Hello!

[YoikoD]

I wanted to say hi and introduce myself before I start wandering around and asking questions. We currently have four chickens, all around two months old. This is the second time we've tried to raise chickens; the first time, raccoons got in and ate our little flock. So, we reevaluated and rebuilt with a much, much more secure setup. I'm really excited to get fresh eggs in a few months, and to introduce my children to this kind of self a sufficiency. And, of course, to get to know all of you!

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a very useful learning center

Raccoon's are about the worst predators out there and can destroy a flock real fast as you found out so I hope you made your coop really secure this time and if you have some time go to the top of the page and find coops and browse through there for some really good ideas ..

 

[ronmauldin]

Welcome from the Ocean State!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined our community.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Sorry about your losses to racccoons. What kind of chickens do you have?

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your new flock! Sorry about the loss of your first birds.

 

[drumstick diva]

Sorry about the raccoons - they cause horrific suffering and death - their usual MO is to reach through fencing and bite off any part they can reach. Please replace ANY chicken wire with 1/2" hardware cloth, so the masked bandits can't get their fangs thru the openings.

If you need more tips head for the predator section.

 

[YoikoD]

Thanks for all the tips about raccoons! We've moved them much closer to the house, put up a motion-tripped light, and replaced all the chicken wire with much, MUCH sturdier stuff. So far, I haven't seen any indication of predators, so here's hoping!

As for our girls, we have a silver laced wyandotte named Turkey, a brown leghorn named Brownie, a bantam red cochin named Kaylee, and a buff orpington named Ashera. We let my kids pick out their names.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I have had good luck with solar lighting. My place is lit up like an airport runway, LOL, it seems to keep the predators at bay.

Enjoy all your poultry adventures and welcome to our flock!

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for all the tips about raccoons! We've moved them much closer to the house, put up a motion-tripped light, and replaced all the chicken wire with much, MUCH sturdier stuff. So far, I haven't seen any indication of predators, so here's hoping!

As for our girls, we have a silver laced wyandotte named Turkey, a brown leghorn named Brownie, a bantam red cochin named Kaylee, and a buff orpington named Ashera. We let my kids pick out their names.

What kind of names do your kids give them? My granddaughter names our hens after Disney princesses.