Greetings all!
I am a long time animal lover and caretaker, but am a little late getting into chickens. Of course now I can't figure out what took me so long! I have been a BYC lurker for a long time. Time to stop being such a wallflower. We have the fortune of the Joshua Tree National Park for a backyard. Not literally, we have a fence and all, but just the other side of the street is nothing but quiet hills! We are just high enough in elevation (about 3800) that we experience more extreme weather than the town just down the road. Often, we will get snow that literally goes no further down than our block. Of course, we get the CA heat too, but it is tampered just slightly. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful location for our coop that really helps stabilize the conditions, both 100+ and freezing.
What a wonderful community and resource, I am already very grateful to everyone here. In fact, I am planning on trying out my first incubation, hopefully in time to participate (unofficially) in the Valintine H-A-L. I fully expect that I will have hurdles, and that a lot of them will be nothing more than worry. It is a comfort knowing I have access to such friendly, knowledgeable people. Phew!
Most of my animal husbandry experience comes from horses, cattle, and domestic pets. I have worked for a lesson/boarding barn and a no-kill, non profit animal shelter, and currently run my own pet care business. My father always had a love of birds, but it was a little late to bloom in me. Tiny feathered dinosaur cousins are awesome though! I should have done this sooner.
When we first decided to get chickens I think I did what a lot of people do - go for a colorful egg basket. However, my deep-seeded interest in responsible breeding has been nagging me. I have always been fascinated with genetics, and I originally went to college to pursue a biology degree. I dreamed of helping manage breeding programs for endangered species - helping counteract genetic bottlenecks and introduce diversity.
I read and read and read. I changed my mind. Then again, and then one more time. I wanted a decent layer, good meat, and a friendly disposition. My mother asked excitedly if they would be "pretty little lacy things." So, we will be becoming a Barnevelder (with some Swedish Flower Hens as dedicated layers just because we like them) family! This breed seems to meet my checklist, have a good amount of active enthusiasts here, and plenty of goals to better the breed which gives me a goal and something in common with established breeders (and future friends, hopefully!).
So, here is to 2015!
Mazmanian
I am a long time animal lover and caretaker, but am a little late getting into chickens. Of course now I can't figure out what took me so long! I have been a BYC lurker for a long time. Time to stop being such a wallflower. We have the fortune of the Joshua Tree National Park for a backyard. Not literally, we have a fence and all, but just the other side of the street is nothing but quiet hills! We are just high enough in elevation (about 3800) that we experience more extreme weather than the town just down the road. Often, we will get snow that literally goes no further down than our block. Of course, we get the CA heat too, but it is tampered just slightly. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful location for our coop that really helps stabilize the conditions, both 100+ and freezing.
What a wonderful community and resource, I am already very grateful to everyone here. In fact, I am planning on trying out my first incubation, hopefully in time to participate (unofficially) in the Valintine H-A-L. I fully expect that I will have hurdles, and that a lot of them will be nothing more than worry. It is a comfort knowing I have access to such friendly, knowledgeable people. Phew!
Most of my animal husbandry experience comes from horses, cattle, and domestic pets. I have worked for a lesson/boarding barn and a no-kill, non profit animal shelter, and currently run my own pet care business. My father always had a love of birds, but it was a little late to bloom in me. Tiny feathered dinosaur cousins are awesome though! I should have done this sooner.
When we first decided to get chickens I think I did what a lot of people do - go for a colorful egg basket. However, my deep-seeded interest in responsible breeding has been nagging me. I have always been fascinated with genetics, and I originally went to college to pursue a biology degree. I dreamed of helping manage breeding programs for endangered species - helping counteract genetic bottlenecks and introduce diversity.
I read and read and read. I changed my mind. Then again, and then one more time. I wanted a decent layer, good meat, and a friendly disposition. My mother asked excitedly if they would be "pretty little lacy things." So, we will be becoming a Barnevelder (with some Swedish Flower Hens as dedicated layers just because we like them) family! This breed seems to meet my checklist, have a good amount of active enthusiasts here, and plenty of goals to better the breed which gives me a goal and something in common with established breeders (and future friends, hopefully!).
So, here is to 2015!
Mazmanian
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You have come to the right place for all the fun and learning.
and Welcome To BYC!
) Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your Barnevelders. I love the chocolate eggs that they lay.
