- Jan 25, 2014
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Hi BYCers from Vancouver, WA (about 5 minutes from Portland, OR). I am a lurker/chicken enthusiast of about 3 years and just now getting to the point where I think I can safely, less tentatively say we are going to have chickens. Perhaps not this spring (girl can hope, but probably not) but I want to say next year. We moved from a teeny apartment to a rental house. We are renting from DH's boss, who owns an aviary (he is a real bird enthusiast as well as has chickens of his own). Just have to clear it with him, but we have a huge fenced backyard now. Been waiting 3 years for one of his homes to open up so we are just thrilled to pieces!
Last I checked unlimited hens are legal in Vancouver, WA - roosters are not (fine by me, not looking to breed right now anyway). A few years ago I devoured several chicken books (Chickens for Dummies, Storey's Chickens, Chicken Tractors, Building Chicken Coops for Dummies) but now am going to need to re-read them.
Yay!
I can't wait to get my peeps! Now comes the hard part - choosing my breeds! Thinking I will start with 4-6 chicks. I want to support heritage breed breeders but I need a breed that will forage for most of its food, be very hardy for my climate, and produce a lot of eggs. Not flighty either as I don't want them bugging the neighbors going over our fencing - though of course we'll clip the wings. DH has a lot of experience with that working in his boss's aviary thankfully, and I've read some tutorials too... Also would really like them to be affectionate. The last thing is not crucial but pretty and not "common" looking would be nice, but I already realize it might be impossible to get everything else so can sacrifice for sure in the looks department. A lot of the books disagreed on things crucial to me in their breed descriptions, so any insights you can offer are much appreciated!
Did I mention I'm excited?
- Classical
Last I checked unlimited hens are legal in Vancouver, WA - roosters are not (fine by me, not looking to breed right now anyway). A few years ago I devoured several chicken books (Chickens for Dummies, Storey's Chickens, Chicken Tractors, Building Chicken Coops for Dummies) but now am going to need to re-read them.
I can't wait to get my peeps! Now comes the hard part - choosing my breeds! Thinking I will start with 4-6 chicks. I want to support heritage breed breeders but I need a breed that will forage for most of its food, be very hardy for my climate, and produce a lot of eggs. Not flighty either as I don't want them bugging the neighbors going over our fencing - though of course we'll clip the wings. DH has a lot of experience with that working in his boss's aviary thankfully, and I've read some tutorials too... Also would really like them to be affectionate. The last thing is not crucial but pretty and not "common" looking would be nice, but I already realize it might be impossible to get everything else so can sacrifice for sure in the looks department. A lot of the books disagreed on things crucial to me in their breed descriptions, so any insights you can offer are much appreciated!
Did I mention I'm excited?
- Classical
