I am working on my chicken order.....

Posted on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 10:02

I have been working on my chicken order for the spring.  I am thinking right now that I will order from Murray McMurray Hatchery.  I am planning on ordering their minimum of 25 chickens.  I will be raising them until about 3-4 months old and then selling about 15 of them.  We enjoy raising baby chicks but, as I already have 10 laying hens I really don't need 25 more.  I would like to have enough to fulfill our homestead needs.  I would like to get about 3 dozen eggs a week.  Right now in winter, with our 10 layers we get about 2 dozen a week but I am still having to buy a dozen.  Anyway, this is what my list looks like

5 Black Australorp
5 Buff Orpington
5 Speckled Sussex
5 Araucana/Americana
5 Dominiques

We have all of these right now except for the Specked Sussex.  I just think they are so pretty.  The Australorp and Orpington have turned out to be our best layers.  Then the Araucana and Dominique are also just very pretty chickens.  They have been laying for us just not as well as the others. 

Anyway, do you have any thoughts for me on breed of chickens or other hatcheries?  I plan on putting in my order for Feb. 11.  That way they should be laying by June-Aug.  Although, our Araucana from last year has just started laying this month at about 8 months old.  Oh well, I am still thankful for her nice pretty green egg.

Blessings,

Trixi

Good morning...

Posted by leighannwhitten on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 10:27 - Link

I love Murray MacMurray! I think we're going to order 25 Rhode Island Reds from them this year. I've got 6 that I got at Trade Days in Coldwater this summer. They were about 1/2 grown when we got them. They are great layers. Right now we've got a light for the coop so their laying hasn't dropped off for the winter. I'm hoping that I'll be able to hatch my own chicks if I get a rhodie rooster. I like rhodies because they make great meat birds as well.
Have fun planning with your catalog. I know I always do!
Blessings,
Leigh-Ann

Untitled Comment

Posted by fultoncountymommie on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 10:47 - Link

I have been buying from Cackle Hatchery for quite a few years now. Better prices and a good name in the business. We get everything from their bargin specials to their cornish cross. We are thinking of adding guineas this year also. Here is the link http://www.cacklehatchery.com/
PS I love the Buff Orpingtons too. they make the bestt mommies!

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