I am SOOOOOO excited! We moved to my mother-in-law's farm and we have a coop in the barn. We've just got to build the run and put a door on the barn so they can get out and forage outside. We ordered 25 chickens (we may end up giving some away if we don't have boys we can use for meat) but mostly I ordered sexed girls. We got a variety and I tried to go for good egg layers that had good temperaments. We also got a half a dozen or so bantams in the order, which I'm more looking forward to, as they will probably be more pets than egg producers for us. I cannot tell you how excited we are! We've got friends who know what they're doing that can help us newbies, so I'm pretty confident we'll get off to a good start! Anyway, I'll post pics here when they arrive next week! Yay!
Eileen
Just ordered my first chicks EVER!
wonderful
Yay! What kind of bantams did you get? Some bantams are pretty good egg layers and will lay when the bigger ones take a break. We have a few breeds of bantams but I like the Blue Cochins the best,
Welcome to the wonderful world of chickenhood. As you can read, we on this forum have a really good time with our birds. Glad to have you join us!
CONGRAT!!! What fun, new birds arriving. Not sure whats most exciting, new birds or the first egg. Were all happy for you and look forward to the pic's and stories. Haystack.
Congratulations! What kinds did you order?
Congratulations! Can't wait to see pics of your new chicks. I so have chicken envy! What kind did you get?
Annie
Well, for the non-bantams, we got two of each of the following (females only):
Araucana
Light Brahma
Rhode Island Reds
Buff Orpingtons
Salmon Faverolles
Silver Laced Wyandotte
Black Star
Then we got straight runs of these:
(2) Red Frizzle Cochin
(4) Black Frizzle Cochin
(5) Buff Brahma Bantams
and 1 exotic surprise chicken that was free with purchase!
I wanted Silkies, but I think I'll have to wait until we see how this lot pans out and how many will end up "dinner" and which will be our permanent layers. We've bought everything we need for the chicks, and now we just need to find a box big enough for them. What do you guys suggest size-wise for 25 chicks (possibly more if they add any boys for body warmth).
OHHHH im as excited as you are!I cant wait to see pics!I love my bantams they do seem to be my most constant layers and the eggs really are not that small more like a medium egg for the cochens.Good luck with ya new babies!
Congrats to you looking forward to pixs
Gah! A little frustrated. I guess with the holiday this week, we won't get our chickens today (the post office said they're not there). So looks like tomorrow. I feel like a kid who went to bed Christmas Eve and found out that Christmas wasn't until the 26th!
mevnmart, How exciting! I understand your eager anticipation. I got my very first chickens just last May after a lifetime of wishing I could have them. This forum is full of such knowledgeable and generous folks. I know you will have a good time with your chickens and with this forum as well!
Well Mevnmart have they arrived?? Pictures??
They arrived, though all but three of the 29 died. One more will die today. McMurray is giving me a full refund. I've replaced them with chicks bought locally, and I've only lost two of those (they were off a new shipment to the store as well). I think otherwise, we may have more luck with those that remain. I'll post pictures once I think we're in the clear. I don't want to stress them out with the flash.
Don't let this first experience discourage you. It is far from typical. Of all the chicks that I have ordered or bought from the feed store only one has died. It was one out of a December shipment, so I have decided that spring or fall is the best time to order to avoid temperature extremes.
Well guys, now that it seems everyone's here to stay, I've got some chick pics for you!
Cresteds - one's a black, I think and the other a blue? Hard to tell w/my hands wrapped around them!
This is "Trooper" - the one guy still walking around when I received the box from the hatchery.
Pile 'o Guineas
Cute!
Bantam brooder
You're in for a lot of fun! Pretty soon they'll all follow you around like you're the mother hen! Mine would greet me when I came home from work like a flock of geese flying south!
o my.. wish someone would get a pic of my chickens.. 35 follow me everywhere i walk in the yard. Its cute.. till they try to sit on your feet as you walk!
That's the way mine did! Even after they were grown!
So cute! Sighhhhh....I love chickie photos!
I will post some on Tuesday, I left the camera at work and so I will get them done monday night...