Hello from Texas

[byounghusband]

Hi all!!
We are just beginning our journey into the world of chickens and ducks. We are raising them for eggs now, but I would like to raise meat chickens as well...
On St. Patty's day, we got 12 chicks. A mixture of Americana's, Rhode Islands, Delawares, two with no neck feathers, and another breed that I don't recall. I'll have to figure them out when they are more mature with your help.. And we ordered two Peking females when we got the chicks, but they didn't arrive until two weeks ago. Boy do those ducks grow FAST!! They're almost as big as the chickens already...
The ducks were kept in a separate tub covered with wire in the brooder crate for the fist two weeks and were introduced into the rest of the flock on Monday. They all seems to get along and I'm sure they are glad the chickens aren't on top of the tub crapping on them anymore...
The ducks are MESSY!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to get the coop built and them outside of my shop. My plan is to build a 6'x 8' shed with dog run fencing panels attached to make a small covered yard for them. This will sit in a fenced off area (4' chain link) that is 31' x 75'. We plan on having them free range through our 3 acres as well.
I'm on the fence concerning a rooster. Not sure if I 'm ready to start having more little chickens yet. Want to get our feet wet so to speak.

 

[Spookwriter]

Hello in Celina, Texas. I'll bet you know where Lucy's is?
Glad to see you found this place, and enjoy it as you go.


Spook

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, byounghusband, and

! Great to have you aboard and congrats on your entry into chicken keeping! The Learning Center is a great place to pick up a ton of knowledge - lots of informative articles:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
There are articles about ducks, chicks, and chickens, and even raising them together.
Regarding your rooster dilemma....many folks feel a farm isn't a farm without that morning...and beyond... crowing. Some feel they are a waste of feed. Others say they assist with predators (even if that only means being a sacrificial "lamb" thus allowing the hens to escape). But one thing you mentioned about having little chickens with a rooster around....this is not necessarily the case. Yes, a rooster will breed the hens but if you collect the eggs and they are not incubated by a hen for about 20 days....no baby chicks will result. The eggs will look and taste the same. You also won't have to fear cracking open an egg and finding a horrifying surprise of an undeveloped chick.

Regarding ducks...make sure you visit the Ducks Forum here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks
And here's a link to some informative duck articles: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/256233/ducks-sticky-topics-index
And find your state thread in the link below to chat with fellow TX poultry peeps:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread
Best wishes to you and your fowl and thanks for joining BYC!!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under byounghusband

Welcome!

If/When you are looking for some opinions regarding breed and gender, this is the forum to post some individual pictures on: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share more pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice and links already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT

 

[charshuler]

Hello! A chicken loving Texas gal here too We're in Burkburnett, way north up by OK.

 

[drumstick diva]