Finally joining

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watersgirl

In the Brooder
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Sep 7, 2017
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Hi! My name is Lenna and I've been using backyard chickens as help for the last 2 years, and finally thought maybe it was time to actually join.

I got my first batch of chicks about 2 years ago - when we finally moved out to the country and wanted to start our own mini farm. We started with 12 from the feed store. 4 Russian Orloffs and 1 Polish, 4 black stars, and some assorted bantams - 2 Cochin and 1 Japanese. It wasn't long after we got their coop built that we realized our coop was plenty big for more :) . So we bough 25 straight run heavies and a half dozen leghorns to add. We had a very large amount of roo's in that bunch so after feeding the freezer and giving some roos and hens to friends that had lost their flock, we kept a respectable 1 rooster and 10 hens. And then tragedy struck us this spring and we started having predator problems - Racoons! i'm sure I don't need to tell most of you that that pretty much wiped us out. Currently all I have left from my original batch is 1 black star, who is still laying 1 egg a day. My husband has bout a few batches of chicks this year (he's not allowed anymore-he always seems to pick roos) and so we now have 6 roos (3 EE - 12 wks, 1 BO 12wks , 1 RIR 12wks, and 2 that I'm not 100% sure -17wks)and 4 hens (2 black somethings 17wks, 1 RIR 12wks, 1 BO-12wks) . I just put in a late order to get 25 heavy pullets from Cackle, and they should be here tomorrow. Let see, I also have 3 heifers, with one due to give birth in November, and 1 steer.

I'm really excited to finally join in on the conversation instead of just eavesdropping!
 
Hi Lenna and welcome to BYC:frow We're so happy you joined us:ya
 
Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, I had no idea about raccoons and it took me completely by surprise. Luckily I think we've got the coop and run pretty predator proof at this point, as long as they don't get gotten during the day when they free range...
 
Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC! :frow
We are glad you joined our flock.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:
 
Lenna sorry for you loss. Raccoons are probably the no. 1 predator of chickens and kill and eat as many birds, as their maimed survivors. Have you checked out the predator threads for advice on safeguarding your birds?
 
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Hello Watersgirl! Welcome to BYC. Also a new member. An opossum attack is what finally allowed us to get a female gamehen and 3 chicks inside while putting together a small coop and run just for them. We are trying to keep them socialized and returning at night but would also like to get many of the remaining ones that roost in trees nearby to come in at night and are trying to convert a larger lean to into a coop. Until then, they will encounter many more opossums and raccoons, as well as coyotes. We need to power read through predator threads.
 
Viking Chickens, if they aren't roosting too high up in trees. You may be able to pick them off using a ladder. Chickens do not want to move in the dark. Then if kept in an enclosed run (with top) they will be easier to tame.
 

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