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Barnyard Buddies:  first time chicken ownership  |
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mrsmorgen
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
morgen
coudersport
pa
USA
146 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 12 2008 : 2:17:27 PM
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OK my husband has finally decided that we can get chickens!!! He is quite excited even! But as we look around I realize that we need some advice getting started. He wants to raise both layers and broilers and we are totally new to this so I came looking or farmgirl wisdom!!! Can you tell me what you have learned that I should know and what breeds are recommended!! Help me start this wonderful adventure right!!!
thanks
morgen in pa
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all..
laura ingalls wilder |
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chicken necker
True Blue Farmgirl
509 Posts
Sherry
Eastern Shore
Maryland
USA
509 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2008 : 2:34:25 PM
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Hi there. I've been saving in my favorites file all sorts of farming info sites. This is seems to give no nonsense info.
http://www.hobbyfarms.com
I love deadlines. I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by. ~anon |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2008 : 5:54:06 PM
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I like Brahamas for layers. They lay large brown eggs, are quite hardy, and will sit a nest well (if you want that). I had a whole managery of hens, but overall the Brahamas were the most versitile. For economy sake, I would just order a straight run and then butcher all except one or two roosters. Also, they seem to be quite mild mannered and my children made pets out of a number of them.
It sounds so good to hear myself laugh. --Rascal Flats, "No Reins" |
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lmillward
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Lorie
Riverton
UT
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2008 : 7:11:06 PM
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I love sex-links (star) for eggs. I also love the barred plymouth rock and rhode island reds. they are beautiful and hardy! It gets really cold here in the winter and they always make it through- not so for other breeds like leghorns!
Long live the weeds and the wildflowers! ~John Muir |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Jan 12 2008 : 9:37:27 PM
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| I have had Rhode Island Reds for a couple years and they lay great and I butcher extra cockerels. I agree with Corrine, just order straight run and butcher the cockerels, keeping one if you want to ever hatch your own eggs or just like the crowing. :) I have some Brahmas and Delawares and they are both also great dual purpose chickens. A magazine I get is Backyard Poultry. If you can find it, check it out. It has lots of information from both experts and regular people who raise poultry. |
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mrsmorgen
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
morgen
coudersport
pa
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Jan 13 2008 : 05:17:28 AM
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Thank you so much. That helps a lot, My husband and I were looking at breeds and didn't know which were hardy, which we need, and which weren't. We got a copy of Backyard Poultry yesterday and are pouring over it! Thanks for the advice so much. I loved the Hobby Home site too.
Thanks and I look forward to more info from farmgirl experience too!
Morgen in PA
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all..
laura ingalls wilder |
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jillofalltrades
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Nicole
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Jan 14 2008 : 9:40:46 PM
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We purchased our chicks from McMurry Hatchery and every last one of them lived. We had chickens coming out of our ears. We bought mostly leghorns because DH likes white eggs. We also had Rhode Island Reds and Buff Orpingtons. My favorite are the Buff Orpingtons. They are hardy for the table, great brown layers, & they will set and raise little ones.
Nicole~ mom to Makinlee Georganna
Louisiana born & bred
Currently living abroad in South Korea
http://www.offshorewifeslife.com
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Barnyard Buddies: first time chicken ownership |
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first time chicken ownership
