I gol' darn gone and done it .

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2cute2pass

2cute2pass

Chirping
6 Years
Apr 14, 2015
13
1
84
Hi Y'all, t
My name is Maggie, I live in Las Vegas. I've been looking at BYC for about 2 weeks now. I love this website. I have learned alot already, but I know I have a long way to go. So thank you everyone for being here to help this newbie.

I've always liked chickens and all the decorations for the house. So for over 2-3 years I wanted to raise chickens, but always talked myself out of it. I wanted to build a coop first and their run. But didn't have an idea for what I wanted. I'd search the web for ideas. Well spring came this year and got the sales ad for Chicks and chickens supplies There they were so cute, so I checked online Wednesday and they had two left. I drove there and found out they were sold out. Oh how disappointing, So I asked the girl if they would be getting anymore in, she said usually on Thursdays they come in. The next day April 2, I checked their inventory online. Yes, they got the new ones in. Now I'm really excited. I had a couple of appointments that day and was getting pretty late, knowing they're selling out as fast as they come in. I checked their inventory again and it didn't have too many left according to their records. My boyfriend told me "Just call them and ask how many are left" So I did Jeremy told me they had about a couple dozen left. So I jumped in the truck and practically ran into the store to the back. (Me, I ran to the back of the store, not my truck.) LOL. So I decided to get 4 White Leghorns and 4 Australorp. Not a big variety by the time I got there, but enough I was thrilled. Now Jeremy (the sales person catching these chicks pulled out my 4 Australorp and then he picked up the 5th one. He asked me "are you sure you only want 4?" "Look it's all by it's self, he'll get lonely" OK, what's one more So I took it too. I couldn't let it be sad, right? I gathered the necessary things for them and brought home all my babies, They were way too cute to pass. Not this year wasn't happening again. Jumped in with both feet. Of course I put the cart before the horse, cause I still don't have a coop. But now I'll have to do it. I've been looking at alot of beautiful coops you have posted and getting ideas of what I might want to do. In the mean time, I have utilized a cardboard box line with plastic bags, a towel on top of those and straw on top. They have water and food dispensers and a heat lamp as well. My Daughters and Grand Daughters came over Easter Sunday, They were so excited, my daughters also went crazy for them. Still trying to figure out who wants to claim what chick, in the mean time they get handled daily. Want them to be friendly.My youngest Daughter who loves all animals decided she wanted to buy 4 of her own, So back to Cal-Ranch. LOL it was on Thursday again. She picked up 2 Araucanas and 2 Siverlaced Wyandottes. Of course those SLW were so adorable, I gave in and got two for myself. I couldn't help myself. So total we have 9 two week old chicks and 6 that are a week old. I like my chickens like I like my chocolates, an assortment. All are doing very well. I keep them in my bedroom, right next to my bed so I can keep an eye on them all night. I'm Hooked. Loving it, now to figure out my coop.

This is the greatest site. I love it. Hoping to meet new friends here to help me educate myself.

Thanks everybody.
 
lol you're already doing chicken math. Just one more... And a few more... ;)

Hello and
welcome-byc.gif


It's a very good forum for info for sure.

Best wishes.
 
Hi, Maggie, welcome to BYC!!!
Your post is so full of excitement it is a joy to read. You have selected some lovely birds there and will soon be up to your ears in eggs with those breeds The BAs are one of the most friendly breeds, too, so you'll have some lovely pets as well (WL can be a bit flighty and less "pet-like" but are still wonderful birds. I also see that you have already mastered "Chicken Math" with your other additions. I do have to caution that the "Araucana" you purchased are likely actually Easter Eggers - true Araucana are not available through hatcheries (where stores get their birds) and are quite rare with the price tag to go with that rarity when you do find a reputable breeder to source them from. That being said, you'll likely actually be happier with the Easter Eggers than you would have been with the real deal as EE are more readily available, more affordable and more prolific layers. It sounds like you were likely looking for the "pretty eggs" that Araucana would be expected to produce, and that is something EE can do wonderfully. SLW are fabulous birds as well - the three in my current flock are among my most reliable layers and, while a bit more aloof, still friendly.
Now - get building - these guys grow SO fast and will be ready to be up and out of that brooder (and you'll be ready to have them up and out) before you know it!! :)
 
oh my goodness! hope you get it all together and live happily ever after!
I am more hesitant, and will be incubatiing eggs . My family wants to start pheasants or chickens for our farm--just need to get it right the first time. I wish you all the best!
 
