Hello from Los Angeles!

[MeliNChicks]

Just wanted to introduce myself and chicks, Melissa, Dougie, and Margie. I'm not actually sure if I have a boy and girl, lol! I'm completely new to raising and owning chickens. I am thankful I stumbled upon this site when I was googling "how to care for chicks". I've relied on this site for the last month and finally joined BYC today. My Dougie and Margie are alive today because of the BYC forum and articles!! I have read articles on "sour crop" and "what normal droppings should look like", that now have me obsessively checking their crop every morning, making sure it is emptied over night, and thoroughly examining their poop samples everyday, lol. I'll be the first to admit, i get very OCD about my pets! I have learned and am learning so much, thank you!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Hello back at you from Illinois - welcome to BYC the land of Chickens and Chicken people

 

[nljohnson]

I'm also in LA! Haven't gotten my hens yet, but trying to learn what I can in advance!

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us! This site does have a wealth of information! If you are looking for something specific, type keywords into the search bar above. Articles will be on the left of the results page. Enjoy the site and we'll see you on the forum!

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! A lot of us were lurkers before joining. What kind of chickens are Melissa, Dougie, and Margie?

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

You are not alone in the crop checking! I have been doing this daily for years as I have a hen that had constant slow and sour crop in her younger years. But this is a wonderful thing to do. If you catch these things early enough, you can usually get them back to good health fast without too much suffering on their part. Keep up the crop checks! Oh, and it also helps to check them at roosting time too. Crops should be full or at least have something in them at night. If not, you could have a bird with issues as well. Broodies and molting birds tend to not eat much before bed. But a healthy laying bird should have something in the crop at roosting time.

Enjoy this new adventure you are on and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Oh yes, the crop checking! I do that each day too. Feel it and make sure it full, rounded and firm in the afternoons and evenings. It should be empty in the morning. Like Two Crows said, broodies shouldn't have much in there at any time.

 

[MeliNChicks]

Thank You : )