This is my daughter holding one of 4 barred rock chicks that we have. I also have 4 Buff Orpingtons, 4 Columbian Wyandottes, 2 Naked Necks (one yellow, one black), and 11 New Hampshire Reds. The Reds are approximately 2 1/2 years old and all of the others are going on 3 months old. I have only owned chickens for about the past 5 months. They hold a special place in my life.
Here is my story of becoming a chicken owner:
My mother passed away back on Thanksgiving of last year. My father had the Reds that he had raised from chicks and after my mother's death, he became so depressed that he no longer wanted the chickens. He asked me did I want them and I told him to wait a few more weeks to decide if he really wanted to get rid of them. Well, a few days went by and he informed me that if I did not want them, then someone else wanted them. Right then, I felt protective of them. I could not stand the idea of someone else taking these chickens that I had apparently become attached to. So I moved them, coop and all, to my house. They free range 90% of time and most go back to the coop to lay during the day. Then I decided that I wanted some biddies and I want a variety! I began researching different breeds and which ones tend to be sweeter, more docile breeds. Off to the hardware store I went!
My chicks have gotten big enough that they follow me around the yard when I go outside now and it makes me laugh to see them run after me. The Reds follow me too. So now when I go to the mailbox, I am followed by 25 chickens lol!! Plus, the cat and dog, who get along very well with the chickens when the chickens are not chasing them!
My dad also enjoys coming to visit and seeing me and the chickens so happy. I don't think he could have chosen a better place for them to go to!
