Wednesday, February 10, 2010

I've Picked My Chickens!

Today I headed over to Des Moines Feed and Garden and spoke with them about ordering my chicks. The lady at the counter was very helpful. We browsed through a catalog and discussed some different options and I have officially decided on what I am going to be getting for chickens.

I am getting 3 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Plymouth Rocks and 3 Light Brahmas. All of these are suppose to be good egg layers (brown eggs), friendly and hearty in our cold weather. The Light Brahmas are a new chicken that they are ordering. She said that they are very friendly and great with children.

I am so excited. They are suppose to arrive around March 25. Now I actually have a date. My father-in-law has my coop plans all made all I have to do is buy the material and wait for some warm weather so we can start building. I also have everything picked and priced out for my brooder. Things are moving right along.

14 comments:

  1. I've had chickens for about 1 1/2 years now and absolutely love them. I don't think I could go back to store bought eggs again. They are very easy to care for and fun to watch.
    Enjoy!

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  2. I'm excited for you and can't wait to meet the new kids!

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  3. Congratulations! I love my urban chickens...

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  4. I didn't know u could have Chickens in the city limits? What about Ames? do u know?

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  5. Congrats! Excited to see the coop and chickens!

    Bookie-You're not supposed to have farm-type animals within city limits usually.......

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  6. Can't wait to see them! We had tentatively decided on the Buckeye chicken for all the reasons you mentioned. I will have to look more into those breeds, as I keep hearing their names come up. They must be good to.

    I am curious how much it costs for the coop and everything to get started. We are thinking we might have to wait due to money issue (i.e. another paycut for Kevin). I would love to get a real figure from someone starting out.

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  7. Bookie, I don't know if you can have chickens in Ames. The best thing to do is to look up your city ordinances online. See if you can find a phone number and go from there. Each city is different. For me, I am allowed chickens but not roosters. Here would be a good place for you to start.
    http://www.cityofames.org/attorneyweb/codeTOC.htm

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  8. Jennifer,
    Once we start buying everything I am planning on doing a posst about how we build the coop, costs, etc. I do now that the chicks are costing me $4 each.

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  9. Maria and Julie~
    Glad your both excited. I will need you to help babysit while we are on vacation!

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  10. Sara, don't you mean "chicken sit"? Tee hee, a play on words. Glad you've gotten your plan into action. I will help any way you need, too. Happy your dream is coming true!
    Grandma Anita

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  11. We'll be glad to help babysit/chickensit...I say "baby" because it will be 8 more mouths to feed and beings take care of! Of course you can just thank us in eggs! :)

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  12. That is so exciting!!! :) I wish we were doing that too!!

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  13. We got our chicks in September and brooded them in the house while we (Hubby mostly) finished building the coop. (Here's a post about our coop: http://hippieingeeksclothing.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/no-hard-hat-required/) We aren't allowed to keep roos in town either. Unfortunately three of my four chicks were roos and are gone now. I've ordered three chicks that will be arriving the last week of March to replace the boys.
    Good luck with your chicks!

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