Hello from South Central Wisconsin

(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
I am a total new egg , don't have chickens or a coop yet, but am ready to start after reading through tons of pages here. I am going to document everything so I can make a page. I am going to take many precautions about raccoons and dogs, because they are both a menace already (and I don't even have chickens yet!)

(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
Zero! But I will be able to have up to six when done building my coop. I live in a urban/suburban area, so I can't have many. Two neighbor's houses are within 20' of where my coop will be.

(3) What breeds do you have?
I was thinking about Buff Orpingtons, I think they are gorgeous, until I read they get broody. Since I have no use for brooders, I thought maybe Marans or Wellsummers. I would like many eggs (my family currently eats around 2 dozen per week!), but they also need to be cold hardy, and good with kids and confinement. Any suggestions?

(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
google search

(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I love to garden, and I am trying to live more sustainably, including having several rain barrels on site. Despite the heat and drought, they haven't gone dry once this year

(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share.
I have a husband that I am dragging tooth and nail into chickens, three young children, and a house cat that I enjoy. I stay-at-home.