Who else got some 2013 chicks?!

[PaintedCavalry]

Wow! I like the variety! What hatchery did you use, I went with EFowl, the service and birds were great, but they have a 5 bird minimum per breed. It would have been cool to pick 1 or 2 each of more breeds. I hope this year is a little less tragic than last year!

I went with Meyer Hatchery. I ordered from there last year, had great service, good shipping and all birds arrived healthy and happy.

 

[aaronri]

I have everything from ducks, geese, large fowl and meaties all the way down to bantams coming.
and we incubate everything from parrots and quail all the way up to emu
Lol.. we go through a lot of eggs and also butcher a lot of birds.. so we have recipes from egg custard to emu stew..

Sounds great! We'll probably do a batch of meat birds this summer. And hopefully incubate a clutch in the spring, One of these is an EE Rooster- do you have a recommendation for a beginner incubator that will hold 10-20 eggs?

Emu stew sounds interesting... I'd definitely try it!

 

[gcbsmommy]

Our first order arrived February 2nd. I ordered 15 buff orpington and 10 americanas. They threw in an extra buff orpington and a mystery chick that I am thinking is either a wheaten americana or some kind of easter egger... asked in another forum for an ID and waiting to hear back. All of the chicks were alive and well upon arrival, and now 11 days later all of them are still thriving! It's making a mess inmy converted garage (pine shavings flying out of the biddie cage all over the floor) so clean up is challenging! Can't wait till they are all feathered out and can go into the coop in the backyard! I only have one pick of my mystery chick available right now. I am kinda fond of him. His name is Cap Garland.

 

[aaronri]

Hmm, I can't see your picture. Maybe it's just that I have to wait a bit

 

[megan80568]

I'm reading through so many posts and I'm so torn. I was wanting a duck.but I've been reading that chickens are much cleaner and can be just as friendly. I'm looking for 2 of either or a good combo that are egg layers. I'm so in between and Not sure How.to decide. I don't wanna overwhelm myself right off the bat until I get into the swing of things. Any suggestions?

 

[gcbsmommy]

Can you see it now? I see it.... Anybody else see it?

 

[aaronri]

Still nada... Megan, I have zero experience with ducks, and am brand new to chickens... That said I did do a TON of research before I ordered my flock. I have plans to add ducks next summer, but I love the idea of chickens providing eggs. I know you can eat duck eggs, and I'm sure they're delicious, but from what I've read chickens just seemed like "the first step." Plus if/ when I have extra eggs, I'll have a much easier time giving away chicken eggs. (might even sell them eventually!)

As far as egg laying breeds, that's what I focused on this go-round. The Rhode Island Reds are WIDELY known as amazing layers (brown eggs), as well as good cold weather birds. ( Im in New England) The Silver Laced Wyandottes are our "pretty" birds, with amazing feathering, AND they're still regarded as great egg layers (brown eggs also). The Easter Eggers, from what I understand, will lay at little less often, but still a lot of eggs per week, and they're blue, green, or even light pink eggs! (hence the name)

I don't have enough information on ducks to try to dissuade you from starting with them, but I can tell you I'm glad I started with chickens. These guys are pretty cute little fuzz balls, and are already showing a lot of personality. And they will give me a great supply of food in the kitchen, which I know will be a HUGE plus.

Whichever way you decide to go, i'm sure you wont regret it. Good luck!

 

[aaronri]

Hey GCBSMommy, I can see it in your second post! Not sure what happened there, I still can't see it in your original... Nice looking bird, I wonder how it will feather out.

 

[gcbsmommy]

Yes, it will be fun to see what happens! Really hoping s/he is a HE as I ordered all females with the others thinking they would probably give me a male for a mystery chick... If not, I have friends with extra roosters so I have a back-up plan.

BTW I saw you said you were from NE and since your last two letters are ri I wonder if you are from Rhode Island. I am originally from Warwick but have lived in Florida for 30 years now.

 

[Kris10cali]

I just got 8 new chicks yesterday!! Split an order of 16 from MyPetChicken. I got 2 each: white cochin, silver laced cochin, buff orpington, and Rhode Island Reds. I am new to chicken raising and already addicted, I already have next years order planned.

Can any of you with more experience tell me, is there any chance of my white cochin chicks growing feathered feet if they are currently bare?
The Silver Laced are feathered, just not the whites.