Beginner Backyarder in Texas

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JenniferShawRDH

JenniferShawRDH

Chirping
6 Years
Joined
Aug 25, 2014
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Location
Magnolia, Texas
Howdy, Y'all! I am brand new to chickens. We decided to get 2-4 egg layers for personal consumption & also heard they are great for keeping mosquito populations down!?! I just ordered our coop and, once it arrives, we'll be heading to the chicken lady in our town to pick a few out. I think we'll be getting some young hens, but not chicks, because I was told the heat is really hard on them. But, we want them as pets as well. Is it easy to acclimate younger hens to be friendly???
 
Welcome aboard, a shout out from Ohio...

Under the Learning Center tab there are a couple of threads, at least, that should help you achieve the relationship you want with your soon to be new flock members...

I am new as well and hope to gain the same thing.
Best wishes to us both!

Happy chickening
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Hello there and welcome to BYC!
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So glad you could join our community!

You might first start in our learning center for lots of good articles on all the aspects of keeping your new flock...https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

When you bring your new flock home, if you plan on free ranging your flock, you will want to lock them in the coop for several days so they become comfortable with their sleeping quarters. This way they will always return to the coop to roost each night. If you don't do this, they will not know to come home to roost at night in the coop. They need to be trained. If you are keeping them in a run, you do not need to lock them in.

Let them adjust to their new digs for a few weeks. If they are already laying, be prepared for them to stop for a while. The stress of moving can stop them from laying for a couple weeks or even a month. Sometimes there is an egg in the pipes and you can get one or two eggs at first. Put some fake eggs in the nest boxes so they know where to lay their eggs.

They will no doubt be a bit scared of you. So move slowly around them, talk softely to them. Keep the loud noises, kids, dogs and other stressors away from them for a while. Go sit with them each day for about 20 mins, on their level on the ground. Bring some treats with you too. Food is a wonderful bonding agent to help them learn you mean no harm. These methods here will help to make the transition smooth for them.

Good luck with your new flock and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Welcome to our flock!
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2 on locking them in at first so they get to know where is home.

Sit with them and chat with them each day. Bring them goodies and move slowly. They'll learn to love you!:)
 
Welcome. Glad you decided to join our flock. My wife & I were both raised in the great state of Texas. The ease of acclimating younger hens to people so that they are friendly depends on many factors, including the breeds & the individual hens. Breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being friendly, gentle, & easy to tame include australorps, orpingtons, Cochins, brahmas, silkies, & faverolles. I have had all of these breeds except the faverolles (a good friend & close neighbor raised them), & they all earned their reputation. The children made lap pets of these breeds. If egg production is a concern, australorps are the best layers of this group & Cochins & silkies are the poorest layers. Whatever breed of young hens you end up getting, good luck with your flock.
 

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