Hi there from DeBary, Florida!

[Buff Hooligans]

Welcome to BYC and congrats on your new digs in DeBary. My hubby's sis & husband live there and love it. We love visiting them too!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio.

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Quote:
Debary is geographically right above Lake Mary and Sanford, below Deltona, and west of Enterprise. Nice quiet little town, low crime rate, lots of bicycle trails and small restaraunts. Not ritzy like Lake Mary, but not slummy and dengerous like Sanford can be. Not much traffic either! Lots of people say that a bunch of old fuddies live here, which is fine with me. I'm an old soul.

I'd like to thank you guys for the warm welcome! Much appreciated!

 

[chics in the sun]

Sounds nice!

 

[Freckle Face Farm]

 

[3goodeggs]

Hi, Lana! That is a nice area-don't advertise it too much or it won't stay that way! We had a quiet little town once too.

anyway, welcome to BYC! I knew a Lana way back in elementary school. I always thought it was such a beautiful name, but besides Lana Turner, I never heard of anyone else having it. I think the 'Bo-banna" song
scared people away from giving it to their little girls.
I hope you get your chicks!

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Quote:
Haha, okay, I'll keep DeBary a secret!

I love my name - my mom felt like being unique I suppose! I have known plenty of Lainas but only ever met one other Lana. My middle name is Anna, which is funny since it rhymes. Mom calls me Lana Banana most of the time in a silly British accent. I don't understand why she does that, but it cracks me up.

Anyway I can't wait to get all moved in and set up! Looking forward to it!

 

[3goodeggs]

I don't understand why she does that, but it cracks me up.
THAT"s why!

 

[animalloverabh]

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Hi guys.

Just wanted to update everyone!

We got the house after Christmas - RIGHT before the year ended so we could qualify for the homestead exemption. We were really worried we wouldn't close! Bank of America took forever!

It's lovely- so much potential and a nice garden with rare plants already in!

I'd be lying if I said we were all moved in.

There's still a garage full of packed boxes and furniture! But we are slowly moving in. I had to rip up carpet in the back 2 bedrooms (I have animals and allergies, carpet is a no-no!) and patch the concrete. Then I laid down the Allure vinyl planks in both rooms - it's like waterproof laminate, fantastic stuff and great realistic grains, feels awesome on your feet and really easy to install (can you tell I'm impressed with the stuff? lol) and clean.

I also had to paint EVERYTHING. She never told us she smoked!!! She covered it up well when we visited the house, and she had just painted the entire place before my fiancee and I saw it the first time. When we went back for the inspection we blamed the smell on her realtor, who smokes like a chimney. I didn't find out until the day of closing that she was a darn chain smoker. I had to HOSE down this place with oil-based sealer/primer because the residue was bleeding through the paint. UGH!! It was a lot of work, and it's not done yet - my bathroom still needs to be painted.

BUT ANYWAY - I'll be in the market for chickens as soon as this crap is all done. I was able to convince the fiancee that 8 chickens would be a good number, but he put a hard cap on that. XD I have decided to keep all my cats indoors only as well - I live too close to the road. WTB more rural life, but that will have to wait until I have money saved up. I have a feeling that chickens will be addictive! I also want goats and horses and a cow or three.

Questions I have for you guys:

Can 8 hens be happy free-ranging on a third of an acre during the day or should I go for a smaller flock? They'd have everything - food, water, a coop big enough for 8, grit, DE powder dust baths, and a 6-ft high privacy fence around the entire yard. The predators around here would be possums, raccoons, and owls mainly. There might be palm rats as well but I am not sure if they will go after chickens.

Also: here is my choice of birds, chosen for egg laying abilities and/or friendliness:

3 Easter eggers
2 Wyandottes (one golden laced and the other silver laced)
2 Cochins (a partridge and a blue)
1 Welsummer

I thought about a Marans or Red Star instead of the Wyandottes because florida is hot! I get scared when I read a breed is 'cold hardy' - makes me think that life in FL might be uncomfortable for them. I also considered Brahmas. I love the Wyandottes though, would really like to have them.

Any advice, chickeneers?