- Nov 29, 2010
- 292
- 2
- 99
Hello everyone,
I have been scoping the pages and forums of backyard chickens since Spetember 2010 when I started considering chickens.... approximately 3 weeks later I got my first ever girls (2 Barred Rocks, 1 Australorp, and 2 Australorp mixes-sisters!). I spent many, many, many hours researching breeds that were mostly dual-purpose and laid brown eggs (my own preference) and that would be relatively cold hardy for our Michigan temps.....anyway, I had a long list of potential breeds in hand when I answered a listing online for some "older" chickens (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years) that someone was getting rid of to make room in their own flock. Walah along came the girls!!!
I wasn't really sure what I would get out of them as they had just finished moulting and the lady who I got them from said she wasn't sure how well they would lay, if at all! I told her even if they didn't lay a single egg they would work great as I wanted to test out both the BR and BA breeds anyway, see how their personalities are. After hearing they were going to a good home to be "pets".... she gave them to me free -SCORE!!! (for those of you that worry about i your unwanted are just going to the table, not always, there iss hope for them!)
Anyhow, about a months after their arrival my mother-in-law was getting ready to butcher a young roo that one of her hens had slipped by her last year and she asked if I might want him before she did the deed- I had sworn I wouldn't get one, UNTIL the ofer was on the table
Anyhow "Cogburn" (ISA Brown x RIR we think) is a very happy gentleman with five lovely ladies to call his own now. He is the best rooster a newbie could ask for.... I can touch him as long as I'm not trying to pick him up he doen't care, gives me my space, lets the ladies eat first, is everwatchful for danger, and wouldn't hurt my 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old kids for anything. And, he's GORGEOUS!
As most of you on this site know chickens are a very serious disease that spreads very quickly overtaking every part of you.... thus, March 4th 2011 i became the proud parent or 92 (after losing 4) chicks, which were joined by 5 EE's 3 days later... and 3 ISA brown, 2 BSL, and then 5 GLW and 3 SLW about one week later- in case you are counting I'm wel over 100! AHHHH the insanity make it stop..... yeah right bring it on! I LOVE MY CHICKENS/CHICKS!
I have stopped for now
all are doing well are relatively happy and ready to bring me many years of enjoyment, entertainment, frustration, upset, stress and of course yummy delicious meals!
Other than chickens I have a wonderful & understanding husband, 2 beautiful young children, a dog, cat, mini horse, 4 goats, pigs, and of course CHICKENS, will probably be adding a few ducks too!
Hope to see you around the forums.... plan on learning lots, sharing some stories, and hopefully helping someone else where I can. Thanks!
I have been scoping the pages and forums of backyard chickens since Spetember 2010 when I started considering chickens.... approximately 3 weeks later I got my first ever girls (2 Barred Rocks, 1 Australorp, and 2 Australorp mixes-sisters!). I spent many, many, many hours researching breeds that were mostly dual-purpose and laid brown eggs (my own preference) and that would be relatively cold hardy for our Michigan temps.....anyway, I had a long list of potential breeds in hand when I answered a listing online for some "older" chickens (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years) that someone was getting rid of to make room in their own flock. Walah along came the girls!!!
I wasn't really sure what I would get out of them as they had just finished moulting and the lady who I got them from said she wasn't sure how well they would lay, if at all! I told her even if they didn't lay a single egg they would work great as I wanted to test out both the BR and BA breeds anyway, see how their personalities are. After hearing they were going to a good home to be "pets".... she gave them to me free -SCORE!!! (for those of you that worry about i your unwanted are just going to the table, not always, there iss hope for them!)
Anyhow, about a months after their arrival my mother-in-law was getting ready to butcher a young roo that one of her hens had slipped by her last year and she asked if I might want him before she did the deed- I had sworn I wouldn't get one, UNTIL the ofer was on the table
As most of you on this site know chickens are a very serious disease that spreads very quickly overtaking every part of you.... thus, March 4th 2011 i became the proud parent or 92 (after losing 4) chicks, which were joined by 5 EE's 3 days later... and 3 ISA brown, 2 BSL, and then 5 GLW and 3 SLW about one week later- in case you are counting I'm wel over 100! AHHHH the insanity make it stop..... yeah right bring it on! I LOVE MY CHICKENS/CHICKS!
I have stopped for now
Other than chickens I have a wonderful & understanding husband, 2 beautiful young children, a dog, cat, mini horse, 4 goats, pigs, and of course CHICKENS, will probably be adding a few ducks too!
Hope to see you around the forums.... plan on learning lots, sharing some stories, and hopefully helping someone else where I can. Thanks!