Thank you so much. I know I'll have at least a million questions through out this adventure. LOL
 
Ol Grey Mare said:
Hi, Maggie, welcome to BYC!!!
Your post is so full of excitement it is a joy to read. You have selected some lovely birds there and will soon be up to your ears in eggs with those breeds The BAs are one of the most friendly breeds, too, so you'll have some lovely pets as well (WL can be a bit flighty and less "pet-like" but are still wonderful birds. I also see that you have already mastered "Chicken Math" with your other additions. I do have to caution that the "Araucana" you purchased are likely actually Easter Eggers - true Araucana are not available through hatcheries (where stores get their birds) and are quite rare with the price tag to go with that rarity when you do find a reputable breeder to source them from. That being said, you'll likely actually be happier with the Easter Eggers than you would have been with the real deal as EE are more readily available, more affordable and more prolific layers. It sounds like you were likely looking for the "pretty eggs" that Araucana would be expected to produce, and that is something EE can do wonderfully. SLW are fabulous birds as well - the three in my current flock are among my most reliable layers and, while a bit more aloof, still friendly.
Now - get building - these guys grow SO fast and will be ready to be up and out of that brooder (and you'll be ready to have them up and out) before you know it!! :)
Click to expand...
Thank you so much. I was a little worried about it being so long. LOL, Yes, I am really excited. My WL definitely are flighty, went to the movies the other night with my daughters and cousins. I received a text from my BF. He said "Ok chickens are flying out of their box! 2 hilarious. Under the bed now. 2 funny little ***** hahaha"
Cracked me up. When I got home they were back in their box. He had ran all over the room trying to catch them. Then it ran past him and stood there. He put his hand down and the chick just walked into his hand. He was laughing so hard he was crying, as was I when he told me how he caught it. "Adventures in baby sitting" right? For the most part my WL will eat out of my hand, they will jump in my hand and like to walk up my arm and sit on my shoulder. So I'm hoping they'll be a little more people friendly. fingers crossed.

Oh, boy have i figured out chicken math. So many breeds out there. But I need to get this flock settled first, no more surprise! Look what I got. As for the Araucana's, my youngest daughter Chelsea (pictured in my avatar photo with them) Likes the thought of colored eggs, but really liked their chipmonk cheeks. I have read and read on the differences between the Araucanas, Ameraraucanas and EE's, I really don't know what the difference between them is, seems very confusing, could someone help me understand? Chelsea's a happy camper with whatever they maybe. Doesn't she look just giddy? As I was taking the picture, she starts laughing and states "It, pooped on me," This picture cracks me up every time I look at it. The SLW , seem to be growing slower than the first 9 did, can't wait to see them grow.

As for the coop and run, I live with two awesome carpenters. Lucky girl I am. So I'm confident it will get done in time. LoL, I think they're leaning against Strong and simple. I on the other hand am looking for cute, strong, and efficient. LOL. So I'll probably end up with two down the road. He He, my daughter and I are planning as I too am good with building. Hope you have a great day. Thanks again.
 
cheepteach said:
oh my goodness! hope you get it all together and live happily ever after!
I am more hesitant, and will be incubatiing eggs . My family wants to start pheasants or chickens for our farm--just need to get it right the first time. I wish you all the best!
Click to expand...
Thank you. I hope things go well for you. I love the thought of incubating eggs and watching them hatch, but I don't know anything about the process. Something I would love to learn about though. It will all come together for me and my babies. I have a support group. Lol, two of them carpenters. He He. Have a great day and thanks again.
 

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