First time hen owner :)

[debid]

And, at least they didn't pawn off all their unwanted cockerels as laying hens...

 

[LucyElle]

What has likely happened is that the seller has a mixed flock of "purebred" birds and they're selling the offspring as the same breed as whatever adult they most closely resemble. Obviously, this isn't exactly honest but I've seen the same scenario a number of times.

Bummer. That seems about right though. She had a lot of different kinds all free ranging together so that makes sense.

My girls lay eggs and are sweet so I guess that's all that matters. I will be more careful who I get them from next time though since I like the opportunity to look up temperant and traits.

 

[Dayrel]

Welcome to BYC, LucyElle! Lots of good people and good info here. Sorry, I don't have any knowledge of your specific breeds/mixes. Much like dogs, pure-breeds have well-known breed traits that are useful, but mutts have their own plusses and charms as well.

One thing that I noticed from your pictures concerns me. Looks like your run is protected using chicken wire. You didn't note your location, but most areas in the US have predators that can rip through that light wiring. It is good for holding in chickens, but raccoons and others can shred it and get to your girls. Some type of welded wire fence (often 1/2" hardware cloth) is recommended to protect against those kinds of predators.

 

[LucyElle]

Welcome to BYC, LucyElle! Lots of good people and good info here. Sorry, I don't have any knowledge of your specific breeds/mixes. Much like dogs, pure-breeds have well-known breed traits that are useful, but mutts have their own plusses and charms as well.

One thing that I noticed from your pictures concerns me. Looks like your run is protected using chicken wire. You didn't note your location, but most areas in the US have predators that can rip through that light wiring. It is good for holding in chickens, but raccoons and others can shred it and get to your girls. Some type of welded wire fence (often 1/2" hardware cloth) is recommended to protect against those kinds of predators.

Hi, thanks! The photos show their run, which is right by my house so i figure they are safe during the day. Their coop for overnight is full wood enclosure and secure.

 

[drumstick diva]

Lots of daytime predators, like raptors/ fox etc. They can grab a bird in a split second, faster than anyone can react & they are brazen enough to do it even with humans near by.

 

[debid]

Oh, and they have Easter Eggers, not Ameraucanas. The EEs are much more variable in appearance but should carry the blue shell gene. It's dominant so carrying one copy and pairing with a white/brown egg breed results in a 50/50 chance of the offspring hatching from a colored egg and resembling the EE parent but laying a white/brown egg at maturity.

 

[LucyElle]

Lots of daytime predators, like raptors/ fox etc. They can grab a bird in a split second, faster than anyone can react & they are brazen enough to do it even with humans near by.

Ok, thanks. The woman's home was right around the corner. They were free range there. My neighbor friend has 4 hens and uses the same wire (without even a frame) and their run is quite far from their house and they have had the hens for over a year and no problems.

So here I thought I made a great and secure pen, but I guess I need to reconsider it. Our run is fully framed out and screened, including the ceiling and the coop is wood and fully secure with a locking door and I have been locking them in at night. For now it will have to stay as is because we spent a ton of money and time building what we currently have. In the near future I will make it a point to rip out the fencing and redo it with something stronger. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[LucyElle]

Oh, and they have Easter Eggers, not Ameraucanas. The EEs are much more variable in appearance but should carry the blue shell gene. It's dominant so carrying one copy and pairing with a white/brown egg breed results in a 50/50 chance of the offspring hatching from a colored egg and resembling the EE parent but laying a white/brown egg at maturity.

So the brown was is probably the EE. I believe she is the one that laid an ALMOST white egg that had just the slightest hint of Blue.

 

[debid]

Ok, thanks. The woman's home was right around the corner. They were free range there. My neighbor friend has 4 hens and uses the same wire (without even a frame) and their run is quite far from their house and they have had the hens for over a year and no problems.

So here I thought I made a great and secure pen, but I guess I need to reconsider it. Our run is fully framed out and screened, including the ceiling and the coop is wood and fully secure with a locking door and I have been locking them in at night. For now it will have to stay as is because we spent a ton of money and time building what we currently have. Maybe in the future I can rip out the fencing and redo it. Thanks for the feedback.

It's all good until it isn't. I thought I'd done a great job keeping out the raccoons, stray dogs, coyotes, and foxes that I was mostly concerned about out and then I saw an opossum looking back at me from the food dish when I went out a little late to close up. After I shoved it out the door, it literally ran THROUGH the kennel panels. Didn't even slow down. I then added smaller hole fencing to the lower few feet but the mice are still a problem and I'm forever worried I'll find a snake in the nest boxes. I really wish I'd dug in my heels about building the run with hardware cloth.

 

[LucyElle]

It's all good until it isn't. I thought I'd done a great job keeping out the raccoons, stray dogs, coyotes, and foxes that I was mostly concerned about out and then I saw an opossum looking back at me from the food dish when I went out a little late to close up. After I shoved it out the door, it literally ran THROUGH the kennel panels. Didn't even slow down. I then added smaller hole fencing to the lower few feet but the mice are still a problem and I'm forever worried I'll find a snake in the nest boxes. I really wish I'd dug in my heels about building the run with hardware cloth.

Wow!!! Well yes apparently I should have researched better before doing all of that work. Geeesh. I really focused on the importance of the coop being secure and didn't pay enough attention to the run. It's on my list now to reinforce/replace. Thanks so much for the heads up.