Hi all, This is my first post on BYC although I have visited the sight many times over the past year. I am a working mom of two humans, 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 4 chickens. I grew up in the Bay Area in CA, but always wanted to live in the country. About seven years ago my husband and I made the move to Tennessee (his family is from here, but we are both native californians). At the time of our move I thought our 3/4 acre lot was massive compared to what CA had to offer. Of course I wanted to start a garden, chickens, and goats. My husband had to reel me in a bit and limited me to just a garden and a new puppy! Well finally last year I got my chickens ( a co-worker's daughter used them for a photo shoot and I claimed them right away). I knew nothing about chickens but read everything I could so my chickens would be happy and safe. We ended up with three layers and the cutest little black frizzle cochin bantam you would ever see. The girls all lived happily until the layers began picking on my little banty and we had to build her her own apartment. Eventually we got her a little silky roommate and they became the best of friends. Unfortunately just this week the girls were all out of their run scratching in the yard like they do everyday and a hawk got my little banty!!! I am so heartbroken and mad at myself for becoming too comfortable about letting them range. Typically, I leave my Australian Cattle Dog out with the chickens for protection (she is an awesome dog and great chicken babysitter) but that day I didn't make her stay out so needless to say I have been going through all the "I should haves" and blaming myself.
So enough rambling, the reason I finally joined is because I am eventually going to need a new little friend for the silkie who is now lonely (at least I personify her as being loney), but I want another sweet banty and don't want to buy it without meeting her first. So I am hoping to meet other Crazy Chicken People in West Tennessee to begin networking and hopefully find another funny little banty or two to help heal my broken heart.
