MaryHen Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 ...so excited - Cube is arriving in about an hour, then I will get the chucks later this afternoon. Heres a question - I was going to go striaght for 6 hybrids but my friend said get 3 now and 3 next year so you arent left with 6 non laying chucls in 3 years time. What do people think? My view is that you dont konw what will happen in 3 years - I could be in my dream scenario of a house with lots of land, so could therefore get 6 more!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I don't know the "right" answer to this, but I know intro's can be tricky so I'd go for 6 now if it was me. Depends whether they're primarily pets or primarily egg producers I suppose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 You may find you have too many eggs. I'd get 3 now and 3 more in two years time, which is when the first 3 will slow down or stop laying altogether. Agreed that intros can be very difficult, but you will have a lot more experience by then. You may find 6 straight off is too much work and I don't know how big your run is, so not sure if there is enough room for 6 straight off anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 How eggciting for you. It is a tricky question and I don't think there is a correct answer. From my experience the hybrids I have had have only laid regularly during their first winter, after that I find that I need to buy eggs. Some of mine have laid fairly regularly all their lives others have laid for a couple of years and then stopped and had a pleasant retirement. As Mullethunter said intros can be tricky. Perhaps consider what your maximum number would be, do you have the run space for perhaps 10 then you could add 4 more to your 6 if you are finding that you are not getting enough eggs. Good luck enjoy your day how ever many you come home with. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 You don't need to get all hybrids. You could get 3 hybrids and 3 different breeds. I've got a mixture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryHen Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Thanks for all the replies - at the moment my secure fox proof run is enough for 6 - not aproblem during the summer because they can free range and I am back home from work before dark. However, in the winter they will need to stay in the run (although my friend has made an electric timed door for his run that he uses in winter, which I might get him to make me!). I think I might go for 6 - next year I could increase the size of the secure run and add some more girls if I need too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 I hate intros! Would definitely try to avoid needing to do them wherever possible. Enjoy your new ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Have you got them yet? What did you get? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Oh the suspense I bet there to busy chicken watching to post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 There's a new pot. Called something like - the girls are home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 There's a new pot. Called something like - the girls are home Thanks I just love new girls stories especially if there are pics too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryHen Posted July 27, 2014 Author Share Posted July 27, 2014 Sorry for not updating this post! I did the sensible thing and just got 3 - which I'm glad I did as there isn't enough space in the run for 6 really. I can see mow that the run space is just enough for 3. I tried to get them free ranging yesterday but they didn't like it and kept running back to the run; guess it's a bit too soon yet. I'll post some pics when I've managed to upload to a pic site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
