Hi I'm New here!

[LinzyJ]

So excited

1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
Yes, new to owning my own! Grew up helping with friend's chickens on their farm. Got my chickens 8 weeks ago!
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
I have 3 hens
(3) What breeds do you have?
All are Buff Orpingtons
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens?
I love greeting them in the morning, I love giving them "treats". I love watching my 3yr old son interact with them and help with chores. Great responsibility.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
I garden, plant flowers, love to do preserving of salsa, tomato sauces, soups, and jelly! I also love making candied jalapenos and jalapeno jelly
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to sharee
My husband and I have one child and one on the way! No other pets. I work in healthcare and my spouse works in the trucking industry as well as being in the military

So excited to learn the ropes and hopefully not make too many big mistakes along the way. We are in town and have a small coop. The girls are 8 weeks old and I currently let them out of the coop into a "pen" with a cover on top due to hawks. We have plenty even in town! Wondering when and the best way to begin letting them "roam" a bit more? Suggestions??

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens Linzy, it's very nice to meet you

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• How to start a new thread
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).
• Hatching / Chick-care

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hello Linzy and welcome to BYC! This is a great place to learn and share your chicken adventures. You are wise to keep your wee ones in a covered pen. Hawks are a big problem and it will take a while for the girls to learn about the danger. Best of luck with your flock.

 

[Kale the Quail]

hi! welcome to BYC! thanks for joining

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Hi Linzy, welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Given the hawk problem supervised free ranging is the best idea - especially now when they are small.

 

[LinzyJ]

Hello Linzy and welcome to BYC! This is a great place to learn and share your chicken adventures. You are wise to keep your wee ones in a covered pen. Hawks are a big problem and it will take a while for the girls to learn about the danger. Best of luck with your flock.

thanks for the reassurance about keeping them covered. I just don’t want to miss the time to “train them” to free range. I broke my ankle recently making it harder to chase them if they wander too far. We do have a completely fenced property but I don't trust them enough yet! When they’re full grown, hawks shouldnt be much issue, correct?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!
Best Wishes & Be Well!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Leave them in their run until your ankle heals. Then when you're ready let them out about 2 hours before roost time and supervise. They won't go far because they know dusk in approaching.