Hello everyone!

[Gophfer]

I'm Bill, My wife Judith and I just moved to 5 acres in rural Gilchrist County, Fl. I have lots to do here since we bought a property that has not been well maintained (foreclosure.) The house is in good shape now and I have cleared debris (mostly fallen limbs and decaying plant material) from my coop and run area (yet to be built), my garden and compost area.

Neighbors on a couple of sides of me have chickens, roosters, mules, rabbits (and since I need to do property fence work. we get visits from their dogs and cats) so no issues with any of them. After I get my infrastructure built I plan on looking for some Australorp.

Work goes slow because if I overdo it my back complains, but it moves at a pretty steady pace.

 

[TwoCrows]

I know how you feel. My back is always complaining, especially when it sees me carrying the rakes and shovels into the chicken yard! Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! When you build your coop/run make sure you build it predator proof especially if you have visits from your neighbor's dogs, and also to protect your chickens since most wild animals love to eat chickens. I recommend using 1/2 inch hardware cloth (very strong mesh wire) instead of chicken wire as most anything can break thru chicken wire. The Learning Center is a great place to start, tons of very helpful info there: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

 

[gander007]

Alright Bill

great to have you here with us

 

[Gophfer]

Welcome to BYC! When you build your coop/run make sure you build it predator proof especially if you have visits from your neighbor's dogs, and also to protect your chickens since most wild animals love to eat chickens. I recommend using 1/2 inch hardware cloth (very strong mesh wire) instead of chicken wire as most anything can break thru chicken wire. The Learning Center is a great place to start, tons of very helpful info there: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Lots of red-tailed hawks here too!

 

[sourland]

Hi, Bill, congratulations on your new home, and welcome to BYC. Listen to your back!

 

[drumstick diva]

for hawk protection you're gonna need a covered run.