Hello from Austin

[wendemy7107]

hi! My name is Wende and I’ve got four Columbian Wyandottes on the way, three girls and a boy. I’m not sure why I got the boy in retrospect other than to have as a pet. I will have him fixed so I don’t end up with chicklets.

I started raising chickens with my first, a gorgeous Light Brahma named Sunshine Omelette. I raised her from a chick. I’ll try to attach a pic of her. She was killed one night, by what we don’t know. Her ashes are on the mantle along with other beloved pets who have passed over the years.

I live in Central Austin so my new chicklets will be a city flock. The city of Austin promotes inner city chicken rearing and I think they even offer some rebates. So if you’re in the Austin area, get your flock going.

I’m not sure what I will do with so many eggs. I have two kittens and three small dogs. I will soon be fostering two more older cats and a new addition to the family, a silver (white) British Long Hair kitten, will be born later this month. I think perhaps some of the eggs will be used for my other animals, some will be eaten, and the rest given away. What does everyone else do with their eggs I wonder?

 

[Plip]

Hi Wende, and welcome to BYC!

I ordered chick from McMurray last year, and they always send a free chick. Well, our free chick turned out to be a Columbian Wyandotte rooster. He was was ugly as a Cockerel (and it took me forever to figure out what he was - they don't tell you). But he turned out to be the most beautiful rooster once he blossomed.

Anyway, great to have you here!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. Some people give their excess eggs to neighbors or to local food pantries

 

[AllenK RGV]

Welcome to BYC from a former Austinite! Austin was a learning experience for us as we lived on the south side in Circle C Ranch next to the Wildflower Center and the Veloway! There are so many uptight neighbors there plus the HOA.

I hope you never get to experience what we went through there! On the plus side living off Mopac it was great during rush hour because if you were trying to get somewhere it made more sense to just exit and go to happy hour and there are so many great reasons in Austin to exit and eat free!

---editing----
The only predators I ever saw on the south side were coyotes, and the cat never vrought home anything bigger than a rabbit. But I would recommend the "Learning Center" under our articles section for information on coop design and predator proofing!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Wende Welcome!


So sorry to hear of your loss. I hope fond memories bring some comfort.

When you say “I will have him fixed” are you planning on caponizing him? Just curious. If you do not mind eating fertile eggs, as long as you do not let a broody sit on eggs or put eggs in an incubator, no need to mess with his manhood

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

I note you mention you live in Central Austin but if you include your general location on your profile, this will assist others. Location, climate, season etc can be important factors when members are responding to any questions you may have and vice versa.

You might want to also Find Your State Thread and pop in and say hello.

BYC has Topic of the Week articles which I have found to be a great resource and a one stop shop for questions which may have already been discussed within the BYC membership group. This one may be of particular interest to you:
Topic of the Week - What do you do with all those eggs?

If you would like to share Pictures and Stories of your flock when they arrive or other critters, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[AllenK RGV]

Regarding excess eggs! I fry them up for my dogs they never get enough of those things. With 2? cats and 3 dogs I'm sure they are telling you right now what a silly question that was!

 

[wendemy7107]

Welcome to BYC from a former Austinite! Austin was a learning experience for us as we lived on the south side in Circle C Ranch next to the Wildflower Center and the Veloway! There are so many uptight neighbors there plus the HOA.

I hope you never get to experience what we went through there! On the plus side living off Mopac it was great during rush hour because if you were trying to get somewhere it made more sense to just exit and go to happy hour and there are so many great reasons in Austin to exit and eat free!

---editing----
The only predators I ever saw on the south side were coyotes, and the cat never vrought home anything bigger than a rabbit. But I would recommend the "Learning Center" under our articles section for information on coop design and predator proofing!

Thank you. I’m worried about the raccoons. I also get possums but they probably only eat eggs. Thanks for the advice.

 

[wendemy7107]

Yeah I figured they would eat quite a few. I’m going to have some little fat bellies wandering around this house.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Welcome to BYC!!
Extra eggs is a great problem to face, lol - as noted above, they can be fed to pets (chickens included) or, if you rather, used for human consumption either through sales or simply gifting them - friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, some food banks, etc are always glad to have some fresh eggs! Our current little flock of 7 provides our family and my in-laws as well as gifting a couple dozen a week to my co-workers and next year my son will use our flock as part of his senior project for donations to the local food bank which is able to accept eggs from non-commercial sources (ie home flocks)

 

[007Sean]

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