So here I am. Hi Everyone!
I've been checking out BYC and reading here for a few years now. The chicks I started out with will be 2 years old on June 3rd.
I've learned so much here. My intention when I came today was to sign up and post a thank you. I have learned so much from hanging out here. I started out using a search engine for everything related to chickens but have come to realize that I only need to come here and I get all the help I can stand.
THANK YOU ALL!
I started out with 31 chicks and now have 25 with 22 originals in my mostly front yard chickens. We hatched some last summer. When I say we I mean they. haha We have only lost 2 to illness. I think BYC and the people here are the cause of our not losing more. What a blessing this place has been for me and my flock.
What have I learned here? More than can be stated in a quick post but the few stand outs are:
Fermenting feed - Love it and so do they. It's an easy and excellent way to stretch my feed dollars while giving my girls and Rusty (Roo) good eats.
Scaly Leg Mites - I was able to catch on before any major problems just by reading posts here about them. So more of a prevention than an actual problem. The one question I do have would be how often does everyone dip their chicken's legs? I noticed that a couple of my chickens do have a few slightly raised scales.
Worms - Double ewww. I've read through here for days trying to get on top of this problem and have done Safeguard (fenbendazole) first as that was the only thing I could get right away. Then waited 10 days and yesterday gave them Valbazen (albendazole). Everyone is doing fine and major thanks to this group and a few individuals (not naming names but I'm pretty sure you and everyone knows who) for making me feel confidant with taking care of this problem. I feel stupid I didn't catch on sooner and lost one of my girls to something I could have helped. One does tend to live and learn when it comes to chickens.
Once again a huge thanks to you all who have put in your time to help others. Raising chickens is an excellent way to raise ones self. I am a changed person because of them. I want the best life I can give them without going overboard and turning into a crazy chicken person. LOL
Hope you all have a great day.
-Vi
I've been checking out BYC and reading here for a few years now. The chicks I started out with will be 2 years old on June 3rd.
I've learned so much here. My intention when I came today was to sign up and post a thank you. I have learned so much from hanging out here. I started out using a search engine for everything related to chickens but have come to realize that I only need to come here and I get all the help I can stand.

THANK YOU ALL!
I started out with 31 chicks and now have 25 with 22 originals in my mostly front yard chickens. We hatched some last summer. When I say we I mean they. haha We have only lost 2 to illness. I think BYC and the people here are the cause of our not losing more. What a blessing this place has been for me and my flock.
What have I learned here? More than can be stated in a quick post but the few stand outs are:
Fermenting feed - Love it and so do they. It's an easy and excellent way to stretch my feed dollars while giving my girls and Rusty (Roo) good eats.
Scaly Leg Mites - I was able to catch on before any major problems just by reading posts here about them. So more of a prevention than an actual problem. The one question I do have would be how often does everyone dip their chicken's legs? I noticed that a couple of my chickens do have a few slightly raised scales.
Worms - Double ewww. I've read through here for days trying to get on top of this problem and have done Safeguard (fenbendazole) first as that was the only thing I could get right away. Then waited 10 days and yesterday gave them Valbazen (albendazole). Everyone is doing fine and major thanks to this group and a few individuals (not naming names but I'm pretty sure you and everyone knows who) for making me feel confidant with taking care of this problem. I feel stupid I didn't catch on sooner and lost one of my girls to something I could have helped. One does tend to live and learn when it comes to chickens.
Once again a huge thanks to you all who have put in your time to help others. Raising chickens is an excellent way to raise ones self. I am a changed person because of them. I want the best life I can give them without going overboard and turning into a crazy chicken person. LOL
Hope you all have a great day.
-Vi