I guess I better get around to introducing myself.
I had free range chickens back in the early 70's that I drug home from a school science class , predators took care of them that summer.
Fast forward to early retirement and I had to have chickens again LOL.
I resisted for awhile and Oct 28th 2015 I seen a pair of free roosters that just started to crow. On impulse I got them. I figure I could make sure my St Bernard/Newfoundland dog would not think they were prey, see if I could put one in freezer camp and that I really wanted chickens. Of course I didn't have anywhere to put them but remodeled a 30 yrs old dog house and run for now...Took a few days to teach the dog that they were 'my chickens' (as Beekissed says). I was sure I wanted chickens when I bought $5.50 a dozen eggs and $4.50 LB organic chicken again.
As soon as I felt confident that the dog was under control I bought 6 pullets that were laying. 4BJG ,1 RIR and 1 BO from a woman who bought them as chicks from a feed store in May 2015. I hope the BO will go broody this spring and I can put some of the BJG eggs under her. None of my chickens have names, nor are 'lap chickens'. I am hoping I do not become attached so processing is easier....They sure come running for treats and I sure like chicken TV though LOL
Still have not picked a roo to send to freezer camp. One is a gentleman and is stockier for breeding meatier birds. But the other watches for hawks better. The next excuse is wait and see if one gets mean or something happens to one. LOL So far they work together well and no over mating yet. I am sure things will change in the spring.
After looking at coops on here I started building a hoop run from cattle panels covered by 1/2" hardware cloth and 2x4 wire over that, (I tend to be paranoid about predators) but the weather changed before I finished...it will get done this spring, along with a bigger coop., I do let them free range while my hawk/coyote/raccoon/weasel chasing dog is out to protect them. The property has a creek: upstream is a wildlife rehabber and down stream is a forest preserve , so I have an endless supply of predators. Useless to kill them. I have to protect the flock as best I can.
I live on property that has been handed down through 4 generations. Every generation divided it up between kids. So I have about 10 acres. Sounds great doesn't it. Except for the creek that cuts off 5 acres because of the flooding out of culverts and bridges and the acre on the other side of the highway that went through. The area has become urban and taxes....well you all know how that goes LOL... But it is the old homestead and I am the only one that has stayed and not sold out.
I had free range chickens back in the early 70's that I drug home from a school science class , predators took care of them that summer.
Fast forward to early retirement and I had to have chickens again LOL.
I resisted for awhile and Oct 28th 2015 I seen a pair of free roosters that just started to crow. On impulse I got them. I figure I could make sure my St Bernard/Newfoundland dog would not think they were prey, see if I could put one in freezer camp and that I really wanted chickens. Of course I didn't have anywhere to put them but remodeled a 30 yrs old dog house and run for now...Took a few days to teach the dog that they were 'my chickens' (as Beekissed says). I was sure I wanted chickens when I bought $5.50 a dozen eggs and $4.50 LB organic chicken again.
As soon as I felt confident that the dog was under control I bought 6 pullets that were laying. 4BJG ,1 RIR and 1 BO from a woman who bought them as chicks from a feed store in May 2015. I hope the BO will go broody this spring and I can put some of the BJG eggs under her. None of my chickens have names, nor are 'lap chickens'. I am hoping I do not become attached so processing is easier....They sure come running for treats and I sure like chicken TV though LOL
Still have not picked a roo to send to freezer camp. One is a gentleman and is stockier for breeding meatier birds. But the other watches for hawks better. The next excuse is wait and see if one gets mean or something happens to one. LOL So far they work together well and no over mating yet. I am sure things will change in the spring.
After looking at coops on here I started building a hoop run from cattle panels covered by 1/2" hardware cloth and 2x4 wire over that, (I tend to be paranoid about predators) but the weather changed before I finished...it will get done this spring, along with a bigger coop., I do let them free range while my hawk/coyote/raccoon/weasel chasing dog is out to protect them. The property has a creek: upstream is a wildlife rehabber and down stream is a forest preserve , so I have an endless supply of predators. Useless to kill them. I have to protect the flock as best I can.
I live on property that has been handed down through 4 generations. Every generation divided it up between kids. So I have about 10 acres. Sounds great doesn't it. Except for the creek that cuts off 5 acres because of the flooding out of culverts and bridges and the acre on the other side of the highway that went through. The area has become urban and taxes....well you all know how that goes LOL... But it is the old homestead and I am the only one that has stayed and not sold out.
