kandeice

I started out 2+ years ago with 12 Buff Orpington, 5 Barred Plymouth Rock, and 2 Rhode Island Red. Then I added a Buff Orpington Rooster and a Barred Plymouth Rock Rooster. First mistake, too small of flock for 2 roos.

Then in year 2 I lost 4 Buff Orpington hens and 3 Barred Rock hens. Now really too few hens for 2 roos.

I thought to resolve this in year 3 (this year). I added 11 pullets: 1 Speckled Sussex, 2 Australorp, 1 Black Copper Marans, 2 Black Jersey Giants, Welsummer, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Silver Laced Wyandotte, and a White Leghorn.

Being compulsive, I didn't stop there. On June 6th of this year I added an Australorp, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Black Jersey Giant, Light Brown Leghorn, Buckeye, Ancona, Blue Andalusian, Dark Brahma, Buff Brahma, Partridge Cochin, Sicilian Buttercup, Welsummer, and White Cochin.

Then on July 5th I added a Golden Buff (Red Star), Silver Laced Wyandotte, Golden Laced Wyandotte, Speckled Sussex, Golden Laced Polish, and a Blue Andalusian.

Not feeling satisfied yet, on July 10th I added a Salmon Faverolles, Silver Laced Polish, Blue Cochin, and a Dark Brahma.

I thought I was done adding to my flock.

Until...I went to the local farm shop and saw all the cute young chicks. Going to buy feed, which I got, I then snuck in 2 Cinnamin Queens, 2 Australorp, and 1 Ameraucana.

When all was said and done, my 2 roos with have plenty of playmates by late fall or early spring. My pullets are housed in a divided chicken coop with the 2 year olds with the teenagers on the opposite side with netting dividing the coop so they can get to know one another before actually combing then. They have separate outside runs that are covered and predator proof that measure 16x16 feet. The 2 year hens also have a free range area of a woods and grass area that measures 150 feet square. It is surrounded by 5 foot netting but is not predator proof so they are tucked away at night.

My young chicks are housed in a 5 foot round dog enclosure inside another outbuilding with heat lamps and all their needs. This outbuilding also houses a chicken rehab area that is a large dog enclosure where I treat any injuries or conditions that require isolation from the rest of the flock. It is on the opposite side of the building where the chicks are kept.

I currently an rehabbing a Rhode Island Red hen who lost all her feathers due to over zealous roosters and because she is small she is also on the bottom of the pecking order. Her name is Mildred. She gets a private room with water that is supplemented with vitamins and vinegar, and also supplemented food with very special treats. She was completely barren of all her feathers at the start but is now re-growing some very fine plumage (its in the stubble stage). I also bath her about once a week in mild vinegar water. She is so spoiled.

I have learned all by trial and error. I know what works and what does not in a lot of situations. And, there are many things I need to ask questions about. I am still learning.

Yikes! I now have a flock of 55 chickens with a large variety of breeds, most of them are new to me.