| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 8:10:58 PM
I am planning to get some chickens in the spring if my hubby will get the coops done before then. And I was wondering what would be some good breeds. I want chickens that are good around kids and lay brown eggs. I love the look of Orphingtons(I think that's how it's spelled) and Cochins, but don't know if they will match what I'm looking for. And also I maybe would like to have a chicken that is a good fryer as well. Can you put more than one breed together in a chicken coop/yard? I think I would like to order from McMurry Hatchery if anyone can tell me if they are a good supplier. Any advice would be appreciated! Also how many should I start out with?
Best farm wishes |
| 23 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 09:42:11 AM
HI guys! I posted a blurb about the poultry show on this thread.... It was a good time!
Heritage breeds are usually breeds that have proven to be successful producers on a farm. Barred Rocks, Delawares, Buttercups, Dominiques..... those are very hardy birds that will stand the test of time/weather and molt. They are also more inclined to reproduce sound offspring. Bourbon Red, Blue Slate, Narragansett and Royal Palm are good heritage turkeys too.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gyspycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 09 2008 : 2:34:57 PM
Kristin, what are the heritage breeds? That sounds interesting. One day I would like to be able to have a farm with heritage breed animals of all sorts! One of my many wishes!
Best farm wishes |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 08 2008 : 03:17:04 AM
Sorry Dawn, I didn't know Meyer could do minimum orders
Think I may have to change my allegiences next time |
| nampafarmgirl |
Posted - Nov 07 2008 : 07:10:35 AM
Buff orpingtons are the golden retreivers of the chicken world. I am going to get some next spring as well. I am also getting arraconna, they lay blue, green and brown eggs.
Kim
Farmgirl Sister # 302 |
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 07 2008 : 03:06:15 AM
forgot to also mention start up a subscription to Backyard Poultry!
It's an easy read crammed full of all kinds of articles and good resources. |
| SheilaC |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 6:05:50 PM
I was going to say barred rock also. We have a mixed flock of a bunch of varieties, and the barred rocks are very friendly to us.
Also, as a commercial for Dawn's hatchery (Meyer) we ordered both meat chickens and silkies from there and they were great. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 5:27:10 PM
Does no one have Barred Rock? They are my favorites. My rooster is great. I have 9 baby chicks that hatched about 3 weeks ago. They are in here with me now. Too cold at night here to put them out yet. They are so cute. Not sure what they'll be. Probably more roosters.
Next spring I think I'm going to get some Delaware hens and maybe a few heritage breeds. They are more hardy than the hybrid breeds. I'll never have any more RIR ever again. All mine have been crazy for some reason. But I do like more than one breed at a time. More colorful and fun.
Have fun picking out your chicks. That's the fun part, deciding what kind to get.
Kris |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 1:54:38 PM
lol! I love the three "C's"!!!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gyspycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| Magdalene |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 12:36:45 PM
None of our roosters are mean, thank goodness, and I love hearing all five of them crowing in the morning, and all day, actually!
We've got RIR, New Hampshires, Sussex, Australorp, Delawares, and Sussex.
My favorites are the Delawares - they are calm and friendly, and laying eggs like crazy - they were also the first of my pullets to start laying.
I also found my Sussex to be skittish - they wander far and won't come in for supper with the other chickens.
The Australorps are very quiet and gentle.
I love all my chickens, though, and can't wait to order more next spring, as well as hatch some out in our incubator!
I think you will be happy with whatever your choose, and then learn as you go along. I'd hate to be chicken-less!
I obey the three 'C's of life: Cats, Chocolate, and Chickens |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 09:57:50 AM
Wow guys, you all know so much! I think I definately want orpingtons after hearing they are gentle. And thanks deeredawn for the link to Meyer hatchery, I'm going to check them out. I like the fact you don't have to order so many. And I'm gonna see if there are any breeders close to me!
Best farm wishes |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 09:36:57 AM
Oh yeah... we have a minimum chick order of 3. Between 3-24 chicks you pay for express shipping. It comes in a summer or winter box depending on the climate its going to... extra bedding and a food supplement. You usually receive them in 1-2 days. Orders over 25 go priority, the shipping cost is less expensive, but no added container benefits.
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gyspycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| deeredawn |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 09:33:31 AM
Try www.meyerhatchery.com
I'm partial... i work there. I have a mixed flock and I get wonderful comments on them all the time. Good choices to have around?
orpingtons
australorps
blue andalusians
wyandottes
rocks (barred/plymouth/white/partridge)
Delawares
Dominiques
If you need help there are a lot of farmgirls here that can do so! I love working at the hatchery.... its a great job for a chicken lover like me!
Dawn #279
MJ's Heirloom Mavens/Mother Hen
http://heirloommavens.blogspot.com
http://harvestthymefarm.blogspot.com
http://gyspycowgirlcreations.blogspot.com "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one!"...Calamity Jane |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 09:10:47 AM
We have several different breeds and both standard and bantams and they all seem to get along fine, even the roosters. We did have a Delaware pair and they were both nasty, the roo would run after you everytime you came in the coop. He's not with us anymore. Auracanas are fun because they lay blue/green eggs, our cochins and new hampshires are mild tempered. The sussex is a little skitish and the mille fluer wants nothing to do with anyone.
