twendt
Songster
Hi, I'm an "underground" chicken keeper. I live in a suburb that still hasn't caught up, even though suburbs closer to the city and even the city I live near allow chickens. I Ok'd it with my neighbors and many were surprised to learn they were not allowed. So I'm an Outlaw. I started with 3 RIR, one died suddenly last summer at 18 months (fatty liver?) and I already had 2 juvenile silver laced wyandottes that I planned on adding to the flock, to make 5 hens total. After Daisie (my RIR) died ,I was sad I only had 4 hens, plus the 2 remaining RIR were bullying the newbies. I made the mistake of going on Craig's list to see if anyone was selling grown hens since it was already August. A farmer 75 mi away was getting rid of her flock of 50 and had Silver laced wyandottes ... oh no. I bought 2 for $3 each, I met her at a gas station and she handed them to me in a feedbag, I was horrified, but hid my feelings. When I got home I opened the bag and found half naked hens that had pale combs, leg mites and were afraid of people. What did I do?? By November they were looking gorgeous and buddied up with my other Wyandottes , the RIR are still jerks but like me. I'm afraid to disclose where I live in fear of losing my girls. I built my own coop last summer and have learned a lot in my almost 2 yrs of chicken keeping. I read a lot of articles and forums to keep myself informed. Thanks for all of your advice and knowledge.
