- Aug 19, 2014
- 5
- 1
- 11
Last year at the county fair my 10 year daughter asked for money to buy a raffle ticket. (We were in the poultry barn). I gave her the money and didn't think more about it. Then in January we received a call that we were the winner of 5 day old baby chicks and we needed to come pick them up. Panic! We live in Wisconsin and endured the coldest winter in history. That week we reached -50 wind chill temps and it wasn't warming up. All the research we did said chicks needed to be kept at 90 degrees. Well, we put hand warmers in a shoe box and went to pick up our straight run chicks. They stayed in our bedroom for a week, then the entry way, then the basement until the weather finally warmed up to move them into the barn. We ended up with a Leghorn Cockerel (Coronal Sanders), a pair of Phoenix (Mr and Mrs Clever), a crooked toed Phoenix cockerel (Pepper) and a sweet Cochin pullet (Truffle).
Who would have thought that these 5 birds would change our life? Now we have over 30 chickens. We have a big horse barn that we are converting the stalls into chicken coops. The horses have been gone for years because I had major back surgery and couldn't ride any longer. Now instead of storing everyone's camper, boat and trailer for the winter...we have chickens, goats and rabbits.
Anyone who ever would say, "It is just a dumb chicken" is so very wrong. I spend hours in the barn just watching them. They have true relationships. Everyone gets along...well almost everyone, lol. They have formed bonds with the other animals, including the goats, cats, and dog. Yes, I said cats. Truffle and our cat Twilight hang out all day together.
My husband always asked me why it takes me so long to feed? I tell him it takes a long time to hand feed 30 chickens their meal worm snack and make sure everyone gets some petting. He thinks I am crazy yet he builds me more coops. We are now getting ready for the winter. I have done a ton of research how to prepare. I would appreciate any advise regarding heat lamps, how to keep the water from freezing, special food, lighting, bedding, etc. Do you keep the door open to the outdoor runs or shut them in for the winter? It gets very cold here. We always move the rabbits in for the winter but the goats love the snow and always go outside to play. The chickens share the outdoor run with the goats but we can separate them and put them in the other coops. Wondering what I should do?
I would get info from BYC all the time and finally joined. This is my first thread. I am looking forward to meeting you all. The nice thing about this forum is that everyone here is crazy about chickens. I am a 44 year old married mother of 3. I have a 21, 20 and 11 year old. My youngest is crazy about the chickens also. Believe it or not but she has all 30 named and knows exactly who everyone is. I am a surgical technologist at a local hospital but when I am at work as all I can think about is getting home to my hobby farm.
I wish more people would realize the joy that animals can bring. They relieve stress, are entertaining and give back. Everyone is always calling to see if I have extra eggs, lol, which I always do.
Well, I could go on forever but I will say goodnight for now. Hope I hear from you soon.
Melissa
Who would have thought that these 5 birds would change our life? Now we have over 30 chickens. We have a big horse barn that we are converting the stalls into chicken coops. The horses have been gone for years because I had major back surgery and couldn't ride any longer. Now instead of storing everyone's camper, boat and trailer for the winter...we have chickens, goats and rabbits.
Anyone who ever would say, "It is just a dumb chicken" is so very wrong. I spend hours in the barn just watching them. They have true relationships. Everyone gets along...well almost everyone, lol. They have formed bonds with the other animals, including the goats, cats, and dog. Yes, I said cats. Truffle and our cat Twilight hang out all day together.
My husband always asked me why it takes me so long to feed? I tell him it takes a long time to hand feed 30 chickens their meal worm snack and make sure everyone gets some petting. He thinks I am crazy yet he builds me more coops. We are now getting ready for the winter. I have done a ton of research how to prepare. I would appreciate any advise regarding heat lamps, how to keep the water from freezing, special food, lighting, bedding, etc. Do you keep the door open to the outdoor runs or shut them in for the winter? It gets very cold here. We always move the rabbits in for the winter but the goats love the snow and always go outside to play. The chickens share the outdoor run with the goats but we can separate them and put them in the other coops. Wondering what I should do?
I would get info from BYC all the time and finally joined. This is my first thread. I am looking forward to meeting you all. The nice thing about this forum is that everyone here is crazy about chickens. I am a 44 year old married mother of 3. I have a 21, 20 and 11 year old. My youngest is crazy about the chickens also. Believe it or not but she has all 30 named and knows exactly who everyone is. I am a surgical technologist at a local hospital but when I am at work as all I can think about is getting home to my hobby farm.
I wish more people would realize the joy that animals can bring. They relieve stress, are entertaining and give back. Everyone is always calling to see if I have extra eggs, lol, which I always do.
Well, I could go on forever but I will say goodnight for now. Hope I hear from you soon.
Melissa
) If you haven't done so already, I would suggest visiting our Learning Center at 
A raffle ticket is what did it, huh? IDK...sounds suspiciously like the culprit was chicken math if you ask me. 5 to 30...that's quite a jump...lol !!! Good to have you aboard!
and Welcome To BYC! Great Intro! You might want to check out your state thread for chicken keeping neighbors and any suggestions they have for dealing with your weather 
