The Hatching Post

Chicken Breeds - Which Should You Choose?

When you’re starting out it can be rather bewildering knowing which breed to choose and also to decide whether you are into building a chicken coop yourself or want to buy a hen house.

Let’s look at the chickens themselves now, and I’ll come back to the chicken coop question later.

There are large chickens like the Orpington and smaller types such as bantams, there are beautiful birds such as the Leghorns but they can be flighty - and then you need to decide whether you are going to go for Chicks and rear them yourself, or broody hens that are ready to lay.

Start by making a list of what you want from your chickens: e.g. good layers, type of eggs, good as pets, good in larger numbers, highly attractive etc. Then you can research the different breeds and start to take a view.

You may also be influenced by what kinds of chicken breeds are available where you live - and which work well in your climate - some are better than others in colder climates, or damp conditions for example. And then there’s the simple matter of supply. if you want broody hens you may want to go and pick them out at the farm, so you’re likely to be limited in the choice available.

Finally - if you want to raise chickens, which breeds are better for beginners.

We’ll be coming back to this subject over the coming months as I work through some of the options.

Technorati Tags: building a chicken coop, chicken breeds

Building a Chicken Coop and Introducing New Chickens

This story illustrates the problems that can arise in introducing new chickens and the importance of observing your chickens closely:

1 week ago I got 3 black Orpington bantam pullets (4 months old and put the newcomers in with my Porcelain D’Uccle hen. They all have become comfortable with each other except for 1 of the Orpington birds. We have been building a chicken coop, so they all went in together in the new swanky quarters.

I have not seen her being picked on but she does not eat while the Porcelains are eating, she constantly looks at the ground and now she spends time hiding in a little hut in their hen house. She seems to be quite healthy as they all do.

She may be feeling stressed. Moving from one environment to another is stressful. With a little time, most chickens adjust to a new environment. She could be homesick, so it should pass.

Another possibility could be that she’s just shy. Chickens have distinct personalities just like people and other animals. The way she holds her head down and stays away from the others leads me to believe she could also be naturally
shy. If that’s the case, she’ll probably stay that way - that’s fine as long as she is healthy.

I’ll report back on her progress.

Technorati Tags: black orpington, building a chicken coop

Building a Chicken Coop - From Chick To Chicken

In the early weeks, Chicks will need warmth and light and are normally kept indoors.This is an ideal time to start building a chicken coop. You will need to plan the type of hen house you are going to build based on the number of chickes your are raising. This ittle brood would appreciate a mid- size hen house - and being let out of the run sometimes.

This is part 1 of a new series called, “From Chick To Chicken.” The chicks we have in the small brooder consist of the few I purchased at Tractor Supply, and some came from the local livestock sale, and they were hatched by a big breeder.

Duration : 0:2:37

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: brooder, building a chicken coop, Chicks

Backyard Chickens On A Winter Morning

Just a little clip of my hens and my rabbits on a sunny Thursday morning in Montana. Chickens are quite hardy - but when you first start, do make sure you choose breeds that thrive in the cold, if you have cold winters.

Damp is another problem which can lead to health issues so when you are building a chicken coop, do consider one with good protection for rain and snow and space for them to roost together to keep each other warm.

Duration : 0:0:53

Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: backyard, building a chicken coop, chickens, hutch, montana, rabbit, snow