Hello!

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izzywoowoo

izzywoowoo

In the Brooder
Apr 22, 2015
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Hello! I am fairly new to raising chickens. My journey started when my father brought home a baby white pekin. We quickly bonded and he became my pet duck, Rigby. Shortly after, my siblings each bought a duck as well. We had five ducks, each of a different breed. They lived with us for a little over a year (unfortunately, they were either attacked by a coyote or flew away).

My brother and I really enjoyed caring for the little ducks. When we were buying feed one afternoon, there was a batch of Buff Orpington chicks for sale. We bought four. I had yet to learn that their wings needed to be clipped, so they managed to fly away several months after we had bought them. We were upset, but determined to learn how to take care of chickens.

My parents bought five red sex-linked hens for me several months later. They are the sweetest hens. I jokingly called them My Ladies, and the name eventually stuck. They are indeed ladies and believe that they rule the roost. :) I have enjoyed taking care of them over the past year. I gather about a dozen eggs a week and love having these sweet hens in my yard.

Recently, I added to my flock. I bought several different breeds of chickens and ducks this spring just to try my hand at raising various types. I have white pekins, bantams, miniature bantams, Cornish hens, mallards, Rhode Island Reds, and several "mutts" (not sure what they are). They are all free rangers. We have several acres that I allow them to roam around on as they please. I have a lot to learn and look forward to gaining some valuable advice from the members of this site.




Just a few pictures:









 
Sounds like you need to beef up your security before getting more birds. Have you checked out the predator and coops section for good advice and know-how?

If you have the birds in covered runs, they wouldn't fly away, it would also keep some predators away from them - like climbers, and raptors.
Clipping wings isn't the solution to the problem. Some birds will still be able to fly. Others will be sitting ducks for predators since they cannot.

The Learning Center is a great place to start a chicken education. For issues with ducks, head for the "Other Backyard Poultry " forum above, you will find threads specifically about ducks, or geese, etc .

Free ranging birds will be targeted more often by predators, than those inside a proper coop and run. If you had a Livestock guardian dog with them it could turn the tables on predators.
 
drumstick diva said:
Sounds like you need to beef up your security before getting more birds.    Have you checked out the predator and coops section for good advice and  know-how?

If you have the birds in covered runs, they wouldn't fly away,  it would also keep some predators away from them  - like climbers,  and raptors.
Clipping wings isn't the solution to the problem.  Some birds will still be able to fly. Others will be sitting ducks for predators since they cannot.

The Learning Center is a great place to start a chicken education.   For issues with ducks, head for the "Other Backyard Poultry " forum above,  you  will find threads specifically about ducks,  or geese,  etc .

Free ranging birds  will be targeted more often by predators, than those inside a proper coop and run.  If you had a Livestock guardian dog with them it could turn the tables on predators. 
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info. I haven't had any problems with predators recently. The chickens are now in the backyard with my dog. I am researching what type of coop would be the best fit for my birds. They are outgrowing what I have right now.
 
Hello!
400

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family.
 

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