You Give Me Fever… Chicken Fever!

It’s chick ordering season again; decisions, decisions!

Every year I get the itch; the itch is stronger this year but somehow feels different. I’ve flipped through the chicken catalogue several times (only having it since Wednesday); it’s full of pencil marks and worn out already.

I always have a difficult time making this decision each year. Purchase pretty birds? Or birds that lay pretty coloured eggs? Generally, the carton appeal wins and eggs get the deciding vote.

An Olive Eggers’ green eggs would be a lovely addition to the carton! But I’ve had my eyes on Barred Plymouth Rocks and Buff Orpingtons for a while now, possibly making my decision based on bird colouring – something new for me.

These varieties are all available from my local chicken gal as day-old chicks. That is what I usually do each year. But, there’s a minimum order of five birds per breed, and I can’t guarantee I won’t get a rooster, or two, which is always an issue (We’re a ‘no roosters allowed’ operation as per Dan – his only stipulation for me having chickens in the first place). And I’m not sure I want all the same variety this year and don’t have room for more than five or six extra birds.

This year I’m not sure I want to raise chicks again. Chicks can be a lot of work that can span a couple of months (but darn it, they’re cute!) If Mama, my only named chicken, goes *broody, then all is well; She can be a mother hen and raise the wee ones (she’s very good at it, hence her name). If not, then the duties of Mother hen are left to me -and I’m not sure I’m up for it this year.

Chicks take roughly 20(+/-) weeks to mature to laying hens. Do I want to wait until late September/early October before their egg production
starts?

I’ve considered purchasing ready-to-lay birds this year, and I’ve come across another breeder (not so local) that I can order a minimum of 2 birds per breed. Now we’re talking! They also have two of the three varieties available as ready-to-lay birds. Insert ‘thinking of’ emoji here – we might have a winner!

I feel if nothing else, writing this post has ultimately helped me decide! I’m think laying hens it is! Barred Plymouth Rock and Buff Orpingtons are in my near future. Chicks are fun but are so much work, maybe next year. Who knew what feels like a simple decision could be so complex? Too many options! So many factors to consider when choosing birds to introduce to your flock.

So, who’s currently in the coop:
Three Ameraucanas (blue eggs – Easter Eggers)
Three Blue Marans (speckled, dark brown eggs)
Three Black Sex Links (brown eggs)
Two Red Sex Links (brown eggs)
Two Welsummers (terracotta eggs)
Two mystery breeds (brown eggs)
and 4 Silver Mallards (no eggs yet)

A nice variety of birds all in all. A very docile and friendly group. I’m looking forward to adding four more birds to our flock this year! Both varieties I’ve chosen should fit in just fine.