Hello from newbee Delighted

Delighted

In the Brooder
9 Years
Apr 13, 2010
69
0
39
Atlanta
Hi, just joined yesterday, I've been a lurker for a couple months, and last night was searching the forums to find out what to do with my first chickies that had hatched a week ago. (outa 21 eggs, two hatched, one more pipped, but mothing else happened, and the two that hatched, one died within a couple days and the other died last night-- need to learn a WHOLE lot here, and will post in the appropriate location to ask about)

My name is Carol, I'm a homeschool mom to two boys, I live outside of Atlanta, GA, and have a lot to learn. I lived on a farm til I was 12, so remember a few things, but was never the main caretaker. This year is my third attempt at a garden--(my thumb is half green!)

We have 4 hens and 6 roosters. Weird arrangement, I know, but the chickens are actually the neighbor's. He works long hours and my 12 year old son and I begged to help him feeding the chickens. And finagled our way into doing all the chores concerning the chickens--yes, because we wanted to do it! We still like it, too! LOL! The reason he has so many roosters is because he can't make himself kill 'em. So 5 of them live together in a pen and try to kill each other. The other one lives with the hens and lets the bachelor dudes know that HE is the one that got the girl(s) heehee!

I don't remember what he told us the breed is--They're white and the rooster he wants as the breeder has a short littel comb-- which supposedly is a desireable quality in this breed. Maybe one of you know what this is? There is also a buff Orpington hen and a mixed breed that looks a lot like a barred rock hen. The chickies that just died were buff Brahmas--cute li'l buggers, too, it was heartbreaking to loose both of them.

I just visited my sister in Va, who sent me home with a bunch of fertile eggs. She's a member here, but I have a sieve for a brain and don't remember her username! HA! I'm gonna be more prepared for this next batch!

I want to get rabbits to raise for meat, and hopefully some goats. This is a four acre property that the landlord put three houses on, and allows us to have a mini farm on. One neighbor (the one with the chickens) is very into getting as many animals as we want, the other will be fine with it, as long as we keep them off his lawn. It is really exciting, as we'd been in suburbia for far too long! My hubby loves it here, and does help a bit with the chicken chores, my 16 year old son is "okay" with it-- prefers a developement, but still knd of likes the chickens. My 12 yo son and I are the farmers!

I guess I've rambled on enough, will find the right place to ask about my lil chickies, so the next lot won't die like that!
 
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from East Tennessee!

BTW, I used to have a black thumb for gardening but worked my way up to a green thumb
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It can be done!

Don't know about the chicken breed, but here it always helps if you can post pictures
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Thanks for all the welcomes! Here's a pic of one of the roosters--not the one with the short comb, though



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rancher hicks, I'm near Atlanta, GA USA.

4-H chicken mom, I plan on learning a WHOLE lot before this next batch hatches--I put 'em in the incubator this morning. Last batch, the heat ran low (98 degrees), this batch, when i check, every time it is a "smidge" over 100 degrees. I open the lid to let heat out, and turm the knob back farther. I've checked on it abot 5 times so far today. I DO have more water in the trays this time and am wondering if that is causing it to be warmer. I'm going to find out where I'm s'posed to post, and going to ask, ask ask questions!!!!

I asked my neighbor what the white chickens are and they are white Wyandottes. So i looked them up in the breeds section, and that explained the short comb thing. I've already learned something else new!
 

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