Pastor Dave's Highlights

[Pastor Dave]

Thanks @goatgurl, I am definitely wanting to go portable.

 

[RollingAcres]

@Pastor Dave when are you planning to get your chickens? Will they be for eggs, meat or both? How many will you be getting?
And lastly, have you learn chicken math yet? If not, you need to go to school and learn chicken math first.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I want to build a coop and yard area this Fall and select a few hens next Spring for egg laying. I'm not opposed to a fryer or two, but mainly want the eggs. I'm guessing the chicken math is comparable to the rabbit math I am familiar with. I probably won't have any roosters, so multiplication would be difficult. If things begin adding up, I don't mind some subtraction in terms of processing.

 

[RollingAcres]

I want to build a coop and yard area this Fall and select a few hens next Spring for egg laying. I'm not opposed to a fryer or two, but mainly want the eggs. I'm guessing the chicken math is comparable to the rabbit math I am familiar with. I probably won't have any roosters, so multiplication would be difficult. If things begin adding up, I don't mind some subtraction in terms of processing.

You can transfer your credit from rabbit math to chicken math.

 

[Latestarter]

I'd recommend starting with at least 3... that way if one dies, at least the ones remaining can keep each other company. Stuff happens, as you well know. You may want to consider spending a little more up front and purchase POL pullets. That way you don't have to feed and care for them for 4-6 months, waiting on them to start earning their way. If you really prefer chicks and raising them, buy them this fall and winter them over so they'll be ready to start laying in the spring. 2-3 dollars for a chick, 8-12 dollars for a pullet, POL or even in some cases an already laying hen. Just a thought. If you get just started laying pullets this fall, they should lay through winter their first winter.

 

[RollingAcres]

If you plan on buying the chicks online, some places sell them in small quantities (min of 3) but would have to pay more in shipping. I don't know about the regulations in other states but I've heard that in NY state, you have to buy them (younger than 8 weeks) in lot of 6. I tried looking up this law but couldn't find anything.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

He may just be able to get some barnyard mix from me...will have to see if my hen continues brooding...

 

[Baymule]

Feedstores carry chicks in the spring. I used to buy 6 chicks every spring. They started laying in the fall. The previous year's hens would molt and quit laying. So I had eggs while the hens molted and grew in new feathers. On the 2nd molt, I slaughtered them. So at any time I had 12 to 18 hens in the coop and run. But every spring I added 6, every fall I took away 6. Each year I changed colors/breeds so I always knew which ones were which.

 

[RollingAcres]

He may just be able to get some barnyard mix from me

I love a good mix of breeds! My first batch of chicks were barnyard mix. It was exciting to find out what breed and sex they were a few months later.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Gives me plenty to think about.