Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Luvachicken]

Well, it has been nearly a week since Myrtle has been rehomed and I have heard that she is doing well - apparently watching telly whilst having cuddles

The thing is, a chicken friend asked me if they should get chicks now or wait until Spring. I said wait til Spring because they could save more money for the coop they wanted and wouldn't be worrying whether the chicks were getting cold over the Winter. But now it comes to my own situation, I am thinking of ignoring the advice I gave a friend

I really enjoyed having my other girls at about 6 weeks old and would really like to get some at the same age again. As I don't have a job at the moment I would have plenty of time for chick cuddles.

 

Should I stick to the advice I told my friend ???????

[Redwing]

lots of pros and cons...

 

If looking for POL pure breeds September to about now is the right time, breeders are cutting down for the winter and show breeders will be selling anything they dont want for showing or breeding

 

Availability of POL pure breeds in spring is low because of the cost of rearing them over winter

 

There wont be many 6 week chicks about at the moment and its not the right time to grow on youngsters unless you have access to extra light and warmth for them - they grow best over the summer due to the long warm days so if growing them on in winter you need to compensate for this to give them the optimum chance, with birds there is a very big difference between thriving and surviving!

 

In saying that most breeders will start hatching March time so the soonest that 6 week old chicks will be available at a time suitable for growing them on will be May

 

So in short if looking for adult or POL birds then now is the time, if looking for youngsters then now isnt the time!

 

Hybrids are different, these are hatched and raised on a huge scale in optimum conditions and can be bought at any time of the year

 

Big shows like The National, The Federation and Reading Bantam Show all have sales pens where there is often a good choice of birds but all female pens are in the minority and get snapped up pretty much as soon as the sales pens open - prices are fixed on the pen, its not an auction

[Luvachicken]

Thanks Redwing, I knew that was the answer really. I'm really after some more pekins

I will just have to wait until Spring then

[Chortle Chook]

My immediate answer to your question is " ASAP" but my considered answer is "I guess it would depend on your circumstances - On the plus side, if you are currently not working then you'd have plenty of time to give them, to make them really nice and tame, but can you give any extra warmth to wee ones at this time? "

Perhaps a happy medium would be to get some POL off of someone who you know has nannied them well when young.

[libby22]

I think your friend would say if you have time now at home - go for it When we take on new girls we always want extra time with them so now seems ideal. Some very lucky ladies are going to get a wonderful home with you and we want pics

[redsunset]

Well I was going to wait until next year until a rare breeds auction came up in North Scotland last weekend and knew someone who was selling and buying there and asked her very nicely....big list of large and small inc Pekins but as I only have big girls have no experience of the little uns.

 

hope you find what you want from a good source albeit it this year or next......they will be lucky and spoilt lil madams whenever you get them.....

[Luvachicken]

Thanks everyone

I am going to wait til Spring - although it seems a long way off

I don't really have anywhere to keep them warm other than an empty GO and a conservatory which isn't that warm, especially in the Winter.

So, between now and then I have volunteered at the local school, might join a knitting club even though I can't knit and will encourage the silly girls I have got to venture into the part of the run where Myrtle was - there seems to be an invisible barrier that they can't go thorough Silly things - I even put treats in there but they won't go in

[libby22]

It is so hard isn't it and tempting. I was the same and you were so kind and helpful that it gave me a bit of time to think. I still keep wanting to dive in and get new chooks now though, as in this instant! Therefore, can totally see your dilema. I am holding back too - but it is soooo difficult

[daxigirl]

I'd wait. That way there's only one run to batten down in the wind and poop tray to clean out. It's really not much fun in the winter. Besides if they're only wee things you would spend all winter popping in and out to make sure they weren't cold etc etc.

[miller30]

I would wait until the spring too I have 60 pekins at the mo and trying to keep them all clean and mud free is a nightmare I thought I had cut back but just doing a head count im not sure where the extras came from must have been the accidental hatch I was not suppose to hatch they will go down by about half when I cut back as this includes my breeding groups leanne

[Luvachicken]

I would wait until the spring too I have 60 pekins at the mo and trying to keep them all clean and mud free is a nightmare I thought I had cut back but just doing a head count im not sure where the extras came from must have been the accidental hatch I was not suppose to hatch they will go down by about half when I cut back as this includes my breeding groups leanne

 

Gosh, 60 pekins

I like how some extras have sneaked in.

Hubby would definitely know if I sneaked in any extras.

But he has said I can have 3 more when it comes to Spring and then hopefully I will have a grand total of 7

[libby22]

Now that is something lovely to look forward to through the winter. Are you getting three more Pekins? I really love the sound of them and would love some.

 

I think I will join you and do the same in spring. Of course I have to sort out a third house and third run and where to put it, but these things are mere trifles when there are new girls on the horizon

[Luvachicken]

Now that is something lovely to look forward to through the winter. Are you getting three more Pekins? I really love the sound of them and would love some.

 

I think I will join you and do the same in spring. Of course I have to sort out a third house and third run and where to put it, but these things are mere trifles when there are new girls on the horizon

 

Oh yes, pekins are what I am after. I have 3 pekins already (Lucie is a buff plymouth rock).

I love their smallness and cute fluffiness even if they are a bit noisy sometimes.

Even though they are small, their eggs are delicious, but sometimes the eggs are bigger than usual and I'm often shocked that such a small girl can lay such an egg.

Roll on Spring

[libby22]

They sound gorgeous - I am totally sold and want some. I didn't realise that about the eggs - thought they would be tiny.

 

I have ginernut rangers at the moment and my little ex-battery girl so they would be a lovely addition. Wouldn't mix them as my girls are thugs

[Luvachicken]

I didn't realise that about the eggs - thought they would be tiny.

 

They are tiny, especially when you compare them to 'proper eggs' but you soon get used to their size.

The wind eggs they lay are even didier

My dad even made me an eggy bunkbed to store the eggs in.