I am new to keeping chickens as pets. As a second grade teacher, I would always hatch a batch of eggs in the classroom each spring, and the children would follow the development day by day inside the egg, then watch the miracle of baby chicks hatching and growing so quickly. I would only keep the chicks 2-3 weeks-until they stared getting a little rowdy for the classroom- then they would move on to a farmer looking for "people friendly chickens." After I retired from teaching two years ago, I always wanted to keep a small flock of chickens as pets. Finally, this spring, I took the plunge.
My husband got into the whole idea because he found designing the perfect coop so much of a challenge. We ended up buying am Amish-built coop, very well-made and sturdy, with an attached run with a roof. My husband added electricity for lights, fans and heat (especially while chicks were younger), a great dig proof base, and electric fencing all around. (We live in an area with lots of predators).
After the coop was ready, I got 5 cute day-old chicks (born April 30, 2018- 2 Black Australorps (Winn and Dixie), 2 Easter Eggers (Maize and Chloe), and 1 Swedish Flower Hen (Elsa). I had done a lot of research and decided this was my perfect mix.
After some ups and downs (we almost lost Winn at 2 weeks with a respiratory issue, but through the help of an avian expert at Purdue University she pulled through) the girls moved into their coop when they were 4 weeks old.
We love watching them and interacting with their various personalities. Our granddaughter is a favorite of theirs, especially with Dixie, who loves to be held!
My husband got into the whole idea because he found designing the perfect coop so much of a challenge. We ended up buying am Amish-built coop, very well-made and sturdy, with an attached run with a roof. My husband added electricity for lights, fans and heat (especially while chicks were younger), a great dig proof base, and electric fencing all around. (We live in an area with lots of predators).
After the coop was ready, I got 5 cute day-old chicks (born April 30, 2018- 2 Black Australorps (Winn and Dixie), 2 Easter Eggers (Maize and Chloe), and 1 Swedish Flower Hen (Elsa). I had done a lot of research and decided this was my perfect mix.
After some ups and downs (we almost lost Winn at 2 weeks with a respiratory issue, but through the help of an avian expert at Purdue University she pulled through) the girls moved into their coop when they were 4 weeks old.
We love watching them and interacting with their various personalities. Our granddaughter is a favorite of theirs, especially with Dixie, who loves to be held!
Welcome to BYC!!! 
