Enjoying my hens!!!

Date sort Score sort
Kip7777777 said:
Hello - My name is Kip and I'm from a small village in Goshen, CT which is located in the Berkshire Mountains of the Northwest corner of the state.
I am new to raising chickens and I started in June of this year 2023. I have 9 hens at present. (3) Rhode Island Reds, (3) Australoups, and (3) Easter Eggers. They are now going on 26 weeks old and started laying around 19-20 weeks. They seem to lay a vast array of egg colors which I never expected. My chickens lay from light brown to very dark brown with speckles and even blue, green and a light pinkish color. In a basket the colors all look so cool together. The eggs range in size from small to large and I can see they are getting bigger as they grow older. Seven always lay in the morning hours but 2 always seem to lay in the early afternoon. I have read that they will slow down the laying process as the weather gets colder but for now they continue to lay just about every day. I NEVER thought I could love raising chickens, but I tell you it's one of the very best things I have done for myself in a long while. I am an older man of 73 years of age. I live alone and really don't go out that much as I have stage 4 kidney disease and sometimes have a rough time of it however, I am stable and hope to stay that way for a long time. I need to enjoy my new friends. They all love me to hold them and cuddle them and of course I eat it all up. I enjoy gardening, working on my home, DIY projects and speaking French which I taught myself over the last two years. I recently lost my two little Yorkshire Terriers, and I am still healing of a broken heart as it has only been 6 weeks. I lost them both within two days of each other so it was a very difficult time for me. I came across BackYard Chickens doing a web search on learning as much as I could as a new chicken owner. I bought 2 books on raising chickens and read as many articles as I can just about every day to learn more and more. I find new things every time a do a new search. I will tell you - even though I am a guy if I ever have the situation to where one of my hens needs to be culled I just could NEVER do it. I am a wimp when it come to that sort of thing, and I am not sure what I will do so if you have any suggestions, PLEASE reach out to me as I would be most grateful. Right now, I don't have a big run for my chickens but plan on building one when the springs comes. At present they only have a 6'x8" run which is located under the coop. However, I do manage to let them free range 3 times a day to let them forage. and spread their wings. I watch for predators like, hawks, owls and other the whole time. I enjoy being out in the fresh air so even though it's really cold up here in the hills I still enjoy it. I like to sit in the sun and bring some treats, so they like to gather around me. I go light on the treats as I have read that treats should only consist of about 8-10% of their diet and because my SS check is very limited and I need to budget the best I can. I will start to sell them come the spring. Not for personal gain but to help offset the cost of feed and supplies. I am so excited over my newfound hobby and hope to continue to enjoy the pleasure it has brought into my life. Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself and share my story. Best to you all! Happy New Year 2024 and may all that is good come to each and every one of you. All my best. Kip
Click to expand...
:welcome :wee
 
Welcome to BYC, Kip! Very nice & thorough introduction - wow, you've been having a lot of difficult things to deal with, especially losing your beloved Yorkies and managing tough health problems! I'm so glad you're finding comfort and companionship with your nine hens, and obviously you are doing all you can to give them their best lives with you. I just turned 70 and have my first-ever flock (since April); it's been a pleasure and a constant learning experience [good for keeping our little gray cells engaged!], much helped by all the good, friendly, experienced folks in this great community.

So glad you've joined us and keep us posted on how it's all going for you & your flock!
 
Thank you all so much for your kind words. I am most grateful to all of you and I am so happy I am part of this wonderful group of loving people. You all have brought sunshine into my life. I truly love my girls and look forward each day to awaken and go out and see them and collect the beautiful eggs they have left for me. Blessings you all and I hope your holidays are filled with all that is good. Please stay well and out of harms way!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom