Good Morning all!
My name is Roberta and although I am not new to the whole farming gig...(grew up on a small herd hog farm, and the husband is from good sound cattle people) we are fairly new to chickens. Our farm has a large 100 yr old coop on it and hasnt seen a chicken in maybe 20 yrs. This coop is LARGE... I think 400 square ft. He used it for storage.... up until someone abandoned a rooster on our farm. Yes, abandoned... and he was beautiful! A white, silkie rooster, but, had a bad attitude... next thing you know... we added a small run and a friend brought 2 older hens to keep him company. That was 6 years ago. Since that first rooster.. we have added a few.
First addition was 3 red comets... couple years later, 3 brahmas and 3 buff orpingtons, this years.... we will get to that in a moment
When this spring gave me some "time off"... coronacation.... We thought now was a good time to add a few more chicks. Our layers have gotten... fat and lazy after the winter and we miss our eggs. (no they will not see a soup pot... I have gotten fat and lazy over the winter, thank you menopause.... so I understand them!)
So, we added 4 golden comets, 2 barred rocks, 2 jersey giants, 2 rhode island blues, and 2 lavender orpingtons... the hatchery threw in a extra jersey just for good measure.... so we have added 13 to our flock in just the last 8 weeks.
Then the governor said, schools are shut for the rest of the school year, and you are a teacher....so, NOW what to do????...
Let me say.... when you live within an hours drive of a hatchery.... and gas prices are the lowest they have been in 20 yrs....
what you do is....
add 2 barneveldars, 2 silver laced wyandottes, and 2 easter eggers..... and call the therapist later!
We are absolutely in love with these beauties! and since we have a TON of space... why not! We have a 6 year old, and she now has more responsibilty added to her chore list that we don't have to argue about! She loves the feeding and watering detail!
The different breeds soothe my artistic sensibilities... Im an artist and art teacher.... and they make the farm...well, homey! We are sticking with just females until the daughter is older, then see about a new roo. We've seen 2 separate roos on the farm since that first.
I have been reading BYC for quite some time... and found TONS of great advice!
So, I was time to become a member
Plus, I needed a place to share pictures of my colorful flock that wouldn't call me the crazy chicken lady!
(yes, my new nickname within the family...LOL)
My name is Roberta and although I am not new to the whole farming gig...(grew up on a small herd hog farm, and the husband is from good sound cattle people) we are fairly new to chickens. Our farm has a large 100 yr old coop on it and hasnt seen a chicken in maybe 20 yrs. This coop is LARGE... I think 400 square ft. He used it for storage.... up until someone abandoned a rooster on our farm. Yes, abandoned... and he was beautiful! A white, silkie rooster, but, had a bad attitude... next thing you know... we added a small run and a friend brought 2 older hens to keep him company. That was 6 years ago. Since that first rooster.. we have added a few.
First addition was 3 red comets... couple years later, 3 brahmas and 3 buff orpingtons, this years.... we will get to that in a moment
When this spring gave me some "time off"... coronacation.... We thought now was a good time to add a few more chicks. Our layers have gotten... fat and lazy after the winter and we miss our eggs. (no they will not see a soup pot... I have gotten fat and lazy over the winter, thank you menopause.... so I understand them!)
So, we added 4 golden comets, 2 barred rocks, 2 jersey giants, 2 rhode island blues, and 2 lavender orpingtons... the hatchery threw in a extra jersey just for good measure.... so we have added 13 to our flock in just the last 8 weeks.
Then the governor said, schools are shut for the rest of the school year, and you are a teacher....so, NOW what to do????...
Let me say.... when you live within an hours drive of a hatchery.... and gas prices are the lowest they have been in 20 yrs....
what you do is....
add 2 barneveldars, 2 silver laced wyandottes, and 2 easter eggers..... and call the therapist later!
We are absolutely in love with these beauties! and since we have a TON of space... why not! We have a 6 year old, and she now has more responsibilty added to her chore list that we don't have to argue about! She loves the feeding and watering detail!
The different breeds soothe my artistic sensibilities... Im an artist and art teacher.... and they make the farm...well, homey! We are sticking with just females until the daughter is older, then see about a new roo. We've seen 2 separate roos on the farm since that first.
I have been reading BYC for quite some time... and found TONS of great advice!
So, I was time to become a member
Plus, I needed a place to share pictures of my colorful flock that wouldn't call me the crazy chicken lady!(yes, my new nickname within the family...LOL)
Glad you joined.
