Yey - hubby said yes to chooks so...

[Anonymous]

now for the planning! I like to be prepared so I'm starting now in anticipation of next summer.

I've decided to get 5 chooks as opposed to the 4 I originally planned on: 3 ISA Brown and 2 Bluebelle with the plan of eventually ending up with 13 (13 is my lucky number) - the final 8 would consist of 2 Amber Star, 2 Sussex Star, 2 Columbian Blacktail and 2 Black Star (all of which I would get at a later date). Do you think this is a good mix and would they be compatible size-wise etc?

I've been looking at suitable houses and have seen a few although they're quite pricey and I wasn't sure whether to go down that route or to buy a new garden shed, change the roof material and buy a conversion kit. What do you think? Like I say, I intend on a FINAL number of 13 ladies although I'd like to buy a house which would be suitable up to 20 chooks, just so that they could have enough room between them.

Could you also give me a hint as to what capacity feeder / drinker / run I would need to accomodate 13 hybrid chooks. Ooh I'm so excited. Hubby keeps asking me what I want for christmas and the only reply he's received so far is "Starting With Chickens" by Katie Thear!!! :lol:

Thank you.

Donna. x

 

[Anonymous]

Hubby keeps asking me what I want for christmas and the only reply he's received so far is "Starting With Chickens" by Katie Thear!!! :lol:

Thank you.

Donna. x

You're husband is very lucky,I'd have said a hen house .


I can't help much with your other questions I'm afraid,I'm no good at area etc.

 

[Tim]

Keeping Chickens is a good book too - lots of good photos and all the essential basic info you need... there's a review on the site too with a couple of pictures.

Seems like a good mix to have Chicken wise. I would go for a large gravity fed water container for 13 - my guess is around 5 litres or so would be the sort of size. As for the house, it's a personal choice but remember a good house will last you years and it will save you lots of grief if you can strip it down to clean it.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Donna, and congratulations on your Hubby being ok with having a chicken flock. Mine is enjoying them although I think he was worried they would try to eat him at first. Maybe he thought they would decide it was 'pay back' time. :lol:

I'm going with the garden shed, and we are waiting its arrival. But I already have 6 chickens in cages in my house. Then I felt we needed an air purifier for the room! Brought it home and Hubby moved it to where the chickens are. Only he just set the box there, didn't take it out and plug it in. :?

Your mix of chickens sounds very nice. A good variety. I have a pair of Lakenvelders (German chickens), a pair of Cochin Frizzles, and 2 young pullets of unknown breed because I forgot to ask what they are. I want to get some Silkies and some Polish. The Polish fascinate me, they look so unique.

Georgia in Alabama

 

[snifter]

Columbian Blacktails (they are more commonly known by another name IIRC) are hybrids and used in the industry because of their high egg yield in the first year methinks. I've taken in a number of these from battery farms in the past.

I don't know all the breeds you list but are not they mostly hybrids? I personally prefer the pure bred types and only keep these. I never really went for hybrids apart from rescue hens.

Can I ask but are you buying them via something like Meadowsweet as they sound like the birds they provide (or agents or whatever you call them sell).

 

[Anonymous]

Can I ask but are you buying them via something like Meadowsweet as they sound like the birds they provide (or agents or whatever you call them sell).

I have seen them there but there are quite a few suppliers I have looked at. Most of them sell many of the breeds mentioned.

Yes you would be right that ALL the breeds I chose are hybrids. My reason being for choosing these are that they are "supposedly" more hardy and less likely to catch illness etc than pure breeds and are meant to be good for beginners which I am.

Donna. x

 

[girlracer265]

yay enjoy your chickens,