Starting with Javas - what would you do?

[ourpatchofheaven]

I've been planning on obtaining these chickens for well over a year now....and finally (!) the coop's done, the preparations completed - but now, to wait until no snow (or less of it!) - we got 20.2" yesterday in Chicagoland.

Tell me - if you could start with ANY age of Java, what and why?

I live 20min from Garfield Farm Museum, former co-worker is the Farm Manager (Hi Bill!), he's able to offer just about any age chicken he's got.....layers, pullets, new chicks.....

What would you do? (I'm thinking of a few layers and a few new chicks - quarrantining the chicks from the layers until they're about 12-14wks and then integrating) My coop can hold a max of 12 birds - I know I've got preditors around and have built accordingly, but still....

Would love to hear your success stories!

Jennifer in Illinois

[cowboygourmet]

Feb 2, 2011 23:08:12 GMT -5 ourpatchofheaven said:

I've been planning on obtaining these chickens for well over a year now....and finally (!) the coop's done, the preparations completed - but now, to wait until no snow (or less of it!) - we got 20.2" yesterday in Chicagoland.

Tell me - if you could start with ANY age of Java, what and why?

I live 20min from Garfield Farm Museum, former co-worker is the Farm Manager (Hi Bill!), he's able to offer just about any age chicken he's got.....layers, pullets, new chicks.....

What would you do? (I'm thinking of a few layers and a few new chicks - quarrantining the chicks from the layers until they're about 12-14wks and then integrating) My coop can hold a max of 12 birds - I know I've got preditors around and have built accordingly, but still....

Would love to hear your success stories!

Jennifer in Illinois

Jennifer,
I would start with some young birds, "pullets and a cockeral", and then raise your own chicks. This would be the best way to get going with your Javas. Good luck and join the Java club if you haven't already.
Roy