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Chicken in Cincinnati

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Sometimesginger, Jan 18, 2015.

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  1. Jan 18, 2015 #1
    Sometimesginger

    Sometimesginger Hatching

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    I am owner of a flock and an adopted flock, for over a year now. I have successfully added a couple brand new birds when one of my birds went broody, but only 2 survived of the 6 we purchased new! We have a lot of hawks around us, but at least 2 made it, and they are laying too!
    Aside from attacks, we are making it successfully with our hens. Even having cats, dogs and kids too! I have enough birds to give extra eggs to my neighbors too. I like that the most, sharing.
    I am a Purdue Master Gardener, mother of 2 kids, and 13 hens.
     
  2. Jan 18, 2015 #2
    BantamLover21

    BantamLover21 Crowing 5 Years

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    [​IMG] We're glad you joined us!

    I'm sorry about the hawk attacks. [​IMG]I'm glad you're enjoying your chickens, though!
     
  3. Jan 18, 2015 #3
    dekel18042

    dekel18042 Songster 5 Years

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    Welcome! Congratulations on the master gardening title. I have friends with similar titles and they are a wealth of knowledge on plants and gardening.
    I hear you on the hawks. Our daytime predators here seem to be foxes and hawks. Although I hate both, I hate the foxes more.
    We haven't lost any chickens to hawks in the past two years (since I've been building this flock), but we have had several attacks. What has helped: Lots of plant covers, decks, etc the chickens can use for safety. On nice days when the chickens are out of their covered runs usually people or dogs are out with them. Having roosters with them.
    I think (some) hawks are cowardly. They seem to go for the smallest chickens (careful if you have juveniles) which is why I have dual purpose birds. I've watched hawks sit in a tree or on a pole watching my flock but doing nothing while several big (Jersey giant X's) roosters were with them.
    Some of our neighbors free range their chickens in pastures with other animals (horses, cows, sheep or goats and the hawks don't seem to come down either.
     
  4. Jan 18, 2015 #4
    Wyandottes7

    Wyandottes7 Crowing 5 Years

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    Welcome to BYC! [​IMG]We're glad to have you.

    Good luck with your hens! What breeds do you have?
     
  5. Jan 18, 2015 #5
    Book Em Danno25

    Book Em Danno25 Crowing

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    Racing Dirt Bikes of Course!
    My Coop
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Jan 18, 2015 #6
    Michael OShay

    Michael OShay Crowing

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    Welcome back to BYC. Glad you decided to our flock. I'm sorry about your losses to hawks. It's always sad to lose some of our flock. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.
     
  7. Jan 18, 2015 #7
    BantamFan4Life

    BantamFan4Life LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO. Premium Member

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    Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!
     
  8. Jan 18, 2015 #8
    drumstick diva

    drumstick diva Still crazy after all these years. Premium Member 8 Years

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    Out to pasture
    Sounds like you need a good hawk repellant - maybe a Livestock guardian dog or two. Glad you joined the flock.
     
  9. Jan 18, 2015 #9
    Mountain Peeps

    Mountain Peeps Change is inevitable, like the seasons Premium Member

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    My Coop
    Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

    Sorry to hear of the attacks!
     
  10. Jan 19, 2015 #10
    Sometimesginger

    Sometimesginger Hatching

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    I have some 6 red brahms, two silver laced wyondottes, two golden commets, and now 2 new ameracus hens that started laying in December(their eggs are blue). The other ladies are just about 1 1/2 years young. Its mostly the adopted flock that gets attacked. My ladies are smart, they have been cared for by my hand since they were hatched, and that seems to make a big difference in their intelligence.
    I really like eggs and i live to be sustainable as I can be; we garden, so chickens seem to be the best decision to add to our crew! We adopt cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens :) We have a lil of each and we all live together well. Our cats actually help me herd the chickens when I let them out into the front yard while we are out playing. I like the chickens the best, they work the soil, they add nutrients as they peck the bugs out, and they lay eggs! I mean gosh, we can't ask for better composters then the chickens! What my bunnies don't eat, my chickens will. Its great too that they eat all the bad bugs from the soil too; keeps flea populations down a ton.
     
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