Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[ChickenGirl555]

Hello my fellow cheese heads! I have come to talk about my chicks. I am integrating this weekend, and I would like to tell it to 'my people'.

I have 6 pullets (4 months) and my two chicks (age unknown, maybe 5-7 weeks) I'll be putting with my pullets. As I talk, I'll be referring to the pullets as The Bigs, and my chicks as The Littles.

I got a box, and a dog crate. I've been adjusting the chicks to the cold by bringing the chicks outside for about 20-25 mins at a time. I have also been letting them interact with the Bigs. I have decided to move them into the coop this weekend since I won't be able to for a long time. I can't go into details right now, but I'll just finish by saying I'm going to get them used to the box on Saturday, and bring them into the coop and run and start transitioning, and then on Sunday I will try to officially move them in.

I will go into details tomorrow for anybody who is interested in helping me.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

So I've been trying to decide on what kind of chickens to get.
Here are my finalists:
Australorp - word is they are productive and friendly (and I love the black iridescence)
Wyandotte - productive and laced varieties are very pretty
Easter eggers - for colorful eggs and mystery factor
Does anyone have any input?

I want chickens for eggs but also just for fun as pets- small children are also around so friendly/ docile is important

 

[jvls1942]

Friendly chickens are determined by how they are raised.. not by what breed they are.

if you want eggs, then get a couple of egg layers.
don't expect the pretty ones to lay lots of eggs, although they might..
don't get any chicken that you just can't part with, especially if you are limited to a small number of chickens.
don't hatch eggs if you have no way to get rid of unwanted roosters. nobody will take them off your hands. if you can't butcher them, don't expect to give them to somebody who will not, either. it is rare to find "forever" homes for chickens..

.......jiminwisc.......

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Friendly chickens are determined by how they are raised.. not by what breed they are.

if you want eggs, then get a couple of egg layers.
don't expect the pretty ones to lay lots of eggs, although they might..
don't get any chicken that you just can't part with, especially if you are limited to a small number of chickens.
don't hatch eggs if you have no way to get rid of unwanted roosters. nobody will take them off your hands. if you can't butcher them, don't expect to give them to somebody who will not, either. it is rare to find "forever" homes for chickens..

.......jiminwisc.......

Thanks for the tips!
I tend to believe it has more to do with how they are raised too, but I've also never had chickens and I read a lot of posts about which breeds are 'friendlier' so I wasn't sure if that was really true or not.
I know rehoming roosters can be hard. I won't be hatching any eggs, as I'm not allowed to have roosters in the first place (city ordinance)
I know I will not be keeping chickens after they are done laying, so I can definitely deal with that.

 

[BBZZZZTT]

As for production, it is just me eating the eggs so even fair layers should be okay for me.

 

[jvls1942]

first of all, don't believe everything people write on byc. a lot of them are basically newbies and they are going by what little experience they have had so far..
I have had thousands of chickens over the past 54 years.. I have had only one mean rooster, and I did not raise it..
I had Asian fighting cocks and hens. they were very tame. if I stood still, they would stand on my foot..
I have guineas right now that I can practically step over..
I had a barred rock hen who would fly onto my shoulder and ride along as I did the feeding and watering..
I also had a hen Royal Palm turkey who would fly onto my shoulder also.
it is all in how you raise them.
treat them kindly and with respect ..
and eat the ones you don't particularly like.

 

[BlackBrookPoultry]

I think the breeds you listed will work well for you. Easter eggers are usually pretty docile, almost ditzy birds. If you're not picky on color, the buff orpingtons may work out better than Australorps as far as personality. Wyandottes are nice birds also. Most breeds have pretty predictable personalities. There aren't may hamburgs that are going to want you to touch them, no matter how your raise them. I've never seen an unfriendly speckled sussex, Rhode Island reds are jerks to most other breeds.

 

[jvls1942]

miracles still do happen.
the Packers won today..

It was not so bad out today. the sun was actually melting the snow.

I picked up a few things and put them away.

as long as it stays above freezing, I will work outside a little more..

........jiminwisc.........

 

[babylady4]

Worked on going through boxes today and doing some organizing. Replaced all the exterior door locks this weekend too. Just need to locate the hole saw so I can put in the deadbolts.....

Just horrible news this weekend. One of my HS friends, their son was killed in a car accident Friday morning: head on with a semi...... he was a twin, married, and had a 1 yr old daughter. No parent should ever have to bury their child......

Nice to see everyone is keeping busy.

 

[jvls1942]

heard about that accident way over here,
sorry to hear such news..

when you drill through the door with that large hole drill bit, clamp a block of wood over the area where it will poke out on the opposite side. should help prevent tear out.

I think today and/or tomorrow will be "clean up the yard" days..

will be tuning up my jointer soon. I wish I had a 6" jointer instead of the 4" ..
I have to make a few push sticks and blocks, too.

........jiminwisc...

Today we got the yard all picked up. dragged the hoses under the apple tree. put the lawnmower and big tiller under cover.
hauled a couple of loads of scrap to the burn pile.

then I ran a couple pieces of wood through the jointer.
it chattered more than I like. I don't think the motor is running at full speed.
I will see if the budget can handle a 6" jointer. I have been searching craig's list. there are some available..

we are down to two guineas. found one in the ditch by the road today. I will give them away to anybody who will take them.

bartender to customer: I see your glass is empty,
can I get you another ?
customer: why would I want two empty glasses ??

......jiminwisc.........