RavenRidge
In the Brooder
I love this site and all of the information it provides! First time chicken owner here and soaking up articles and helpful hints daily. Found BYC by searching the internet for coop specifications.
We have seventeen pullets that are 2 1/2 weeks old. Lost two in the first 48 hours, one was my specifically selected cockerel. Ordered another rooster, which is due to arrive this week with six more to keep him warm during shipping! I plan on raising them to laying stage and then hopefully passing some girls on so the flock is not so big. I am not sure how I will be able to make that decision, since I have already grown attached to them. I have reviewed your comments on each breed and find it amusing that you can never really be sure what you will be dealing with until the bird matures and shows its true colors.
Current Pullets:
2 - Partridge Olive Egger
2 - Silver Laced Wyandotte
1 - Frost White Leg Bar (lost one pullet and the cockerel on day 3)
2 - Barred Plymouth Rock
2 - Dominque
2 - Silver Cuckoo Maran
2 - Blue Easter Egger
2 - Blue Splash Maran
2 - Cuckoo Bluebar Blue-Egger
The clear-sided condo brooder in the living room was quickly outgrown in the first week. I now have a kiddie pool aviary in my dining room and the entire house is covered in dust. So much for spring cleaning!! I am lucky to have a building contractor for a husband and three helpful children still living at home. Coop construction starts today and a large run is already established (previous dog kennel). I am on top of a mountain ridge and at the end of the road backing into a forty acre parcel. We have predators galore, in fact about the only thing missing in my yard on the list is badgers and bears!
Arriving this week:
1 - Frost White Leg Bar (designated cockerel)
2 - Buff Orpington pullets
2 - Australorp pullets
2 - Blue/Black/Splash Orpington pullets
We have been taking the girls outside daily to let them run, attempt to fly, peck at bugs and weeds, dust bathe, and eventually they get tired enough to sleep laying in the sun. The hawks and ravens fly over us watching carefully, so we always have someone sitting with the girls. Yesterday, one of the escape artists figured out she could fly to the top edge of the temporary outdoor pen. There are two girls that constantly check for options to go past the boundaries. Smart little buggers.
Thanks for offering the opportunity to share. I am enjoying the journey and looking forward to the future entertainment, eggs, and fertilizer for my garden!
Happy Spring everyone! - Lynn @ Raven Ridge
We have seventeen pullets that are 2 1/2 weeks old. Lost two in the first 48 hours, one was my specifically selected cockerel. Ordered another rooster, which is due to arrive this week with six more to keep him warm during shipping! I plan on raising them to laying stage and then hopefully passing some girls on so the flock is not so big. I am not sure how I will be able to make that decision, since I have already grown attached to them. I have reviewed your comments on each breed and find it amusing that you can never really be sure what you will be dealing with until the bird matures and shows its true colors.
Current Pullets:
2 - Partridge Olive Egger
2 - Silver Laced Wyandotte
1 - Frost White Leg Bar (lost one pullet and the cockerel on day 3)
2 - Barred Plymouth Rock
2 - Dominque
2 - Silver Cuckoo Maran
2 - Blue Easter Egger
2 - Blue Splash Maran
2 - Cuckoo Bluebar Blue-Egger
The clear-sided condo brooder in the living room was quickly outgrown in the first week. I now have a kiddie pool aviary in my dining room and the entire house is covered in dust. So much for spring cleaning!! I am lucky to have a building contractor for a husband and three helpful children still living at home. Coop construction starts today and a large run is already established (previous dog kennel). I am on top of a mountain ridge and at the end of the road backing into a forty acre parcel. We have predators galore, in fact about the only thing missing in my yard on the list is badgers and bears!
Arriving this week:
1 - Frost White Leg Bar (designated cockerel)
2 - Buff Orpington pullets
2 - Australorp pullets
2 - Blue/Black/Splash Orpington pullets
We have been taking the girls outside daily to let them run, attempt to fly, peck at bugs and weeds, dust bathe, and eventually they get tired enough to sleep laying in the sun. The hawks and ravens fly over us watching carefully, so we always have someone sitting with the girls. Yesterday, one of the escape artists figured out she could fly to the top edge of the temporary outdoor pen. There are two girls that constantly check for options to go past the boundaries. Smart little buggers.
Thanks for offering the opportunity to share. I am enjoying the journey and looking forward to the future entertainment, eggs, and fertilizer for my garden!
Happy Spring everyone! - Lynn @ Raven Ridge
Good luck with your flock!
Best wishes and have lots of fun! 
We are glad you joined this flock!
