Hi everyone! Just got six girls, three Rhode Island Reds and 3 Orpingtons. Already laying. Really pretty and getting used to their new home. First timer here, did a lot of research beforehand about feed etc. and keep on reading about more specific things. Some of the stuff out there is disheartening though. Between mites, fleas, scaly legs, intestinal worms, egg bound hens, coccidiosis...is ANYONE out there actually enjoying happy healthy hens or is chicken ownership just one big mess? I'm not sure if these things are all extremely common or just a sometimes thing and dependent upon how many chickens you have and how you maintain your flock. Love all the posts here! Learning a lot already.
I have had chickens most of my life---at least 50 of my years with chickens. I have always enjoyed having them. 2015 was my biggest year----run into a little problem that was corrected----lost 27 chickens but that's a small number being I had 1000 or more. Other than that, learning how to take care of them---its been enjoyable I will have to say.
Greetings from Kansas and ! Pleased you joined our flock! Yes....in fact I think the vast majority of chicken owners have happy an healthy flocks! From time to time things crop up - but for the most part, with adequate food, space, water, and TLC, chickens kind of take care of themselves and live happy lives. BYC is here to hear those stories - but also to help when the occasional problem does come up. Follow the tips in the Learning Center about rearing chickens and you will be all set! Best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!!
Thanks guys!! That's good to know. I feel better about venturing into the world of chickens. The girls seem happy and even though I transported them yesterday about an hour in the back of my truck, through some rain, they seemed to be acclamating well already! I got three eggs this morning. Can't wait to learn more and have fun with the process.
Hello there, and welcome to Backyard chickens! Glad you joined us, hope you enjoy it here as much as I have! ~Cuz
A lot of the things you mention lice, mites, worms, diseases come to people via unscrupulous sellers. Newbies don't know what they have in store until it all erupts. Let the buyer beware.
G’Day from down under chknemprr Welcome! Chickens do have ups and downs but the ups far outweigh the downs. We have dealt with a mite infestation compliments of a visiting Bush Turkey, lost a couple to causes unknown which is heart breaking when they are much loved pets but we have also had the pleasure of watching a mother hen raise her little ones, something we will never tire of watching. The girls never let a day go by where they have not made us smile or chuckle. We have never regretted getting chickens and in fact, because we are relocating, planning on flying the girls the 1,300kms to their new home because neither of us could bear to part with them. I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
