I waited months for the county to change laws so I could have a few chickens. Then another year while I pestered, fussed, and nagged at my husband to build a chicken tractor. I had to get a little gruff . . . when Mother's Day rolled around last month, I told him I wasn't interested in any gift unless it was clucking or laying an egg! He got the idea and the chicken tractor was finally finished last week. It sits ready with straw in the nesting boxes and the waterer is filled. We pick up "the gal's" tomorrow evening - two red star and two black star hens. The reds have started laying and the blacks are about to start. As I'm new to this I didn't want to begin with chicks. I might progress to that but thought I'd start with girls that were already established.
Here's my secret . . . I'm kinda' scared of chickens. Always have been. Love them, but a bit frightened by them. This Love-Hate relationship goes back to me being 4 years old and running, running, running to my great-grandmother's hen house to see if there were any eggs. Of course, I'd go in there knocking stuff over and disturbing the hens and grabbing for eggs and I'd get pecked. Then I'd go back and get pecked again. The birds didn't know who this crazy kid was - all they knew is that I was disturbing them!
50+ years later I can rationalize that in my mind but I'm still a bit skittish. My hope is that I'll get over this as I actually get to know these girls and we'll become fast friends. But, I'm a bit worried that they'll figure me out and get the upper hand! Fingers are crossed that they can't smell fear . . .
Obviously, I really want this to work out and am looking for any hints that might help me in dealing with the girls. Best way to approach them. Things to do to make them feel at home and at ease around me. I need to be "hands on" so that I can adequately take care of them. Husband was raised with chickens but this is my project and I want to be able to win them over.
Any suggestions much appreciated. I've been hanging out at this forum for weeks now and really appreciate all the good advice that I've found here. It's great to have such an active and knowledgeable community to come to with questions.
Thanks a bunch!
Sandy
Two old people and two young-adult children. One senior chocolate lab and one rescued black and tan American Coon Hound. Home of "The Best Mouser In The World", Lily, a calico cat that adopted us. 2 Black Star's, 1 Red Star and BABY CHICKS! Have added 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 Ameraucana, and 1 Delaware to the flock. The construction of our new coop: http://www.backyardchickens.com/...
Two old people and two young-adult children. One senior chocolate lab and one rescued black and tan American Coon Hound. Home of "The Best Mouser In The World", Lily, a calico cat that adopted us. 2 Black Star's, 1 Red Star and BABY CHICKS! Have added 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Buff Orpingtons, 1 Ameraucana, and 1 Delaware to the flock. The construction of our new coop: http://www.backyardchickens.com/...
