How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] New to Chickens

With ten straight run chicks you may end up with only 2 or 3 hens (or, all 10 could be female, but less likely). They can be sexed at hatching by people who know how to do it. (I can't tell until they start crowing or laying.)

If you don't want to deal with roosters you can give them away via FreeCycle or CraigsList - just don't ask questions you don't want answers to. If you end up with more hens than you want you can sell/give them away. (Chances are, once you start keeping chickens, you will find you have a friend or two who would also like to have some.)

Your feed store may be selling chicks or know someone locally who has pullets.

Have fun!
Jean & the Happy Hens

On 02/28/13, jajeanpierre wrote:

I am considering getting a few chickens for my backyard. (Keeping chickens is legal.)

I want blue eggs and an unusual chicken. I've found a breeder who has Ameraucanas. They are very active exhibiting.

The woman I spoke to said that she will send a minimum of 10 unsexed day-old chicks (to keep warm during shipping).

I don't want 10. I want two or three. My idea is to keep the minimum and then as they start to not produce enough eggs, get another but keep the unproductive chicken as a pet. You can see how I would quickly become over run if I started with five or six hens.

Can they be sexed as day-old chicks?

I don't know if I have the stomach to cull the roosters.

Suggestions?

Janet