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Post by katievt on Apr 8, 2015 18:05:31 GMT
I'm planning on getting chicks this spring, but have some questions...
We will be using 2 chicken tractors my FIL built. They should fit between 12-15 chickens comfortably between the two. We'll be moving them twice a day. Some of the research I've done says some breeds don't like confinement. Is a chicken tractor considered confinement or are we talking about chicken factory cages?
My husband is first generation Dutch, so I thought some Dutch breeds would be nice. I like Welsummers and Lakenvelders. I also like Dominiques - my husband has said he likes Barred Rocks, but a rose comb would be great in our winter weather. Then my sister mentioned today she's thinking about getting Hamburgs. Very pretty birds (and Dutch), but small. There are also the standards I grew up with - Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorps, etc.
Any feedback on the breeds? I was thinking about purchasing 5 pullets each of 3 breeds. I'm now wondering about getting 6 pullets each of 2 breeds plus 1 rooster each. That will enable us to hatch out purebred chicks down the line. I'm been getting ideas from all of you with incubators - my husband would say you are a bad influence. 
What hatchery do you use? Someone mentioned Privett on a recent post - they have really good prices and a good selection! Would there be an issue with shipping chicks from NM to VT? Any other recommendations for hatcheries? Some of them are really expensive. |
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Post by Wendy on Apr 9, 2015 4:43:53 GMT
Not sure about those breeds. They should be fine in the tractors. As long as they have access to fresh grass everyday I don't think you will hear any complaints!  My layers I usually get from Rural King or Tractor Supply. I order broilers from Mt Healthy in Ohio. |
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on Apr 9, 2015 6:33:40 GMT
I'd get more roosters so you can cull them when you see how they turn out, or in case one dies before maturity
Our feed store gets their birds from them and they are generally good quality birds, with lots of breeds to choose from
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Post by bearcreekfarm on Apr 9, 2015 15:05:39 GMT
I have always liked Murray McMurray. They can be a bit pricey, but I have never been disappointed with the chickens I have gotten from them, as I have been with chickens purchased from other hatcheries.
I am not familiar with most of the breeds you mentioned, although I did recently pick up some 3yo Welsummer hens. LOVE them! Will definitely have more of them in my future.
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Post by katievt on Apr 10, 2015 17:24:21 GMT
Well, plans have changed! Yesterday I saw an ad on Craigslist selling chicks very local to us. Her husband was given an ultimatum by his employer (a large poultry processor) because of a turkey disease that recently came into the states from Canada. They don't want to risk their flock, so all employees have to get rid of all poultry. She has through this weekend to sell 98 chicks & 31 laying hens.  We are picking up 15 8-week old pullets on Saturday. Barred Rocks & Buff Orpingtons. She is selling them at $5 a piece, which I think is pretty reasonable. Not the "fancy" breeds I was wanting, but they'll be good layers and starter birds for us. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2015 11:47:11 GMT
Our experience has been that the chicken tractors work very, very well for the "frankenchickens." Cornish crosses are perfectly happy to lounge around in the food area eating and pooping all day. They eat so much, and poop so much, and move so little, the tractors are perfect for them. They stay nice and clean and we don't have to shovel. They get a few bugs. I wouldn't want to put more active chickens in there - I feel like that would be mean.
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Post by allenw on Apr 11, 2015 13:33:13 GMT
katievt
Sounds like a good start.
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on Apr 11, 2015 18:00:15 GMT
Those are two of the best laying breeds, and tend to be calm, easy to raise birds
I think you will like them far better than any "fancy" breed
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2015 0:45:39 GMT
I really like BOs - calm, good layers, easy to train to come in or follow, good moms.
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Post by katievt on Apr 12, 2015 1:18:01 GMT
We picked up 8 Barred Rocks and 8 Buff Orpingtons, plus she threw in a Brown Leghorn. I think 17 hens is a pretty good start for us.
My BILs think we are crazy! I was telling one about our purchase; said she had 90 some-odd that she needed to get rid of this weekend. I said we bought them all! His face was priceless!
That makes 1 dog, 1 cat and her 7 kittens, 8 Khaki Campbell ducklings, 17 pullets, and about 40 meat rabbits! Our homestead is coming along!
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Post by manygoatsnmore on Apr 12, 2015 8:38:04 GMT
Congrats, Katie! You're going to be swimming in eggs soon and begging for recipes to use them all up, lol.  I've always liked BOs - good mothers, good layers, calm birds. Our BR hens had more of an attitude, but it may just have been the particular hens we had, as I've heard a lot of people say they really like them. What kind of meat rabbits are you raising? I'm considering getting a trio again. |
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Post by farmchix on Apr 12, 2015 11:07:45 GMT
Now, you need a chicken plucker! LOL I can't wait to get my chickens. We will probably use more the chicken tunnels/runs rather than tractors, though. I don't think I could get Hubs on board with the tractor. |
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My layers I usually get from Rural King or Tractor Supply. I order broilers from Mt Healthy in Ohio.
