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Post by painter on Oct 16, 2008 14:40:05 GMT 8
Hi everyone
My name is Michelle, I live in Roleystone and I am hoping to get my first chooks very soon, so I am glad to find this forum.
I have no idea what breed of chook to get, although I was thinking (3-4 no roosters) Isabrowns or Rhode Island Reds I do want them for eggs and pets (we have three kids).
I would prefer POL rather than day old (although chicks that could go outside in the coop would be ok), but wonder if they will become friendly if they have not been handled much since hatching?
I would love suggestions on friendly breeds, and where I could get them from in the next week or two (hubby is hopefully building the coop this weekend.
Edit to add: I love the look of the wyandottes and barnevelders , can you mix one each of different breeds or should you stick to one breed only?
Cheers
Michelle
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Post by chooken on Oct 16, 2008 18:23:32 GMT 8
Hi Michelle and welcome to the forum. We have a selection of chooks in with each other. Generally they all get on. It is great to see kids handling and looking after chickens. Good healthy fun. Good luck with your choices.
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Post by painter on Oct 16, 2008 18:55:36 GMT 8
Thanks for the welcome chooken:)
I can't wait - I have wanted pet chickens for years but hubby has unexpectedly agreed to build the coop this weekend.
I am glad to hear that it is ok to have mixed breeds together. I love the look of the silver and gold laced wyandottes - I know you shouldn't go on appearances alone, but I'm an animal/wildlife artist and I am really keen to paint my pretty chookies:)
Can anyone tell me what age Wyandottes can be sexed at? I don't really want to get attached to one and have it turn out to be a boy.
Also, if I was to get older chickens, how old is considered too old?
LOL I hope its ok to ask so many but I have one more question, can I add chickens at different times or do I need to get them at the same time and age to avoid agression or major dominance issues?
Thanks!
Michelle
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Post by fluffychook on Oct 16, 2008 19:42:58 GMT 8
Hi Michelle, welcome. The voice of experience will help you with your questions. I am sure they will be along soon. It's nice to have another hills person around.
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Post by fatsussex on Oct 16, 2008 20:59:13 GMT 8
Hi Michelle You might like to come down to the Kelmscott show this Saturday.It will be a good chance to see and ask about all the different breeds on display.(including my own) Many breeds(including wyandottes)have positives and negatives in relation to what you want/expect from a breed.ie eggs/laying ability,broodiness,feed consumption,handling/quietness etc. Read heaps....ask heaps Todd(Kelmscott)
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Post by painter on Oct 16, 2008 21:13:16 GMT 8
Thanks Todd, I will be going to the Kelmscott Show on Saturday, so will spend us much time in the chicken shed as my three kids will allow:)
What breeds do you have, I will try to find you?
Michelle
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Post by horses7 on Oct 17, 2008 5:00:29 GMT 8
Hi Michelle, welcome to WAP, as Todd said, there are lots of beautiful breeds out there with different qualities, work out what you are actually wanting from your chickens, whether your main priority is egg laying capabilities, or looks, or personality etc, and as you are only wanting to get 3 or 4, dont rush into it, do your homework first, otherwise what will happen you will get some chookens, and then you will find some more beautiful chookens and then you have the hard choice of deciding to part with ones you already have or not get the new ones. or you end up being like most of the people on here having a hell of alot more that 4 chookens.
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Post by painter on Oct 17, 2008 8:20:50 GMT 8
LOL yes, well hubby has set the limit at 3, I am already hoping/planning on four, with the view of adding the odd one every now and then...I figure on keeping hubby happy with just the minimum, see how easy/difficult they are and go from there:)
I'm researching as much as possible, seeing as I have to start with small numbers, personality and looks are important with egg laying next - a dozen eggs a week would be ample I think.
Can't wait to speak to a few breeders at the Kelmscott show tomorrow, is anyone else from this forum going to be there?
Michelle
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Post by fatsussex on Oct 17, 2008 10:53:48 GMT 8
I keep Australorps and Sussex(in Light,Coronation and Silver).I too only wanted 3 or 4 chooks for a few eggs and to teach the kids a bit of animal husbandry.Lets just say i have a few more now. I have entered in the show a Coronation sussex,Blue australorp and a black australorp.They are all young pullets and a bit young to enter really but it will be a good experience.
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Post by horses7 on Oct 17, 2008 19:29:46 GMT 8
good luck at the show tomorrow Todd. Dont forget to take the camera.
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Post by rainbow on Oct 18, 2008 22:38:53 GMT 8
Hello Painter, Welcome to our forum! I am missing the Kemmy Show I grew up in Kelmscott, and after moving as far away from my parents as I could after an uncomfortable teenage stage, I moved to Sydney, BUT, when I grew up and had a family, took my family back to Armadale. Great part of Perth IMHO. About your Chooky questions... If you are srious about keeping chooks, Forget Isa Browns. They go great for the first year, if you get a second year, you have done well, after that, you are feeding and keeping useless birds... OK if you want LOTS of pets... cause they just keep on living and eating... you will need to re stock your flock by half every year if you want to keep Isas... I have learned this the hard way YES, it is OK to mix breeds... My "new" flock consists of; the Olds Isas (3) Old Roosty (Light Sussex), 3 Australorps (12weeks old), 2 Rhode Island Reds (12 weeks old). The Old and the New chooks are gradually learing to live together... even though they have been together for 6 weeks now... This time of year where you are... if you have a secure chook house outside, you could buy day olds and only keep them in a box in the laundry for a few weeks... the weather is warming and with a good outside pen, 3 week old chicks can be ok... Talk to the guys/Gals at the show... they will really be able to point you in the right direction... I am just talking from a mixed up muddled up, listened to advice then found reality the hard way point of view. Good Luck and Happy Chooky Lovin!!
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Post by Duck Diva on Oct 19, 2008 8:51:34 GMT 8
Hi Michelle, welcome! Im new too and have been asking lots of questions!!Good luck with your selection!Theres so many pretty birds our there. I need a bigger yard!! One day.... Take care, Wendy.
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Post by beck on Oct 19, 2008 11:16:12 GMT 8
HI Michelle WELCOME to wap having chooks is so rewarding with there different personalities etc but i agree go for the pretty chooks at least you get your eggs but also something you your friends and children can ooh and ahh over while they scratch around your yard ( it also makes them easier to name as you can tell them apart )
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Post by painter on Oct 19, 2008 22:48:19 GMT 8
Well I am getting a gold laced wyandotte and an Australorpe tomorrow hopefully and I will probably add a Plymouth Rock to make three.
I'm so excited, feel like a little kid!
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Post by farmchooks on Oct 22, 2008 13:02:13 GMT 8
Hi Painter, Welcome to WAP.
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