Hi from Maryland, new to chickens and a boatload of questions

[fiddlebanshee]

Quote:
Yes I was actually planning to make a good strong coop and a secure run to lock them up when needed.

Quote:
Correct, I'm not looking for pets persé, but I still would like to be able to handle them. I had not considered game hens and the points you make about their being able to fly to escape predators during the daytime makes a lot of sense.

 

[texasgal]

A big Texas size

 

[janewhiteaker]

Hello Maryland, I am new to this forum too, today in fact! I have just read Ridgerunner's reply and it sounds very wise. Although I am in Darwin, Australia and our weather conditions and day and night predators are different the issues seem to be the same. We have had Silkie Bantams here for around ten years mainly as a hobby and because they are so gently for our daughter (young when we got them). My main reason for agreeing with Ridgerunner is that he suggests breeds who can escape predators day and night and also building a high security house for them. Silkies that we have do not have good escape skills and nor can they fly at all, so we have suffered enormous guilt when snakes and predatory birds have picked them off. Our yard and chicken house is very secure now, but it was a slow evolution. We still have to get there quickly around sunset though as that is when snakes and bandicoots seem to want to move in. Good luck, Jane

 

[TKIFARMGIRL]

Welcome to chickens! I have always lived on a farm, never had chickens (everything but). I got chickens for eggs and to help control parasites on our horse farm, I never, never dreamed that I would consider chickens pets...but I do now! I don't know much about chickens, joined this website today to learn more. I hope that you have a great experience and I have a sneaking suspicion that you too will fall in love with your chickens.