Actually raising chickens started when I needed a better way to hatch Peacock eggs. My previous experiment/adventure was in raising some peacocks. See my other blog http://peafowliseasy.blogspot.com/ on that story. Eventually I gave up the peacocks in favor of the much smaller, less spacial requirements of chickens.
I have gone through several small flocks of egg layers. Mostly successful but some with diasterous results. The last diaster prompted me to spend a lot of money fencing in my entire 1.09 acre yard with horse rail and welded wire fencing to keep out roaming dogs.
I have been having great luck with my brown egg layers. Red Star hybrids seem to be the best of my layers group. Largest eggs of my breeds I've tried and the most consistant layers.
My latest group is a mix with some Black Copper and Wheaten Marans. The roos are very colorful but the hens are a bit on the plain side. The the egg color is wonderful. I expect milk or dark chocolate to come out when I crack them.
My current project is 25 meat chickens. I just received them today. I ordered 20 Rock Cornish X and 5 Freedom Rangers. We will see how that goes.
Stay tune for more info on my laying and meat flocks. And of course the new chicken house that went up yesterday. Again a bit expensive, but should add even more protection and comfort to the hens. And be a bit more comfortable for me as well.
