👋 from the Savage Family in SW MI

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Thank's for the update and for sharing the picture's your Chickens are Beautiful!

 

[Clucking Caper]

Welcome to the coop, pull up a spot on the roost and enjoy. There is a wealth of info here.

 

[The Coop Crew]

Hi! Hello!
We are brand spanking new chickrents & chiblings, here! (Only previous experience we are holding onto is that I grew up on a hobby farm in Florida for most of my childhood )
We have been researching and discussing how to grow our little “urban homestead” for a loooong time and hubby figured if we didn’t take the leap of faith, how would we ever get started!?! Anyway, we are starting out with just three chicks for now & went with a variety of breeds to learn about each and grow from there; Ameraucana, Sapphire Gem, and an Amberlink (per our local FFH). To be fair, my husband let our 7 year old choose “the cutest ones EVER!”, according to her.. I think the kids and I (me personally, for sure!) are excited to watch our chickens grow and flourish while providing nourishment for our bellies as well as our property. I’m most excited to finally be able to share my love for animals with them in a whole new way! To be honest, I’m an ADHD person, so I am always finding new ways to stimulate and occupy myself, so I’m always down for a new adventure!! Im also a huge crafter and explorer. I love learning WHY and HOW stuff works.. Finding patterns and links in things that neurotypical people would probably think I was nuts for! I love to fish, swim, watch things grow, and am always itching to learn something new! We have 2 cats, 3 dogs, four kids (7-16yrs), and lots of drive to become better (& healthier) humans! I came across BYC today, and joined immediately after reading a few different threads (with lots of great info). So excited to see what else this community has to offer!
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Welcome!!! I’m from southern MI so I bet we aren’t far from each-other! Cutest little fluff balls you have there

 

[SavageSixHomestead]

Has anyone brought up the inadequacy of chicken wire with regards to protecting chickens from predators?

I am so very aware from all of my research if that’s what you’re asking. “Chicken wire is meant to contain, not protect” But what you’re seeing here is their daytime “playpen” inside my privacy fenced backyard. We are in process of selling our “city home” so they will soon have an awesomely secure, and permanent, run, at the new property! So until then, their sturdy solid coop and supervised run visits will do!

 

[The Coop Crew]

I am so very aware from all of my research if that’s what you’re asking. “Chicken wire is meant to contain, not protect” But what you’re seeing here is their daytime “playpen” inside my privacy fenced backyard. We are in process of selling our “city home” so they will soon have an awesomely secure, and permanent, run, at the new property! So until then, their sturdy solid coop and supervised run visits will do!

That’s what we do as well! We live right in town so they have their coop & little run but we go out multiple times a day to let them free range under supervision

 

[Debbie292d]

Thank you for sharing all those wonderful pictures. Such pretty chickens!!

Congrats on your future new place too! I know the excitement of that. It's been 8 years or so since we left town and bought this place out in the boonies.

 

[SavageSixHomestead]

In case anyone is still following along… We got our first egg today!! And it’s a beautiful soft pink color!!! I won’t lie, I cried when I noticed it (crying is my default way to express extreme emotion; ever since childhood ) and my oldest daughter (almost 14yrs) laughed at me for crying but was just as excited!! My youngest girl (7yrs) comes home soon from school and I can’t wait for her to see!!
Ok anyway, I’m thinking it was my sapphire gem (Nosey Rosie) who laid it but I also have absolutely no real idea… lbvfs So I’m hoping you guys can help, maybe! I think it’s her because I have noticed in the past week or two that when I go to pet her, she enters the “submissive squat” stance.. and my other two just turn and flutter like “uh can I help you, lady?!” The other two are also just starting to blush on their faces while miss Rosie has been bright as all get out for the last month or so Am I just making up reasons in my ADHD head or does this sound legit? lol Ok, here I am jabbering along.. Anyway!! Thank you guys for all of the knowledge and love shared here! I appreciate this community!
Oh and my egg mats are now in the mail! We put the newspaper and some bedding in the egg box until we got some and I’m glad I did cause we really lost track of time and didn’t think they would lay yet!

 

[SavageSixHomestead]

(reg size) Bobby pin and white paper towel backdrop for better contrast and comparison

 

[TwoCrows]

In case anyone is still following along… We got our first egg today!! And it’s a beautiful soft pink color!!! I won’t lie, I cried when I noticed it (crying is my default way to express extreme emotion; ever since childhood ) and my oldest daughter (almost 14yrs) laughed at me for crying but was just as excited!! My youngest girl (7yrs) comes home soon from school and I can’t wait for her to see!!
Ok anyway, I’m thinking it was my sapphire gem (Nosey Rosie) who laid it but I also have absolutely no real idea… lbvfs So I’m hoping you guys can help, maybe! I think it’s her because I have noticed in the past week or two that when I go to pet her, she enters the “submissive squat” stance.. and my other two just turn and flutter like “uh can I help you, lady?!” The other two are also just starting to blush on their faces while miss Rosie has been bright as all get out for the last month or so Am I just making up reasons in my ADHD head or does this sound legit? lol Ok, here I am jabbering along.. Anyway!! Thank you guys for all of the knowledge and love shared here! I appreciate this community!
Oh and my egg mats are now in the mail! We put the newspaper and some bedding in the egg box until we got some and I’m glad I did cause we really lost track of time and didn’t think they would lay yet!

Congrats on that first egg! They are super egg-citing, its quite a proud moment in a chicken mommas life!

 

[SavageSixHomestead]

Congrats on that first egg! They are super egg-citing, it’s quite a proud moment in a chicken mommas life!

I just surprised the youngest with her eyes closed and when she opened and see the egg in her hand, she started crying too!!! Haha my minion, for sure! Thank you so much, it’s such a spectacular feeling of pride! (Like… I must be doing ‘something’ right! )