1) Are you new to chickens / when did you first get chickens? I grew up in the country outside Santa Maria, CA where my parents had bantam chickens, a few Guinea hens and ducks. I recently moved to a more rural location in Santa Cruz county where my husband and I now have chickens and bees as well as three Aussie dogs.
(2) How many chickens do you have right now? Currently, I have 6 hens.
(3) What breeds do you have? Four Rhode Island Reds, one Australorp, and two Ameracaunas.
(4) What are your favorite aspects of raising backyard chickens? Love the sweet sounds they make, watching them enjoy free ranging, and you can't beat the eggs! I also love teaching my city boy husband and son about country life.
(5) What are some of your other hobbies? Bee keeping, canning, sewing, reading, hiking - being outside in the garden.
(6) Tell us about your family, your other pets, your occupation, or anything else you'd like to share. See above
(7) Bonus: How did you find BYC, how long have you known about BYC, and what made you finally join our awesome community?Although I grew up with chickens, I realized how much I didn't know when I got my own. I have several 'chicken books', but this forum is by far the best way to get information.

Welcome to BackYardChickens! So glad to have you here in our wonderful community of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable people!