Things are gearing up around my homestead for the busy season. And once it starts, it just doesn't stop until the frost hits the ground again. Some of my "busy" has already started, but I'm still in preparation mode for most of it. Right now I've got 30 baby chicks in the brooder. Six easter eggers, one dominique, and all the rest are white rocks. All of them are straight run. I'm fairly certain the dominique is a roo and I'm planning on keeping him ~ regardless of what it's sex turns out to truly be. I've got my fingers crossed and double crossed that all six of the easter eggers are pullets. I really want to add all of them to my laying flock. If they are not all female, I may consider keeping one more roo from them. A few of the white rocks will also be added to my laying flock.
My ten rir chickens are awesome layers. They out did themselves this winter, never missing a beat no matter how cold and dark it was. They definitely earned their keep. But I need more egg layers. I'm selling, on average, 86-98 eggs per week. And with only ten egg layers...well, you do the math. I'm starting to get a bit behind on eggs. And that simply cannot be. So I'm pleased to be adding new blood to my flock. I can't wait until late July when I should start getting eggs from my new ladies.
As for the other white rocks ~ well, they are destined for the freezer. Once they are all dispatched and safely tucked away into my cold larder, I will place one more order of chicks this summer. I will raise another 25-30 chicks - most likely all roos - and they will all go into the cold larder as well and we will be stocked up on chicken for the year. Tis a fine thing.
