Thought I'd combine my questions.. this might be a bit long..
I have a flock of 25 chickens (24 hens of various ages and breeds and 1 bantam rooster (well 2 but one is being rehomed))
My coop is an 8x10 converted amish style shed that they have the full floor plan useage.. and a run that is about 8x12.
Now.. this many chickens was fine and I felt comfortable with the number when they were free range all day. Circumstances have changed and I've had to keep them totally caged 100% of the time and this isnt' going to change anytime soon.
I just don't feel comfortable with this many chickens in the space I have with no free range access.. I don't want to stress them out or create a situation in which they are unhappy. So 1/2 of them are being rehomed to a good friend who is starting her flock, this is happening in the next few days.
I'm having a really hard time deciding who to let go..
Perhaps someone who is not emotionally invested in this can give me a reality check..
I have:
3 Australorp Hens that are 1 year old this month.
1 RIR hen who is 1 year old next month
1 Columbian who is 1 year old next month
2 EE's who have a hatch date of July of last year
2 RIRs who have a hatch date of November of last year
1 EE with a hatch date of November of last year
9 Bantams
1 buff who "matches" the little buff rooster who is being rehomed
2 seabrights (silver & gold)
2 white and grey.. one 1/4 size and one 1/2 size (this one has no tail..??)
1 all black
1 english game
1 all white
1 fuzzy silkie who is always broody
So.. Do I keep mostly full size hens? Do I keep mostly bantams? If I keep mostly bantams.. is there an issue with their eggs and using them in baking (ie since they are small is the ration of white to yolk different..??).
I was thinking of keeping 4 full size hens and 4 bantams plus the bantam rooster.. that this would make a good sized flock for my space..
My thoughts were:
Columbian and oldest RIR because they are my kids favorites.. 1 new RIR and 1 new EE.. as they havent' started laying yet and this would "space out " my layers in age.. and then try and choose 4 bantams..which is hard because they are all so darn cute!
This really shouldn't be so darn hard.. but it is...
I have a flock of 25 chickens (24 hens of various ages and breeds and 1 bantam rooster (well 2 but one is being rehomed))
My coop is an 8x10 converted amish style shed that they have the full floor plan useage.. and a run that is about 8x12.
Now.. this many chickens was fine and I felt comfortable with the number when they were free range all day. Circumstances have changed and I've had to keep them totally caged 100% of the time and this isnt' going to change anytime soon.
I just don't feel comfortable with this many chickens in the space I have with no free range access.. I don't want to stress them out or create a situation in which they are unhappy. So 1/2 of them are being rehomed to a good friend who is starting her flock, this is happening in the next few days.
I'm having a really hard time deciding who to let go..
Perhaps someone who is not emotionally invested in this can give me a reality check..
I have:
3 Australorp Hens that are 1 year old this month.
1 RIR hen who is 1 year old next month
1 Columbian who is 1 year old next month
2 EE's who have a hatch date of July of last year
2 RIRs who have a hatch date of November of last year
1 EE with a hatch date of November of last year
9 Bantams
1 buff who "matches" the little buff rooster who is being rehomed
2 seabrights (silver & gold)
2 white and grey.. one 1/4 size and one 1/2 size (this one has no tail..??)
1 all black
1 english game
1 all white
1 fuzzy silkie who is always broody
So.. Do I keep mostly full size hens? Do I keep mostly bantams? If I keep mostly bantams.. is there an issue with their eggs and using them in baking (ie since they are small is the ration of white to yolk different..??).
I was thinking of keeping 4 full size hens and 4 bantams plus the bantam rooster.. that this would make a good sized flock for my space..
My thoughts were:
Columbian and oldest RIR because they are my kids favorites.. 1 new RIR and 1 new EE.. as they havent' started laying yet and this would "space out " my layers in age.. and then try and choose 4 bantams..which is hard because they are all so darn cute!
This really shouldn't be so darn hard.. but it is...
