Hello everyone, I\'m gearing up to purchase some chicks in the next couple of months and would like to ask a few questions, so I can get the strain most appropriate for my little farm.
First, is there a strain or color of Ameraucana that lays better than others? I need good layers.
Second, I\'m concerned about egg color. I\'ve had the Easter Eggers before (posted pics of them on this forum last year) and while I had some really good egg color, I also had some horrible olive drab and khaki colored eggs. I want the blue, of course
Otherwise I\'d stick with Easter eggers again.
Third, I need about a dozen hens and a roo. Is it best to order a straight run of 25 chicks, and eat the extra roos, or is it best to order a dozen or so sexed pullets and get a roo elsewhere? I\'m concerned that a straight run would be chicks from the same hatch, which would mean the roo and the girls would be full siblings, right? I\'d prefer to avoid inbreeding.
Fourth, I\'ve never shipped chicks or chickens in before. There are no breeders on the list here in Utah
Is it better to have them shipped to me, or try to drive somewhere and pick them up and drive them home? It\'d be a long drive, probably 10-12 hours at least.
That\'s all I can think of right now...I just want to have some nice layers before next winter. Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me!
Liz in Utah