YO GEORGIANS! :)

[amandarc]

As a newbie should I just look into buying laying hens? Or are chicks not so bad after all? How many weeks until chicks leave the house and go into the coop? I am home during the day, so yes I have the time, but are chicks too much for a first timer? I'm looking for a variety of goods egg layers... buff orpingtons, golden comets, rir, barred rocks, australorps for example. Any thoughts?

 

[GAMarans]

...Got distracted by three adorable equine fuzzies who sought me out....

They really are cute, aren't they? Ugh, I want my fence!!

 

[carcar80]

As a newbie should I just look into buying laying hens? Or are chicks not so bad after all? How many weeks until chicks leave the house and go into the coop? I am home during the day, so yes I have the time, but are chicks too much for a first timer? I'm looking for a variety of goods egg layers... buff orpingtons, golden comets, rir, barred rocks, australorps for example. Any thoughts?

I started out with chicks and was very happy. I had great luck. Only started out with four though..

I like to keep mine inside (or on screens porch in brooder) for at least a couple weeks or more depending on weather an temps. After that if you have adequate predator protection you can move them out to their coop for a week or two (with a light if they are of the age to still need heat), then they can come out into the run. They will (should) return to their coop at dusk as long as they are trained to it adequately at first.

Good luck! I have one buff Orp, love her. I also have a red sex link- she's great as well. Love the sex links if it's layers you want!

 

[Prinette]

I think its great raising chicks and well worth the effort. I'm not much into chickens but I know for sure that chickens are a lot easier to raise as far as cleaning and feeding/watering goes than ducks are. I don't thinks it is too much for a first timer at all.

 

[mrsdszoo]

Thanks The person who was selling them was originally asking for $15 but as far as I know they aren't show birds. She graciously agreed to lower the price but I was unsure what to offer as a lower price. I appreciate the help

Cool; congrats on your new girls
I know adult birds have time and money/feed invested in them as compared to babies, but I also know that hatcheries have to raise day -old prices to increase profits after all of that overhead. Unless someone has show-quality non-hatchery birds, or a rare breed, I can't justify paying premium prices.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Hey!! Does anyone here keep bees?? I Would LOVE to try it. Just scared I'd end up with a crazy Africanized colony that would kill me and my family or something bc I'd have no clue what I'm doing..

Yea, no. I'd rather just buy honey from someone else. I have enough bees around here.

I think that was her practice run for you. Didn't he eat some chicken the night before?

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Okay, okay, I'll give. I care, Robo. We don't want you to go to the big baby forum!! Stay here with the bullies who love you dysfunctionally..

X2

 

[Oldmomma]

I started with chicks from 1 week to 1 month olds. For me I had plenty of space but poop everywhere was my biggest issue. Straw and sand helps keep it easy to sweep up but I step out for a moment without shoes and I got poop on my feet! Plus they grow so quickly, one minute a shoebox is enough and in a months time you need 7 foot tall wire. I had 5 jump up today when they heard me getting the cage ready for bedtime. They go straight to daypen but boy are they stubborn going to bed. Best of luck with whatever you choose. Only benefit of older ones I see is eggs right away and you know what sexes you have. I got one of my NN clucking! Girl I hope, my two big babies I think I got two roos both have bright red combs now but only one is crowing so far. Thankfully I can keep all mine regardless of sex.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

@amandarc This is why I love my mixed flock: pretty eggs!

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

As a newbie should I just look into buying laying hens? Or are chicks not so bad after all? How many weeks until chicks leave the house and go into the coop? I am home during the day, so yes I have the time, but are chicks too much for a first timer? I'm looking for a variety of goods egg layers... buff orpingtons, golden comets, rir, barred rocks, australorps for example. Any thoughts?

I know this doesn't help, but it really depends on you and what you want, or what you can handle. If you aren't in a rush for eggs, and you are only getting a few, go ahead and start with chicks. If you think it might be overwhelming, start with older birds. It also depends on what you can find.