Isn't a Chicken Just a Chicken?

When I first saw the chickens at the feed store, I wondered what the name on each box meant. Leghorn, Buff Orpington, Rhode Island Red, Wyandotte. At that time, a chicken was just a chicken and I had NO IDEA that the world is full of chicken breeds.

Before getting your chickens, sit down and give it a moment’s thought. What is it you want from your flock? Eggs? Meat? Both? Just beauty? Then search online; study some breeds on a superficial level. You’ll never be an expert on all of them, but just glancing at pictures and a quick read of their temperament and use will give you a start. Determine what you want to look at when you see your flock. As you study the breeds some things to consider are:

1)    body type

2)  size

3)  temperament

4)  color

5)   type of tail

6)  type of comb

7)   special feathering on legs, head, etc  

You can even go further. Do you want to raise chickens? If so, do you want to breed something super rare or help save a breed from extinction, or help better a common breed?

It might sound daunting, but it’s really quite fun, and doesn’t take as long as it seems. Here’s how the above played out for me:

I knew right away that I wanted breeds that would produce lots of eggs and enough meat for a decent meal. Those desires fit right in with my liking for the round, chunky birds (rather than the strictly egg-laying breeds like the Leghorn). So I focused in on breeds like the Wyandotte and Plymouth Rock. Even better, I also liked the calm, quiet temperament of these breeds over the flighty lighter birds. An additional factor that narrowed my choices was that I didn’t want special feathering on the legs or head.

Color was harder to narrow, and since it is basically like a breed (more on this in another post), I was only down to about 20 different color breeds. Compared to all the birds out there, that wasn't much but it was way more than I would be able to raise. 
After more study, more color eliminations from photos, and a decision that I liked shorter tails, I ordered from a place that had a large selection, getting 2-3 of each kind I thought I was interested in. That enabled me to see the temperament of several different breeds, their size and egg-laying capacity, and the color in real life instead of a photo. I now know that I love the laced breeds, and am planning to work with Gold and Silver Laced Wyandottes, Barnevelders, and a project bird which will basically be a Double Silver Laced Wyandotte.

So that’s an idea how to go about picking your chickens. It’s certainly what worked for me. Chickens can be around for years, and it’s worth a certain amount of effort to find the right ones for you.

Happy hunting!

So...you want to get more chicks?

When I bought my first chicks, they were from the local feed store at the end of the “chick season”. I rushed over there because I was told it was the last day to buy chicks. Well…that was a while ago, and boy have I learned a lot!

Looking into the process, I quickly discovered that I could place a private order from the same hatcheries the feed stores buy through at almost any time of year. Then I discovered that it gets even more delightful- I could buy from small breeders who care very much about their flocks, and keep their breeds up to standard.

Most people’s complaint with small breeders is that they sell straight run- in other words, you can’t order all pullets, you’re going to get a certain number of cockerels, too. For my dollar, that’s a bonus. Cockerels can make great 4-H birds, they can be grown to 20 weeks (or older if you want) and humanely butchered for a tasty meal, but most importantly, you know that the supplier is not chopping up little chicks in a grinder. These people care about their birds.

Shipping fear is a common thing. People who’ve never ordered wonder how such a thing can go smoothly. But those chicks at the feed store were shipped in, too. Most good breeders offer a live arrival guarantee. I’ve had three batches of chicks come in so far; all survived in two of them, and I lost three from the third, but the breeder sent 4 extra so I was covered.

Here’s how it works. After finding your breeder and choosing your breed/s, you place your order, often months in advance. Expect to pay when you place the order, not when the chicks are shipped. Then you wait through the long months, and receive confirmation that they’ve shipped. The tracking number lets you know if they are on time, and you pick them up at the Post Office, usually verifying with an employee that all are alive. You rush your fluffballs home to a brooder- a box, a tote (my favorite), or anything large enough that they can have a place very warmed by the heat lamp and a place to get away from the heat if they choose, a clean water provider and food bowl. That’s all there is to it.

Can Several Roosters Run with the Same Flock?

I have been running across this question several times as I search various sites, and the answer is YES. But there are factors that can help make it work out well. I'd like to share with you the tips I've picked up after having a total of 21 roosters in and out of my flock.

To make it work, your most important consideration is timing. Growing cockerels up together is a great way to have them get along. They will establish dominance early, and even when removed from each other for a few days, when placed back together the skirmishes are quickly over or don’t occur.

