which breed to choose and how many to get?

[jrleader99]

If you are thinking that 25 is too large to start out with, you might want to look at a local Tractor Supply Store or feedstore near you that might be selling baby chicks at this time of year. They usually have a minimum quantity of 6 (at least that is what it is in NJ). Another place to find chicks or even full grown birds is Craigslist. I have purchased a large number of my chickens and ducks from local folks.

As far as good foragers, I think that you have some really good suggestions from the other folks. Personally I like the fact that I am getting a range of colored eggs with my brown egg layers (RIR, sexlinks and BO) and colored eggs from my EE. I really want to get some hens that lay nice dark brown/chocolate eggs next.

 

[Crunchie]

Like jrleader said, in the next couple of weeks the Tractor Supplies should be getting chicks. Upside is you can get as many as you want and don't have to mess with having them shipped (or pay for it). Downside is, you won't have nearly the selection. You could also place an order for 25 from whatever hatchery you choose, then re-home the extras. If you're buying sexed pullets from a hatchery, it's usually easy to find homes for extra laying hens.

How do hatcheries ship orders as little as 3 chicks these days? Are they adding some sort of heating thing-a-ma-jig to the box? Or are they giving you 22 extra "packing peanut" cockerals to keep them warm? Does it depend on the hatchery? Just wondering, because that is something the the original poster may want to think about--I know that, at least in the past, some hatcheries would let you order less than 25 chicks, but 25 chicks came in the box! And I do remember hearing that some hatcheries where shipping small orders because there was something that could put in the box for heat. But I imagine that that is expensive! Can y'all tell that I have never ordered chicks from a hatchery?

fiddlebanshee, there's a poultry show in Bel Air on March 21st. You could always come and take a look at some birds in person, at least see what breeds might appeal to you visually. Do a little window shopping.

 

[Davis5454]

Yup....I see a few good things to consider....

Color.....keep a darker bird (black, brown, maybe red or buff) to keep predators from seeing them.

Size......larger is a little better for fending off animals.....but still doesn't stop all predators (or even many more).

TSC......yup....easter is around the corner and will have singles.


What I don't see is climate......if you intend them to free range and you are in a cold environment.....then look really close at the birds you pick to make sure they are very hearty in the cold. I didn't check the breeds listed, but assume they will do OK from what I remember seeing.

Number......I put out about 30 baby chicks on my 4 acres. 1/3 buff orphingtons, 1/3 silkies, and 1/3 austrolorps. The silkies would barely leave the barn. The Austrolorps would stray out into the yard a little....but not too far. But the Buffs were found across the street, out in the pasture, behind the barn, in the bushes, in the woods.....they REALLY get around more than my other breeds. The upside....Buffs have GREAT personalities. The downside....the Austrolorps are better layers.

I now have crossbred them and have a really nice set of roosters...but want to get some hens that have the buff/black coloring. The mix has an AMAZING personality so far. The 2 hens I kept were black with white lace.... I'll know more when I hatch my next batch of crossbreeds. Still no real decision on the egg laying....but so far so good.

If you list the ones you are considering.....perhaps we can help with our experiences with these breeds. Just a thought.....

Sorry you're not closer.....I would give you some chicks!

 

[fiddlebanshee]

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You're too kind!
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That's good to know. I might go there if we can make the time.

I have narrowed it down (or expanded it up, rather) to about 10 breeds, but I also realized that it really doesn't matter that much because there are so many breeds that are suitable for what we want and that we should probably go with what we can get locally, and then branch out later as things develop. I will post a more narrowed down list in a few days to get y'all reactions to. Unfortunately we cannot make use of the TSC chicks because we actually don't live in the house yet that we're building. The move-in date is sometime mid May-June. Until then I don't think it's feasible to start with chicks when we're in the middle of preparing for a move. We might try to get a few pullets in July so that they can immediately attack the tick problem, and then we could expand next spring.

I'm also thinking that I should perhaps start building a coop while the builders are still at the house, to get some advise on construction, and perhaps coax them in letting me use their tools

, or better still, getting them to build it for me

.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions!!