Hello

[Deviledeggmama]

Im in Illinois. This is my 2nd year of chickens. Last year I started with 6 all different breeds. 1 didn’t make it after a couple weeks. I got the rest outside in my backyard in a small coop. A fox got 4 of them before they even started laying. I had one ISA Brown left. Got 2 maran mixes from a farm to keep the one company. Bought a farm in September. A hawk got Brown in November. Marans are laying but small eggs. Now it’s spring (almost) My flock of newbies includes 4 barred rocks, 2 browns, 2 amberlinks, 2 americana, 3 sapphire gems (1 I suspect is a Roo), 1 buff, 1 astralorp, 1 brahma. Oh and 2 Rhode Island red. So it will be an exciting year.

 

[Kessel23]

 

[TheWickedChicken]

I admire your determination to keep raising chickens after losing so many to start with! Welcome to the community.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy
Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Glad to have you join us! Sorry to hear of all your losses.

 

[Deviledeggmama]

I’m so nervous to lose them. I become attached even though I try not to. I try not to name them but how can you not ‍

 

[Kiki]

We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[Joeschooks]

Hello and I’m so sorry to hear of your losses. I would be devastated to have that happen. I’d highly recommend an electric fence, best thing I’ve found to deter critters. I hope you enjoy BYC

 

[JessicaJessica13]

Im in Illinois. This is my 2nd year of chickens. Last year I started with 6 all different breeds. 1 didn’t make it after a couple weeks. I got the rest outside in my backyard in a small coop. A fox got 4 of them before they even started laying. I had one ISA Brown left. Got 2 maran mixes from a farm to keep the one company. Bought a farm in September. A hawk got Brown in November. Marans are laying but small eggs. Now it’s spring (almost) My flock of newbies includes 4 barred rocks, 2 browns, 2 amberlinks, 2 americana, 3 sapphire gems (1 I suspect is a Roo), 1 buff, 1 astralorp, 1 brahma. Oh and 2 Rhode Island red. So it will be an exciting year.

Glad to have you here! I’m also in Illinois, it’s a great place to have chickens. I’m so sorry to hear about your chickens though! I’ve had rats and hawks eat mine. The solution i had was to double, or even triple my chicken wire and make the coop fence dig into the ground for about a foot or so. If your chickens are free range most of the day, I suggest putting up coops or domes for the chickens to run into if there becomes trouble. Hope they stay safe!

 

[drumstick diva]

Sorry for your losses Please check out the predator threads for advice and suggestions on preventing predator attacks, and beefing up security.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC! So glad you joined us. Like others, I offer condolences for your chicken deceased. Hope you've upgraded security for your present flock. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home!

PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. I recommend at least your state as most folks won't be able to figure out where if you put anything more specific (county, town, street, etc) by itself. Old folks like me will never remember & look there first. To add it, mouse hover over Account top right and a drop down will appear. Click on Personal Details and scan down. You'll see the spot for Location. Then go to the bottom and save changes. Thanks! Hope you enjoy the site!