Elfer
Songster
I was on here some a few yrs. ago for various advice and learning. Can't remember what name I used, so starting over.
In 2009, got started with chickens, reluctantly, when husband, slowly dying of cirrhosis, started locally buying chickens. In his mind, he was going to build a chicken house, but in reality, he could barely walk. So there where 2 guineas, a few mixed breeds and black sex links, then 24 Rhode Island Reds, all straight run. They lived in whatever makeshift shacks I could throw together, free ranging,roosting on clotheslines on the carport, and fighting. Between singlehandedly trying to care for Bob, moving/adapting to the house and wonderfully private 10 acres I bought so we'd have our own place with decent heat and AC for him, and trying to get his abandoned rental properties functional (gov. sent papers to fix or we will take the week after he was diagnosed/hospitalized), chickens were not top on my priority. I kind of resented them at first, but it was a trade-off, because he wanted a herd of cows.
So, Bob died in 2011. I was then able to get my friend to make a nice, although poorly designed by me, chicken house out of scrap tin, with an auto opening door (worth every penny). I realize now that those chickens that run up chattering to me when I open the door, are my family, and helped me keep some sanity, during a rough time. The rooster calls that were initially annoying, helped break the dead silence that falls so heavily after one loses a spouse. The poop on the bottom of every pair of shoes I own now bothers me less than it probably should.
Of the original flock, I still have Rufus, one of 2 guineas purchased in 2009. Bro.Roscoe was found under his tree after a lightening storm. I have continued to replace the Rhode Island Reds that succumbed to internal laying, and roos and hens lost to various predators. I now have a flock of 20, counting Rufus, 3 blk. Aussies, Easter Eggers, and other mixed breeds. I am no chicken expert, so look to you guys' threads when I need advice.
Other: 2 cats, retired mid. sch. art teacher, gardening, trying to clear wild callery pears and plant real fruit, caregiver for Mama, though she is in a convenient memory care facility 7 min. away.
In 2009, got started with chickens, reluctantly, when husband, slowly dying of cirrhosis, started locally buying chickens. In his mind, he was going to build a chicken house, but in reality, he could barely walk. So there where 2 guineas, a few mixed breeds and black sex links, then 24 Rhode Island Reds, all straight run. They lived in whatever makeshift shacks I could throw together, free ranging,roosting on clotheslines on the carport, and fighting. Between singlehandedly trying to care for Bob, moving/adapting to the house and wonderfully private 10 acres I bought so we'd have our own place with decent heat and AC for him, and trying to get his abandoned rental properties functional (gov. sent papers to fix or we will take the week after he was diagnosed/hospitalized), chickens were not top on my priority. I kind of resented them at first, but it was a trade-off, because he wanted a herd of cows.
So, Bob died in 2011. I was then able to get my friend to make a nice, although poorly designed by me, chicken house out of scrap tin, with an auto opening door (worth every penny). I realize now that those chickens that run up chattering to me when I open the door, are my family, and helped me keep some sanity, during a rough time. The rooster calls that were initially annoying, helped break the dead silence that falls so heavily after one loses a spouse. The poop on the bottom of every pair of shoes I own now bothers me less than it probably should.
Of the original flock, I still have Rufus, one of 2 guineas purchased in 2009. Bro.Roscoe was found under his tree after a lightening storm. I have continued to replace the Rhode Island Reds that succumbed to internal laying, and roos and hens lost to various predators. I now have a flock of 20, counting Rufus, 3 blk. Aussies, Easter Eggers, and other mixed breeds. I am no chicken expert, so look to you guys' threads when I need advice.
Other: 2 cats, retired mid. sch. art teacher, gardening, trying to clear wild callery pears and plant real fruit, caregiver for Mama, though she is in a convenient memory care facility 7 min. away.
Last edited:
We are glad you joined our flock!
