Greetings

smithc43

In the Brooder
Mar 10, 2019
4
22
26
Hi! I have been stalking posts on BYC for a while and figured it was time I actually join. My husband I have 10 chicks that are 4 weeks old this week. They are still in the brooder and we are preparing for their move outside in a few weeks. We have 4 buff orpingtons, 3 white plymouths, and 3 barred rocks. We (think) we have all hens---although there is one I suspect might be a roo. We both grew up with chickens, so chick raising and flock care is not an entirely new concept to us, but I'm sure we will have much to learn as we go.

We live in the Appalachian region of Virginia on wooded acreage. Our flock has a very large fenced yard along our woodline. I am a bit concerned about hawks since we can't cover our pen (way too large), so we are considering getting a turkey as flock protection. I am planning to put a post about this in a more appropriate section of BYC. Looking forward to learning from everyone!
 
Hi and :welcome! Glad to have you as a part of the BYC community!

I'm in KY and I suspect we may have similar predators - hawks and fox being some of the most problematic. Red-Tailed hawks have taken an occasional free ranging chicken here, but Cooper's hawks ("chicken hawks") have been far worse. I'd be loath to let mine free range now without cover from a tractor or aviary netting because of the risk of attacks from above.
 
Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join us. I agree with the others. The turkeys are fun but not much good for chasing off predators. I have hawks and eagles and as much as I would love to free range my chickens I won't do it until I can figure out how to keep the predators away. I work too hard to provide free chicken dinners to the local wildlife.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC

Here are some links to key resources:

Best wishes

Pork Pie
 
:yesss: :welcome :yesss:
Miss Piggy Sue says, “Welcome to our eggcelent flock here at BYC!”

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Hi! I have been stalking posts on BYC for a while and figured it was time I actually join. My husband I have 10 chicks that are 4 weeks old this week. They are still in the brooder and we are preparing for their move outside in a few weeks. We have 4 buff orpingtons, 3 white plymouths, and 3 barred rocks. We (think) we have all hens---although there is one I suspect might be a roo. We both grew up with chickens, so chick raising and flock care is not an entirely new concept to us, but I'm sure we will have much to learn as we go.

We live in the Appalachian region of Virginia on wooded acreage. Our flock has a very large fenced yard along our woodline. I am a bit concerned about hawks since we can't cover our pen (way too large), so we are considering getting a turkey as flock protection. I am planning to put a post about this in a more appropriate section of BYC. Looking forward to learning from everyone!
HI AND WELCOME..i have 4 barred rock, 2 white plymouth rock, 3 buff orp, i also have some easter eggers and 2 silver laced wyandottes...all wonderful girl...enjoy your new adventure...i just got 2 silkies and a crested polish only 4 days old.....it took me almost a year to join BYC, i love it
 
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