Chicks First Experience Outside

[yanceyh]

A week ago, I bought my first chickens I've had since I was 10 years old (I just turned 40). I grew up on a farm in West Texas and had cows, horses, lambs, pigs, chickens, and dogs. But now I'm stuck in the city and I decided to bring a little agriculture to my city kids (12 yr old daughter and 9 yr old son), as well as my city wife! Haha.

I have two each of Rhode Island Reds, Speckled Sussex, California Greys, and Sicilian Buttercups, all born around 9/15/18.

It was 90° here in Abilene, TX, today with a cold front moving in overnight, so I thought I'd take advantage of the warm sunshine and get the girls out for their first adventure. They were hesitant at first, but within a few minutes were pecking at the ground, exploring, and even flying a little. What shocked me, given that they freak out every time I stick my hands in their brooder, was that they sort of followed me around the yard and didn't try to run away when I thought it was time to go back inside and bent down to pick them up. Probably because I gave them their first scrambled egg two days ago and they're starting to figure out where their bread gets buttered!

I knew I would love having chickens, but this is turning out to be more fun than I thought. And my wife secretly loves it, though she won't quite admit it. She was out there the whole time with us.

Yancey House
Abilene, TX

 

[EggWalrus]

I have friends named Butch and Candy House in Houston. Tx is huge so I doubt you'd know them, but you can never tell. Glad you're enjoying y'alls chickens.
And welcome to BYC!

 

[imneva]

Love it!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Great photo of the new family members!

 

[Callender Girl]

Every chick, duckling and gosling I have brooded freaked out every time I put my hands in their brooders, but -- with the exception of a few of the runner ducks -- everyone calmed down as they got older.

I have had a Rhode Island Red (sweet, sweet girl) and a Sicilian buttercup (incredible beauty) and hope to add a couple of Speckled Sussex in the spring. Good luck with your new venture! You are off to a good start. And, in no time, your wife will have to admit that chickens are pretty irresistible.

 

[aart]

What shocked me, given that they freak out every time I stick my hands in their brooder, was that they sort of followed me around the yard and didn't try to run away when I thought it was time to go back inside and bent down to pick them up.

Yes, I've had this happen...even tho you 'scare' them in the brooder, they equate you with 'safety'. Have fun!...oh, you already are!

 

[L1sa]

I seriously lurve having chickens. I too had them when I was a child. But only got my first lot as an adult about 3 years ago, they are such fun and so cute and stupid! I love it when they are free roaming and I open the back door, they run/fly as fast as they can to be the first one to get to me!

Enjoy them, there are plenty of likeminded people on here

 

[snow5164]

How fun for you and your wife !
There’s nothing like raising animals to give you a smile on your face

Congratulations