First Time Chicken Owner...FUN!

[kshaffer]

Hi all,

I've been lurking here since Sept 2009, and I finally have my first chicks....I have 36 Buckeye Chicks, they are now 4 and 5 weeks old. They are SO FUN to watch, although I haven't figured out Who Rules The Roost yet. There is one chick that when I feed and talk to them, he/she likes to look me in the eye. They are not afraid of me, and I can pick most of them up. I got them from Crains Run Ranch in Ohio. This picture was taken May 12 when they were 2 and 3 weeks old. I'm planning on breeding them, and I hope some of the hens are broody as I want to raise them the "old-fashioned way" - under the hen. We will be free ranging them on 5 acres, and we are feeding them Purina Flock Raiser with good success. (they eat more than my horses do!)

 

[4 luv of eggs]

You have some pretty babies there. There are alot of people who are new to chickens, myself included. Aren't they hysterical? I can sit and watch mine for hours.

 

[chick4chicks]

, Congrats on the cute little buggers. Will they have a secure coop to go in at night? I don't want to see them be food for predators.

 

[Yardbirds286]

Cute babies! This is a great site, welcome!

 

[MissJenny]

Darling Babies -- I had no idea Buckeyes have pale heads when they are little -- don't feather out to be a deep auburn. Aren't they tons of fun. I lurked for a long time too before I got my chicks -- this site provided loads of really helpful information.

Glad you're here and

Jenny

 

[kshaffer]

I do worry about Predators...we have lots of Coyotes. My husband made one of our a horse stall secure to my "paranoid" specifications. We have two doors to the outside - a sliding door, and then a Screen Door with two latches top and bottom on the inside of sliding door. We have a sliding door to the inside of the barn also that has two strong latches on either side that are "horse proof". All small holes are covered with wood with oak 2 x 6's up to four foot then it has welded wire to the ceiling on all sides that aren't solid. I HOPE it is secure enough. We have roosts made with a "poop board" underneath, but haven't gotten the nest boxes up yet...