My "moment" is when I traveled to a farm during the first big outbreak of avian flu, when 4-H'ers couldn't show their chickens at county fairs. I went with the intention of bringing home THREE point-of lay hens.
I came home with FOUR. It was a sign of things to come.
Currently, I have 23...
My naming protocol usually ranges from names chosen for the bird's country of origin to TV or book characters.
Current flock is Camille (of French heritage); Evie, Audrey and Valentina (actually American TV); Isabel, Ophelia and Ursula (the I.O.U. girls); Alice and Cora (sisters from "The Last...
I try to be as positive as possible, but it's been tough recently, too many deaths, human and animals.
My sister's friend, who co-founded the community Halloween party with her 20 years ago, died; his funeral was the same day as the party. Bobby was a lifelong entertainer -- a singer, dancer...
Sometimes, I've had to climb inside the run to encourage members of that flock -- who are known as "the party girls" because they like to stay out late -- to get into the coop.
Since I've hung the heavy duty weather panel, more of the run is dark and they seem to accept that it's bed time on...
I am SO jealous -- you have incredibly adorable baby chicks and it's spring in Australia!! Winter is creeping in here, and I am already tired of it.
Thanks for posting photos of your sweet babies! And, the sassy one :)
The only toy my chickens ever appreciated was a plastic cylindrical tube that could be filled with mealworms and had slots so the hens could roll it and pick out the treats. However, please see previous posts regarding poop and dust particles.
Hope you enjoy researching breeds over the winter...
I took my first Keeshond to puppy school to learn socialization skills. It seemed to be going well as she was happily playing with a Sheltie -- who soon had blood all over his white chest.
His person and I freaked out -- turned out he had lost a baby tooth while he and Holly were playing...
Lisa, sorry to learn about your mother-in-law's passing. Even when you realize it's time for someone to go, it's hard to lose them.
My sister's Halloween party co-founder passed away last week, and his funeral was the same day as the party. Bobby was a musician, singer, dancer and a lifelong...
I hesitated buying from Omlet because it's so pricey (you're lucky to have found a used one!) and the stuff looks more like kids' playground equipment than a chicken coop. But, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and, most importantly, the hens like it.
For the first winter, I bought...
Jim, I bought one of the "feed" cans earlier this year and really like it, although not as crazy about shelling out the cash. On Sunday, Bomgaars will hold one of its Ladies Nights, and I plan to get one more can at 20 percent off.
Onions from seed might grow larger -- for someone else. I am...
Your birds are beautiful!! I love Casey's expression, like she's expecting something good to come her way.
I appreciate all the time, effort and expense you've gone through to keep your birds safe and happy. Avian flu wasn't widespread here this year but did get as close as the next county...
I expected this week to be busy, but it's even more so than I anticipated.
Tarps were already up on the goat shelter pen and some of the chicken runs to protect them from wintery winds and as much snow as possible.
With a friend's help, we used all the tarps I had two weeks ago, but I ordered...
Your "crazy" plan sounds perfectly rational to me! I foolishly intended to only have 3 chickens -- and on my first attempt came home with 4, each of a different breed. That was MANY chickens, coops and breeds ago!! Also, before ducks and geese were added to the mix.
As a BYC member, you have...
My friendliest-ever hen was a Buff Orpington who learned to sneak away from the rest of the flock for treats when she'd hear me say, "Where's my fine hen?"
She tolerated temperatures in the double digits below zero as well as triple-digit summer temps. North Central Iowa has it all 🙁
I am...
It's supposed to rain all day today, so I "dug" into my big outdoor chores yesterday, including planting 30 Siberian Squills and eight purple alliums.
I staked chicken wire over the areas to, hopefully, deter squirrels from digging up the bulbs. They are ambitiously burying so many walnuts in...
Since you asked, what surprised me most when I got my first chickens is how much differently I raise my chickens than my dad raised ours when I was a kid.
The family's chickens lived in an old, dilapidated shed; mine have fancy coops. A sick chicken was almost always a soon-to-be-dead chicken...
Beautiful silkies!! Do you have a mixed flock or are they all feathery, little fluff balls?
Welcome to BYC! There are so many helpful, knowledgeable folks here who will be happy to answer any question they possibly can.