Hello BYC!

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WhileHewasgamin

WhileHewasgamin

In the Brooder
Aug 30, 2015
12
2
39
Central Pennsylvania
Hello, my name is Jazzy. I'm a mother of 2 boys 11 & 8, 2 black cats Savannah & Georgia (where my Hubby & I meet and married) that just turned 1, a gerbil named Chocolate, and a marvelous mutt named Pumba she's 4. In addition my mother and her 120 pound 2 year rottie lives with us.

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How did I end up here? I've been doing a lot of research on chicken the past few days, and every time I asked Google a question the site pops up! So I've been on BYC for about a day now. It touches every subject possible. Why not join? Plus everyone seems soo friendly.

We are searching for a perfect house to move our family into with the perfect yard. My Hubby mentioned to me about raising chicken. I wasn't too thrilled to hear this. See I tried to rescue a baby bird when I was younger and got attacked, so I'm not too fond of flying animals lol. Soo, I was hoping in my research I would find it possible to raise some chicken and not have to come into contact with them. :p

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Since I have time to prepare us for this awesome adventure, I'm about to design a coop and tractor plans. I would love to just have our yard fenced in and have them free range. If that's not possible I would love to make an awesome coop and run for them, and hope I can train them to free range. And in case I can't train them to return to their coop I can move them around the yard with the tractor. Maybe I can get our dog to herd them.

Since we're in PA our winters can get pretty cold and summer pretty hot, I know I need to make sure it has proper ventilation and heating elements. And I would love for the boys to be able to help out with our flock. I think it would be a great life lesson! I've been looking into some great breeds to be able to handle these conditions. What do you think about Plymouth Rock, Orpington, or Austrolorp? I am hoping to use them for laying and meat.

Who knows, chickens might change my out look on birds..I sure know the research I've done really wants me to raise them. :D
 
WhileHewasgamin said:
Hello, my name is Jazzy. I'm a mother of 2 boys 11 & 8, 2 black cats Savannah & Georgia (where my Hubby & I meet and married) that just turned 1, a gerbil named Chocolate, and a marvelous mutt named Pumba she's 4. In addition my mother and her 120 pound 2 year rottie lives with us.

Since we're in PA our winters can get pretty cold and summer pretty hot, I know I need to make sure it has proper ventilation and heating elements. And I would love for the boys to be able to help out with our flock. I think it would be a great life lesson! I've been looking into some great breeds to be able to handle these conditions. What do you think about Plymouth Rock, Orpington, or Austrolorp? I am hoping to use them for laying and meat.
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Welcome to BYC, Jazzy. Glad you decided to join our flock. Raising chickens is a wonderful experience for children. Our children and granddaughter loved our chickens and made lap pets of the calmer and more gentle breeds (such as our Orpingtons and Australorps). All three breeds you are considering are great breeds; very cold hardy, generally docile (especially the Orpingtons and Australorps), and good layers of large, brown eggs. If high egg production is a main priority, Australorps are the best layers of the three breeds. Aussies are also the most heat hardy of the three breeds. You can always get a mix of the three breeds and see for yourself which you like the best. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Whatever breed (or breeds) you decide to get, good luck with your flock.
 
Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

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Those are great breeds you have chosen. We have them all.

I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor. When my hubby first mentioned getting chickens, all I could do was roll my eyes. I did not think he was serious. Now I am so glad we have them and I am the one obsessed with them and their individual personalities. I think you will enjoy the experience, as will your children!
 
I think if you start with very young chicks, you will get over your apprehension of birds. Then as they grow you will be used to them and able to enjoy them fully.
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Hi Jazzy, welcome to BYC!

You're obviously an animal lover so don't be surprised if you find yourself as poultry-crazed as the rest of us once you get some birds. I grew up thinking I was afraid of chickens and here I am with a flock of 10, loving every bit of it. Chickens are fun, they each have their own personalities and there is always something new to learn about them.

Keep reading and researching, and always feel free to ask questions. We were all new at some point and there is a ton of information here (plus so many friendly, helpful members).

Thank you for the excellent intro, I enjoyed seeing your pictures.

It's nice to have you here!
 
Thank you all for your warm welcome! BYC has already changed my view on birds and I catch myself using chicken terms lol. I am really looking forward to raising the chicks from a young age so I can get that sentimental mother bond with them! I still can't stomach their feet, lol they look soo prehistoric :p we are all def animal lovers, so I am trying to convince my family that it is ok to nicely kill and eat the chicken we will be raising. Since I am looking to raise a dual purpose flock. I feel it's the only way to really get our monies worth. We're would I go to post about how to successfully raising a dual purpose flock?
 

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