Hello from the Four Corners (NM)

Hi everyone,
I'm Heather- from a little town in northwestern New Mexico (browsing I didn't see many other NM people...), but I'm pretty close to the "Four Corners" (where NM, AZ, CO & UT meet). I live- well, not exactly in town but close enough that I wasn't planning on getting chickens. My best friend however (who lives about 3 hours away in Albuquerque), really wanted some because she and her family eat lots of eggs. Her husband had always refused to consider it though. But while he was out of town on a business trip she and I had to stop at her local feed store for... something (I forget what) and they had day old chicks. Which she fell in love with and since I'm a horrible influence, (and I delight in annoying her husband), we returned home with 3. And then later went back and got 4 more. And then another 3 so now she has an even 10. Which I might add her husband loves and thinks was the best decision ever But on to how *I* got chickens! My boyfriend was from Sweden and he was a close friend of my best friend also. So when I was thinking of a Christmas present for her last year, I came across blommehöns- the Swedish Flower Hen. Ah, what a perfect gift! I found a wonderful breeder and after the weather warmed up two *beautiful* pullets arrived! She named them Anna and Elsa after the movie "Frozen". My friend was ecstatic! She carefully integrated them with her flock and all was well. However about a month later, Elsa was injured on a loose wire in the run, and when the other hens saw blood... sadly she was pecked to death. My friend was devastated and cried for weeks. And to make matters worse, Anna was now without her sister for support and the other hens began to bully her horribly. My friend knew she could not keep Anna any longer, for her own safety. But both of us felt had very strong emotional attachment to Anna, and so- even though I was not planning on chickens... Anna came to live with me. I found someone who was selling a very nice coop and run, and now Anna is looking very happy and healthy. She starting laying about a month ago and I get about 5 eggs a week. But I didn't expect to fall SO in love with not only Anna but the breed itself! She is just delightful and I very much look forward everyday to spending time with her, and my "chicken duties". I began researching more about keeping chickens, the different types and personalities... It's been a very good project as my boyfriend passed away this year (the friend from Sweden I mentioned). It's probably no surprise I have taken quite a liking to the Scandinavian breeds. And so I asked Anna's breeder if this season she could put aside another 2 Swedish Flower pullets, and also 2 Isbars for me. They will be arriving when the weather cools down, and I am really looking forward to adding to my "flock". I have also been coming the local ads and found a WONDERFUL coop and run in Colorado- it's pretty far (about 5 hours from me, most of that is because the roads are not exactly freeways to get there), and I just need to get someone to help me go get it. Or rather, I need to bribe a friend who owns a truck and trailer to go get it. But then I am planning on expanding more (next year). It's a wonderful hobby.
I do have other pets (I'm really more of an animal person, and less of a people person)- with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 4 parrots (2 cockatoos, 1 amazon and a conure), 4 ferrets and a snake. I think that's it... really informative website!

 

Hi,
Yes I already have an area set up and waiting that will be attached but separate from the main run. My breeder was nice enough to put the ones I am taking in the brooder together so they are used to each other (even though they are different breeds, and their will be a slight age gap). I know I will have to be careful but I'm very dedicated to making it work. My friend has about a year head-start on me with chickens so she is good for some advice; but yes, I do like to ask around! And also since I am interested in breeds that I'm definitely not going to be finding at my local feed store (ha!), I am looking into possibly buying fertile eggs and incubating. But that would be later. As you said, chicken math! (Which has struck me at different times- as I have done ferret rescue, and I foster for the state parrot rescue, so yes- all sorts of animal math goes on in my house!)