Hello From The Heart of IL

[Shay88]

I'm a total newbie to this whole chicken thing. It all started about 2 months ago, I was going to garage sales with my mother in-law when I suddenly spotted a chicken rummaging around in a bush in this ladies front yard. I, the animal lover that I am said, "look, it's a chicken!" The lady must have heard me and said "I have a coop and many more in the back, want to come see?" After that, I was hooked. I was going to buy a coop and get me some chickens and have delicious eggs for breakfast every morning! I currently have 6 chickens, all of which are too young to lay but a couple have got to be getting close. I think. I absolutely love having them in my life and a part of my small but always growing farm. Once I started doing some research I came across this website so I figured with all the great info it holds, that I would join to start asking some of my own questions.

 

[RodNTN]

Hi and

Glad you joined us!! Yes, when most of see or get our first chicken were hooked!!

Its great to have you and never hesitate to ask questions! And if your not sure when your chickens are going to start laying, look for some signs:

Getting in nesting boxes and fooling around with the bedding material.
If a young hen is about to start laying her comb and wattles will be redder and bigger
My young hens would always hang around the nest for 3 or 4 minutes and start clucking and run out of the coop as if they laid an egg
Squatting (Else known as "The submissive squat") when you reach down to pet them or a rooster gets around them.

I hope this info helps, have a great time on here!

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, Shay88, and ! Pleased you joined our flock. You can pick up some serious chicken knowledge in the Learning Center here https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
And if you'd like to chat with some locals you can find the IL thread in this link
https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you
Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[CuzChickens]

Hello, and welcome to Backyard chickens! So glad you joined us today, please make yourself at home! @RodNTN gave you some good advice on things to look for, and @redsoxs gave you some good links to look at. I hope you enjoy it here at BYC!!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Rod gave you all the signs of a hen approaching point of lay. Hope you'll be getting eggs soon.

 

[Cynthia12]

 

[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

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[QueenMisha]

Welcome to BYC! It's great to have you.