I've been lurking a couple weeks now and learning some great things! I figured it was time to introduce myself.
My husband stated a few months back that he wanted a few chickens for the kids to learn how to take care of. I told him, "I want NOTHING to do with your chickens... no part of them!". Needless to say, they are now my babies. My husband built a nice coop, about 10'x12' out of mostly scrap and leftover wood from my daughter's wooden playground. We have enough leftover to build a second coop attached to the first with another run.
We raised chicks from TSC and also purchased grown Rhode Island Reds and producer hens. (The producer hens are going, however... they are too bossy!). I have buff orpingtons, americaunas and one lonely black australorp. The second coop for next year will strictly be for australorps... love them!
Only our R. Island reds and producers are laying yet and we sell the eggs faster than they can produce them. The others should start to lay September.
We have declared war on the raccoons. None have made it into the coop YET. We have dispatched two already, but Grandpa raccoon made a visit this morning. After sunrise we spotted him trying to find a way in the door. He/she was HUGE. It crawled right over the Nite*Guard. Waste of money... I have 3 going back to Amazon today! Heading to Lowes today for an electric fence. We don't play games. I've also been sprinkling black pepper all around the coop and that didn't phase the raccoon either. Time to get mean.
I would love to try our hand at incubating eggs (I'm familiar with hatching reptile eggs) and would love to breed/sell black australorp chicks next year. I have a lot to learn first!
We also have a Sunday Conure (my sweetheart), an Umbrella Cockatoo (hubby's baby and a rescue), a Toy Fox Terrier, Leopard Gecko and a Russian Tortoise.
Looking forward to joining you all!
My husband stated a few months back that he wanted a few chickens for the kids to learn how to take care of. I told him, "I want NOTHING to do with your chickens... no part of them!". Needless to say, they are now my babies. My husband built a nice coop, about 10'x12' out of mostly scrap and leftover wood from my daughter's wooden playground. We have enough leftover to build a second coop attached to the first with another run.
We raised chicks from TSC and also purchased grown Rhode Island Reds and producer hens. (The producer hens are going, however... they are too bossy!). I have buff orpingtons, americaunas and one lonely black australorp. The second coop for next year will strictly be for australorps... love them!
Only our R. Island reds and producers are laying yet and we sell the eggs faster than they can produce them. The others should start to lay September.
We have declared war on the raccoons. None have made it into the coop YET. We have dispatched two already, but Grandpa raccoon made a visit this morning. After sunrise we spotted him trying to find a way in the door. He/she was HUGE. It crawled right over the Nite*Guard. Waste of money... I have 3 going back to Amazon today! Heading to Lowes today for an electric fence. We don't play games. I've also been sprinkling black pepper all around the coop and that didn't phase the raccoon either. Time to get mean.
I would love to try our hand at incubating eggs (I'm familiar with hatching reptile eggs) and would love to breed/sell black australorp chicks next year. I have a lot to learn first!
We also have a Sunday Conure (my sweetheart), an Umbrella Cockatoo (hubby's baby and a rescue), a Toy Fox Terrier, Leopard Gecko and a Russian Tortoise.
Looking forward to joining you all!
from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard. 
