ender up culling the mean and the bullied. This is to reduce squabbles.

I's suggest you keep your 2 wyandottes

 

[Mrs. K]

The production red and the leghorn will really produce eggs. So if you keep one of each breed, with those two girls, you should have enough eggs.

Personally, I have never had a BA that I liked, so I would not' keep them, but everyone likes different chickens. If all your chickens are different breeds, it makes it easy to tell them apart.

Mrs K

 

[gringold]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm sorry I didn't get back with what I kept. After having the leghorns escape on numerous occasions, I gave all of them away and the red to a friend. I'm sad to say they were all killed by predators at her house. It made me very sad and wish that I hadn't given them to her, but I didn't have room. My little flock of five is doing very well and seem to get along great. I haven't had any eggs yet, but I'm hoping for any day now. They are all 19 weeks old now.

 

[aart]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm sorry I didn't get back with what I kept. After having the leghorns escape on numerous occasions, I gave all of them away and the red to a friend. I'm sad to say they were all killed by predators at her house. It made me very sad and wish that I hadn't given them to her, but I didn't have room. My little flock of five is doing very well and seem to get along great. I haven't had any eggs yet, but I'm hoping for any day now. They are all 19 weeks old now.

Have had this happen too.....made me SHM...but once you let them go, they aren't yours anymore and you have to move on.

Glad your remaining girls are doing well....and Big Kudos for reducing your flock to fit your space...they should be laying within a few weeks!

 

[123RedBeard]

The Leghorn's will give you the most eggs for the feed eaten ... I'm guessing their White? But ... Won't make half the stew that the Austalorp's will!

If it were me I'd ... Keep them all and build a bigger coop! e



Seriously though I'd only keep four of them ... Not sure where you live, but if they will be cooped up this winter because of too much snow, they will be happier sharing that space with one less!

If eggs are all that matter the Leghorn's and Production Red would be my choice, and get a few meaties next spring for the table ... If you want "pretty" and "variety" I'd keep one of each breed ... If "stew" was the most important I'd keep the Australorp's and Wyandotte ...

ETA: Oops! For some reason my phone didn't show the last two responses before I posted ... But, shows up now??? Glad your happy with your choices!

 

[aart]

The Leghorn's will give you the most eggs for the feed eaten ... I'm guessing their White? But ... Won't make half the stew that the Austalorp will!

If it were me I'd ... Keep them all and build a bigger coop!

Seriously though I'd only keep four of them ... Not sure where you live, but if they will be cooped up this winter because of too much snow, they will be happier sharing that space with one less!

If eggs are all that matter the Leghorn's and Production Red would be my choice, and get a few meaties next spring for the table ... If you want a "pretty" and "variety" I'd keep one of each breed ... If "stew" was the most important I'd keep the Australorp's and Wyandottes ...

ETA: Oops! For some reason my phone didn't show the last two responses before I posted ... But, shows up now??? Glad your happy with your choices!

Read the whole thread...already a done deal.

 

[123RedBeard]

The Leghorn's will give you the most eggs for the feed eaten ... I'm guessing their White? But ... Won't make half the stew that the Austalorp will!


If it were me I'd ... Keep them all and build a bigger coop! e




Seriously though I'd only keep four of them ... Not sure where you live, but if they will be cooped up this winter because of too much snow, they will be happier sharing that space with one less!


If eggs are all that matter the Leghorn's and Production Red would be my choice, and get a few meaties next spring for the table ... If you want a "pretty" and "variety" I'd keep one of each breed ... If "stew" was the most important I'd keep the Australorp's and Wyandottes ...


ETA: Oops! For some reason my phone didn't show the last two responses before I posted ... But, shows up now??? Glad your happy with your choices!

Read the whole thread...already a done deal.

Read my "ETA" ...

 

[aart]

Read my "ETA" ...

my apologies