Ever since I can remember I have loved chickens. My grandmother had two ceramic chickens that came to me when she passed. I proudly display them on my hutch. I remember her telling me stories about her childhood chicken wrangling experiences--you know, the usual ones you'd tell your small grandchildren--about wringing chickens necks and watching them run around the yard with their heads cut off. However graphic, they didn't phase me, and I thought her childhood sounded marvelous. In later years I remained entranced by chickens. Although we live rurally, there aren't that many chickens around here because we live at 7000 ft. in elevation and it is quite cold during the winter. Somehow, although I thought about the idea of raising chickens, I didn't consider it seriously because it seemed that people who raised livestock and poultry were born that way. (yes, I know how stupid that sounds) I told my friend down the road that it had seemed like there was way too much to learn and animals lives were at stake if I did a crummy job.
But last winter I was ill for a spell and while I was recuperating I bided my time by drawing out a plan for a chicken coop, a chicken yard, and multiple raised garden beds. Then I researched breeds and availability. I bought a couple of chicken books and found BYC. I'm not sure how I convinced my husband to go along with my hairbrained scheme. Perhaps he felt sorry for me and was humoring me during my illness. Come snowmelt, we started in making the plan a reality. I can't remember ever working so hard. But now I amf so glad we made the effort.
I have a flock of 13. Ten pullets and three roos. Two are orpingtons,two are barred rocks, two girls and a boy are Americaunas, one girl and a boy are blue laced red Wyandottes, one girl is a golden laced Wyandotte (I had to re-home a glw roo), two girls are white leghorns. And last but not least, my huge roo is a silver laced Wyandotte. I can honestly say I have loved every minute of it so far, and even though I had to send a roo to a new home I know he is in a great place (the only roo for a flock of 29).
We currently have one layer (an eighteen week white leghorn). I'm looking (and looking, and looking.......) everyday for more eggs.
Next year we have a number of projects to finish that we didn't get to this year. And I have pick of the litter to look forward to.
But last winter I was ill for a spell and while I was recuperating I bided my time by drawing out a plan for a chicken coop, a chicken yard, and multiple raised garden beds. Then I researched breeds and availability. I bought a couple of chicken books and found BYC. I'm not sure how I convinced my husband to go along with my hairbrained scheme. Perhaps he felt sorry for me and was humoring me during my illness. Come snowmelt, we started in making the plan a reality. I can't remember ever working so hard. But now I amf so glad we made the effort.
I have a flock of 13. Ten pullets and three roos. Two are orpingtons,two are barred rocks, two girls and a boy are Americaunas, one girl and a boy are blue laced red Wyandottes, one girl is a golden laced Wyandotte (I had to re-home a glw roo), two girls are white leghorns. And last but not least, my huge roo is a silver laced Wyandotte. I can honestly say I have loved every minute of it so far, and even though I had to send a roo to a new home I know he is in a great place (the only roo for a flock of 29).
We currently have one layer (an eighteen week white leghorn). I'm looking (and looking, and looking.......) everyday for more eggs.
Next year we have a number of projects to finish that we didn't get to this year. And I have pick of the litter to look forward to.