Official BYC Poll: How Long Have You Been Raising Chickens?

[room onthebroom]

It wasn't my idea.

You executed the idea... You get the credit.

 

[Terri Harmison]

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How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?
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[I_Love_My_Henihoos]

Funny story actually...
I've helped various neighbors and family over the years, bird sitting and what not, but one day when I was a teen...a crazy rooster decided to attack me and that was it- scared to death of them after that!

Fast forward several years to my own kids wanting chicks and needing a little extra responsibility, I figured we'd give it a try. Fear melted quickly when I finally got to raise my own baby birds!! (No roos though!!) Has turned into my absolute favorite hobby!

Marking myself down as a newbie...little over a year with my own flock!

My rooster likes to attack too, only if you are "too close" to his hens. We carry a baseball bat for intimidation, but never use it.

 

[pslane]

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

I started raising chickens/bantams when I was just a kid and had nobody to build me a coop so they roosted in the trees at night. I just turned 76 years young and still have the "bug".

Every city we lived in as a family, we had chickens in the backyard and never had a complaint. My children got to witness the miracle of a hatching chick many times.

I now raise only Serama bantams.

 

[Leecie]

I started with 3 silkies and fell in love have 20 currently and 1 roo. I’ve experienced the joy of raising many different breeds but the silkies and cochins are my favorite. Also partial to polish and buttercup. Love me some sizzles and frizzles as well.always have to have a few Americanas. I’ve been raising them for over twelve years and just lost one of my first chickens the matriarch last year . She was a naked neck silkie brown with lots of grey under feathers. Broke my heart. The hardest part is you get so attached. All of my babies have had a proper burial in the yard. And then......I always get more to feel better.

 

[sourland]

I have no chickens at the present time, but was involved with poultry and owned my first duck over 75 years ago. I have raised canaries, parakeets, pheasants (ring neck and ornamental), peafowl, guinea fowl, geese, ducks, chickens, wild birds, and my all time favorites - pigeons.

 

[brownkowmom]

5 Years and still going strong with chickens!!! Became obsessed with getting a perfect rainbow color arrangement about 2.5 years ago and finally got there this week! #rainboweggs Also have a hatching addiction!!!

 

[City Chicken Lady]

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

 

[Kiki]

@City Chicken Lady I think you posted an empty message.
Are you having trouble?

 

[White Wolf Bear]

View attachment 2009564​

How many of our peeps are really new to raising chickens and how many are old-timers?

In addition to answering the poll, please reply with some fun details, like:

What got you interested in raising chickens?
Did you ever "take a break" and not have chickens?
What breeds did you start with, how many, and do you have any pictures to share?

Well, it all started when my parents bought a chicken farm in Hiram Maine, in 1975, i was 3 years old, and then we got chickens. The first year we started small and only had a dozen or so, but then we got more, till we ended up with well over 200, which I thought was great, till I realized that once they stopped laying come cold weather, they had to go into the freezer. I learned the harsh reality of farming, at a very young age. The next year we got more chickens, and ducks, geese, quail, pheasant, turkeys, even a peacock! The cycle continued for decades, till I moved out to start a family of my own, and eventually start my own homestead. I only have chickens, lots of “fancy” breeds like Cochins, Silkies, English game, Seabright, and many others. I raise for eggs, and eventually they will end up in the freezer, but for now, they are just “pets who poop breakfast” as my daughter has do eloquently put it.