Which chicks to get (New to having chicks)

[lomine]

Do you know what hatchery they order from? Many hatcheries offer assortments. Maybe you could order 10 birds from a certain assortment if you feel you can't wait. You won't know what breeds your getting but they won't all be the same.

If the hatchery offers a rare breed type mix you could end up with some really fun birds. In mine from Meyer I got different colored Cochins, a Black Sumatra, an EE, and a Sicilian Buttercup. I never would have picked the Buttercup because they aren't known to be cold hardy but she is doing just fine and is one of my favorites.

 

[Peeps61]

I was raised on a farm that had chickens but never had much to do with them. So I guess I am new to this. I am trying to decide what kind of chicks to get. I have watched videos and read a lot about chickens. I know how to decide but I am on the fence! HELP! I really like the Barred Rock looks but was thinking of getting Easter Eggers for the different colored eggs. There are so many factors to take into account that my head starts getting all confused and I just stop. The main reason I want chickens is because I like watching them but I am sure finding different colored eggs will be fun too! My first question is IF I get 10 EE will the color of the eggs mostly be blue/green? If I order from Tractor Supply I have to order 10 and they are all same breed and same sex. I could order from a different place like Mcmurray or my pet chicken and get different breeds to insure I get a verity of eggs and chicks but I will have to wait until late April early May to get them and I am kind of impatient! If I get a few chicks from Tractor Supply now and then order EE later will it be hard to integrate them when the second batch of babies get big enough? See I am all confused! I am so excited to get chickens I am beside myself!

To answer your question about the 10 EE chicks: I did exactly that last spring and of the 10 I have six who lay blue/green eggs, 1 lays kahki green eggs 2 lay white eggs and the rest lay pinkish brown eggs. So, you'll get variety in the EEer's too.

 

[Alaskan]

Getting chicks in April they tend to take the winter off. I really recommend waiting until May.

I think you typed that in backwards?

Chicks are strongly effected by daylight length.

So.... Chicks that reach maturity before or at the solstice will lay at an earlier age.

Chicks that do not reach maturity until after the solstice (especially if they reach maturity far after the solstice) will often be much slower to mature.

Differences in sexual maturity of as much as 5 weeks have been observed when increasing and decreasing day-lengths were compared.

The above is from a UC Davis scientific article http://animalsciencey.ucdavis.edu/avian/pfs13.htm

 

[Smuvers Farm]

HI NEIGHBOR!!!!



Glad you're here !

A must have for your poultry is a FIRST AID KIT for any issues that would arise. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/suggestions-for-a-first-aid-kit.1150128/)
It's definitely better to have it and not need it rather than need it and not have it.

Also, make sure your coop(s) have a proper amount of VENTILATION. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop.47774/) Your chickens will absolutely thank you for it!

One last thing, if you're into gardening, feel free to join this years SEED SWAP (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/seed-swap.1220129/)

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I was raised on a farm that had chickens but never had much to do with them. So I guess I am new to this. I am trying to decide what kind of chicks to get. I have watched videos and read a lot about chickens. I know how to decide but I am on the fence! HELP! I really like the Barred Rock looks but was thinking of getting Easter Eggers for the different colored eggs. There are so many factors to take into account that my head starts getting all confused and I just stop. The main reason I want chickens is because I like watching them but I am sure finding different colored eggs will be fun too! My first question is IF I get 10 EE will the color of the eggs mostly be blue/green? If I order from Tractor Supply I have to order 10 and they are all same breed and same sex. I could order from a different place like Mcmurray or my pet chicken and get different breeds to insure I get a verity of eggs and chicks but I will have to wait until late April early May to get them and I am kind of impatient! If I get a few chicks from Tractor Supply now and then order EE later will it be hard to integrate them when the second batch of babies get big enough? See I am all confused! I am so excited to get chickens I am beside myself!

If you are adding young birds with young birds (under 1 year and depending on breed/traits) it can go smoothly as I have done this with my 2 roosters.
Say you already have an established flock .. to add more chickens you'll just want to keep them separate for about a month or so they can get used to each other. You put the young birds your adding into a run or coop (I use a large structure with chicken wire they can see through - it works for me) and you let the young and older birds see and hear, but not touch. They will have their pecking order eventually when all freed, but they'll be ok. If your caging them you may want to watch them to see if a young bird is being bullied. My birds free range 100% they are never caged so my younger birds can run away from the older birds and hide.. if they are cooped it depends on how big the coop is and if you have hens that are being aggressive.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think you typed that in backwards?

Chicks are strongly effected by daylight length.

So.... Chicks that reach maturity before or at the solstice will lay at an earlier age.

Chicks that do not reach maturity until after the solstice (especially if they reach maturity far after the solstice) will often be much slower to mature.

The above is from a UC Davis scientific article http://animalsciencey.ucdavis.edu/avian/pfs13.htm

Actually I was going off my own bad timing with chicks.
All my April or earlier chicks took winter off. All my May/early June have laid through the winter.
Several of my March birds actually went ahead and molted too.

I am sure everyone ends up with different experiences though.

Whichever way the OP goes I hope they get some great birds.