RobertoRojas
In the Brooder
- Jun 4, 2021
- 5
- 23
- 41
My name is Bob and I live in west-central Virginia in the lovely Shenandoah Valley.
I've had chickens off and on my whole life, but never more than a few at a time. Always had small urban flocks of no more than two or three hens, with an occasional rooster.
Took a few years off from gardening and keeping birds, but then started my flock three years ago ago when my neighbors offered us two Wellsummer hens they had hatched earlier in the year. Last year I decided to expand our coop and run and added 6 Golden Comets from a mail order hatchery. When the Comets were about 6 months old, I added a young Wellsummer roo that the neighbors hatched last year to help protect the flock from the local hawks.
Unfortunately, we lost one of the Wellsummer hens to a ferrel cat over the winter. So, our flock currently numbers 8 birds - 1-four year old Wellsummer hen, 6-1 year old Golden Comet hens, and 1-1-year old Wellsummer roo.
I love having the companionship of the flock around the property. Each bird has its own personality, and they're always eager to help dig through the garden to keep things neat and tidy. The eggs are an added bonus, and the roo is a constant source of barnyard comedy - always doing something that makes you laugh.
I also have about 80 grapevines and a young orchard of 24 various fruit trees - mostly varieties of apple and plum.
I'm married (11 years) with two young children. Other pets include a 10 year old Jack Russell and an 8 month old Aussie Cattle Dog.
I've been a long time reader of BYC, back when I got my first two Wellsummer hens, but am just recently experiencing some issues with the flock I look forward to seeking advice from the community about.
I've had chickens off and on my whole life, but never more than a few at a time. Always had small urban flocks of no more than two or three hens, with an occasional rooster.
Took a few years off from gardening and keeping birds, but then started my flock three years ago ago when my neighbors offered us two Wellsummer hens they had hatched earlier in the year. Last year I decided to expand our coop and run and added 6 Golden Comets from a mail order hatchery. When the Comets were about 6 months old, I added a young Wellsummer roo that the neighbors hatched last year to help protect the flock from the local hawks.
Unfortunately, we lost one of the Wellsummer hens to a ferrel cat over the winter. So, our flock currently numbers 8 birds - 1-four year old Wellsummer hen, 6-1 year old Golden Comet hens, and 1-1-year old Wellsummer roo.
I love having the companionship of the flock around the property. Each bird has its own personality, and they're always eager to help dig through the garden to keep things neat and tidy. The eggs are an added bonus, and the roo is a constant source of barnyard comedy - always doing something that makes you laugh.
I also have about 80 grapevines and a young orchard of 24 various fruit trees - mostly varieties of apple and plum.
I'm married (11 years) with two young children. Other pets include a 10 year old Jack Russell and an 8 month old Aussie Cattle Dog.
I've been a long time reader of BYC, back when I got my first two Wellsummer hens, but am just recently experiencing some issues with the flock I look forward to seeking advice from the community about.
Glad you joined.
