Your plan sounds good. :) Since you get cold winters, I'd suggest breeds with small combs--avoid Leghorns and the like, they can sometimes be susceptible to frostbite on their large combs. Most breeds get along well together (there is always going to be the occasional squabble), but in my experience sometimes Rhode Island Reds tend to 'pack up' like dogs do when kept in groups, and can be bullies. Wyandottes can be quite dominant, as well. mypetchicken.com has a fun 'breed selector' widget you might want to try: http://www.mypetchicken.com/breedQuestions.aspx Velvet ~:>

Conifer50, good to hear your yellow Table mnt pines have survived. The most aromatic conifers I have are Green Giant arborvitaes and Table mnt pines. I can detect them just by getting downwind, even in cold weather. TMP aroma has a hint of danger to it, tho -- like "OK to smell, but don't eat!"

I am 99.9% sure that these feathers belong to a female Mallard duck. I have tons of them scattered around my yard since the Mallards love to swim in my pool, eat at my feeders, and play in my yard. Sometimes they fight and pull the feathers out of each other in the process. My feathers are identical to yours.

You may be right, carolb, would fit with the colors and size and I know of areas not too far from me that has groups of them. Just never have seen them on my farm- and didn't know they'd visit a birdfeeder right next to my kitchen window. Now I'm wondering if the bright blue birds I've seen on my pasture fences are the adults. I've only seen them from a distance and thought they were bluebirds, not not so sure. Guess I need some binoculars. Thanks for your input, I think you nailed it!!!