tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post7252799688908329394..comments2023-12-16T00:09:38.218-06:00Comments on The Cheerful Agrarian: Chickens: The First Five YearsRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260526327947922728noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-12701212719091680202015-05-06T22:16:25.680-05:002015-05-06T22:16:25.680-05:00A cpl yrs back, my first run with chickens, we had...A cpl yrs back, my first run with chickens, we had Australorps and a Black Cochin. They were pretty quiet, docile, and not particularly flighty. It being our first yr we made some mistakes & had various incidents; snakes, rude neighbors dog getting into the coop on multiple occasions to "play"/attack them. Our flock of 10 was down to 2 by the end of our 1st yr. They laid a good amt of eggs & did well in confinement (no cage just a large coop). 2.5 yrs later I'm raising what are supposed to be some Production Reds, a Rhode Island Red, and some New Hampshire Reds. The oldest are a month old, the younger group is 2 wks behind. The Production Reds are proving to be flighty. I've been hearing that all three tend to be more aggressive/mean type birds. We'll just have to wait & see. If I could have gotten Australorps I would have. Depending on how things go with this group next year I may have a new flock. I'd like to try some Light Brahmas which are supposed to be broody & child friendly. I'm also interested in the Salmon Faverolle, Dominique, and Silver Laced/ Black Laced Silver Wyandottes. These are all supposed to be docile, friendly, and dual purpose but good laying chickens that have tendencies to be broody. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-48181905899751380712013-08-08T14:09:56.688-05:002013-08-08T14:09:56.688-05:00I recently ordered 15 straight run chicks from Ide...I recently ordered 15 straight run chicks from Ideal Poultry in Texas. I picked the white crested blue polish because of their "neat" factor with their top hats and all. I currently keep light Sussex for egg laying and have found them to be average, but they are beautiful. Anyways, my polish chicks arrived right on time and were all very healthy and in very good condition. The only complaint I might have is that I ended up with only 6 hens out of 15 chicks. I ordered straight run as there was not pullet option on this particular breed, but still. More than half of my chicks ended up being roos. There isn't that big of a market for roos here, so I'll probably just have to give them away. No, I'm not quite ready for butchering my own chicken :) Thanks for sharing and good luck with this years crop!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-87917411403370403522013-04-24T12:33:19.016-05:002013-04-24T12:33:19.016-05:00Hello I have partridge rock, barred rocks, RR, EE,...Hello I have partridge rock, barred rocks, RR, EE, Black Austrolorps and a Favaroli she doesn't lay well and is the outcast of the group. I have 14 in all counting the roo and he is a Dom and is totally afraid of me which I like. I get on average 9 to 10 eggs a day and they layed through the winter because I ordered them so late in the season. They started laying on Christmas day and have been going strong since. I have so much eggs that I am finding it hard to find places for them and no one buys mine a lot. It goes in spurts with people buying . I do love my girls and they are a great way for me to get rid of my stress for the day. My EE's don't lay as regular as the others but all the others are like clock work. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-82849176014290747202012-02-29T20:58:04.786-06:002012-02-29T20:58:04.786-06:00One year later and I still have my full flock of 4...One year later and I still have my full flock of 4 Barred Rocks and 5 Austrolorps (from mypetchicken.com!) All seem healthy and happy, and the Austrolorps are very friendly and don't mind being held. But the Barred Rocks lay slightly bigger eggs and are a little more consistent layers. I'd recommend both for anyone just getting started with raising chickens.CrankyPuppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15728903387133941988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-74187206292758077192012-02-29T11:21:36.345-06:002012-02-29T11:21:36.345-06:00Hello there, Instigator! Thanks for chiming in!
I...Hello there, Instigator! Thanks for chiming in! <br />I didn't realize you'd ordered through Murray McMurray! And I'm sorry to hear you had problems with Welp, too. You're supporting my theory that ordering through the mail is a hit-or-miss proposition!<br />I'll be sure to let everyone know how these birds do - we chicken-keepers need to share our experiences, so we can all make better choices (isn't it fun to try new things?) I can't wait to try out these new breeds and a new, local source for chicks!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10260526327947922728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-84156959365920919212012-02-29T11:05:00.856-06:002012-02-29T11:05:00.856-06:00Hey, Cheerful Agrarian! Instigator here. ;) I trie...Hey, Cheerful Agrarian! Instigator here. ;) I tried to post a comment with my ourprairienest.wordpress ID, but it wouldn't have me, so I guess I'm anonymous.<br /><br />We did use Murray McMurray one year and while the birds were healthy, the pullets only group had a poor sexing ratio and we ended up with more than 7 roos. I had a rough year with Welp this year, ordering 52 birds in January. They sent 57. 4 arrived dead and 3 more died shortly after. The remaining birds (New Hampshire, Rhode Island Red, and Buff Orpington) are doing very well. They're 5 weeks old today and we'll be moving them into the smaller coop after moving the older flock to the large coop (of course, disinfecting in between!).<br /><br />I think you'll really love the Speckled Sussex. They've been among my favorite for appearance, personality, and laying productivity. I still think you should try Delawares, too. Definitely a top notch bird. Let me know how the Barred Rocks do. As you might remember, we loathed the batch of 50 we had in 2010. As in the case of many breeds, I think they've lost the characteristics they used to have as a purebred and have been overbred for crazy laying skills. Or is that skillz? Ha!<br /><br />Love,<br />MeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-6610208575660192632012-02-29T08:11:37.203-06:002012-02-29T08:11:37.203-06:00Thanks for the encouragement!
I've heard a lot...Thanks for the encouragement!<br />I've heard a lot of good things about Murray McMurray - I was actually thinking of ordering through them before I found Jennifer. Delewares and Australorpes are on my "to try" list, too!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10260526327947922728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-33394375994090170602012-02-29T05:13:53.809-06:002012-02-29T05:13:53.809-06:00I really find your blog informative. Have a blesse...I really find your blog informative. Have a blessed day!Clint Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12125748678345517185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329908845377588283.post-51525636960758781732012-02-29T02:30:10.891-06:002012-02-29T02:30:10.891-06:00We've had great success with Murray McMurray H...We've had great success with Murray McMurray Hatchery....yes through the mail. Delaware, Black Stars (they are crafty!), and one other breed that excapes my mind. ha We are going to try the Austrolopes this year I think. Sure is a lot of fun! I agree about the roosters though. We sent them to Grandpa's farm as they started chasing and pecking the kids. Love your blog!Lana in MIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11676912395210998131noreply@blogger.com