If you have the option I would try to buy pullets from a breeder rather than mail order chicks. The only reason is the chances of you getting males when you ordered only females is high. Then you have to figure out what to do with them. You might try checking on Poultry Clubs in your area for potential breeders. I don't about your area, but here in So Cal this is poultry show season (Oct - April) If you can find a show close it's fun to go look and learn and meet breeders from your area. I've found they are really free with info and very helpful with suggestions especially with the kids. In fact one of the first hens we got was from a raffle at a poultry show.
We have 6 hens a 2 roos and that gives us plenty of eggs year-round.
Enjoy, chickens are fun to have. |
| willowtreecreek |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 08:06:44 AM
I have Buff Orpingtons. I LOVE them! They do get quite large though. I don't "free range" I had built a tractor but they recently outgrew the run so now they are in a permanent location with an old 10x10 dog pen as their run. I have four and get 4 eggs a day. Pretty good sized too.
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.willowtreecreek.wordpress.com
Felt and Fabric Crafts
www.willowartist.etsy.com
www.willowtreecreek.com
|
| Alee |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 06:31:03 AM
Here are MaryJane's instructions on how to build a 5-Star Hen Hotel (coop)
http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/Recipes-Patterns-Instructions/hen-hotel.pdf
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 05:38:24 AM
We have had all of the above mentioned hens, we like them all, the migrant workers stole all of our layers this summer, so we have to get new, I think I will get several kinds and a few Araucanas(lay colored eggs), and some Cochins and "Crazy haired" ones...(Grandsweeties love those)...
For eggs though, one needs a large breed, or one gets small eggs ....
Farmgirl Sister #368
http://froccsfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com
|
| chickabella |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 04:01:29 AM
I like Plymouth Barred Rocks for their brown eggs and sweet dispositions. Also check out http://www.backyardchickens.com for loads of good info.
Farm blog: http://farmnatters.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dasparky
Heart of Texas Farmgirls Chapter; Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #275
|
| Annab |
Posted - Nov 06 2008 : 03:42:29 AM
You can't go wrong with the orpingtons. They are so gentle.
Then RIR's are also great. they are prolific layers and warm up to people too.
Since you are starting out, i'd avoud roosters for awhile. Still haven't discovered if it's genetics or raising that makes them so mean. Well, that and protecting their hens too. And if you have small kidns and visitors all the time, ,,,just stick with the hens.
We have 3 coops already and will more than likely construct a 4th thanks to the BLUE orpingtons I saw at the fair last month. 2 of our coops can be moved. 1 is small enough it can be shoved around and the other has wheels. Our 3rd is the super coop and it stays put. This next 1 will be more like the chicken tractor style. Triangular and on wood runners so it can be pulled around the garden.
There are all kinds of resources on the net for just about all your poultry needs. Check out the Youth Poultry Forum. You can ask all kinds of questions there and get good information too.
And, I have ordered from IDEAL simply because you can order less then 25 chicks. You'll pay a bit for a less than full box, but it's not enough to break the bank by any means.
I had thought about McMuray, but their ship dates never corresponded to my days off. And their prices are a wee bit high. It's up to you
So have fun! |
| mrsalf97 |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 9:01:35 PM
I'm hoping to get some Buff's in the spring as well. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 8:58:59 PM
YOu can't go wrong with Rhode Island Reds. I always have a few cochins..they are so docile and pretty. Why not have a mixed flock? I can never decide on just one kind..mine are always all sorts.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 8:57:23 PM
I don't think I want a rooster either. We had one a long time ago and it was mean. But some kind of critter got ahold of him so we didn't have him for long. And we did have a few chickens then but we had to give them away not long after we got them b/c we were moving. So no real chicken experience here! Where can you get poults from? I think that maybe thats what I would like to get, but not sure. And I want my coop to be tall enough that I can open the door and walk in there w/o having to bend over. And I want it to be pretty! I also want it to be fenced all around from front to back where the chickens can have plenty of room. The neighbors probably wouldn't appreciate free range chickens! Our guinieas got way to comfortable in our neighbors yard this past spring and I don't want a repeat with a bunch of chickens! Have you ever tried to catch a guinea? They are faster than grease lightning!! 
Best farm wishes |
| Beverley |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 8:43:46 PM
I have black astralorps I think that is how it is spelled but I may be wrong, anyway They lay brown eggs and are hardy in my colder weather and I really like them. now I don't have a rooster and I hear they sometimes can be mean.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Nov 05 2008 : 8:18:39 PM
Orphingtons are my choice for gentleness and layers from what I have been told. I am getting mine inthe spring , I think as pullets so I cnahave eggs before fall. Good luck.. What kind of a coop are you building? my Husband is going to build ours too ..I keep harping to him to get busy! Now it snowed. He promised me to start soon. We just bought the materials.
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Enjoy the little things in life....someday you'll look back and realize they were the big things. |
