susaniris
In the Brooder
- Apr 14, 2019
- 7
- 27
- 41
Hi! We moved to central NY State last summer and are getting our very first day-old chicks within a week. I have an indoor room set up with the brooder and all necessary supplies and feel like an expectant mother...are the eggs laid yet, etc. Very excited! Also have questions about predator control once they are ready to go outside. My husband is building our coop from scratch, from designs found online. Even he is getting excited! I've read about lights specifically designed to keep predators away, but also saw that flashing Christmas lights and a transistor radio near the coop set to a talk-radio station can be just as effective. The thought of losing hens, whom I intend to keep as pets, breaks my heart. Any advice about that issue -- or anything else -- is most welcome! Thanks! Below are the copied questions that the moderator suggested I answer in way of introduction.
1. Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
(3) What breeds do you have?
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
1. Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
Yes, new to everything chicken-keeping.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Getting 8 day-old chicks via mail this week from mypetchicken.com
(3) What breeds do you have?
We will be getting 2 Orpingtons, 2 Austrolorps, 2 barred Plymouth Rocks, and 2 Speckled Sussexes. All pullets.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
Bonding with the babies, keeping them as pets, and enjoying their eggs.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I rescue cats and dogs, currently have an older dog and 9 sweet kitties. I intend on verrry slow introductions to all. I also play piano (especially ragtime and Mississippi delta blues), do mosaic and stained-glass window art designs, garden, and love my wine!
How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
Found BYC through research on the Internet. Looks like a great place to get advice from those with lots of experience.