It is also important to release new cockerels into the flock at the right age. They have to be big and fast enough to get away from aggressive flock-mates (I have never found this to be the roosters, just the hens!), but not old enough to be full-fledged cocks themselves. I recently introduced a group of 4 month old chicks- including 3 cockerels- to the flock, and all went very smoothly. All 3 of my large roosters paid no attention to them at all. My little Dorking cockerel actually worships one of my Bielefelder roosters and stays by him constantly. That’s good- my Bielefelder is a perfect “gentleman” to humans and his ladies, so I’m thrilled if the Dorking wants to be like him; don’t laugh- I’ve read that young cockerels will imitate what they see the older roosters doing.

I’ve also just started letting a group of 12 week old Barnevelders- a group that has 6 cockerels- run around as well. The very first day, one of my Biele roos took them in his charge and watched over them during their first hours out of the coop.

Finally, don’t be too quick to step in to a fight. When my Bieles were setting up their pecking order, they leaped in the air and pummeled each other. I watched to make sure things didn’t go too far, but after a few attacks, and a little bit of blood on the combs, the winner and loser were established and they’ve been peacefully co-existing.

Every rooster is different, and some may never get along with other roosters. But I believe most can be trained to do so provided:

1)     they grow up with other cocks

2)     new cocks are introduced at a young age

3)     there is enough space for escape should it be necessary

The Best Coop

...is a simple coop, easily cleaned and easily maintained. Beauty is nice if you have the time and money, but it isn't essential for chickens. Our home had one coop when we moved in, but I quickly needed another one. There was a three-sided lean-to, so we simply slapped up an oxboard wall and had another coop in a day. We kept the inside simple, too. Roost bars and nesting boxes. In the photos you will see wires, which is where I hang the feed and water during the winter. In warm weather, I feed them in a shady, breezy building area so they will be more comfortable.

Let me give you an example of beauty not always being best. As I researched online about roosts, I loved the photos of neat stair-step roost bars. They were so artistic. But then I read about the arguing that goes on among the chickens for the top bar- and decided that, though not beautiful, a flat roost area with no top bar would be in the best interest of my flock. Keep in mind when building for chickens that their welfare is top priority, not an artistic masterpiece.

Roost bars are important. They need to be spaced far enough apart so chickens can sit on each bar and not push each other off. Since I raise Bielefelders, Wyandottes, and other large breeds, my hope was to give them plenty of room, so I spaced mine at 18". (Believe it or not, the roost bars are still almost too close!) And don't worry- smaller breeds don't mind the extra space, either. I built my roost bars 36" off the ground, which isn't all that high. But for some of the big breeds, that can be quite the hop to get to bed! 2 x 4s- with the narrow end up- made building it easy, and the chickens must find them comfortable since they willingly go to bed on them even before the sun sets!

One rule to remember: nesting boxes should always be lower than the roost bars to discourage overnight visits.

Nesting boxes should be big enough for your hens. Not so large that they don't feel secure, but big enough that they can comfortably turn around and lay facing anyway they please. I built mine 15" all directions, and even my largest hens fit. But my smaller Leghorns love it too. I also kept mine fairly close to the ground- remember, the tops need to be lower than the roost bars- and they all seem to enjoy them.

Here are a few photos of the "old coop". It has a run which is entirely enclosed with chicken wire, and we call it the chick area, because this is where all our chicks grow out, at least for the first couple months.

After ordering chicks in May, and again in July, I realized I was going to need a third coop area, because the May chicks weren't big enough to go with the adult chickens, and they were too big to put the July chicks with. So...we built a divider.

As you can see, the nest boxes are quite a bit higher than in the new coop, and have a bar in front of them to allow the hens to walk in and out of the boxes instead of flying up to them and risking already laid eggs. They are also 12", so on the smaller size. Never build your nest boxes smaller than this.

Daily Routine

We have two coops. While they wouldn't win any beauty contests, they are functional and easy to maintain. They have roosting bars- all at the same height and large enough to accommodate all- some nesting boxes placed close to the ground, and plenty of floor space. Both coops are very secure, with good ventilation, but absolutely no way for a predator to get in to feast on my feathered friends. Every night before darkness falls the chickens dutifully go to bed, and the doors are closed and fastened. The chickens sleep in peace- and so do I.

