I'm new to BYC, but have been popping in for a long time to research my chickens' issues. And to make myself feel better that I'm not the only crazy chicken lady out there. I've learned a lot here, and really enjoy the stories people post.
Raising chickens wasn't my idea, and was never in my life plans. You know how little kids go to the 4-H fair and come home begging for a bunny, or a guinea pig, or even a bearded dragon? One of my kids came home a few years ago and announced that the only way she would ever be happy was if she had a pet chicken. A black one, to be specific, one that liked being held and petted. Somehow, she talked her father into building a coop (well, he wanted a shed anyway...), and we found ourselves the proud owners of a very small flock of rare breed chickens. Chickens which somehow have become MY responsibility, of course. But a funny thing happened along the way. I grew to adore them, and now can't imagine my life without them. I spend more hours than I care to admit hanging out with my peeps.
Currently, we have a crevecoeur hen (who at this writing lives indoors - long story), a redcap and partridge cochin hens, and a white-crested black Polish rooster (who was supposed to be a hen, and weren't WE surprised when he crowed!). We lost our beloved buttercup to a sudden illness a year ago. We're about to adopt a few ameraucanas, a black silkie, and a cuckoo marans - ALL of which will live outside, thank you very much. Hopefully the crevecoeur will follow suit.
As a side note, we're very grateful for our understanding suburban neighbors who don't mind the rooster waking them up at 4:45. (Unlike my husband, who would like that bird to disappear forever.)
Raising chickens wasn't my idea, and was never in my life plans. You know how little kids go to the 4-H fair and come home begging for a bunny, or a guinea pig, or even a bearded dragon? One of my kids came home a few years ago and announced that the only way she would ever be happy was if she had a pet chicken. A black one, to be specific, one that liked being held and petted. Somehow, she talked her father into building a coop (well, he wanted a shed anyway...), and we found ourselves the proud owners of a very small flock of rare breed chickens. Chickens which somehow have become MY responsibility, of course. But a funny thing happened along the way. I grew to adore them, and now can't imagine my life without them. I spend more hours than I care to admit hanging out with my peeps.
Currently, we have a crevecoeur hen (who at this writing lives indoors - long story), a redcap and partridge cochin hens, and a white-crested black Polish rooster (who was supposed to be a hen, and weren't WE surprised when he crowed!). We lost our beloved buttercup to a sudden illness a year ago. We're about to adopt a few ameraucanas, a black silkie, and a cuckoo marans - ALL of which will live outside, thank you very much. Hopefully the crevecoeur will follow suit.
As a side note, we're very grateful for our understanding suburban neighbors who don't mind the rooster waking them up at 4:45. (Unlike my husband, who would like that bird to disappear forever.)
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