(1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens?
In November 2011, we picked up 3 pullets from a local feed store (Ruby, Gladys & Gertrude). We were told that all 3 were hens 16-22 weeks old. In Feburary, 2 of my girls (Ruby & Gladys) starting laying but the 3rd starting crowing... Turns out Gertrude was a Gus. Since we are in a neighborhood, the rooster had to go
Luckily, the feed store agreed to take him back.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
When we returned the rooster, we picked up 2 more pullets that were 18 and 12 weeks old (Mabel & Beatrice). So now we are up to 4.
(3) What breeds do you have?
Since neither my husband or I had ever owned chicken before, we did not have a breed preference at all. So, we decided to get each one in a different breed (based on what the feed store had in stock). All 4 are from a small local hatchery not a big chicken farm (they were all de-beaked and we did not want that). Here's what we ended up with:
1. Ruby - RIR. lays 6 small brown eggs a week
2. Gladys - speckled sussex, lays 5 medium beige eggs a week
3. Mabel - production red, laying small beige eggs (but she just started this week!)
4. Beatrice aka Little Bea - barred rock, still has another 2 months or so until she starts laying
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
I used this site to so alot oa research before we build our coop and brought our girls home. It has been a ton of help!
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
As we were looking into starting a new hobby (beekeeping) last month, we were told that we are over-hobbied. I'm not sure if I agree, but that might happen soon! Here are the biggies:
- homebrewing beer & mead (honey wine)
- gardening
- camping
- hunting
- CrossFit
Oh, we cannot foget our 8-5 "hobbies" and our 12-year project of raising a kid!
In November 2011, we picked up 3 pullets from a local feed store (Ruby, Gladys & Gertrude). We were told that all 3 were hens 16-22 weeks old. In Feburary, 2 of my girls (Ruby & Gladys) starting laying but the 3rd starting crowing... Turns out Gertrude was a Gus. Since we are in a neighborhood, the rooster had to go
Luckily, the feed store agreed to take him back.(2) How many chickens do you have right now?
When we returned the rooster, we picked up 2 more pullets that were 18 and 12 weeks old (Mabel & Beatrice). So now we are up to 4.
(3) What breeds do you have?
Since neither my husband or I had ever owned chicken before, we did not have a breed preference at all. So, we decided to get each one in a different breed (based on what the feed store had in stock). All 4 are from a small local hatchery not a big chicken farm (they were all de-beaked and we did not want that). Here's what we ended up with:
1. Ruby - RIR. lays 6 small brown eggs a week
2. Gladys - speckled sussex, lays 5 medium beige eggs a week
3. Mabel - production red, laying small beige eggs (but she just started this week!)
4. Beatrice aka Little Bea - barred rock, still has another 2 months or so until she starts laying
(4) How did you find out about BackYardChickens.com?
I used this site to so alot oa research before we build our coop and brought our girls home. It has been a ton of help!
(5) What are some of your other hobbies?
As we were looking into starting a new hobby (beekeeping) last month, we were told that we are over-hobbied. I'm not sure if I agree, but that might happen soon! Here are the biggies:
- homebrewing beer & mead (honey wine)
- gardening
- camping
- hunting
- CrossFit
Oh, we cannot foget our 8-5 "hobbies" and our 12-year project of raising a kid!
from Ohio. So glad you joined. 
