Will I Ever Be Done With The Urge To Buy More Chicken stuff!

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

Those momma heating pads are so nice. I was going to make a few, and for whatever reason, we went with 100-watt black ceramic lizard bulbs for brooders, and Cozy Coop brand radiant heaters for the growout pens. I must've lost that decision back then.

It wasn't even a consideration to me, but when I see those heat plate type heaters, I know I would rather see every chick easily. So many love those though, so it's just a personal preference.

 

[Vickie9304]

Hi, that's a lot of babies there, so cute! I'm just now learning about these heaters. Is this a must when you bring babies home in the Spring?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, that's a lot of babies there, so cute! I'm just now learning about these heaters. Is this a must when you bring babies home in the Spring?

I hatch all my own chicks. Sometime I buy really expensive hatching eggs, but most of the time it's just from my silkies.

 

[WingItRanch]

Hi WingItRanch, I should have come up with a cool name myself.
I don't know what kind of chickens I want. I want to produce eggs for my family mainly. I want friendly, and cute chickens. Right now, I'm think no more than 4 at most. Any suggestions? I'm north of DFW TX.

Thanks! I think 4 is a perfect starting number. I'd also suggest no roosters for your first go around.

As for breeds, DFW weather isn't too bad. I'm in East Texas and have a variety of breeds and they all do well with proper shade, ventilation, and wind blocks.

Since these are your first chickens and you want cute and friendly, I'd suggest getting 4 different breeds so you can get 4 different color eggs. You can then tell who is laying and who isn't. Plus, who doesn't love a colorful basket?! Here are my suggestions:

Light brown layer: Orpingtons, Plymouth Barred Rocks, or Australorps

Blue layer: Easter Eggers (sometimes labeled as Americanas), or Crested Cream Legbars

Green layer: Olive Eggers

White egg layer: Leghorns or Ancona (these are more flighty breeds but they handle heat very well and if you handle them from a young age, they'll be just as friendly)

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[nuthatched]

Thank you for the reply. I will check into that kind of tube. Yes, lots of restraint that I'm telling myself, not yet. LOL. I guess I'm afraid of putting baby chick's out when it could cold. I'm north of DFW, so you never know what this weather will do.
I'm only going to do a few chick's at first, maybe 4? The coup isn't that big. But I see older chickens sleep outside on a tree limb, is that true for all chickens? It's been fun researching and watching You Tube videos about chicken breeds.
I will put a post up when I start, how exciting!

I wouldn't reccomended youtube for anything chicken related, there's loads of misinformation and hype for bad practices out there.
They can stay in a tree limb....until the raccoons or owls find them. Unfortunately, chickens can't see at night.

 

[Debbie292d]

Is this a must when you bring babies home in the Spring?

I just reread this. Did you mean is a heat a must? Absolutely!

You'll need either to make a momma heating pad like @N F C gave the link above, a heat lamp like we use, or a heat plate that they sell at farm stores.

Here's her post again as she explained it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-buy-more-chicken-stuff.1679434/post-28896125

 

[Vickie9304]

Thanks! I think 4 is a perfect starting number. I'd also suggest no roosters for your first go around.

As for breeds, DFW weather isn't too bad. I'm in East Texas and have a variety of breeds and they all do well with proper shade, ventilation, and wind blocks.

Since these are your first chickens and you want cute and friendly, I'd suggest getting 4 different breeds so you can get 4 different color eggs. You can then tell who is laying and who isn't. Plus, who doesn't love a colorful basket?! Here are my suggestions:

Light brown layer: Orpingtons, Plymouth Barred Rocks, or Australorps

Blue layer: Easter Eggers (sometimes labeled as Americanas), or Crested Cream Legbars

Green layer: Olive Eggers

White egg layer: Leghorns or Ancona (these are more flighty breeds but they handle heat very well and if you handle them from a young age, they'll be just as friendly)

Wow, that's great information! I'm assuming they all get along? My kids do want Easter Eggs for sure. So maybe drop the white layer chicken, will they still get along with 2 of the same? (I feel like it middle school choosing friends! Lol).I definitely do not want any roosters, I know better than that! Lol

 

[Vickie9304]

Oh, forgot to ask, where's the best place to get these different chickens?

 

[Vickie9304]

I just reread this. Did you mean is a heat a must? Absolutely!

You'll need either to make a momma heating pad like @N F C gave the link above, a heat lamp like we use, or a heat plate that they sell at farm stores.

Here's her post again as she explained it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-buy-more-chicken-stuff.1679434/post-28896125

OK, I'll look into the heaters. Thank you.