Who stays, who goes? And when?

[tomarcs]

The chicks are now 14 weeks old, the five cockerels that had started crowing have been dispatched, and that leaves 19 girls and two blokes.

I built a modified version of the purina mills coop, so it has 24 sq ft. My chicks are bantams, so I figure 12 would be ok. That means I've got some decisions to make on the girls

4 Easter Eggers
3 Rhode Island Reds
6 Buff Orpingtons
6 Barred Plymouth Rock

Originally I was thinking 3 of each, but but now I don't know. Getting eggs is the goal, but I'll be giving away most extras to coworkers, neighbors, and family, so having the best production isn't critical.

I already have a 2 y/o silkie, so I don't need a broody hen.

They're all small birds, so meat isn't important.

How do you decide who stays and who goes?

 

[Nocila]

Personally, if you plan to give the eggs away, I'd keep the Easter Eggers for entertainment purposes.

I'd also keep the barred rocks, if you want pretty birds that lay well.

After that, I might keep one Buff Orpington, and one Rhode Island Red, as they might lay well, but they aren't the prettiest of birds in my opinion, and I can never tell them apart.


When I keep birds, I look for pretty/funny looking birds, and birds that lay oddly colored eggs. My favorites to this day are Araucanas and Modern Game Bantams, as both look very different from your average bird, and the Araucanas lay blue eggs.