Hello!
I am a new chicken mom this year & loving it! I've been a "quiet member" of BackYard Chickens for the past year & have truly appreciated SO much great information from this community. It's easy to navigate for whatever it is I'm looking for answers for. I'm impressed with how people take their time to help each other on their chicken journey. Thank you for creating this space!!
I have a mixed flock of 29 chickens: 15 silkie bantam (hatched March '25), 2 white crested polish & the rest are a variety of standard size (6 of these hatched May '25 & 8 adopted ones are 1-3 years old).
Many years ago, I convinced my husband (who wasn't an animal person) to get a rescue dog. Thank God Bella was the incredible lab mix she was. Little did he know what was about to unfold...3 additional dogs, 2 goats, 4 bunnies, 6 ducks, 3 cats & now 29 chickens later. My little slice of heaven! Seriously, what's better than watching these fluffy butts get the zoomies around the yard?!
My full time job outside the home has been volunteering in the schools of our 5 kids (oldest is married). Needless to say, now that most of our kids are in college, I am learning to say, "No", to being on boards & "Yes" to things that bring me joy & peace. Being surrounded by animals outside is where I prefer to be. While I wouldn't mind less poop, it's nothing a pressure washer can't handle!
And who knew how much joy it could bring to trim feathers from chickens eyes, listening to them purr & putting them to sleep while petting them. I may come down from the barn covered in feathers, fur, hay & poop, but it's with a smile.
I thoroughly enjoy getting to know these curious personalities & have considered offering more people the opportunity to come relax at the barn. There is something to animal therapy for sure. In fact, my father-in-law was at our last big family gathering & wanted to see my chickens again. Because he has had trouble with his heart & passing out, I said I would bring the chickens to him. He went from being withdrawn & falling asleep in his chair (we were literally wondering if he was still breathing at times), to laughing & interacting. Completely alive & engaged. There we were, sitting together holding chickens in the middle of the house. Best half hour of the party. Definitely will do it again. Now I don't really think it's a party until you bring out the chickens to cuddle!
So, this is our life on the mini farm in a nutshell. Thank you for the warm welcome!
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and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.
to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!
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