awkwardmisty
In the Brooder
- Oct 10, 2024
- 1
- 18
- 21
1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
2 hens and 1 rooster started eating from our compost about a year ago. They started spending more and more time here and by January they lived in our 5 foot fence full time. I fed a stray cat everyday and during a cold spell, the rooster came up onto the porch with the cat and I could tell they were desperate and hungry. I fed them for the first time that day. I knew nothing about chickens so I just gave them dry cat food. My daughter ordered a bag of chicken food and I fed them everyday after that. The stray cat and one of the hens disappeared in February and I thought a coyote must’ve gotten them. They were still very distrustful and try as I might, I couldn’t change that. March 8th I heard a ruckus outside and my daughter tried to investigate. She was blocked by the hen who’d been missing. For the first time ever she didn’t run from us she stood her ground “ ye shall not pass” I knew what that probably meant and the next day she brought 16 babies out into the yard. Soon after the other hen disappeared for a few weeks and came out with 14 chicks. I witnessed them stave off 2 birds of prey, a cat and a lady who wanted some of the babies. As far as I know, all of them survived well into the summer and both hens hatched another brood in May/June. I’d been trying to prevent it but they are good at hiding their nest. One had 8 and the other 6. 2 of the eight disappeared but the other six made it. The second six however didn’t seem to be growing and all died within the first 2 weeks of hatching. Ive tried to make nesting boxes. Ive tried many different materials and locations. They never used any of them. They roost in trees and bushes at night. I cleared out a building for them but they won’t use it. They won’t go into anything that doesn’t have 2 ways in and out.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? It’s impossible to get an accurate count but my best guess is 12- 15 hens and 12-15 roosters. All the hens stay with the original rooster and the other roosters kinda stay spread all over. I haven’t seen any major fights but once the boss and one rooster both had black combs and swollen faces for a few weeks. If the roosters get pushy and start to scare the hens too much, the main rooster will lead them into the woods behind our property and they will forage or hide. I have a decent sized yard about 2 acres but I live on a very busy road. My neighbors once got some chickens and they very quickly got hit by cars one by one. These guys seem to know better. I’ve seen no evidence of any of them getting hit. I only have a neighbor on one side and in July they started complaining about the chickens pooping and messing up their mulch. I told them I had no control over them. I don’t know what they did but soon after the chickens quit going over there.
(3) What breeds do you have?
I’m not sure, the hens are light brow, one of the hens has very blue feet, one young rooster has kinda blue but more white feet and several young hens have blue/ white feet. I’ll try to attach pics.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens? I’ve always wanted chickens and I find them endlessly fascinating. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been finding one or two eggs in random places all over the yard. I can hand feed the roosters but if the hens even think about getting too close, Rodney( the original rooster) says no and they listen. After they go to bed,I put food and fresh water in a bunch of spots all over the yard.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies? I like hiking and video games and cats.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I’m a 48 year old lady. My husband has COPD and can’t contribute as much as he used to. I do most of the outdoor work. We have 1 daughter who is 24 and recently moved out. We have 2 cats, we used to have 3 but 2 years ago 1 was lured into a trap by our neighbor and killed. I’m still not over it. The jerk has moved now, thankfully.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I’d love to know if anyone has experience with feral chickens. A lot of the stuff I’ve read doesn’t seem to apply to my gang. They are a unique group. Most of the advice I’ve read hasn’t worked.
2 hens and 1 rooster started eating from our compost about a year ago. They started spending more and more time here and by January they lived in our 5 foot fence full time. I fed a stray cat everyday and during a cold spell, the rooster came up onto the porch with the cat and I could tell they were desperate and hungry. I fed them for the first time that day. I knew nothing about chickens so I just gave them dry cat food. My daughter ordered a bag of chicken food and I fed them everyday after that. The stray cat and one of the hens disappeared in February and I thought a coyote must’ve gotten them. They were still very distrustful and try as I might, I couldn’t change that. March 8th I heard a ruckus outside and my daughter tried to investigate. She was blocked by the hen who’d been missing. For the first time ever she didn’t run from us she stood her ground “ ye shall not pass” I knew what that probably meant and the next day she brought 16 babies out into the yard. Soon after the other hen disappeared for a few weeks and came out with 14 chicks. I witnessed them stave off 2 birds of prey, a cat and a lady who wanted some of the babies. As far as I know, all of them survived well into the summer and both hens hatched another brood in May/June. I’d been trying to prevent it but they are good at hiding their nest. One had 8 and the other 6. 2 of the eight disappeared but the other six made it. The second six however didn’t seem to be growing and all died within the first 2 weeks of hatching. Ive tried to make nesting boxes. Ive tried many different materials and locations. They never used any of them. They roost in trees and bushes at night. I cleared out a building for them but they won’t use it. They won’t go into anything that doesn’t have 2 ways in and out.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? It’s impossible to get an accurate count but my best guess is 12- 15 hens and 12-15 roosters. All the hens stay with the original rooster and the other roosters kinda stay spread all over. I haven’t seen any major fights but once the boss and one rooster both had black combs and swollen faces for a few weeks. If the roosters get pushy and start to scare the hens too much, the main rooster will lead them into the woods behind our property and they will forage or hide. I have a decent sized yard about 2 acres but I live on a very busy road. My neighbors once got some chickens and they very quickly got hit by cars one by one. These guys seem to know better. I’ve seen no evidence of any of them getting hit. I only have a neighbor on one side and in July they started complaining about the chickens pooping and messing up their mulch. I told them I had no control over them. I don’t know what they did but soon after the chickens quit going over there.
(3) What breeds do you have?
I’m not sure, the hens are light brow, one of the hens has very blue feet, one young rooster has kinda blue but more white feet and several young hens have blue/ white feet. I’ll try to attach pics.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens? I’ve always wanted chickens and I find them endlessly fascinating. I’ve learned so much. I’ve been finding one or two eggs in random places all over the yard. I can hand feed the roosters but if the hens even think about getting too close, Rodney( the original rooster) says no and they listen. After they go to bed,I put food and fresh water in a bunch of spots all over the yard.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies? I like hiking and video games and cats.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I’m a 48 year old lady. My husband has COPD and can’t contribute as much as he used to. I do most of the outdoor work. We have 1 daughter who is 24 and recently moved out. We have 2 cats, we used to have 3 but 2 years ago 1 was lured into a trap by our neighbor and killed. I’m still not over it. The jerk has moved now, thankfully.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I’d love to know if anyone has experience with feral chickens. A lot of the stuff I’ve read doesn’t seem to apply to my gang. They are a unique group. Most of the advice I’ve read hasn’t worked.
Best wishes with your feral flock!
