There’s a catalog for everything. Bob dropped off two with chickens (turkeys, ducks, pheasants, partridge and quail, too). I’m looking at dual purpose birds… It’s pretty sure that chickens will return in small numbers to the farm this year, but not a done deal till April. For me, it’s a completely new tiny farming…adventure. I’m going into it much more casually than usual with new farm stuff, because for this year it’s mostly for fun. I don’t really have a PLAN. We have room for about 50 birds in the current chickenhouse set-up, so it’s not such a big thing. We’ll see next month!
As the current head of Skunky Acre Farm ( my tiny farm) I think you will love the chickens. They are a real treat. We have them and now I can’t imagine life with out them.
I’m not necessarily on a Tiny “Farm” but I am on a Tiny “Lot”; 1/4 acre suburban lot that is. We are currently broding chicks in the basement, and I am getting ready to build them a proper hen house soon. I have to say that I love them so far. They are so fun to watch scratching about in the pen. Hope you get them.
P~
Would you mind sharing which catalogs were dropped off? I’m familiar with McMurrays and Privet hatcheries, but would love to learn of more…
Thanks!
Rosemary
The best thing about chickens is… they taste like chicken.
I, too, am awaiting the day when I can have chickens of my own. I don’t know why I should be surprised that there are catalogs for chickens, lol. I’ll be interested to hear how you like the dual-purpose chickens since most of what I’ve read (admittedly not a whole lot) says that you get the best eating and laying chickens from the single purpose variety (i.e. one of each).
Can’t wait to see which you choose. I’m planning on adding another 12 dual-purpose birds this year. I even ordered the eggs. But now no one is broody. Oh well, have to cancel the order until someone decides they want to sit…
Choose the 50 cent per chick ones! They all taste the same anyway. IMO, you should buy the Peruvian ones that lay greenish eggs, because green eggs are cool! But then, to totally confuse the chickens, cook them before they can lay any eggs at all! That’ll teach ’em. Laughing at their dead corpses while you pluck them is optional.
I’m a heartless conservative though. You may wish to approach this differently.
;)
I should mention that the views in my prior post had nothing to do with conservatism at all, but it was fun to write!
Thanks for sharing all that chicken love!
rosemary: I’m in southern Ontario, Canada. These two hatcheries are fairly close: Millpond in Grafton (“hatching quality since 1965”) and Frey’s in St. Jacobs (“hatching since 1946”).
We srttaed with 4 Silver Laced Wyandottes in our flock. Two were killed by stray dogs. Our third was a beautiful bird, and she became our flock leader. Her name was Chaser, and she was a cool customer. What I did find with our Wyandottes is they have a tendency toward domination. In our mixed flock that also includes Barred Rocks, Leghorns and a Partridge Cochin, that created a few squabbles. Our fourth Wyandotte is still with us. I recently wrote about her and this breed in general in my blog at pamsbackyardchickens.blogspot.com.
I use Rhode Island Reds and Black Australorps. They are good dual purpose birds that when their time is done laying, they will make good roasters. Then I have Americaunas for their green tinted eggs. People love them. I put a couple in each dozen and it truly makes them look farmy and fresh. Your farm will never be the same once you get chickens. They are the cleanup crews of the property.
I really miss my chickens! I’ve raised them from the age of 11when I started with Banties, and for the past few years I haven’t had them. Another great breed is Buff Wharpingtons for huge young roosters. I’d like to make a chicken tractor, except my garden is all hillside but here’s a good site with lots of info on chickens as well as organic gardening and vermiculture: http://www.themodernhomestead.us/
Hi. I live on a 3 thousand acre farm and I have 25 chicks, 9 layers, and 2 roosters. I’m building a new chicken coop this summer for my birthday because I’m buying around 100-150 chicks next spring. I love chickens, they’re so fun to play with. If you live in a colder area, get silver laced wyandottes. They tolerate very cold weather. They’re great brown-egg layers and pretty good meat birds too. Auracana’s lay green eggs, I have seven of these. New Jersey Giants and Rhode Island Reds are both GREAT dual-purpose birds. They’re both very large birds, which is good for meat, and they lay extra-large eggs; Brown. Well I hope you do well with the chickens. I’ve had them for a couple years and remember my grandma always having them. (I’m twelve). Well, you’ll have a great experience with your chickens, chicks, or old hens, you’ll love them! I always did…
hi iam bilal how are u
i shell ask one thing that u can send the catlog book on my mail it would be good to identifed the hens please kindly send that catlog for other wise send only fat hens onne as early as possible thank ur faith fully bilal
building a new chicken coop this summer for my birthday because I’m buying around 100-150 chicks next spring. I love chickens, they’re so fun to play with. If you live in a colder area, get silver laced wyandottes. They tolerate very cold weather. They’re great brown-egg layers and pretty good meat birds too. Auracana’s lay green eggs, I have seven of these. New Jersey Giants and Rhode Island Reds are both GREAT dual-purpose birds. They’re both very large birds, which is good for meat, and they lay extra-large eggs; Brown. Well I hope you do well with the chickens. I’ve had them for a couple years and remember my grandma always having them. (I’m twelve). Well, you’ll have a great experience with your chickens, chicks, or old hens, you’ll love them! I
Loved your blog…I am going to be cooking some chicken this year… we made a whiz bang chicken plucker :)
Ruthie
I want the catalog please !Thank you!
Still can’t figure out how it seems catalogs are available from here?! Sorry, no catalogs, no hatchery, even. :)
i have 15 chickens
Would like a book on bantams
I would like your free catalog send to john cross 6011 old federal rd #c chatsworth georgia 30705 thank you