Anybody raising chicks this Spring?

[BarredBuff]

I'm getting ready for the Spring, and eagerly waiting to rebuild my flock. I am culling out the old hens, and a few others that need to go. I am replacing them with:

10 Black Australorps
10 Rhode Island Reds
10 Dominiques
10 White Rocks
10 Buff Orpingtons

I haven't raised chicks in 5 years, but these babies should be in at the end of March. I've not had any Dominique and Rhode Island Red hens since 2009. So, I am excited to get that back to the homestead. Never raised White Plymouth Rocks.

Anyone else buying or hatching baby chicks for the Spring?

 

[Beekissed]

Every spring! But, just those produced here and brooded via hen. I like three of your choices, BB, and LOVE two of those I like. That's quite a flock size!

What breed or breeds will you source your males from?

 

[BarredBuff]

I ordered males from each breed. I really want a good Dominique male, and a good White Rock male. However, I'm mainly waiting to see who rises to the top with a good build, and able to forage the girls well. Buff Orpington roosters are not my favorite, but that breed usually is more broody than any other dual purpose. I'd be willing to keep one around if he possessed the other traits too. I had a RIR/BO cross about 10 years ago that was the best rooster ever. He cared for those hens like a mother cares for her children.

I've also got a good young rooster in my flock now that I might keep.

From my current flock, I have a bunch of useless Silver Laced Wyandottes. They are headed to the pantry soon. I'll probably keep my Easter Eggers, and the Buff Orpington hens that I still have.

I'm renovating my coop and making some useful improvements soon to prepare for the new chickens. My job has been so stressful getting started that until this last few weeks I have not been able to really plan or think about much.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Just letting my hens do whatever they want to do this year. But I love my Dominiques, they're my absolute favorite breed. Where are you getting your chicks from?

 

[BarredBuff]

Just letting my hens do whatever they want to do this year. But I love my Dominiques, they're my absolute favorite breed. Where are you getting your chicks from?

Dominiques are the best all around chicken I have ever raised. I'll be glad to bring them back.

I'm ordering from Cackle Hatchery. That's where I ordered in the past and always had good turnouts. Chicks were healthy and did well later in life. Missouri is close to Kentucky, and that distance helps.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I've already got my new chicks this spring...I ordered 25 and a mix of Black Australorps, Naked Necks, and Ameraucana. Naked Necks are fast becoming one of my favorite breeds. I know, I know - they're ugly, lol. But they lay well, brood their own babies and they make a pretty good carcass with less feathers to mess with! They are very heat tolerant but surprisingly they're pretty cold tolerant - at least here. I like 'em!!

 

[NH Homesteader]

Good to know, my doms are from local breeders but that gets expensive! My dom roos have been so fantastic with the hens. Gentle with them , protective, make sure they're taken care of... But also try to protect them from us, lol. They've been fairly trainable though.

I have one orpington hen. I like her alright, she's a good layer anyway.

 

[SustainableAg]

Raising a few here in April! Black Australorps, Khaki Campbell Ducks, and a Roman Tufted Goose.

 

[Hinotori]

I may pick up a few ameraucana this year, but mostly it will only be silkies. I'm lazy and have plenty of chicken volunteers so everything is raised by silkies here.

 

[sumi]

I'm waiting for some breeders to get ready for me now.. First up is some Andalusian hatchings from a man in Newry, then some blue (Indian Game) Cornish from Cork, or again Newry and some OEG (LF) from a breeder in England. I'm looking forward to hatching and raising them all!