During the day, however, our flock ranges where it pleases. The distance from outbuildings depends largely on the breed, but they can scamper and scratch, enjoying fresh air, sunshine, dirt baths, and freedom such as few chickens ever get. They never go anywhere because they have everything they need right in the comforts of home.

I believe in freedom for chickens. If not completely unfenced freedom, at least enough room for them to do what chickens are supposed to do. An area large enough to scratch in, a place for dirt bathing, and both shade and sun throughout the day seem very important if we want our chickens to live their lives the way they should.

Believe me, happy hens make happy owners!

Hope for the Deformed Chick

One of my chick orders contained a deformed chick. She didn’t look too bad at first, but the older she got the worse she looked. As she grew, her spine kept extending beyond her neck, so that she had a definite oval shape, with her head on one side. Even her tail bent toward the side of her body where her neck and head were. I kept thinking she would die, and we often discussed whether we needed to end her life. But she never seemed to be in pain, and managed to move around (though I was often sure the time would come when she would tip over); also, my daughter took a liking to her, named her Rosie, and began carrying her around. By 4 months she looked worse than ever, head completely on the side of her body, and I was sure we had to add her to the butcher list. My daughter insisted we give her a little longer, so we again postponed. Ah, the faith of a child!

Now 7 months old, Rosie has miraculously straightened around. Her neck looks almost normal, and there are often times when the only way I can tell her from the other hens is to look at her tail, which still turns slightly to one side. While she will never be put in the breeding pen to pass on her traits to offspring, she is a faithful producer of eggs for my family’s consumption, and a treasured pet for my daughter.

So don’t give up on those chicks that aren’t perfect. If they’re in pain, they should be put humanely out of their misery. But if they’re plucky enough to be enjoying life in the state they’re in, feel free to give ‘em a chance. It might turn out to be very worth it!

I wish I had photos of Rosie when she was so horribly bent so you could see the difference, but I didn't take any that I can find. Here she is now:

Mama Rooster...the Start of it All

There is something quite special about sitting on the porch swing and watching chickens pecking at the ground near your feet. A relaxing peace can come easily at that moment, there is something so...so earthy about the scene. One of the best moments of the day is when I go out the back door and see my group of chickens running at top speed toward me. They know me- I feed them each day. 

My nickname with my family is...Mama Rooster. It may seem strange at first, but when you stop and think about it the human caretaker of these creatures really takes on both a "mama hen" and a "rooster" role. While hens protect the chicks, roosters protect the whole flock; my chickens look to me for that protection, and know that when I am around, they are perfectly safe to range out and forage where they like. I also feed them, another function of both mama hens and roosters. One of the most fascinating sights is to see a rooster deny himself food as he clucks to his brood to tell them there's a tasty morsel in front of his beak. And if you have roosters in your flock, it is essential that you maintain a "top rooster" position from the time they are small chicks. 

When my family moved recently we found a house with a coop already built. Wanting eggs and meat, raising our own chickens seemed the best way to meet those goals. I had to pick out chicks the same day we signed the papers for our house because the feed store was almost out and there wouldn't be any more till next Spring. They were cheap, and there were only a few in each box. Since I'd never even considered owning a chicken till that point, it meant nothing to me as I looked at the labels on each box- Welsummer, Buff Orpington, Leghorn, etc. I was so chicken illiterate, I didn't even know there were different breeds- at that point, a chicken was a chicken! Never a fan of white chickens, I picked out the darkest looking chicks and brought home 24...24 because everyone told me I'd lose at least half in the first few days. Well, I raised those chicks under a watchful eye, and months later had 1 cockerel (young rooster), and 23 pullets (young hens).

I don’t know exactly when my “passion” for chickens started; I really liked my little flock from the start, but at some point in the Fall (when my first hens started laying eggs), they shifted from something fun to work with to a real hobby- a true “love affair”. I began studying the breeds- especially the ones for dual purpose- and colors. I looked at photos, got on lots of websites, and began corresponding with people who knew a whole lot more than I did. I even began to dream of raising and selling some of the beautiful, and often rare, chicken breeds I was discovering.

So I’ve learned a lot since I started, but I’m no long-term chicken person; I didn’t grow up raising chickens in 4-H. I don’t know the Standard of Perfection for every breed. But I’ve spent a lot of time (too much, my family complains at times) gaining a knowledge about these beautiful and useful creatures, and I want to keep learning more. What I learn, I want to share.

Are you ready to learn with me? Then I welcome you to come along on my journey in the world of chickens!