CarolineM
In the Brooder
- Feb 6, 2020
- 12
- 67
- 46
First, thank you to Nifty-Chicken for posting sample introduction questions. Here goes:
We live on a couple of semi-wooded acres outside of Austin in a country subdivision. We wanted chickens for several years before actually starting a coop, but it's been almost six years since we got our first four. Back then, I went to the feed store and asked for an orange, black, white, and brown day old chick ;-). Boy, have I learned a lot since then. Not only about the vast variety of breeds available but also about coops and care. We have so many predators where we live that we can't free-range. I lost those four that way. And even when we thought we had a predator proof pen, raccoons jimmied our latches open. We've had small possums manage to squeeze their way into our wider chicken wire at night and have a feast. I've even come within about 10' of a bobcat eyeing my girls during the afternoon! He/she did not dine on chicken, however. Right now, my 16 girls live in a vast and interesting, and safe pen. They are a happy and friendly bunch. Like I said, I've learned a lot since I began keeping chickens.
Our current breeds are:
Barred Rock, born 10/21/15
Black Australorp, born 10/21/15
Welsummer, born 10/29/15
Easter Egger, born 10/29/15
Sicilian Buttercup, born 3/16/16
Barnvelder, born 8/10/16
California White, born 8/30/17
Ameraucana, born 8/30/17
Salmon Faverolle, born 8/30/17
Born 8/26/19--
Black Copper Marans
Silver Spangled Hamburg
Olive Egger
Buff Brahma Standard
Speckled Sussex
Born 8/28/19—
Buff Orpington
Golden Laced Wyandotte
My favorite aspect of raising chickens is the ability to be so near beautiful birds. My flock is so gentle, friendly, and they all get along very well. Keeping them healthy and happy is very satisfying. If it's one thing I've learned, it's that chickens appreciate space and we've given them plenty. I also love the variety of eggs I get from them and so do my friends when I give them away. Another thing I like is that all of our kitchen scraps go to the chickens instead of the trash. And lastly, I love that I've learned so much about these interesting creatures, especially that they are far more intelligent than most people realize that don't keep chickens.
Besides raising chickens, I love to travel with my family which is my husband, and a son who's away at college. I also love podcasts, what can I say, music and movies. Besides our 16 chickens, we have two dogs, a pug and a french bulldog.
My husband and I have our own software consulting business and my son is studying Hotel Management at Cornell University. He's going to be specializing in hotel development and acquisitions and is currently looking for a summer internship.
I can't remember when I discovered BYC, but it's been several years now, when I just started keeping chickens. I've found it's been a great resource for learning more about a breed to a variety of other questions I had concerning chickens. And, my last chicks were ordered from BYC. So I guess it's about time I became a member!
We live on a couple of semi-wooded acres outside of Austin in a country subdivision. We wanted chickens for several years before actually starting a coop, but it's been almost six years since we got our first four. Back then, I went to the feed store and asked for an orange, black, white, and brown day old chick ;-). Boy, have I learned a lot since then. Not only about the vast variety of breeds available but also about coops and care. We have so many predators where we live that we can't free-range. I lost those four that way. And even when we thought we had a predator proof pen, raccoons jimmied our latches open. We've had small possums manage to squeeze their way into our wider chicken wire at night and have a feast. I've even come within about 10' of a bobcat eyeing my girls during the afternoon! He/she did not dine on chicken, however. Right now, my 16 girls live in a vast and interesting, and safe pen. They are a happy and friendly bunch. Like I said, I've learned a lot since I began keeping chickens.
Our current breeds are:
Barred Rock, born 10/21/15
Black Australorp, born 10/21/15
Welsummer, born 10/29/15
Easter Egger, born 10/29/15
Sicilian Buttercup, born 3/16/16
Barnvelder, born 8/10/16
California White, born 8/30/17
Ameraucana, born 8/30/17
Salmon Faverolle, born 8/30/17
Born 8/26/19--
Black Copper Marans
Silver Spangled Hamburg
Olive Egger
Buff Brahma Standard
Speckled Sussex
Born 8/28/19—
Buff Orpington
Golden Laced Wyandotte
My favorite aspect of raising chickens is the ability to be so near beautiful birds. My flock is so gentle, friendly, and they all get along very well. Keeping them healthy and happy is very satisfying. If it's one thing I've learned, it's that chickens appreciate space and we've given them plenty. I also love the variety of eggs I get from them and so do my friends when I give them away. Another thing I like is that all of our kitchen scraps go to the chickens instead of the trash. And lastly, I love that I've learned so much about these interesting creatures, especially that they are far more intelligent than most people realize that don't keep chickens.
Besides raising chickens, I love to travel with my family which is my husband, and a son who's away at college. I also love podcasts, what can I say, music and movies. Besides our 16 chickens, we have two dogs, a pug and a french bulldog.
My husband and I have our own software consulting business and my son is studying Hotel Management at Cornell University. He's going to be specializing in hotel development and acquisitions and is currently looking for a summer internship.
I can't remember when I discovered BYC, but it's been several years now, when I just started keeping chickens. I've found it's been a great resource for learning more about a breed to a variety of other questions I had concerning chickens. And, my last chicks were ordered from BYC. So I guess it's about time I became a member!
It sounds like you have a beautiful flock!!!!! 
