Hello BYC folks! I've been poking around this site since I got my three hens a year and a half ago, and had enough of a "situation" this morning that I finally decided to sign up and become a part of this community. One of my meeker hens has trouble keeping up with worm and calcium consumption, and her shells are very fragile. I've found a few broken eggs-- not eaten, just squashed-- and today she couldn't pass her egg. It was all squished up inside her and I had to massage it out. Not a problem to do that-- but I am not sure how to prevent this from happening again. Can you force-feed a chicken??
Anyway, here are my introduction answers... Thanks for providing such a great resource! I hope to participate ongoing.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I got my first three hens from a fella in Point Reyes in September 2010. They were pullets at the time, now they're full-on layers. They're awesome and lots of fun!
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Three. I would like more in the future. They're silly.
(3) What breeds do you have?
Two rhode island reds and one barred rock.
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
A google search, I think. However, this site is referenced a lot on a homesteader list I'm on.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I garden, lift weights, run, work for social justice, am a mental health therapist, and love vacations (even staycations). I have two cats and grow lots of food in my yard, and in the future would really like to raise rabbits for meat and increase my veggie and fruit production. I'd also like a few more chickens.
Anyway, here are my introduction answers... Thanks for providing such a great resource! I hope to participate ongoing.
(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I got my first three hens from a fella in Point Reyes in September 2010. They were pullets at the time, now they're full-on layers. They're awesome and lots of fun!
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Three. I would like more in the future. They're silly.
(3) What breeds do you have?
Two rhode island reds and one barred rock.
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
A google search, I think. However, this site is referenced a lot on a homesteader list I'm on.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I garden, lift weights, run, work for social justice, am a mental health therapist, and love vacations (even staycations). I have two cats and grow lots of food in my yard, and in the future would really like to raise rabbits for meat and increase my veggie and fruit production. I'd also like a few more chickens.
Hope you have fun, this site is amazing and trust me you'll become addicted, all in due time.
from Ohio. So glad you joined. 
e
