Hello from Terry in Massachusetts

[terrysinc]

I have recently decided to get chickens. I am sharing their growth and antics with my students through my school webpage.
I have 6 chicks at this point. Three are Polish, 1 is a Milli Fleur & there are 2 Silkie.($24) I have definite confirmation that my black body, white capped Polish is a hen. The rest I can only hope.
I first acquired a double-decker rabbit cage for free from a man who kept a rabbit & 1 chicken in it. I cleaned that out and had a man use materials I had to build a coop around it ($150). Then I enclosed the coop area with (free) picket fencing-painted the fence with (free) paint. Acquired another coop, I call it the winter coop, free also. Painted & detailed that coop with more free paint. Now we are building the larger run to use with both coops. Today we got lots of free lumber, did a lot of nail removing. Also some lattice I want to work into the design of the coop area.
My chickens are wonderful. One flew up onto my shoulder yesterday. Two of them would follow me to the ends of the earth. The dried meal worms have also made us all best of friends.
I will post before and after pictures. This will be an ongoing project of love.

 

[TwoCrows]

from New Mexico!

Real cutie pies you have there! Glad you could join!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us. Love the pictures

 

[omelette77]

Hi, welcome to the club....We're down the Cape. Where are you?

 

[BigECarter]

Nice! You might want to upgrade the chicken wire to hardware cloth and welded wire. Raccoons, stray dogs, and other chicken killing vermin can easily get through chicken wire.

What age group do you teach? A local hatchery offers a package for classrooms. May be something to consider for next year, if your school allows for it.

- E

 

[philbfarm]

Welcome from Long Island, New York...I bet your students are just loving them! So glad you joined us

 

[terrysinc]

Avon. Grew up in Marshfield. Lived on the Cape for a few years-E. Falmouth & Pocasset-where are you?

 

[terrysinc]

The larger run we are making tomorrow & this weekend has the hardware cloth. I have 3 dogs, a 6' vinyl fence, a picket fence around the chicken area & they go in at night-so my hope is that predators will think twice. I know one of my dogs patrols the entire perimeter of the fence before she will come in for breakfast.
I teach special education for 3rd-5th grade-all my students are diagnosed with autism.
I work with them this summer too.

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad to have you aboard.

 

[Kevin565]