I've been reading this board for a while, but have not posted yet. So, I decided to post at least here
I grew up with poultry on the farm. My first birds were three little Call Ducks I bought myself when I was about 13-14. Then I grew up and moved to the city.
A few years ago (ok more than just a few) my wife and I decided to move to a more rural setting and we migrated from the Kansas City area to the SW MO area. I got a job with Cobb-Vantress (a subsidiary of Tyson Foods), where I became an Ultrasound Technician. My hobby over the years was building computers. So, my job fit my hobby.
After a few years there, I decided to quit Cobb and return to college. Then just when I'm ready to graduate, the economy sunk. So I decided to get some chickens for "just in case". At least we'd have some food if things went too sour.
So far I'm still building my pen and coup (a 10x16 shed we found on craigslist). To introduce my children to chickens, I bought some 'pets'. I bought a handful (seven) of little bantams. They were straight run from Atwoods, variety of breeds.
After dealing with the inbred cornish based Cobb chickens, I was ready for really dumb birds. Boy, now am I surprised. The little guys are now about 4-5 weeks old. Out of the seven, four are extremely friendly. One (I think a Sebright) will pace the cage door until I open it, then run and jump/fly onto my arm, then straight up on my shoulder. Another (a similar colored chick that could be a Sebright) will jump on my hand and roost, along with an OEGB. The fourth is maybe a Cochin Bantam (feathered legs and straight feathers) will also jump on my hand and climb to my shoulder. They will do the same with the kids and wife. They prefer bare arms; they'll ignore arms with long sleeves.
I am thoroughly surprised how smart and lovable these little guys are, especially compared to the Cobb chickens.
The friendly ones will lay down in the palm of my hand and let me stroke their back, while they snooze. They have really changed my view of chickens from just food to pets also. I've read stories on BYC about similar behaviors, but it just didn't sink in until my little ones showed me the way
Anyhow, 'Hello' to all BYC'ers
I grew up with poultry on the farm. My first birds were three little Call Ducks I bought myself when I was about 13-14. Then I grew up and moved to the city.
A few years ago (ok more than just a few) my wife and I decided to move to a more rural setting and we migrated from the Kansas City area to the SW MO area. I got a job with Cobb-Vantress (a subsidiary of Tyson Foods), where I became an Ultrasound Technician. My hobby over the years was building computers. So, my job fit my hobby.
After a few years there, I decided to quit Cobb and return to college. Then just when I'm ready to graduate, the economy sunk. So I decided to get some chickens for "just in case". At least we'd have some food if things went too sour.
So far I'm still building my pen and coup (a 10x16 shed we found on craigslist). To introduce my children to chickens, I bought some 'pets'. I bought a handful (seven) of little bantams. They were straight run from Atwoods, variety of breeds.
After dealing with the inbred cornish based Cobb chickens, I was ready for really dumb birds. Boy, now am I surprised. The little guys are now about 4-5 weeks old. Out of the seven, four are extremely friendly. One (I think a Sebright) will pace the cage door until I open it, then run and jump/fly onto my arm, then straight up on my shoulder. Another (a similar colored chick that could be a Sebright) will jump on my hand and roost, along with an OEGB. The fourth is maybe a Cochin Bantam (feathered legs and straight feathers) will also jump on my hand and climb to my shoulder. They will do the same with the kids and wife. They prefer bare arms; they'll ignore arms with long sleeves.
I am thoroughly surprised how smart and lovable these little guys are, especially compared to the Cobb chickens.
The friendly ones will lay down in the palm of my hand and let me stroke their back, while they snooze. They have really changed my view of chickens from just food to pets also. I've read stories on BYC about similar behaviors, but it just didn't sink in until my little ones showed me the way
Anyhow, 'Hello' to all BYC'ers
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