• Last updated 4/1/13 by chickenbaby9194

Every year my Dad pranks us with an April Fools joke and this year I wanted to prank him.  We have five chickens, and I have always wanted a duck but my Dad always says no.  So what I did was when my Dad left for work I went onto Craigslist and I found a local farm that sells ducks.  There was a phone number listed so I called her.  I asked the woman if she would be willing to drop off a duck from 12:45 to 3:00 and I explained to her that this was a prank on my Dad and that we are not actually buying the duck but I will pay her to drop it off and pick it up.  The woman... read more

• Last updated 3/31/13 by mpruett

To Insulate or Not to Insulate…   That is the question we are faced with when first starting out with chickens.  Three winters ago I was new to chicken rearing.  I did what most of us do.  I read researched, planned, imagined, read some more and finally took the plunge.    I bought 25 straight run Dark Cornish.  I chose Dark Cornish based on my research and my inexperience.  Dark Cornish are advertised as: a heritage breed, dual purpose, hardy, brown egg layers, great foragers, medium sized, good mothers, still have instincts and small pea combs.  I wanted... read more

• Last updated 3/30/13 by and-roo

christmas 2011 my dad told me i could design my own coop and pick out my own chicks. i was excited so i started learning how to take care of chickens and learning about the different breeds. i definetly liked the ornamental breeds but my mom made me get egg layers too. the day spring break started we went to coastal farm and got a RIR hen and named her rose, a "polish" hen (she ended up being a mottled houdan) that we named flo, and a blue wheaton ameraucana and named her angel. we set up a brooder in the garage and exactly a week later we were getting a better heat... read more

• Last updated 5/5/13 by Magoonichicks

I have a dream to be as self reliant and sufficient as monetarily and time possible. I work full time for the Army as a civilian and my husband is also fully employed and in school, we have a four year old who does gymnastics (thank you Nana) and pre-school and a 6 month old as well. So to be self sufficient and reliant I needed something that would require little attention every day. So I garden the expensive veggies, and I can them. This year that just did not seem like it was enough or as enjoyable when last years drought dried everything up.   My mother-in-law... read more

• Last updated 4/4/13 by kada6305

I am a first time owner. Just got my chickens last night at Tractor Supply. I have 4 red stars- Drumstick, Omelet, Nugget and Teriyaki. two leghorns- noodle and Foghorn. two Speckled Sussex- pox and Dumpling. They are only about 4 days old and they are so friendly.  Nugget loves being held and if she sees me walking by and I dont talk to her or pet her she will start screaming at me demanding attention - I think she might be a little drama queen lol. We wanted to come up with funny, comical names for our chickens and I think we have suceeded. Not sure if we are keeping... read more

• Last updated 3/27/13 by StarlinaStan

I have been trying to hatch some eggs since Christmas and so far I've only hatched 6 out of 3 to 4 dozen.  They are a mix between Amber link hen and a Partridge rock Rooster. They really cute. Truffle is dark brown, Zee Zee is gray with a black back, Creamer is white, Callico is white and has golden neck feathers. The other two just hatched and are mostly white with a little gray and brown.   read more

• Last updated 3/27/13 by Chickenfarmer95

Describe 'Ducks brooders' here    Alright I have 2 ducks and a copple of chicks that are about 2 weeks old. It is march temperatures are ranging from 20,30,50 We have built a brooder that is not insulated it is just plywood I am wondering if I should put them outside, we will put the brooder in a shed with a open door. It will have a heat lamp. read more

• Last updated 3/25/13 by Chillychick37

My chicks are Silkie Chicks they are two weeks old. I got them from a wonderful breeder named John in Manorville, NY. I have researched and wanted Silkie chicks for about 3 years and finally got them. I named them based on their behavior. One I'd named John Ross for JR on Dallas this one is a little pushy, the littlest one is Baby for Baby in Dirty Dancing because she is so cute and timid, the black one my daughter named for Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean because he is always exploring. read more

• Last updated 3/25/13 by OLD ADOBE

We got our new chicks from Tractor Supply.  Got 6 of their Mixed Pullets on 3/1/13.  The following week decided to get some more and purchased 6 red pullets and 2 Ameracaunas.  Unfortunately 1 of the mixed pullets and one Ameracauna died :(.  We officially have 12 healthy chicks.   Not sure what TS meant by mixed pullets or Red Pullets.  Any thoughts on what kind of chickens these are?   I think the white ones might be Buff Orpingtons?             Really hoping my Ameracauna (picture below) is a pullet and not a rooster...any... read more

• Last updated 5/11/13 by pipdzipdnreadytogo

Frou-Frou The Frou-Frou Bird: A History One fine day in May, 2012, my mom approached me and told me that she had ordered some chicks from Meyer Hatchery, and that if I had any requests I should go look at her order and change it as I pleased. She had ordered two partridge Plymouth Rocks, two speckled Sussex, and the very last pullet available from the blue splash Marans. Knowing I would not have the room in my coop for many more, I decided to just keep that order and see what would come of it. They were due on June 11, 2012. Time passed and I soon found myself... read more