Hi All!
Wanted to introduce myself, as I've been lurking here for about a year without ever creating an account! I used so many posts here to study about chickens before I got my first ones!
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
So I've never had chickens as an adult for various reasons, but I did have chickens when I was growing up. But I just played with them, I wasn't responsible for their health and safety! However, with our kids moving off to college, my wife and I bought a house in Grand Lake, CO with about an acre and a half of land!
Once I got the shed done and the greenhouse done, my wife took me to Murdoch's for something and we saw the little baby chickies and I fell in love. So we went home and I started researching breeds that do well up here, and what I would need to brood the little guys. By the time my research was done, Murdoch's no longer had chickens! So I ordered my girls from a hatchery. We got 3 Rhode Island Reds and 3 Plymouth Rocks.
They arrived as day old chicks, and we lost one within 24 hours, and without any indication to cause. She was fine and playing with everyone else before bed and when we woke up she wasn't fine anymore. I was even sleeping in the same room the first 2 nights and she didn't make a peep. Regardless, we have kept a close eye on the rest and they are doing very well except for one that is having a bit of trouble, but I've got another post for that!
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
(3) What breeds do you have?
3 Rhode Island Reds and 2 Plymouth Rocks - all just over 5 weeks old - and my dog thinks she is the mother hen
(Still need to attach the run to it, but figuring that out since I can't level this ground easily - this will be completed this weekend as they are almost ready to go outside!)
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
So far its their personalities coming out lol! The reds are very sweet and like to be held. The plymouths do not like to be held, but love being petted, and if they don't like it anymore, they have no problem pecking you!
Also trying to figure out names for everyone! Only 2 have names so far, one is Doc Brown, because she had a full head of grey hair when we got her. One of the reds is named Hot Lips Houlihan because she had the brightest red beak when we got her.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Astrophotography, hiking, ATVs, and video games!
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have my wonderful wife who puts up with shenanigans like getting chickens! We have one daughter who is a research scientist and our son is in college right now!
We have two 4 year old dogs, a weimaraner (who thinks she owns the house and is 100% sure the chickens are her responsibility to take care of) and a pitt bull / rott rescue that is the sweetest thing ever, but is a little stand offish with the chicks.
We also have a cat that is 16 years old. He's a little curious about the chicks but he's old and slow and for the most part just ignores them lol.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I found BYC while I was researching what it takes to care for baby chicks, and I have been here lurking ever since! I actually joined finally because one of my chickies is having a hard time pooping (not pasty butt) and I wanted some advice!
Wanted to introduce myself, as I've been lurking here for about a year without ever creating an account! I used so many posts here to study about chickens before I got my first ones!
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
So I've never had chickens as an adult for various reasons, but I did have chickens when I was growing up. But I just played with them, I wasn't responsible for their health and safety! However, with our kids moving off to college, my wife and I bought a house in Grand Lake, CO with about an acre and a half of land!
Once I got the shed done and the greenhouse done, my wife took me to Murdoch's for something and we saw the little baby chickies and I fell in love. So we went home and I started researching breeds that do well up here, and what I would need to brood the little guys. By the time my research was done, Murdoch's no longer had chickens! So I ordered my girls from a hatchery. We got 3 Rhode Island Reds and 3 Plymouth Rocks.
They arrived as day old chicks, and we lost one within 24 hours, and without any indication to cause. She was fine and playing with everyone else before bed and when we woke up she wasn't fine anymore. I was even sleeping in the same room the first 2 nights and she didn't make a peep. Regardless, we have kept a close eye on the rest and they are doing very well except for one that is having a bit of trouble, but I've got another post for that!
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
(3) What breeds do you have?
3 Rhode Island Reds and 2 Plymouth Rocks - all just over 5 weeks old - and my dog thinks she is the mother hen
(Still need to attach the run to it, but figuring that out since I can't level this ground easily - this will be completed this weekend as they are almost ready to go outside!)
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
So far its their personalities coming out lol! The reds are very sweet and like to be held. The plymouths do not like to be held, but love being petted, and if they don't like it anymore, they have no problem pecking you!
Also trying to figure out names for everyone! Only 2 have names so far, one is Doc Brown, because she had a full head of grey hair when we got her. One of the reds is named Hot Lips Houlihan because she had the brightest red beak when we got her.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
Astrophotography, hiking, ATVs, and video games!
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have my wonderful wife who puts up with shenanigans like getting chickens! We have one daughter who is a research scientist and our son is in college right now!
We have two 4 year old dogs, a weimaraner (who thinks she owns the house and is 100% sure the chickens are her responsibility to take care of) and a pitt bull / rott rescue that is the sweetest thing ever, but is a little stand offish with the chicks.
We also have a cat that is 16 years old. He's a little curious about the chicks but he's old and slow and for the most part just ignores them lol.
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?
I found BYC while I was researching what it takes to care for baby chicks, and I have been here lurking ever since! I actually joined finally because one of my chickies is having a hard time pooping (not pasty butt) and I wanted some advice!
and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
