Hi! I'm an urban Tulsa senior lady (still working fulltime, though) who noticed several postings on my neighborhood Facebook page about neighbors who have backyard chickens. Having had a flock of leghorns years ago in the country, I thought switching gears and having some backyard pets/egg layers would be great! So, 2 weeks ago I ordered 3 day-old pullets from Cackle Hatchery. Four babies arrived and the fun has begun! First photo is of their first day with me. One speckled Sussex (Mildred), one black laced silver Wyandotte (Agnes), and 2 black lacked gold Wyandottes (June and Jam). They're 2 weeks old now and I can't believe how fast they're growing! Seems they're feathering out quicker than the photos online that I've seen of others' chicks. Second photo is of them today. I would like comments on whether they look normal for 2-week-olds. To me, they look more like 3-week-olds. Currently they're in a big Rubbermaid tub in the garage. I bought a coop kit with run extension online (my daughter's boyfriend assembled it for me). I'm thinking, because it's still warm out here, that next weekend I'll move them to the coop where I plan (following suggestions I found on this website) to keep them shut in for most of a week so they'll figure out that's their home. Then they'll get to climb out and roam the fenced run area as they choose. I've picked a spot in my backyard that's farthest from my house and all the neighbors' houses. It's grassy, so they should have fun pecking away. Glad to join this gathering of kindred souls! Nancy
Very nice to meet you Nancy. What a lovely name - ok I am a Nancy too! Beautiful chicks. Hope you enjoy BYC as much as we do.
so glad you have joined us. And congrats on your beautiful new flock. They do look 2 weeks old to me, but mine are now over 3 years old, and unfortunate computer crash lost those great photos. Good luck with your newbies and hope to see you around the forums.
Greetings from Kansas, Nancy, and . Pleased you joined our community! Beautiful chicks! One word of caution...if you ordered 3 hens and 4 birds arrived, particularly if one that arrived was a different breed from what you ordered...my money is that the extra might be a boy. Hatcheries often throw in "bonus" or "surprise" chicks as a way to get rid of extra males. Hope not - unless you're okay with a rooster. Anyway....best of luck to you and your flock!
Thanks much for the cautionary note.That had crossed my mind about the roo possibility. I do have a co-worker who has a bigger flock that she pastures.I'm thinking she might take any boy I might have. Tulsa has no regulations against roosters,but there are noise regulations which I don't want to have to deal with.
Welcome to BYC. It's great to have you! Good choice with Cackle hatchery... out of the thousands of birds I've worked with they are by far my favorite, they just have really good stock for being a commercial hatchery.
