New to Raising Chickens but REALLY Excited for This New Adventure!

Hi All,

I have spent many hours reading information on this site and finally decided I just needed to join so here I am! My background is I am a city born/raised gal that has always longed to move to a rural community and have some land and chickens and goats. Last June, I finally was able to make it happen....kids raised and on their own and a hubby that was willing to move. So here we are in our new home on just over 5 acres and loving every minute of being here.

At the beginning of March I bought my first 4 chicks which were straight run Dixie Rainbows. My gosh they are HUGE birds!! They were already a couple weeks old and 2 of them turned out to be roosters so I recently found a home for them. From there I quickly got chickenitis and now have 21 chicks!! I know that's a lot for someone new to chickens but I'm the type of person that doesn't do anything until I've thoroughly done my research and made a plan and am confident I can make it happen.

I am getting so much joy and entertainment out of them already. It's actually better than I was expecting it to be and so fascinating and fun watching the chicks grow and change and starting to act like big chickens.

I started them out in a big 3 x 5 tub but they've quickly outgrown that and I currently have them in the garage in a 4 x 8 coop that we bought as a kit. I know they cannot live in that small a space so I found some coop plans that I like and can modify to customize the way I want the coop so next week we start building that. I have some questions about coop design and accessories but I'll post them in the appropriate forum.

Other types of chicks I am currently raising (I have 2-3 of each kind):

Pendesencas
Blue Andalusians
Brahmas
Welsummers
Barnevelders
Ameracaunas
Speckled Sussex
Dominique


So far no casualties, no pasty butt and everyone seems to get along pretty well despite a range in sizes/age.

Is it just me or have others suddenly not been able to eat chicken once you have chicks? I look at chicken and all I think of are baby chicks!! Weird I know, and I'm sure I'll get over it at some point!

Anyway, just thought I'd say hello and say how much this website has helped educate me, get started and to this point. Lots of great ideas and advice from the experienced people on here. It's very much appreciated!

-Patinas

Nice mix.
What variety of Penedesencas?
I still eat chicken. I even eat my own chickens. I prefer that to eating a bird that had a bad life.

Greetings from Kansas, patinas, and ! Pleased you joined our community! Make sure you visit the WA state thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread

And threre are a lot of very informative articles in the Learning Center here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

Hi ChickenCanoe

I don't know what variety of Penedesencas. They were labeled just Penedesencas. I didn't know they had varieties. They look like little chipmunks with bright white stripes down their backs and distinct "V" shapes on their heads.

Hi redsoxs

Thanks for the welcome and links. I'll definitely check out the WA threads!

User Ron Ott raises Penedesencas He usually posts on the "Old Folks home " thread. ps you don't have to be old to post there

G’Day from down under Patinas Welcome!

As you have already received some links to great starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

Nice variety of breeds!

Patinas said:

Hi ChickenCanoe

I don't know what variety of Penedesencas. They were labeled just Penedesencas. I didn't know they had varieties. They look like little chipmunks with bright white stripes down their backs and distinct "V" shapes on their heads.

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Penedesencas come in Black, Crele, Wheaten and Partridge. Yours must be Partridge. I raise Blacks exclusively but have had Partridge.
If a hatchery carries them at all, they usually only have one variety. That's probably why they were just labeled with the breed.
Only one hatchery carries Blacks and theirs aren't perfect. No attention to earlobe color, comb and I've been told some have 5 toes.
In case you want to read up on them.
http://www.penedesencausa.com/
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Penes/BRKPenes.html

drumstick diva said:

User Ron Ott raises Penedesencas He usually posts on the "Old Folks home " thread. ps you don't have to be old to post there

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LOL! Well, I'm no spring chicken but not quite "Old Folks Home" material either!