Hi all! From Snohomish WA

Hi!

I am a new member and wanted to introduce myself

My mom always had a couple of laying hens when I was growing up, I remember a cross-beaked Americana I had to separate from the flock and hand raise. She would come when I called and ride around on my shoulder - which I thought was totally awesome being about 8yo!!

I am 24 now and happily married, starting a flock of my own, and trying to learn all I can and be the best chicken momma I can be! We were given six young hens as a gift about three years ago, built our first chicken tractor, and they have been fun pets and great layers. I recently have really started to get into sustainable living and organic farming, so my hens are more than just pets to me, but vital members of our family. I hope to learn to raise my own chicks, for laying and for butchering. My original six I culled down to my two RIRs Georgie and Freddie, I had three americanas, a golden laced, and an evil banty...I gave the americanas away to a friend - they kept laying poor quality eggs no matter what I did, and I got tired of it. The golden laced was super broody and a different friend fell in love with her so I gifted her as well. The banty disappeared one day - but I was OK with that! She was MEAN

Currently I have five RIR hens and a Barred Rock rooster. They live in a large chicken tractor, and eventually my goal is to build a permanent coop in addition to our tractor. We are in the process of looking for and purchasing our first home, so that may be a project for next spring

Chickens are just one of my many hobbies, I am a horse trainer by profession, I rescue, rehabilitate, train and sell horses. I am aspiring to learn more about and become good at organic farming and raising our own vegetables, canning, and all sorts of ambitions! I am really excited to read and learn from all of you on BYC! So far it has been very informative My husband is into 4x4s, stock car racing, rock crawling, show cars etc. But very supportive of my many aspirations

Monica (and Ben)
~ Georgia & Freddie my original RIR hens and Laverne, Patty and Maxine (aka the Andrew sisters) added to the flock last year ~
~ Book - my Barred Rock Rooster ~
The three dogs: Roscoe - 13yo Spaniel, Slate - 1yo border collie, and Kilo - 3yo Chihuahua/dachshund
The three kitties: Gabana - 7yo tabby, Mouse - 5yo grey tuxedo and Moya - 3yo black puff ball (all outdoor barn kitties)
The horses have a high turnover since I rescue, but the two we will always have are Hope - 12yo AQHA, and Jaeda 9yo Percheron.