Hello fellow Chicken Enthusiasts!

[WNC_Chick]

My husband and I are new to chicken keeping - but I am hooked! My husband isn't as excited (obsessed) as I am.
We live in the mountains of Western NC, on a property of about 5 acres. We started with 6 hens and a coop that were given to us by a friend whose children had no more interest.
Before we could building the much larger fence around the coop to let the ladies free range, our dog killed 2. Then we were down to 4.
Once the fence was built and the ladies were "safe" from predators (and dogs alike), we started letting them free range. It was so exciting to see them roaming around for the first time!
Did I mention that they are all Golden Comets?

Then.....Jan.1 we had our first hawk attack and were down to 3 hens.
All of this is a learning experience and chickens are so vulnerable!

This past weekend we purchased 3 pullets and a 1 cockerel to add to the flock. Introductions are going as they say, but crap the pecking order is vicious. I hate it. The one hen that is the sweetest to me....."Carol" is definitely the bully and wants all the newcomers to know that she is Top Lady.

well, that is my story for now......I am sure that I will continually post questions on here. Thank you all for the help/advice!

best,
Kendall

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Kendall and welcome to BYC

Experience is the best teacher, and unfortunately losing chickens along the way is almost inevitable

Here’s a link to the Articles section - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ There you’ll find lots of information on almost every aspect of keeping chickens - from coop building ideas, to incubating eggs.

There’s a link on the page above to the Learning Centre - it’s a great resource. If you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

Each week, various topics are discussed, which can also be a great resource - https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - Find Your State Thread


Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[MrsMistyReal]

Good morning welcome aboard to BYC family gr8 people tons of information and loads of fun, enjoy shake your tail feathers

 

[Wickedchicken6]

Hello Kendall and welcome to BYC!! It’s so nice to have you join us!

This video may help with learning how to navigate the new site.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of us.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Kendall Happy to have you join the family. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

 

[theoldchick]

Howdy! Yep, flock dynamics can be challenge at time. Make sure you have enough room and roosts in your coop to accommodate those who do not meet the standards of the the boss hen. Good luck and enjoy your flock!

 

[sourland]

Hi, Kendall, welcome to BYC. The pecking order is like mean girls in high school. It will take time, but they will work things out.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hello
Welcome to BYC!!
So glad to have you here!!
Thanks for sharing your story!!
You have come to the right place.
There are many people on here that are ready to help in anyway they can!
The learning center also has alot of great information on it as well!
Enjoy!​

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[N F C]

Chickens do not like change and adding new birds to the flock is definitely a change. Read up on integration, it can be done but isn't pretty to watch.

Best of luck!