Hello from south Florida

[JavaJones]

Hello Guy's,

I live in south Florida, originally from eastern Pennsylvania. My wife and I decided to start a course to self sustainability and figured chickens would be a good commencement. Never kept them before so I am starting with 6 hens. 3 Mottled Java's and 3 Rhode Island Red's purchased from the local Tractor Supply. I recently built a coop and am keeping it in my my enclosed porch in the back yard, as there are hawks who frequently hunt in the area. The chicks are still inside until big enough to be out in the coop. They weigh 2.6 ounces right now. Not sure how old they are. Any insight on that would be helpful.

Since I am new I hope to learn all I can here and use that knowledge to care for my flock. I will post pics of my coop and indoor area in the appropriate category when I get some time. Please feel free to leave me some starting advice with your welcome.

Thanks

Jeff

 

[FrankA]

welcome!

You'll love it here. You will find all the information you will need to raise your flock!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[sunflour]

Glad you have joined us.

If you could post pics of your new flock, someone likely can give you an estimate of their age.

Most keep them in brooders until fully feathered - 5-6 weeks. They are hawk bait especially young. I have 6 hens - today is their 2nd birthday, had them since 3 days old. And a loss of even one to me would be devastating. So we built their coop with a fortified roof covered run. You may consider building a safe run to place the coop in to prevent any losses.

There's a lot of helpful info on this site….please visit the learning center.

Feel free to post questions. We're here to help.

You can get a lot of input on predator protection in the coop/run forums.

Good luck on your new adventure.

 

[youngchooklover]

Hello!

From Australia!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined our "flock".

Good luck with your chicks! We'd love to see photos of them- Javas especially can be beautiful birds.

 

[NickyKnack]

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens, hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

X2 on @sunflour 's advice.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!